Dear St. Philomena Parish Family,<\/p>\n
Blessings to you all! Last weekend I had the opportunity to host my priest group here at St. Philomena for one of our regular gatherings. We prayed a Holy Hour in the church, spent some time catching up by sharing joys and challenges, and enjoyed a meal together. A couple of the priests arrived early, and so we had an opportunity to walk around and see our campus, especially noting some of the summer projects we have been working on. I am always edified to hear the comments from priests who visit here\u2014there is a true sense of this being a family place (one priest commented on the stepping stools for the bathroom sinks). Another priest remarked how our buildings look in such good condition (he was also impressed with our renovated teachers\u2019 lounge!). No doubt, this is a parish that loves being a growing family\u2026and loves giving of ourselves to help our family keep growing. Of course, we share good life together in this place\u2026but we also hope to be strengthened here to carry the blessings out the doors\u2014to be shared at home, at work or at school, on the ballfield, at the store–wherever we are.<\/p>\n
Last week, we reflected on the gift of having the marriage vows near the altar and how Christ strengthens the husband and wife to live the love of Christ together and with their family. That will serve for a great lead in to the Catechism<\/em> section on the Domestic Church. As our Catechism<\/em> points out, \u201cChrist chose to be born and grow up in the bosom of the holy family of Joseph and Mary. The Church is nothing other than \u2018the family of God.\u2019\u00a0 From the beginning, the core of the Church was often constituted by those who had become believers \u2018together with all [their] household.\u2019 When they were converted, they desired that \u2018their whole household\u2019 should also be saved. These families who became believers were islands of Christian life in an unbelieving world.\u201d (CCC<\/em>, 1655)<\/p>\n As the Catechism notes, this is not so different in our current day. \u201cIn our own time, in a world often alien and even hostile to faith, believing families are of primary importance as centers of living, radiant faith. For this reason the Second Vatican Council, using an ancient expression, calls the family the Ecclesia<\/em> domestica<\/em> [The Domestic Church]. It is in the bosom of the family that parents are \u2018by word and example\u2026the first heralds of the faith with regard to their children. They should encourage them in the vocation which is proper to each child, fostering with special care any religious vocation\u2019.\u201d (CCC, 1656). I know we have shared previously, but perhaps it is worth reviewing again\u2014our Order of Baptism<\/em> highlights the role of the parents and godparents in raising children in the Faith. One of my favorite lines comes from the blessing of the father: We ask God to bless the father of the child, \u201cso that, together with his wife, they may, by word and example, prove to be first witnesses of the faith to their child, in Christ Jesus our Lord.\u201d We recognize the importance giving that good teaching witness to children, especially in the home. We also see how the life of the Church can and should be lived at home as a family\u2014the domestic church.<\/p>\n Continuing about family life together, the Catechism<\/em> says, \u201cIt is here that the father of the family, the mother, children and all members of the family exercise the priesthood of the baptized in a privileged way \u2018by the reception of the sacraments, prayer and thanksgiving, the witness of a holy life, and self-denial and active charity.\u2019 Thus the home is the first school of Christian life and \u2018a school for human enrichment.\u2019\u00a0 Here one learns endurance and the joy of work, fraternal love, generous\u2014even repeated\u2014forgiveness, and above all divine worship in prayer and the offering of one\u2019s life.\u201d (CCC<\/em>, 1657) I don\u2019t know about all of you, but I know many good farm folks whose ears perk up when they hear about learning \u201cendurance and the joy of work!\u201d =)<\/p>\n In this same section, our Catechism<\/em> also includes a challenge for families to be open to those who don\u2019t have families of their own. \u201cWe must also remember the great number of single persons, who, because of the particular circumstances in which they have to live\u2014often not of their choosing\u2014are especially close to Jesus\u2019 heart and therefore deserve the special affection and active solicitude of the Church, especially of pastors. Many remain without a human family, often due to conditions of poverty. Some live their situation in the spirit of the Beatitudes, serving God and neighbor in exemplary fashion. The doors of homes, the \u2018domestic churches,\u2019 and of the great family which is the Church must be open to all of them. \u2018No one is without a family in this world:\u00a0 the Church is a home and family for everyone, especially those who \u2018labor and are heavy laden\u2019.\u201d (CCC<\/em>, 1658).<\/p>\n That line \u201cno one is without a family\u201d is such a wonderful gift\u2026and challenge! Truly, it helps remind us that the Church is the family of God\u2014and all the baptized are members of the family. In a very real way, it also reminds us that the Church is a place for us to grow and that we should live the love of Christ together. Ultimately, as we live God\u2019s love out in the world\u2026we see there is an opportunity to meet people who need that love, people who need a place, people who are yearning to know where they belong. It is then with joy that we can invite them to experience the family of God through the Church! If you are up for a spiritual challenge this week, spend some time thinking about how our parish family life has helped you grow. Take some time in prayer and thanksgiving for those gifts. Lastly, ask the Lord to help you be ready to share the fruits of that growth with those you encounter. Know of my prayers and blessing for you all this week!<\/p>\n In Christ,
\nFather Luke<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"