HIERARCHY AND DISCIPLESHIP

We often hear people talk about the Church as being too much of a hierarchical structure and not showing enough interest in the development or the work of the individuals.  This year’s Annual Appeal videos, if viewed as a whole, demonstrate that the Archdiocese is there for us and that they are grateful for all of the ways that we as members – families, parishes and the Archdiocese – all working together for the greater glory of God and, in the spirit of our patron, Saint Michael, as protectors of all God’s people. The relationship between the Archdiocese and us parishioners is quite similar to the relationship of a baseball team’s head office and its players.  We need each other to keep the “game” going and to keep the players playing.  There is so much oversight and administration that is needed in order that the “players”, i.e., the disciples, can “play” , For us, disciples, that means, making God’s love known by accompanying people in need, so that they may prosper and, more importantly, experience the power of God’s love for them.  The Annual Appeal videos demonstrate some of the situational needs that are being addressed by Archdiocesan and Parish agencies and by individual disciples and families.

Spend some time thinking about how we and the hierarchy need to support each other and work together so that, like the disciples in that post-Resurrection upper room, we, having received the Spirit will continue to go out and breathe this Spirit of God into the world.

And please give as generously as your means will allow to the Annual Appeal.

Sister Loretta

Donate – Annual Appeal.

ARCHDIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL VIDEOS

• A former prisoner tells us that it was the religious services and the contact with the prison ministry personnel that help him get through those hard days and grow in his understanding of himself and his relationship with God.
  
• Students and young adult ministers speak of how our parish and archdiocesan programs are helping our youths build a foundational relationship with Christ and His Church.

• • A parishioner tells of his family’s sharing God’s love and blessings in a multiplicity of ways from serving on parish committees to taking food bags to Mass for the pariah’s food pantry.

• • Bishop Saporito share about parish services to people grieving the loss of a loved one.
  • Fr. Cho, Rector of St. Andrew College Seminary, reminds us of the work being done to guide and educate the young men discerning the call to priesthood.

• • • Cardinal Tobin shares that Christ is ever present in our midst and a great help to the Church and to all the citizens of our world.  Christ is the presence of God each of us brings with us in all the words and actions of our lives. How blessed the Church is in our efforts to grow in our love for God , our understanding of the story of God’s revelation of His love for all of us and the many demonstrations of our love for God and each other across all of time and space.

 

“Jesus said to him, ”Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.’” John 20:29