Blessed are the Peacemakers: Redeeming Conflict

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Dear Folks,

Our Gospel today (Matt 18:15-20) deals with reconciling conflict in the Church. This is such a critical topic I’ve refurbished an old article on the subject. One of the major ways that Satan undermines the work of the Gospel is sowing division and conflict in the Church. Resolving conflict is a mighty way to combat Satan and his work.

If I could recommend one book for people, I would emphasize “Redeeming Conflict” by Ann Garrido. I have mentioned it before, but it is time to mention it again. It is about twelve habits that can transform conflict and make it a spiritual journey.

The twelve habits are:

1. Sidestep the triangle (go directly to the person with which you have the problem).

2. Be curious (What is happening with the other person? What is that person thinking? What is that person seeking? What might this person see that I don’t? Is there more to the situation than either of us sees?) That is related to #3.

3. Listen to understand (We usually listen to refute their point of view, but remember their beliefs make sense to them, so how do they fit together in their mind?).

4. Undo the knot of intention (we tend to judge ourselves on our intentions and others on their results, but good intentions don’t guarantee good consequences, and we need to keep that in mind for both parties).

5. Welcome emotion (our emotions give us clues to what is really happening inside us, and what this situation means to us).

6. Speak your voice (while we emphasize hearing and understanding the other, the situation cannot truly be resolved without your side of the story being articulated).

7. Know and steady thyself (some issues trip our triggers, and we can go off and say things we will regret. It is good to know and compensate for such tendencies).

8. Pray to forgive (Forgiveness is essential to dealing with conflict, and the ability to do so is a gift from God, so we need to pray for it).

9. Repent (very often, both sides have contributed to the problem, at least somewhat, and we need to own our part).

10. Problem solve (It really helps to develop creative solutions where both sides win).

11. Be trustworthy, not necessarily trusting (not everyone is trustworthy, but we need to be, and Christians are called to do right no matter how much others do wrong).

12. Practice prudence (knowing which of these habits to exercise and when is more art than science).

It is a very Catholic book, but I don’t think there is anything there to offend our nonCatholic brothers and sisters.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God (Matthew 5:9). Jesus took a whole beatitude to emphasize this point (I have a lot to say about how important the beatitudes are in the teaching of Jesus). If we want to follow Jesus’ teaching (we do, don’t we?) and we want to be called “children of God” (we do, don’t we), would we not be intentional about increasing our ability to be peacemakers?

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

Pause

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We are undergoing some transition at our office, so I’m going to pause writing articles every week to focus on helping the transition. I don’t know when I will start again, but I’m looking forward to it fondly. Blessings

It All Fits Together

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Dear Folks,

This is the feast of the Transfiguration. It’s a beautiful story, giving a taste of the glory of Jesus, but is there more to it than that?

Of course. First, let’s get some background. Old Testament prophecies led the Israelites to expect the coming of a new Elijah and a new Moses.

“Remember the law of Moses, my servant, whom I charged at Horeb with statutes and ordinances for all Israel. Now I am sending you Elijah, the prophet, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and terrible day; he will turn the heart of fathers to their sons and the heart of sons to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with utter destruction (Malachi 3:22-24).” This was fulfilled in John the Baptist. “As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, ‘What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swaying in the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out? To see a prophet?

Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, “Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you to prepare the way before you.” Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force. All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come (Matthew 11:7-14).’” “As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, ‘do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’ Then his disciples asked him, ‘Why do the scriptures say that Elijah must come first?’ He said in reply, ‘Elijah will indeed come and restore all

things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.’ Then the disciples realized that he was speaking to them about John the Baptist (Matthew 17:9-13).”

Elijah was perhaps the greatest of the Old Testament prophets, and he proclaimed a drought, called down fire from heaven, killed 450 priests of Baal, and turned the Israelites away from Baal worship (1 Kings 17-18). He also had an encounter with God on a mountain (1 Kings 19).

Moses had said, “A prophet like me will the Lord, your God, raise up for you from among your own kindred; this is the one to whom you shall listen (Deuteronomy 18:15).” So when God’s voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;

listen to him (Matt 17:5b)” they would have connected it to the prophecy in Deuteronomy. “As Moses came down Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant in his hands, he did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant while he spoke with the Lord (Exodus 34:29).” When Jesus’ face “shone like the sun (Mat 17:2)” that echoed the radiance of Moses face.

