To My Spiritual Family of Holy Redeemer and St. Anthony,
Authentic Witness: One of the core values that we long to see formed in every member of our Holy Redeemer family is that of being an “authentic witness” for Christ. What is an authentic Christian witness? It is a person that puts Christ at the center of every facet of their life! This is fairly easy to imagine in ourselves, but it often difficult to live out in practice. Being an authentic witness requires discipline and virtue. It requires a firm commitment to daily prayer. The authentic witness readily seeks out the sacraments and enters deeply into the liturgical life of the Church. Authentic witnesses choose conformity to God’s law over conformity to popular values. The heart of an authentic witness is filled with love for God and love for neighbor. An authentic witness is courageous in proclaiming the name of Jesus. In summation, an authentic witness is willing to lay down everything else in service to God’s will. Who is called to be an authentic witness? I am called to this. You are called to this. Young or old, every baptized Christian is called to be an authentic witness. There is no greater adventure than to live our life for Christ. Nothing even comes close to the joy that God gives to his faithful servants. Together, may each of us be an authentic witness to the truth, goodness, and beauty of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
The Catholic Community of Warren County: We’ve talked before about the necessity of moving from a maintenance model of parish life to a mission manner of committed Christian living. One of the key ways in which we are already living this out here in our parish is through our numerous collaborations and cooperation with the good folks of St. Joseph Parish. A mission manner of thinking tells us that we can best build up the Catholic faith in our region by working together - in communion - with ALL of the Catholic people and entities here in our towns. When the Church is living in a maintenance mode, it is every Catholic organization, parish, and school for itself. This is not good! The gospel can be most effectively proclaimed only when every believer is rowing in the same direction. Furthermore, our resources (think priests, deacons, and dedicated lay leaders) are spread way too thin to be foolishly exerting energy in a maintenance mode. Remember that souls are at stake. Literally. Our call to preach the gospel and to serve the poor is an urgent one! Consider the amazing work that is being done in our Catholic community because folks have joined together for the greater good: (1) Dozens and dozens of women of all ages are entering deeply into the Walking with Purpose bible study; (2) Some 30+ of our high school students are preparing for NCYC ’23 this November in Indianapolis; (3) Toby Miller’s classes on the faith – Table Talk with Toby – are enriching many who yearn for a greater knowledge of Catholicism; and we could cite other examples as well! Within each of these initiatives, parishioners from Warren, Youngsville, Sheffield, Russell, Clarendon, Sugar Grove and beyond are all coming together as one family. The Body of Christ is being built up! Lives are being turned upside down! The fire is being ignited! And the mission – to make disciples of all – is being carried out in Christ’s name! Praise God!
St. Joseph School Staff Retreat: Monday, October 9, Holy Redeemer is hosting the dedicated educators of St. Joseph School as they take a day away from the classroom and enter into a time of retreat. We are so incredibly blessed to have this school available for our families. Please pray for the teachers and staff of SJS as they draw closer to Christ during their moments of retreat.
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!