Last Sunday evening, I sent out a robocall that indicated that I had preached two very different homilies that weekend, one at the Saturday evening Mass and one at the two Sunday Masses. I remember indicating that the one on Saturday included the topic of immigration in our country. I said that after Saturday's Mass, and after hearing from a few parishioners, that the topic of immigration, that recently has included a call for "mass deportation" of those who are in our country without legal status, is complex and elicits strong emotions in some, and a homily is probably not the best place to try to speak about it from a Christian perspective.
After I attended a priest deanery meeting that previous Thursday afternoon, I found myself concerned about what some of our priests, especially our young priests "might" have to deal with in the future due to a directive that had been in place for over a decade that was recently rescinded that federal agents could not enter "sensitive" locations in search of people from other countries who did not have legal status in our country. This included churches and schools. Such a move, I believe, should be of concern to faith-filled people because in this country we hold dear the right and space we have for worship, religious education and even social gatherings, that should not be entered by law enforcement personnel unless given permission by those in charge of such facilities. I pray that a change will take place sooner than later that will once again respect and protect religious and school facilities from being entered by federal officials (unless in severe and life-threatening circumstances) without permission being granted. I hope you took time to read our bishop's recent letter that was in last week's bulletin about recent developments when it comes to those who are living in our country from other countries. One of the things I want to highlight that our bishop said (and that was similar to what Pope Francis recently communicated to the bishops of our country) is that our Catholic faith and its Tradition calls on us in this and every instance that involves human life (including of course the infant in a mother's womb) that our first focus and priority should ALWAYS be protecting and respecting the dignity of the person regardless of their status as determined for instance by their country of origin. When we start by looking at everyone as precious because they are made in the image and likeness of God and are loved by him, then we are hopefully going to treat them with dignity and respect, including and perhaps especially those who are poor and vulnerable (in imitation of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord). Seeking to develop and have the mind and heart of Jesus, will undoubtedly lead us to deal with the migrant in a way that first gives honor and glory to God and seeks what is truly most benefi-cial for the common good.
After I attended a priest deanery meeting that previous Thursday afternoon, I found myself concerned about what some of our priests, especially our young priests "might" have to deal with in the future due to a directive that had been in place for over a decade that was recently rescinded that federal agents could not enter "sensitive" locations in search of people from other countries who did not have legal status in our country. This included churches and schools. Such a move, I believe, should be of concern to faith-filled people because in this country we hold dear the right and space we have for worship, religious education and even social gatherings, that should not be entered by law enforcement personnel unless given permission by those in charge of such facilities. I pray that a change will take place sooner than later that will once again respect and protect religious and school facilities from being entered by federal officials (unless in severe and life-threatening circumstances) without permission being granted. I hope you took time to read our bishop's recent letter that was in last week's bulletin about recent developments when it comes to those who are living in our country from other countries. One of the things I want to highlight that our bishop said (and that was similar to what Pope Francis recently communicated to the bishops of our country) is that our Catholic faith and its Tradition calls on us in this and every instance that involves human life (including of course the infant in a mother's womb) that our first focus and priority should ALWAYS be protecting and respecting the dignity of the person regardless of their status as determined for instance by their country of origin. When we start by looking at everyone as precious because they are made in the image and likeness of God and are loved by him, then we are hopefully going to treat them with dignity and respect, including and perhaps especially those who are poor and vulnerable (in imitation of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord). Seeking to develop and have the mind and heart of Jesus, will undoubtedly lead us to deal with the migrant in a way that first gives honor and glory to God and seeks what is truly most benefi-cial for the common good.
How is the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal (CASA) the same as second collections that are taken up at various times throughout the year, and how do they differ? They are the same in that they call us to give some of the financial resources that we are blessed to have to help others who are in need. They differ in that our second collections are taken up at a particular time in any given month, and usually is a nationwide (or even an interna-tional) collection that benefits a certain cause or ministry (like the recent Black and Indian Mission Collection). The Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal, understandably, happens only in Arkansas and depends on the Catholic families in Arkansas to make it successful in partially or totally funding a variety of ministries and activities that are happening in the name of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church throughout our wonderful state.
Because of its importance, the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal goes on beyond one particular weekend and asks that our generosity be such that we are willing to "pledge" a certain amount and pay it over several months or throughout the year. This is what I do, and I invite you to do the same OR at the least give a "one time" gift using the envelopes in the pews (and putting them in the collection basket as it comes around) or taking them home, filling them out, and mail them in through the "postage paid" envelopes.
I don't have time to even touch briefly on all the ministries and activities that NEED our support through our gift(s) to CASA as there are so many, so I'll plan to talk about some of them in future pastor's columns, hoping that if you have not given to CASA yet, you will do so after reading of the wonderful works that are happening because of our generosity.
Today, I will point out that money is needed to support at least one priest, a permanent deacon, and 10 religious sisters who are working full time in a variety of mission parishes that, because of their small congregation, are not able to afford to give them a small salary, food, housing and health benefits that they need. These nuns are ministering to the spiritual needs of the Catholics that are under their care, and they are also reaching out to evangelize non-believers to lead them to the blessings of life in Christ in a Catholic church community. Since Catholics make up only 5% of the total population of Arkansas, there is much room and opportunity for growth in the faith in our state.