Moses was the instrument of the covenant, the Passover, the exodus from Egypt, manna, and led them to a new promised land. Brant Pitre in his book “Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist “talks about Jewish expectation for a new Moses, a new temple, and a new exodus with a new manna to a new promised land. There will be other references to Jesus as the new and improved Moses (see John 6:30-33). He encountered God on a mountaintop.

Jesus was not just one more prophet. He is the fulfillment of the promises that God made to his people. We often don’t see it, but God’s plan encompasses the whole picture, and when we step back we can see how things connect.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

Worthless, Valuable, and Most Valuable

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Dear Folks,

In 1961 there was an episode of the Andy Griffith Show in which Andy’s son Opie meets and befriends a hobo, David Browne, who lives by petty larceny and conning people. Opie was getting attracted to that lifestyle, and Andy confronted the hobo.

David Browne “Well Sheriff, maybe I do look at things differently than other people. Is that wrong? I live by my wits. I’m not above bending the law now and then to keep clothes on my back or food in my stomach. I live the kind of life that other people would just love to live if they only had the courage. Who’s to say that the boy would be happier your way or mine? Why not let him decide?”

Andy Taylor: “Nah, I’m afraid it don’t work that way. You can’t let a young ‘un decide for himself. He’ll grab at the first flashy thing with shiny ribbons on it, then when he finds out there’s a hook in it, it’s too late. The wrong ideas come packaged with so much glitter it’s hard to convince him that other things might be better in the

long run, and all a parent can do is say, ‘Wait. Trust me.’ And try to keep temptation away.”

A video clip of that has been popping up on social media.

Of course, we adults have to make decisions, but we still have a tendency to be drawn to shiny things with ribbons and glitter, and we can still get caught by the hook. Wisdom is one of the ongoing themes in the Bible, and we need wisdom, and the ultimate source of wisdom is God. A critical component of wisdom is discerning what is valuable and what is worthless. If you’ve ever seen something at the store and thought that it would be wonderfully useful, and then ten years later found it on a shelf still unused (Believe me, I have), you understand such discernment is harder than one may think. Here are some Biblical reflections:

“Two evils my people have done: they have forsaken me, the source of living waters; they have dug for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water (Jeremiah 2:13).” You know that in Israel it rains in the winter, but never the summer, so you must catch rainwater when it falls and store it in cisterns to survive the

summer. A broken cistern spells doom.

“Thus says the Lord: cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a barren bush in the wasteland, that endures no change of season, but stands in lava beds in the wilderness,

a land salty and uninhabited. Blessed are those who trust in the Lord; the Lord will be their trust. They are like a tree planted beside the waters, that stretches out its roots to the stream; it does not fear heat when it comes; its leaves stay green; in the year of

drought, it shows no distress, but still produces fruit (Jeremiah 17:5-8; see Psalm 1).”

“Who may go up the mountain of the Lord? Who can stand in his holy place? The clean of hand and pure of heart, who has not given his soul to useless things, what is vain (Psalm 24:3-4).”

“And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for

the glory and praise of God (Philippians 1:9-11).”

It’s not as simple as thinking we should just go back to the way they used to do things. “Do not say: how is it that former times were better than these? For it is not out of wisdom that

you ask about this (Ecclesiastes 7:10).” Things like Catholic Social teaching, Theology of the Body, and daily Scripture reading can do a lot to help.

When God’s teaching seems to be spoiling our happiness, it is worthwhile to remember that our perception can be skewed toward sin, and so we may want to look deeper into His teaching.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

Sinners in the Church: No Surprise

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Dear Folks,

Jesus was right. Common on the Christian journey is that we keep getting surprised about how right Jesus was in His teachings. Going from reading words on paper to seeing the reality in life is really something. Jesus tells the parable of the wheat and the weeds in Matt. 13. He warned us that there would be good and bad in the church, but it comes as a surprise when we see it happening. Many people have reported that they stopped going to church

because they were disappointed by fellow parishioners or church leaders, and being fair, some fellow parishioners and some church leaders can be very disappointing. But what they are saying is they are leaving the Church that Jesus started because it is the way He

told us it would be. Part of the way He sanctifies us is in our dealing with the sins, flaws, and imperfections of others in church.

