Pope Francis has called for a synod on the synodal nature of the Church. The word synod means journeying together. God journeys with us as we journey with one another.
Journeying together calls us to listen to one another and to the Lord. Pope Francis states that the synod process “was conceived as an exercise in mutual listening… conducted at all levels of the Church.” This listening is not about garnering opinions or taking a survey. It is a matter of listening to the Holy Spirit as we listen to the experiences of one another, our hopes and dreams as well as that inner restlessness which “impels us to consider what it is best to do, what needs to be preserved or changed.”
A Synodal Church, in announcing the Gospel, journeys together. How is this journeying together happening at St. John the Baptist Catholic Community in Covington? What steps does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow in our journey together? When you read this, what experiences in our parish come to mind? As you savor these experiences and hear those of others, what joys did they provoke? What difficulties or obstacles have they encountered. What wounds have they brought to light? What insights have they elicited?
Please be watching for a schedule of parish listening session, both in-person and online. Come, share your experience, listen to others and help us discern where the Spirit is calling our parish community.
October 24th, 2021
Pope Francis has called for a synod on the synod nature of the Church. The word synod means journeying together. God journeys with us as we journey with one another. Another word for this is accompaniment. Accompaniment is one of the values in our archdiocesan pastoral plan.
Accompaniment is how we can spiritually support others, especially those who are struggling. It requires that we are genuinely present with them, listening to them and supporting them with the goal of helping them hear God’s call for them. God calls us to love all people and accept everyone in a way that invites them into a deeper relationship with Christ. By sharing Christ’s love, we can help others understand his teaching and become disciples themselves.
Journeying together calls us to listen to one another and to the Lord. Pope Francis states that the synod process “was conceived as an exercise in mutual listening… conducted at all levels of the Church.” This listening is not about garnering opinions or taking a survey. It is a matter of listening to the Holy Spirit as we listen to the experiences of one another, our hopes and dreams as well as that inner restlessness which “impels us to consider what it is best to do, what needs to be preserved or changed.”
Who are your journeying companions? Whom do you spiritual support and who spiritually supports you? In the parish, who journeys with you? Who is asking us to journey together, including those who may be outside the perimeter? What persons or groups are left on the margins?
As the parish prepares of this “exercise in mutual listening,” identify for yourself those individuals that walk with you the journey of faith. Are they family members? Friends? Parishioners? Those you serve? How might you listen more intently to them?
October 17, 2021
EWTN is one of the largest independent Catholic networks. Being independent, there is no Church oversite to their programing. Many have found their offerings very valuable, especially the Mass, the rosary and other prayer experiences. There are many good things about the network. However, over the past few years they have been giving a public platform to individuals who are very critical and even disrespectful to our Pope. One former EWTN Commentator recently wrote:
Every person with any influence whatsoever must pause and seriously consider how they have spoken about the Vicar of Jesus Christ. Do our words foment hatred and mistrust for the Chief Shepherd of the Catholic Church? Can we throw mud on the Vicar of Christ and expect the Bride of Christ not to catch any of the splatter? Speaking ill of the papal office harms the Church. The Holy Father is not a random dude from Anytown, USA. Pope Francis, Successor to the Prince of the Apostles, is the chief guardian of the Catholic faith.
If you are a EWTN viewer, I would urge you to register a complaint with the network when you see someone disrespecting the pope and therefore harming the Church. Viewers like you may be able to help the network refocus on what is good and helpful and cut out programing that damages our faith. Always watch with a critical eye. Not everything on EWTN mirrors the teaching of our Catholic faith.
October 10, 2021
Pope Francis has called for a two-year process of preparation for the Synod of 2023, which will focus on synodality in the Church. The word “synod” means “gathering.” It is from the Greek, and literally means “together on the way.” In the Church, this word has been used to refer to a significant gathering, whether at the diocesan, national, or international level. “The objective of this Synodal Process is not to provide a temporary or one-time experience of synodality, but rather to provide an opportunity for the entire People of God to discern together how to move forward on the path towards being a more synodal Church in the long-term.”1 In our local Church, this will be a time of listening and dialogue, as we reflect on how we “journey together” as a Church, and discern how the Spirit is calling us. “Synodality is not a corporate strategic exercise. Rather it is a spiritual process that is led by the Holy Spirit.”2 In the coming weeks, parishes will receive guidance on how to participate fruitfully in this important world-wide time of prayer, dialogue, and discernment.
October 3, 2021
Reconciliation
The parish will soon begin preparing children to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. It is a good opportunity to look at how this sacrament is lived out in your own life. Too often, a child’s first Reconciliation is their last celebration of this sacrament or at least for a long time. It is difficult articulating our sins and faults to another person, but it can be healing. That is the purpose of this sacrament, to experience the Lord’s forgiveness and healing of our sins. The Gospels show us how extravagant the Lord was in forgiving sin and showing mercy. He continues to be so today. As the pray of absolution states, the purpose of this sacrament is to “bring pardon and peace.”
I am glad to see a good number of parishioners do make Individual Reconciliation a regular part of their spiritual journey. I am never lonely during the Saturday afternoon confession period. If it has been a while since you prayed this sacrament, I invite you to consider experience the Lord’s love and forgiveness through this ritual prayer so that you too may hear those powerful word: “Go in peace, your sins are forgiven.”
September 26, 2021
Every Fall, we ask every parish household to recommit to a life of stewardship and to take a small step towards that goal of a biblical tithe: ten percent of one’s income for the support of the parish and other charities. At whatever percentage you are, we ask that half be donated to the parish and the other half to other charities. Those other charities could include your support of the Annual Catholic Appeal to aid our Archdiocese, other national Catholic appeals, or your favorite global, national or local charities. Two of my favorite global charities are the Maryknoll Missionaries and Catholic Relief Services. In my travels in South America and Africa, I have seen the great work these two groups do. My favorite local charity is the St. Vincent de Paul Society. What are your favorite charities? It would be difficult to support every charitable request that comes in the mail. That is why it is important to sit down as a family and discuss which charities your feel called to support. Whatever charities you do support, you should always review their annual report to insure that overhead costs are reasonable and that the bulk of donations are indeed going to aid their stated cause.
The foundation for a life of stewardship is gratitude, fostering a sense that everything is a gift from God given for our good and the common good. As we prepare for this annual renewal of stewardship of treasure, let us focus on gratitude. My grandmother was fond of saying: “count your blessings.” It continues to be good advice to grow in a life of stewardship that keeps God, the source of all blessings, at the center of our lives.
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