“Love and do what you will. If you keep silent, keep
silent by love. If you speak, speak by love. If you correct, correct by love.
If you pardon, pardon by love. Let love be rooted in you, and from this root,
nothing but good can grow.”
~St.
Augustine of Hippo
Our
Greatest Title: “A Child of God”
Recently
the Knights of Columbus hosted an appreciation dinner in honor of all priests,
religious, and lay persons in the local area. In 1882, in the wake of the
Industrial Revolution, Fr. Michael McGivney (1852-1890), while serving as
assistant pastor of Saint Mary Church in New Haven, CT, founded the Knights of
Columbus. The firm foundation of the Knights of Columbus has made this
organization the largest Catholic Fraternity in the world. On March 15, 2008,
the Archdiocese of Hartford, Ct. opened an investigation into his life for the
cause of his beatification and canonization.
Fr.
McGivney was the son of Irish immigrants and ordained to the priesthood by
Archbishop James Gibbons. His magnetic faith, positive spirit, compassionate
brotherhood reached far and wide in his short 13 years as a curate and pastor.
Pope Benedict XVI recognized Fr. McGivney as an individual possessing heroic
virtue, thus giving him the title, “Venerable Servant of God.” Fr. McGivney’s life
was cut short at the age of 38 due to complications from pneumonia.
The
members of the Knights of Columbus await a miracle through his intercession. If
canonized, he would be the first American-born parish priest to be formally
sainted. Can you see the landslide deficit I have a as a parish priest to
become a saint in America?
The
Knights are men of faith and men of action. Through countless acts of charity
they bring the eyes of faith to our world both nationally and internationally.
This organization fostered strength through social benefits, and financial
security. Most of us are familiar with the pageantry and regalia of the Knights
in colorful attire. Their presence graces many occasions throughout the Diocese
of Pittsburgh as they attend numerous functions at St. Paul Cathedral as well
as churches throughout the diocese.
They
enjoy such charitable partnerships with Special Olympics, the Global Wheel
Chair Mission, Habitat for Humanity, Food for Families, and Coats for Kids
among others. Locally, the Knights help out with the St. Anthony Programs for
special needs children by conducting penny drives at local parishes throughout
the year. I felt Fr. McGivney’s spirit in our gathering that night through our
meal sharing, faith-fellowship, and humorous stories. The Knights bestowed a
token of appreciation on the religious and clergy gathered there for
communicating God’s love and spreading His gospel in our communities.
There
were 2 Felician sisters who were celebrating their 50th Golden Jubilee's and 1
sister celebrating 70 years. The spokesperson at the banquet mentioned that Sr.
Felicity, who was celebrating 70 years in religious life would now be able to
retire. At my table sat Sr. Philip, whose nephew is Fr. Bernie Hebda of
Gaylord, MI. She piped up, “No, no, no! He said it wrong, Father. Correct him!
We don’t retire, we only expire when God calls us home.” Sr. Philip was born
and raised in the South Side of Pittsburgh, where she attended St. Adalbert
Parish and she lived in Rome for 6 years as well as in Brazil where she taught
French and Spanish. Sr. Philip also taught at the former St. Joseph School in
Coraopolis as well as serving as Pastoral Associate at St. Louise de Marillac
in Upper St. Clair, PA.
As
I walked into our school on Catechetical Sunday, there was new excitement in
the air as we welcomed new students to our CCD program, especially in a parish
whose school recently closed. As I went from room to room, asking students
their names, I inquired, “What name do we all share in common through our
Baptism? The name of Jesus Christ— and being a Christian.” Our name is
important. We are called that name throughout our lives. But the name
“Christian” is far more important, as we make known His presence to others that
we meet each day.
Jesus
told his disciples, “Whoever wants to be first, must place himself last of all
and be servant of all.” This was revolutionary (there was no pecking order.)
Then he took a child and had him stand in front of them. He put his arms around
him and said to them, “Whoever welcomes in my name one of these children,
welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, welcomes not only me, but the one who
sent me.” (Mark 8:35-37) In Aramaic, the word, “talya” means “both child and
servant.” Jesus says in effect, the least of all, the servant, (the child) is
the greatest. Jesus invites his disciples to this kind of selflessness and
powerlessness so true Christian greatness is found only in loving service of
others.
The
American Bishops’ Committee on Catechesis and Evangelization recently wrote a
document “Disciples Called to Witness: The New Evangelization.” It gives
alarming stats that only 23% of US Catholics attend Mass each week which means
77% are absent from the Eucharistic feast. But these are not strangers. They
are our parents, siblings, spouses, children and friends. The document states
that the ’exodus’ from the Mass is not related to controversial issues but
rather a gradual slipping away of the faith. It mentions that Catholics stop
attending Mass because they:
1.
Have busy schedules, or lack of time
2.
Have family responsibilities
3.
Have health problems or disabilities
4.
Have conflicts with work
5.
Do not believe missing Mass is a sin
6.
Believe that they are not very religious people