So how should we react to that? This means that we have to put up with each other, and we are brothers and sisters in spite of those flaws. It does not mean that sin can be taken lightly or ignored. We affect each other, and the sins of one drag us all down. Those who sin and refuse to repent are in bad trouble.

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and be drowned in the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause sin! Such things must come, but woe to the one through whom they come (Matt 18:6-7; see Mark 9:42 and Luke 17:1-3).” People who insist that wrong is right and they can be devout Catholics while persisting in sin and making it clear they think this is right are leading others to sin, and Jesus makes clear they are in bad trouble.

What about excommunication? Is that not contrary to Jesus’ teaching on the wheat and the weeds? We get guidance from St. Paul: “It is widely reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of a kind not found even among pagans—a man living with his father’s wife. And you are inflated with pride. Should you not rather have been sorrowful? The one who did this deed should be expelled from your midst. I, for my part, although absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as if present, pronounced judgment on the one who has committed this deed, in the name of our Lord Jesus; when you have gathered together and I am with you in spirit with the power of the Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this

man to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord (1 Corinthians 5:1-5).” Excommunication is drastic medicine for drastic situations

and ordered to save someone’s soul. It is also to protect others in the Church from being misled. St. Paul continues: “Your boasting is not appropriate. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens all the dough (1 Corinthians 5:6)?” Jesus and Paul’s teaching on leaven tell us that a small influence can change the whole community, for better or for worse. Remember what Jesus said about leading little ones to sin.

What about telling people they shouldn’t receive communion while they are persisting in sin? Is that not contrary to Jesus’ teaching to love sinners? St. Paul guides us here too: “Therefore whoever eats the bread and drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to

answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats

and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are ill and infirm, and a considerable number are dying (1 Corinthians 11:27-30).” Encouraging people to receive communion is not always loving.

In adult faith formation classes, when we get to explaining that sin is doing what we know is wrong on purpose, there is always one person who asks, “wouldn’t it be better not to learn about sin then, so whatever we do we won’t be sinning?” If one unknowingly does

wrong, even if they are not guilty of sin, they still do harm to their own souls and the people around them.

Unlike the actual plants, we all have some wheat in us, and we all have some weed in us. Our task is to help each other be as wheaty as possible.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

We are All Called to Sow Seeds

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Dear Folks,

One of the things that really drains our energy is the feeling that we are working and not accomplishing anything. Ever feel like you are talking to a wall or nailing jello to a tree?

When we try to make things better, and things just get worse, when you put out your best effort and people seem not to care, when you keep speaking the truth but people still believe falsehoods, there is a temptation to give up and say, “What’s the use?”

God seems to have no problem putting us in situations where we are frustrated.

Ezekiel heard God say “Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day. Their children are bold of face and stubborn of heart—to them I am sending you. You shall say to them: Thus says the Lord God. And whether they hear or resist—they are a rebellious house—they shall know that a prophet has been among them Ezekiel 2:1-5).” Jesus had many people walk away from Him, and many just refused to consider what He was saying. We are not going to do better than Jesus.

That said, this is not license to neglect learning how to share well. I have been on the receiving end of a great many extended talks that not only did nothing to persuade me but convinced me how clueless this person was. They seemed to go on and on, believing that they will be heard because of their many words (reminds me of Matt 6:7) and all this time I was getting further and further away from their thinking. Learning how to connect to other people requires empathy for how they think (that does not mean agreeing but does mean recognizing what makes sense to them. St. Paul did a great job of this in Athens in Acts 17, though people were not converted right away and many laughed. Part of the image of seed

is something that doesn’t sprout instantly; it takes time to grow. Changing the way we have thought for years and years is usually not done overnight. It can take years and several different experiences to shift our perspective.

Sometimes people are afraid of the term “evangelization” because they think that means they need to take someone from unbeliever to catechumen all by themselves. We remember God is in charge, and we are a small part of His much larger plan. Jesus’ image of seeds reminds us that very little things can make a big difference. There are some simple ways to cast seeds:

1. Learn something new about your faith and share it (it’s like sharing that we have found a new recipe or a new app for our phone, just simple conversation not a sermon).

