To My Spiritual Family of Holy Redeemer and St. Anthony, Stories that Burn: Very intentionally, we have been sharing stories as part of our parish gatherings. Whether it be a Parish Leadership Team meeting, a Pastoral Council or Finance Council meeting, a parish staff team meeting, or what have you, we have been making it a practice to share the “glory stories” that abound within our parish and our larger Christian community. It is so tempting for us to focus on the negative and get caught up in the ugliness. Yet when we hear anecdotes of love and service, our hearts are lifted and refreshed. We want to ignite the fire at Holy Redeemer, do we not? When we point to and celebrate the places where that fire already burns – and it does so in countless individuals and families – we fan the flames and make them to leap higher. So share your stories, okay? Let’s see the fire become an inferno!
The Treasure of our Older Parishioners: There is no doubt that the Church must reach out in an intentional way to our youth and to the younger members of our community. Religious practice doesn’t come as easily to most of that demographic as it once did to the members of past generations. Yet in devoting much energy to the cultivation of faith in the young, we never want to take for granted or forget the many elderly in our parish family who have served as strong pillars of our Catholic community for years upon years. I think of the older daily Mass attendees who are in church no matter the weather or the early hour. I think of our funeral lunch servers, our collection counters, and our other volunteers. I think of our at-home prayer warriors. I think of those who give so generously to the Church despite the financial limitations of retirement or health issues. I think of our aged parishioners who gently nudge their children and grandchildren to a return to the faith. In these ways and in so many more, our elderly parishioners form a beautiful mosaic of love and service for our Catholic community and beyond. Old age and infirmity to do not in any way lessen the value and dignity of a human life. What a treasure we have in our older parishioners! They are a blessing. They are a gift.
Home Enthronement Ministry: Audrey Davis and I so love visiting parish homes to enthrone images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The prayers that accompany the enthronement are powerful, the graces are many, and the time of fellowship with those involved is a gift. This is a ministry that is encouraged by Bishop Persico and that takes place in homes throughout our diocese (and throughout the nation and the world, as well). Audrey and I are responsible for home enthronements in all of Warren County. Please let one of us know if you wish to have your home enthroned. The process is simple and the blessings are many. We would be happy to speak with you and tell you more about it!
National Catholic Youth Conference: On behalf of all the teens that will soon be in Indianapolis for NCYC, thank you so much for your financial support and for your prayers! This is the weekend to return your “M&M tube” donations. We are grateful for your generosity. NCYC is a gathering of thousands (likely tens of thousands) of teenagers from across our nation. This year’s theme is “Fully Alive!” That’s what God created each person to be – fully alive! But being a kid is tough in our culture. Being a Catholic kid is really tough. Through experiences of sacrament, prayer, worship, music, fellowship, fun, and joy, NCYC opens up a door to faith in every young person who attends. Please pray that they have the courage to pass across that threshold!
Mary, Mother of the Redeemer – Pray for us! Our Lady of Guadalupe – Pray for us! St. Anthony – Pray for us! St. Joseph – Pray for us!