RMC – Oak Park Unification Update – May 22, 2022


Parish Bulletin – May 22, 2022

What’s happening regarding Renew My Church? Our unification team has met for the second time and has a third meeting planned for June 4. Two topics that have been discussed are opportunities for members from both parishes to meet each other and attend Mass at one another’s site. We talked about scheduling some “Mass and Meet” weekends throughout the summer. The topic of Mass times and schedules was raised as well as opportunities for small group gatherings for folks to share how they are feeling regarding unification opportunities and challenges. No decisions have been made. We recognize that conversation and decision making will take time. With summer almost here, taking it slow will be a blessing.

Soon, we hope to have a picture and a small bio on each member of the unification team so that you can identify them and share your thoughts or comments about our unification with them. More information to come in the weeks ahead!

As we walk together through this time of transition and BUILDING A NEW REALITY, the next phase of Renew My Church, let us remember the virtue of humility. This virtue is the antidote to pride. Humility helps us recognize that God is worthy of our worship and obedience. Rather than focusing on ourselves, humility helps us to be willing to focus on God and live according to His ways of love exemplified in Jesus.

Two other virtues to help guide us are gratitude and generosity. They go hand in hand, reminding us that God is the source of all good, and that everything we have is a gift to be enjoyed and shared. This will help remind us to stop the “compare-despair” cycle of envy and greed. We might look to limiting our time on social media and curbing impulse shopping and instead to finding more ways to show our generosity and kindness. To keep us focused, we can start the practice of naming things we are grateful for and appreciate every day in our prayers.

Our readings this weekend remind us of this important truth as we look toward the future. The readings offer assurance of God’s continuing presence with us. The apostles relied on the Holy Spirit to guide them. And, so must we!

And as we move toward our unification, I would like to offer my congratulations to Kevin and Marci Morgan of the St. Catherine-St. Lucy community for Kevin’s ordination to the permanent diaconate last weekend. We look forward to getting to know Kevin and Marci as our two communities come together. May God’s blessings be with them both in this new role as deacon couple.

Have a safe and blessed week ahead.

With you a Christian. For you a priest.

Fr. Carl MorelloPastor of St. Giles Parish