A Vibrant Parish Mission
I want to thank so many who helped to make our Parish Mission last week such a vibrant and inspirational event. Thanks to so many Adult Faith faithful who served where needed in the details of setup and hospitality. To Karen McHale, who spent hours at the airport waiting for Frank Jansen’s luggage. To Gene Garcia, who patiently coordinated so many details of both screen presentation and music. To Ken Alberts and Joe Wolfe, who shared their musical talent. To Kristen Berryhill, who sang and also helped in several other ways, and Chad Archer and others who assisted in the loft. To Michael Patti for technical assistance. To Mary Whiteside, who navigated a series of unpredictable happenings, including flight delays and diminished assistance from some regulars due to sickness.
We thank ValLimar Jansen and her husband Frank for bringing their world-renowned talent to us, and to all of YOU for making them feel so welcome. ValLimar said that we show the warmth of a family here in our community and thus extend the message of a Holy Family Catholic Community.
Welcome John Horan and Luis Delgado Robles
We welcome John Horan from the staff at Catholic Extension Society, who will offer a reflection at all Masses this weekend. John will share many more details about the needs of Immaculate Conception Parish and School in Guayanilla, Puerto Rico, and specifically how your generosity can help them renew and rebuild both physically and spiritually following severe destruction of their church and school buildings stemming from Hurricane Maria in 2017 and an earthquake in 2020, all while navigating the same pandemic that we endured.
Luis is a seminarian studying at Mundelein Seminary and preparing to serve in his home Diocese of San Juan, Puerto Rico who will proclaim the word at all Masses.
Sue Geegan and I visited several communities across the island with great needs, led by the staff at Catholic Extension. Of all the devastation and challenges, the Community of Immaculate Conception touched our hearts in a special way. The Pastor, Fr. Melvin Diaz, and Principal, Carmen Alicia Rodriguez Echevarria have shown courageous leadership in the face of such challenge. Sue and I were uplifted by the spirit of the community, particularly the students as we prayed in the temporary worship space in the street between the severely damaged structures. The songs of joy and the warm welcome we received are such signs of the vibrant nature of this community.
Our generosity will be so very much appreciated and go a long way in something that all of us Catholics believe so deeply in – The Resurrection. This community will rise and we will be partners in that resurrection.
The Raising of Lazarus
This weekend, we are led by the third of very long passages from the Gospel of John that complements the raising of a community in Puerto Rico that is in need. The story is of Jesus raising his friend Lazarus from the dead.
Jesus hears that Lazarus is ill and responds with a statement of hope, “This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God.” He then waits to go to him until he passes away, causing Him to make an odd comment, “I am glad for you that I was not there, that you may believe.”
When Jesus arrives at the home of Lazarus in Bethany, his sister remarks, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died…” Jesus challenges her, all those gathered to weep, and us to believe in him as the Resurrection. Jesus becomes perturbed. I actually like that word. It is unique and gives a descriptive insight into the challenge that Jesus had and has in leading humanity into a deeper faith in him and the Resurrection.
Jesus asks that the stone be removed from the grave of Lazarus. Let’s consider what stones need to be removed from our lives in order to more fully believe in Jesus as the Resurrection. He then commands Lazarus to Come Out. The dead man rises and comes out of his tomb, and as is repeated over and over in all three of the long Gospels we have heard recently, many come to BELIEVE in Him.
I am so inspired by so many of you who believe in New Life – the new life of the Resurrection so beautifully portrayed in our Cross of New Life, but lived in your lives in the midst of tragedy, setback, challenges and struggles. It happened over four days for Lazarus and three for Jesus. It may take weeks, months and even years sometimes for us to fully believe in the resurrections in our lives – that Jesus IS the RESURRECTION.