2. Tell someone one good thing about your faith community (think of how you share how good the burgers are at a particular restaurant or how nice a certain park is).

3. Introduce yourself to someone you don’t know at church (relationships can strengthen people’s connection to the church. Some don’t want to talk, but they at least know that people care.

4. Create a holy moment (Michael Kelly’s term. It refers to a moment in which God’s love is more visible. If people know you are a Christian, and they are impressed by how well you treat people, that is being an ambassador for Christ).

An evangelist can simply be someone who looks for opportunities to cast seeds. One good encounter, however tiny, might predispose someone to be a bit more open to the next person that God sends them. Imagine the fun of seeing in heaven how seeds you have sown have borne fruit.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

Strength in Weakness

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Dear Folks,

In our Gospel today, Jesus speaks of the Father revealing to the childlike, things hidden from the learned and the clever. This reminds us that the Gospel is not just a call to be a

little nicer, a little kinder, and a little more virtuous. It is not just tweaking our lifestyle. It is turning our vision of life upside down. What seems obvious to the world is opposite in the Gospel. We see some examples in the Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness. I would rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in

order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” Matthew 16:25 “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (See Mark 8:35 and Luke 17:33). Matthew 23:11 “The greatest among you must be your servant.” (See Luke 22:24-27) Matthew 23:12 “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (See Luke 14:11) In our second reading St. Paul speaks of flesh vs. Spirit. To live according to the flesh is to do what seems natural for fallen humanity: seeking power, pleasure, wealth, and honor. To live according to the Spirit means seeking the cross, seeking to be servants, considering it a privilege to be persecuted for the sake of the Gospel. To do this, we need to be transformed

by grace: “I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may

discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:1-2).”

When we are so transformed, we don’t entirely fit in this world. “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and sojourners to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against the soul. Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that if they speak of you as evildoers, they may observe your good works and glorify God on the day of visitation (1 Peter 2:11-12).”

Michael Frost (an evangelical Protestant) wrote a couple of short but interesting books, “Surprise the World” and “Keep Christianity Weird”. He suggested we be careful about the desire to fit in. We are called to be misfits.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

The Most Important

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Dear Folks,

Old Riddle: Where does an eight-hundred-pound gorilla sleep? Answer: Anywhere he wants to.

“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance, the only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” ― C.S. Lewis. We remember Jesus’ words in Revelation 3:15-16 (what He said about luke-warm Christians, ouch!). Either Jesus is the

ruling reality, the eight-hundred-pound gorilla in our lives, or we are not doing Christianity.

There are lots of factors in life we can’t control, but there are choices we can make, and how we make them tells the story. Life has hard choices. Sometimes it means choosing against something that is very, very good for the sake of something more important. What we tell ourselves we believe, what think we are like, what we claim to be about is one thing. What do our choices say about us? That is the reality (“By their fruits you shall know them [Matt 7:16]).”

One youth minister told me, “Never ask people to choose between God and sports, because God will lose every time.” What does that say about the culture of that parish, the beliefs that had come to be common there? Would Jesus be happy about how they were doing

church?

When there isn’t enough time to do everything, even everything really, really important (which is generally always) what gets cut and what gets protected? When there isn’t enough money for everything, even everything really important, what gets cut, and what gets protected?

Prayer is hugely important, and we would (I hope) agree that it is an essential part of being a disciple of Jesus. It is also the easiest thing to put off when the crunch comes. “Half an hour’s meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy. Then a full hour is

needed.” ― St. Francis de Sales

God calls us to work with less than perfect situations. If we wait until things are how we think they should be, it will never happen. If God asks us at the end of our lives how we have served the Kingdom, it would not be good to have to say, “I would have done great things, God, but I was just too busy,” or “the pastor was such a jerk,” or “the church had so many hypocrites,” or any such thing. I’m not envisioning that being a happy conversation.

In times and places where people are being put to death for being Christian, the choices can be clear and stark. At other times and places, it may make be easier to let it get fuzzy in our minds. If it has been a long time since we had to choose against something we really, really wanted for the sake of the Kingdom, maybe it’s time to do some inventory.

Is Jesus our 800-pound gorilla? Or is something else? There can only be one.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

Being Christian in a Hostile World

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Dear Folks,

Matthew chapter 10 deals with the challenge of being Christian in a world hostile to Christianity. I have read that North Korea, Somalia, Yemen, Eritrea, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Sudan, and India are the most dangerous places just to be Christian. We need to pray for them.

