Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Vacation Time
Last week I was in Kentucky spending time relaxing, swimming, and hiking with a few priest friends. Presently I am in Seneca, South Carolina visiting my sister and her family, whom I have not seen since well before COVID. Thank you to all our visiting priests who are celebrating Masses. Please know that I am keeping you all in prayer and today I am offering Mass for all St. Paul’s parishioners. 

Thank you for your generosity
Last weekend we held our annual missionary appeal and hosted Fr. Terrence DeSilva a missionary priest from the Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky. St. Paul parishioners have always been so generous; and you have continued to be so. Our parish generously contributed $2,557.77 to the missions. I heard too, that Fr. DeSilva really enjoyed his time in Akron and sincerely appreciates everything you have done to help.

RCIA and Evangelizing
Of course, we want to do our part of spreading the faith here in our own backyard. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the Church’s process of bring more people to encounter Christ the Lord in His One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Often this process is implemented as a “program” at a parish that meets weekly with a group usually from September until Easter. However, this process really should be ongoing year-round. This is because all of us should be evangelizing and reaching out to others all the time! Do not think that this time window is the only time we should focus on inviting others in. The Holy Spirit does not work on our arbitrary schedules. It requires our being open to the Spirit and encountering the people around us with open hearts and a willingness to be present to their needs. Because the one thing we all need deep down is Christ’ Holy Church. We need His Church because that where we encounter Christ Himself and the sanctifying grace and salvation He offers. We all need this whether we like it or not, prefer it or not, whether we even know it or not.

First, we must recognize our own need for His grace and be grateful. This moves us to share that grace with others. Are we intentionally inviting our non-catholic friends to explore the Catholic Faith? Do we invite them to Mass or invite them to pray? Do we share with them our love of Christ and His Church? Do we show them our parish where we strive to form disciple of Christ in community and proclaim the Gospel? I am not saying we should constantly hit people over the head with this or be obnoxious about it, but it should be on our minds; we should be consciously looking for those opportunities that the Holy Spirit provides for us to bring more souls to Christ and His Church. That is where the major work of the RCIA happens. Then when they respond to your invitation you bring them to me, or Dcn. John and the next steps of the journey can take place.

See you next week!  God bless!

Fr. Pfr