Posted on 06/13/2012 6:58:06 AM PDT by marshmallow
I find this same mentality among many of the priests in the Maronite Catholic Church. Example: Need a new shrine dedicated to the Blessed Mother? No money? No problem. Pray! Over and over again, I have witnessed priests who, against all odds, needed: a larger church for their growing congregation, a shrine to increase devotion to _______ (fill in the blank), an appliance to replace the one that broke down .... all met through extraordinary means .... a sudden donation, a parishioner who wants to set up a memorial fund, even total strangers showing up on the doorstep.
These priests come from Lebanon, a country that has known struggle since forever. Their faith is formed early in life and, with it, their trust in God. Our current pastor was born into a Melkite family but formed in the Maronite tradition. He is a monk, missionary and priest who accepted the invitation of our bishop to serve for 10 years in the US. After 6 months assisting at a parish in VA, he was assigned as pastor to our small community. Shortly after his arrival, he presented himself to the RC Bishop of Albany, to offer his services. He was granted Latin Rite faculties to assist the diocese, as needed. He serves as p/t chaplain at a local catholic hospital and often travels, during the week, to RC parishes within the diocese, to say mass and consecrate a sufficient number of hosts for their weekend, priestless liturgies.
What I find most humbling, however, is his outreach to sick and elderly. At Christmas and Easter, he gathered a small group of parishioners together to visit the homebound. On each visit, we sang songs, shared prayers and left a small gift behind to remind them that they are a special part of our community. Some of these individuals had not seen a priest in years! He brings them communion and hears their confessions. This, despite the work entailed in running his own parish.
Some of our younger parishioners send their children to catholic school. (We are a very small parish of only 60 families, comprised of the very old and the generation raising children. Those children are very precious in the eyes of our priest. Recently, one of them in grade 2 at an all boy's catholic school, made his First Communion. FWIU, the sacrament was administered in the school's chapel, by a visiting priest, on a Friday afternoon. The boy's grandmother was the only family member in attendance. First Communion was in the hand, whereas in the Maronite Church, it is on the tongue. With the family's agreement, this Sunday, we will celebrate the young boy's First Communion at our parish. Father prepared a special missalette for the parishioners. Prior to compiling it, he spoke with the family and asked them to provide the intentions. He then published a personalized missalette, just for this occasion,. The family will do the readings in Arabic and English, the boy's two sisters will serve as peace bearers, the male cousins will serve as acolytes. Their uncle, ordained a deacon in March, will assist at the liturgy, wearing the stole gifted by our parish on the occasion of his ordination, and be the one to give the young boy his First Communion. His grandmother arrived last week from Lebanon, to celebrate this beautiful event.
Okay .. I've gone off on a tangent, but I think you can see how priestly strength of faith acts like a magnet, drawing in those around them. Essentially, this is also the message of Mother Angelica - “Then do it. Why wouldn’t you?”. As you already know from personal experience, it really is just that simple. BTW, the young boy's deacon uncle, was recently recognized by a RC diocese in MA, for his work in assisting flood victims. As a deacon, it might also interest you to read the message of Bishop Gregory John Mansour on the day of the deacon's ordination:
“My son, be always diligent in you ministry, in the morning, the evening and at midnight. Keep a pure love for prayer and cling to fasting, which does not deceive. Approach the altar of the Lord in purity and holiness, according to his choice for you. Judge yourself, day and night, and meditate on your end, for the end is standing at the door. Remain alert and do not fall asleep. Those who stay alert are praised and those who fall asleep are put to shame. Behold, my son: today you are standing before our humble person, but tomorrow you shall stand before the awesome throne of Christ. You shall then account for all that you did before him. Now, my son, take heed of all what I told you and understand these instructions I gave to you. Here, now, I hand you to God and to his grace, and I am free of your sins.”
The National Catholic reporter is a ideological wasteland, but John Allen is a good reporter, alas the only one who works at that place.
Thank you for taking the time to write that inspiring post. These are the great unsung heroes of our Church, who provide such a great example.
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