Gratitude in Action: Part II

Dear Friends in Christ,

            I want to begin by thanking Bill and Julie Lane for speaking at the Vigil Mass last week, Kathy Wiley for speaking at the 7:00 am Mass, Evan and Taylor Lombardo for speaking at the 8:30 am Mass, Pol and Elaine Dalisay for speaking at the 10:30 am Mass, and Art and Winnie Doloroso for speaking at the 12:30 pm Mass.  These, our fellow parishioners- two of whom are graduates of our school in Julie Lane and Taylor Lombardo- took the courageous step to speak in front of our congregation as to why they practice intentional stewardship using their time, talent, and treasure.  I know that there are many other parishioners like them, and for this, I am most grateful.  The saints lead the way when it comes to practicing gratitude, evidenced by St. Therese of Lisieux, whose feast day we celebrated on October 1st and St. Francis of Assisi, whose feast day we celebrated on October 4th.  Their sense of gratitude animated their spirit of generosity, for these giants of the Church lived by the example of Jesus Christ.

            This weekend, I will preach at all our Masses and invite you, the parishioners of St. Joseph Church & School, to join me in making a sacrificial increase in your weekly giving.  I will also ask those parishioners who have not yet made a pledge to our capital campaign, to do so.  I know this will entail sacrifice, but I also know that you love the Lord and this parish.  The highest love is a love that is sacrificial.  The readings this Sunday focus on the good of marriage as God has intended from the beginning.  Our mission is to strengthen marriage and the family through the sacramental life of the Church.  But without the necessary funding and the necessary updates to our church building, which is now 53 years old, we won’t be in a strong position to realize our mission in the years ahead.

            As we pray for peace in the world, especially as Israel fights for its existence and war rages in the Ukraine, our challenges in America seem to pale in comparison.  But we do have challenges, both personal and as a Nation.  We all have crosses we must carry, with God’s grace.  We have begun seeing a significant uptick in parish registrations because of the parish mergers in Baltimore City.  As we welcome these new families to our parish, may this moment in the history of our Archdiocese serve as a clarion call to action, rooted in gratitude.  Our future is not a given, but rests on each of you.  Thank you for your spirit of generosity and openness to this request.

In Christ,