Missionaries

Dear sisters & brothers in Christ,

I pray that you are blessed, and enjoying the summer. Don’t wait until the dead of winter to appreciate these warm days. For those not yet vaccinated, whether you chose not to or were unable to receive it for some reason, I pray that you will be able to do so and be liberated from the mask and other social distancing guidelines. I know that some people cannot receive it for medical reasons, such as a compromised immune system, and of course we also have our children to consider, so we will continue to practice some social distancing guidelines in our parish. I especially want to point out the two side areas of the church. If you choose to sit in those areas please be mindful of those wearing masks and respect their boundaries. I also ask that you consider wearing masks while moving about in those areas. Let us all pray that our medical researchers can find a way to eradicate Covid-19 along with all its variants.

Many of us have grown accustomed to a sedentary, stay-at-home lifestyle due to the pandemic guidelines. It makes it a little harder to get up and get active again. We have been asking for help with liturgical ministries for a number of weeks, but have had little to no response. In today’s Gospel Jesus sends The Twelve “Apostles” (the one who is sent) out into the world to heal the sick, forgive sins, and proclaim the Gospel. Each of us, by virtue of our baptism, have inherited that same command. We are all missionaries. We have to get-up and go! Our faith is an action verb, and we have to share it with the world. And while you may not be planning a trip up the Amazon, you can be a missionary right here at St. Alphonsus. Become a Greeter/ Usher and be the first person to welcome your sisters and brothers to mass on Sunday. Be the one who welcomes our many visitors, and make sure they feel at home. Become a lector and fulfill the command to proclaim the Sacred Scriptures. Join the choir, and as St. Francis said, “Singing is like praying twice.” Become a Eucharistic Minister and help distribute the precious Body & Blood of Christ.

All of these liturgical ministries are part of a sacred trust. They each help fulfill the command of Jesus Christ. It was begun by the original Twelve, and has been handed down generation to generation. It now falls to us. So, let us arise and answer our Lord’s invitation to build the kingdom right here and right now.

Next Sunday I have asked Carol to expand on this invitation and share a little about what these ministries are all about and how you can help put your gifts and talents to use as we come out of our long pandemic sleep and seek to revitalize our parish. God bless, and I want to thank those faithful few who have been so dedicated in carrying out these ministries throughout the pandemic.

In the Redeemer, Fr. Rick