Beloved Family:
“No room in the inn…” I have probably shared this with the parish before (at least to a gathered assembly at weekday Mass)— back in First Grade, I was cast as an innkeeper in a Christmas play. I turned away Mary and Joseph and Jesus in the womb. What an honor…NOT! That was playacting, of course. Unfortunately, I wonder how many times in life— or even how recently— I have, in some form or another, failed to recognize Christ in his need and so failed at least to try to address His need.
As we come together to celebrate the amazing event of the Incarnation, The Nativity of the Lord, I believe it is essential for us to recognize the connection between prayer and worship and practicing the work of the Gospel, in many ways embodied in the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. I suspect that often, individuals who have become skeptical about the value of religion and belonging to the community of Faith arrive at the provisional conclusion that worship is about show and works of charity and change are the real manifestation of faith.
As Catholics, we would assert that this is a false dichotomy. Sure, we can all be susceptible to hypocrisy, talking faith with great enthusiasm while failing to demonstrate faith in action. However, that is not the fault of worship. Worship grounds us in the right flow of relationship: we honor God because He is worthy of all honor and glory and praise. This act of love then launches us into action as we go forth.
Within our parish and within our community of Wooster and Wayne County, there are plenty of opportunities to serve Christ in disguise. We have been anticipating, for some time, the official opening of the new day center and severe weather shelter, Homeward Bound of Wooster and Wayne County. As of the writing of this article (we have early deadlines for submission at holiday time), that is still yet to come. I hope that by the time you are reading this, you will be able to say that I made an error—that the center is now open! There is a need for people to furnish meals on a once-a-week basis. Saint Mary historically has served in this area (Meals Together Ministry, Zion Sunday supper). We have carried information in several issues of the bulletin, and the need is still there. Please prayerfully consider becoming involved in this ministry.
Once again, last weekend Bishop Malesic issued a Pastoral letter as bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. The letter, A Flourishing Apostolic Church, is available in various forms (www.dioceseofcleveland.org/a-flourishing-apostolic-church/overview). I exhort us to take time during the Christmas season to avail ourselves to its contents and its call. As I, along with Fr. David, Deacons Bob and James, and the entire pastoral team of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, extend to you and yours our hopes for a very blessed twelve days of festive and holy celebration, I include here words from the opening portion of Bishop Malesic’s letter:
I invite every Catholic in the Diocese of Cleveland to read this pastoral letter in its entirety, as I have written it with each of you in mind. Since we are now in the Mission Year of the Eucharistic Revival, I strongly recommend that you read this letter in silence, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, perhaps at your home parish, or your school chapel, or your nursing home chapel, if you are able. If you are reading this online, consider printing it out so that you have a hard copy to mark up and are not distracted by your screen. Make notes and underline your copy of the letter; consider reading it more than just once. en, meet with some other Catholics who have read this letter and discuss it in a small group. What comforted you? What challenged you? What excited you? What questions do you still have?
May the Peace of the Christ child reign in our hearts.
Let His Peace by with you,
Fr. Stephen
