Doing a lot of reflecting while home recovering this week and was prompted to review the life of the Church, through her many activities and Sacraments, locally, and across the whole world. The Church indeed is universal, but she most wonderfully exists locally. And each member of the faith established by Jesus Himself, belong to the Church Universal and a local parish. When we can reflect on vibrancy in our local Catholic experience, we can be at peace that God's will is being done right here at home.
In these early weeks of the Easter season, I rejoice at the sheer numbers of new Catholics added by the Church through the excellent RCIA program. Every year, the numbers seem to grow as His Church, universal and local, continues to add faithful. This, for me, is a sure sign that Holy Mother Church, pronounced so dead by so many, is indeed alive; and not just alive but flourishing! At my local parish, we did not add new catechumens this year, trust me, we were the exception and not the rule on this stat. We did, joyfully, have 4 adults, previously baptized, become full members of the Church through the Sacrament of Conformation. Since our parish celebration of Confirmation came during Easter week, the 4 adults joined our 11 teenagers who received Confirmation that evening from the hands of New Orleans Archbishop Emeritus, Alfred Hughes! Being sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit, I witnessed the sign of a lively Church in the live of these 15 Catholics.
In the days that followed, I found myself baptizing a beautiful baby girl and reading those beautiful words of baptism! Harper Louise, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit! Amen, Alleluia!! And then I glanced her older brother and some of her cousins and realized that I had baptized them too! The Church grows through children, such as these. Over the next week, the local church is baptizing 3 more new Catholics, freed from original sin and just beginning their own personal salvation story.
It was also important for me, after my last Mass assignment this past weekend, to have Father Dean anoint ne before my Monday surgery. As I listened to the words of the Sacrament and received the healing oil of the sick, I felt peace and I knew too, as I have witnessed this Sacrament often before, this too gives affirmation to the life and vitality of the Church, both locally and universally.
Today the community at MHT said goodbye to one of our earliest parishioners, leaving this world less than a year since her husband passed. The family, mourning her loss, is very active in the parish and will continue to be so, even after the loss of the patriarch and matriarch. Strong Catholic families, even at the time of the passing of a loved one, serves as affirmation of that same life and vitality of the Church. Who knows, as I write this in this moment of time, how many Catholic funerals were celebrated just today? Sometimes our service as clergy, especially our Priests, is never more vital than at the time of the loss of one of the faithful.
Tomorrow, I wish I could transport myself to both of the parish services where I've been privileged to serve as an assigned Deacon. 1st Holy Communion will be celebrated at both St. Jane's in Abita and MHT in Covington within hours of one another. These precious young children, hopefully with the full support of the family, and certainly with the very best efforts of their teachers and directors, will receive Jesus for the very 1st time in the Eucharist! This indeed is a momentous time for the community to glimpse yet another moment in the life of the Church that speaks to life, growth and vitality!
The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, serve not only to strengthen the individuals receiving the graces associated with each Sacrament, but strengthen and affirm the Church, both locally and universally!
The life of the Church, oftentimes, mirrors the life of a family! Families grow and develop, experience good times and bad, and then go separate ways. But if a family truly celebrates life and grows and stays vital, it exists always and gives honor to He who created it(them) in the first place! Same for the Church, especially locally. In my prayer time today, I am so glad that I was given a glimpse of the life of the Church and that I took the time to share with you!
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