Forgive and Come Home

Dear Friends,

One day when Jesus was teaching about forgiveness the question was asked "Lord, how often must I forgive, seven times?" His response is as relevant in today's world as it was then. "I say to you, not seven times, but seventy times seven times." Children as well as adults have used their fingers, their computers and adding machines to figure out this mathematical problem even though in their hearts they know what Jesus was saying. Forgive always! Even when those who offend us do not ask, forgive. Otherwise, anger, disappointment and revenge destroy us from within.

I, as your parish priest along with you have read and discussed all the events that have led us to what is called "Crisis" in our Church. With revelations that many priests and Church persons have violated the trust of many young people entrusted to them there has grown a great disappointment and disillusionment about the Church itself. The media has been harsh and unrelenting as well as irresponsible. Many innocent persons have been destroyed and there seems no defense against anything that anyone may say. Judgments take place in the newspaper outside any tribunal or court and the basic principle of "innocent until proven guilty" becomes superfluous. Even though those who were responsible for handling cases of alleged abuse have made poor judgments and have asked forgiveness over and over, there seems no forgiveness is forthcoming. Without it no healing will ever take place.

In hindsight all things become clearer and in this present crisis this is so true. I have asked many people including myself that if something happened in our own families what would we do? We certainly would want to solve the issues and find help for all concerned. And everyone would want to protect their family and its name. I have spent countless hours with families over the many years of my priesthood dealing with mistakes made by their children and begging for the "second chance" at school, work, family life or whatever. I cannot but believe that Bishops and those responsible for our care used this pastoral approach - find professional help and assist people to start over again. It is only with the passage of time and newer insights into psychology that we now know this does not always work. Forgiveness however does and this is the message of Jesus Christ. He cries out from the cross in His dying moments, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."

It is our challenge now to build up our faith in Jesus Christ. It is Jesus and only Him who can lead us to become a stronger community of believers. I know that there may be many who do not come to church, many who deprive themselves of the Eucharist - the bread of life - the body and blood of the Savior. It is time to heal, time to come home and time to move on. May we hear the call of Jesus. Peace.

In our own parish we have been working diligently on renewing our Parish Council and moving to a more Parish Pastoral Council. All of our parishioners should take ownership of what happens in this community. Our pastoral staff and our Council need to become more acquainted with your dreams and expectations. As part of this movement, a PARISH SURVEY has been prepared for you. Please take a few moments to read it and respond and of course, RETURN IT TO US. I am most grateful to God and to Mary as well as to all who have joined together in this effort. May the Lord continue to guide us and may this Lenten season be a time of repentance, forgiveness and welcoming home.

FATHER PAUL