Ascension
We mark a historically unique event in church history this weekend with Jesus’ ascension into heaven. Our first reading references the earlier book, meaning the Gospel of Luke, which tells of all Jesus did until he was taken up into heaven through his ascension. We believe that Jesus ascended bodily into heaven, leaving the earliest apostles and us a commission and his prayers to carry on the mission of the Church. According to a Gospel passage from Matthew, the commission is clear:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I will be with you until the end of the time.”
The bolded words above indicate that there is a lot of action involved with Jesus’ commission to those early apostles and to us. Even though he will no longer be with us in the same way, we are in the world to carry out this commission. Let us trust that He will also be with us in this endeavor for eternity.
Perhaps we can all place ourselves in the place of those who witnessed the ascension of Jesus. For clarity, we can watch Him ascend and let the reality and challenge of his commission to us sink in. Let us Go, Make, Baptize, Teach, Observe, Command, Behold and do this in partnership with the Lord who has both ascended into heaven and yet remains with us forever.
Kindness
We welcome Friar Johnpaul Cafiero for all Masses this weekend as we mark a moment in our Kindness initiative. We are simply marking some of what this initiative has done for us as a community. We have not kept track of the number of Acts of Kindness to boast; we have kept track of them as a simple incentive to be kinder and to call attention to the need for kindness. As of this writing, we have recorded more than 28,000 acts in all fifty states and on six continents.
Friar Johnpaul kicked this initiative off on February 1, and it has reminded us that perhaps, more than ever, our world, our nation, and our community need more kindness.
I hope that as Kindness Lives here at Holy Family, we all continue to keep this virtue in the forefront of our experiences with each other, particularly when we disagree. I want to extend a special thank you to Larry and Myra Buettner, Deacon Dennis Brown, Gene Garcia, our Liturgical Arts team, Michael Patti, Dr. Kate O’Brien, our Academy staff, and our Family & Teen Faith staff for taking the lead in placing Kindness more in the forefront of our awareness.
Holy Family Catholic Academy News
• Dr. O’Brien and several faculty members traveled to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago this week to be recognized for completion of a three-year program enriching our faculty with leadership skills in science and improving our science related facilities here at HFCA. Our faculty is now in an advanced portion of this program to teach teachers of other schools and assist in the enhancement of their science facilities.
• Twelve of our HFCA middle school students have qualified for the state track and field meet in Bloomington, IL this week. Congratulations HFCA!
MOG Update
We continue with our Conversations in the Spirit as a part of our overall Movement of Growth here at Holy Family. We have heard much feedback and much more positive affirmation regarding several initiatives.
We are formulating initiatives to put into place programs, ministries, incentives and activities that will respond to what we have heard. As is the case with any undertaking like this one, we will not be able to directly respond to every idea and suggestion that we have heard, but are looking for themes and ideas that have surfaced multiple times.
I want to share one in particular with you. As we have gathered people in conversations, listened to them, and facilitated a grace-filled way for participants to listen to each other, many have commented that they simply don’t know all of the ministries, programs, activities, and services that we offer here at Holy Family.
In response to that, I am asking all of you to please familiarize yourself with all we have to offer and all we do to serve by visiting our website and reviewing our many ministries. There is also a very helpful welcome brochure in the Narthex that lists all of them.
If you are familiar with them, then you can spread the word or inform anyone who might need what we have to offer. THANK YOU!!