Thanks to those who have already made a pledge and/or gift to CASA. Please don't be shy to encourage your fellow parishioners to do the same. I pray that by the end of the year we have more families that give to CASA than we've ever had before!
Because of its importance, the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal goes on beyond one particular weekend and asks that our generosity be such that we are willing to "pledge" a certain amount and pay it over several months or throughout the year. This is what I do, and I invite you to do the same OR at the least give a "one time" gift using the envelopes in the pews (and putting them in the collection basket as it comes around) or taking them home, filling them out, and mail them in through the "postage paid" envelopes.
I don't have time to even touch briefly on all the ministries and activities that NEED our support through our gift(s) to CASA as there are so many, so I'll plan to talk about some of them in future pastor's columns, hoping that if you have not given to CASA yet, you will do so after reading of the wonderful works that are happening because of our generosity.
Today, I will point out that money is needed to support at least one priest, a permanent deacon, and 10 religious sisters who are working full time in a variety of mission parishes that, because of their small congregation, are not able to afford to give them a small salary, food, housing and health benefits that they need. These nuns are ministering to the spiritual needs of the Catholics that are under their care, and they are also reaching out to evangelize non-believers to lead them to the blessings of life in Christ in a Catholic church community. Since Catholics make up only 5% of the total population of Arkansas, there is much room and opportunity for growth in the faith in our state.
Thanks to those who have already made a pledge and/or gift to CASA. Please don't be shy to encourage your fellow parishioners to do the same. I pray that by the end of the year we have more families that give to CASA than we've ever had before!
Which one of the following do you know more about, the inner workings of a parish OR that of a diocese? Unless one happens to work at the diocesan offices, most would say the inner workings of a parish since that is what most active Catholics encounter on a regular basis. Even then, perhaps most people are familiar primarily with the pastoral workings of a parish such as Mass and reception of the other sacraments, religious education offerings, and parish life opportunities as well as charitable endeavors that groups within the parish or the whole parish is involved in doing on an ongoing basis.
When it comes to the administration of a parish hopefully you know that the pastor receives and appreciates (as I certainly do), the help of deacons, employees, and volunteer lay persons who are appointed to the finance and administration council as well as those elected (and sometimes a few appointed) to the pastoral council.
What about the administration of a diocese under the leadership of the bishop. Where does he get help in handling the pastoral and administrative duties of his office. It is in fact a similar list as those who help a pastor except unlike many parishes in Arkansas that has only one priest assigned, the bishop has the help a Vicar General (who must be a priest) and is his "right hand person" and also boards of advisors which consists, in some cases of only priests who are voted in by their brother priests for a term of 2 or 3 years, and meet together with the bishop as frequently as once a month. Three of them that I can speak intelligibly about are the "Clergy Personnel Board", "The Clergy Welfare Board" and the "Presbyteral Council" The clergy personnel board discusses and offers council to the bishop about possible changes in the assignment of priests, especially when a priest shows a strong desire to move to a new assignment and/or the bishop wants to move a priest from one assignment to another. The clergy welfare board deals with issues that relate to the care and compensation of both our active and our senior priests and advises the bishop when it comes to these issues. Finally, the Presbyteral Council discusses and advises the bishop on a wide variety of mostly pastoral issues (like observing the Jubilee Year) that come up throughout the year. Like in a parish, a bishop wants to get the opinions and advice of a variety of priests before he makes the final decision that will affect our priests, deacons, our Catholic laity and others as well. Please pray for the priests on these boards and our bishop that inspired by the Holy Spirit we will all be blessed by what comes from these meetings with our bishop. Please say a special prayer for me as I was recently elected to serve on the clergy welfare board.
When it comes to the administration of a parish hopefully you know that the pastor receives and appreciates (as I certainly do), the help of deacons, employees, and volunteer lay persons who are appointed to the finance and administration council as well as those elected (and sometimes a few appointed) to the pastoral council.
What about the administration of a diocese under the leadership of the bishop. Where does he get help in handling the pastoral and administrative duties of his office. It is in fact a similar list as those who help a pastor except unlike many parishes in Arkansas that has only one priest assigned, the bishop has the help a Vicar General (who must be a priest) and is his "right hand person" and also boards of advisors which consists, in some cases of only priests who are voted in by their brother priests for a term of 2 or 3 years, and meet together with the bishop as frequently as once a month. Three of them that I can speak intelligibly about are the "Clergy Personnel Board", "The Clergy Welfare Board" and the "Presbyteral Council" The clergy personnel board discusses and offers council to the bishop about possible changes in the assignment of priests, especially when a priest shows a strong desire to move to a new assignment and/or the bishop wants to move a priest from one assignment to another. The clergy welfare board deals with issues that relate to the care and compensation of both our active and our senior priests and advises the bishop when it comes to these issues. Finally, the Presbyteral Council discusses and advises the bishop on a wide variety of mostly pastoral issues (like observing the Jubilee Year) that come up throughout the year. Like in a parish, a bishop wants to get the opinions and advice of a variety of priests before he makes the final decision that will affect our priests, deacons, our Catholic laity and others as well. Please pray for the priests on these boards and our bishop that inspired by the Holy Spirit we will all be blessed by what comes from these meetings with our bishop. Please say a special prayer for me as I was recently elected to serve on the clergy welfare board.