On Fire about our faith

From the Desk of Father David

Dear Friends in Christ,

             The Road to Renewal is a Diocesan process designed to help renew and strengthen the parishes of the Diocese.  It is not about closing or merging parishes.  The renewal which is needed starts with a spiritual renewal.  All of us once again have to be “on fire” about our Faith.  The foundation of the Church is the Church of the home which has grown weaker of these past years.  Therefore the Universal Church has grown weaker.  Do you pray with your children and grandchildren?  One mother shared with me, her kids says “I don’t believe in that stuff.”  I asked her not to get angry but to simply say, “I believe in this stuff.”  Where does one begin?  One begins with coming in touch with your own faith story and then sharing it with others.  Some will be grateful because they will be helped by you, others not so grateful.  By sharing we are planting seeds, it is up to God to make them grow.  Frequently, ask God to give you the right words and actions.  St. Monica was known to bring her son and husband to Christ after thirty years of prayers and good works.  Works are faith in action.  The combination of both prayer and works bring about the greatest change.  All of us need to keep our pride out of the way.  The moment we expect great results or have to prove we are right, is the moment we are going to get discouraged or push the other person away.  We need your help to renew our Church.

It would be good for all of us to prayer Fr. Mychal’s Prayer

Lord, take me to where you want me to go;

Let me meet who you want me to meet;

Tell me what you want me to say,

and

Keep me out of your way.

— Fr. Mychal Judge, O.F.M.

who died in the line of duty 9/11/2001

attack on the World Trade Center

Chaplain, New York City Fire Department

Pax,

Fr. David