In Europe and North America, it is not so dangerous just to be known as a Christian, but sometimes people get attacked for standing by Christian beliefs that are not popular. Those who hold to Christianity in general and Catholicism; in particular beliefs about the sanctity of life, sexuality, and family may get attacked verbally, have their property vandalized, and their careers be destroyed. Some people who are hypersensitive about how others talk

about things they hold dear will degrade and ridicule things precious to Christians and brush off any concerns. This leads to the question of where it will go from here.

Jesus said, “Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd (wise, prudent, clever, cunning, crafty) as serpents and simple (innocent) as doves (Matthew 10:16).” I hold on to that verse tightly. We don’t know what the future will bring,

but there are some things we can do to prepare.

1. Know our story. One of the reasons so many are against the faith is that when they were told about it, it was told very poorly. There is a YouTube video “Bishop Barron on ‘Dumbed Down” Catholicism” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZkPH1rOAG0 in which he speaks about Catholics being taught on a level far below the level of other subjects. There are some prominent Catholics who fiercely and aggressively oppose some aspects of Catholic teaching and

speak boldly about how devout they are.

2. Deepen the roots in our relationship with Jesus. We are not going to win this by our own power.

3. Practice choosing the Kingdom over the world. Prayer, fasting and almsgiving are all ways to choose the Kingdom over the world, and we can look at the practical decisions we make in life.

Not every Christian is called to be martyred for the faith, but every Christian is called to be ready to be martyred for the faith, and it starts with small decisions. “The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones. What in our day-to-day decisions says that we are ready (or getting ready) to choose the kingdom over the world?

Bishop Barron also did a YouTube video “Why Modern Men Look Elsewhere for Spiritual Wisdom” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avROODXQlhE and he basically concluded that we have made Christianity too easy and convenient. The Gospel is meant to push us to greatness, and that can’t be done if you

shave off the difficult parts in the name of making it friendlier. If we read the Gospels and take them seriously, there can be no doubt that Jesus calls us to be willing to give our lives in one way or another, to be willing to suffer, to follow whatever the cost. We don’t know what will be asked of us tomorrow. How will we answer?

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

The Harvest is Abundant

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Dear Folks

There are two essential thoughts in our Scriptures this Sunday: that God has given us many great gifts, and the harvest is abundant; laborers are few.

There are a number of sad conversations going on now. Churches are closing. Churches that used to have one or two priests are now sharing priests. Many churches can do less than they used to. Many are struggling.

Many people feel helpless. We are not helpless. God has given us many gifts, and there is so much we can do to make our churches thrive.

What if God is testing us, to see how we will respond to this challenge. To make church happen requires the participation of a lot of people. The question is, how many will respond

to this call? There are some who prioritize participation in the church, helping to make good things happen. The question is how many of our people are willing to do that? How many Catholics see themselves as customers and how many see themselves as coworkers in mission?

If a parish is truly building disciples, it will be common for people to see themselves as sharing responsibility for making church happen, and eagerly respond to God’s call. If people see that responding to God’s call is central to life, that the work of the Church is a huge part of responding to God’s call, and that their participation makes a difference, then a parish can thrive.

Trying to do good things in the Church can be frustrating, and I know that as well as anyone. That is part of the challenge. When we are faithful in the midst of obstacles (including annoying and infuriating obstacles), God uses those occasions to deepen our

commitment and our holiness. We are called to work with the Church we have, with all its flaws. That is part of discipleship.

As for more priests, we all have a role to play. I would suggest that if a young man grows up surrounded by adults (he sees more than his parents) who are zealously dedicated to growing in holiness, deeply in love with the Eucharist, ravenously hungry to learn more

about the faith, and energetic is supporting the mission of the Church, we will have to build a fence around the seminary to keep it from being overrun with applicants.

Part of this is helping direct people’s energy. Many do not read my bulletin articles (sigh), and so how others spread the vision is key. When people express complaints about the state of things or worry about the future, it is important to direct the conversation towards action that can help, even incrementally. Enough drops of water make an ocean.

The harvest is abundant. How many laborers will we have? Our future can be glorious.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim