ARTICLE FROM OUR PARISH BULLETIN – SEPTEMBER 8, 2024
Today, I want to lift up all those who work with our Migrant Ministry welcoming and aiding our migrant brothers and sisters; Housing Forward at our Saint Catherine – Saint Lucy Rectory offering a meal and shelter to the homeless; and to those who have worked so diligently creating our Neighborhood Bridge. In the past two weeks, our parishes have heard from mission speakers and were invited to participate in support of mission work around the world. We have many needs in our own parishes and, as I’ve mentioned, several outreach ministries that we are being asked to pray for and support both financially and with our volunteer time. It may all feel too much and overwhelming at times. Recently, Pope Francis, speaking in Rome to four religious orders who were founded to support and educate young people from poor families, had this to say. I share it because it is something beautiful and important for us all to remember in our efforts to help those in need among us.
The Pope said, “God will not judge people by how many degrees they have earned, but how well they have cared for the poor. The Lord won’t ask us, what did you study? How many degrees do you have? The Lord will say come with me because I was hungry and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me to drink; I was persecuted and you protected me.”
Now and then, someone will say to me, is all this necessary? They mean the outreach and new initiatives we are doing to help the least among us. (Together, our community has been doing quite a bit.) Pope Francis reminds us, clearly Jesus speaks to us in our neediest brothers and sisters. In every gesture of concern we give, there is the refection of God’s love. If we believe life’s final exam will be on how we cared for the poor, we can be proud of what we are doing, and it should encourage us as individuals and as a community to continue our efforts and support. Thank you to all who have been working so diligently and for your support of our outreach ministries.
We face changes and new direction in our church and parishes as we have gone through Renew My Church. Now we must work on spiritual renewal. Many want to look for someone to blame, and in our world with its many issues we do the same. We may think that things like TikTok, the media, music, especially rap, political figures and some movies… all these outside influences contribute to the problems in our world. When we listen to the words of Jesus and stay close to the word of God, we are given a clear direction to help us grow. Instead of laying blame, accept personal responsibility. Don’t allow outside influences to choke off the word of God that is to live in our hearts. It is from the heart that we relate to one another and to God. If we want to change ourselves and change anything about the world around us, it starts with our own heart.
And heart work is hard work! When we work on the interior, we become less critical of the exterior actions of others because now we can better view the world through the lens of God’s eyes, a lens of love.
This week, pay attention to where you might lean less into judgment and criticism and lean more into love. Our communities, our parishes, the circle of life around us would all be happier and more peaceful environments if each one of us accepted personal responsibility and leaned more into love!
Have a blessed and safe week ahead.
With you a Christian. For you a priest!
Father Carl Morello
Pastor
Ascension and St. Edmund Parish
St. Catherine of Siena – St. Lucy and St. Giles Parish
