We are in the middle of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which began on January 18. Let us continue to pray for Christian Unity. When Christians talk and pray with each other, we often find we have more in common than what separates us.
We are beginning our 90th year as a parish. We are looking for more history of the parish as well as ideas on how to celebrate this great anniversary. Why not spend a little time looking at the pictures of the priest and deacons who have served here? Maybe you will be enlightened by the Holy Spirit to contribute a great idea or two for this coming year.
There is a new community organizing effort taking shape in Northern Indiana. It is called Faith in Indiana I have attended three clergy meetings. It is an interfaith organization looking at systemic change for the better. The diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend backs this with groups in Fort Wayne, Elkhart and St. Joe counties. It should develop into a lay led organization to make things better for everyone. If you would like more info on this group, please see me, Father Len. This is a leadership development process. Three parishioners have already shown interest, but we could use many more. As small as we are, we have a big reputation in the city.
Ordinary Time will only run for a few weeks, since Lent begins the middle of February. Today we celebrate the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time and the theme of our readings is once again being called to follow Jesus.
In our first reading today we have Jonah calling the people of Nineveh to repentance. Much to Jonah’s surprise they listen to him and repent. “The people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth.” God forgave them just as God forgives us when we repent of our evil ways.
In our second reading Paul, like Jonah, warns the people of Corinth and us that he time is running out.” “For the world in its present form is passing away.” Paul calls us to change our lives for the positive.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls Simon, Andrew, James and John to be his disciples. All four drop what they are doing, family, work and friends and just follow Jesus. They set the example for us to drop everything that keeps us from Jesus and just follow him to a better world and life.
On Thursday of this week the Church celebrates the Conversion of St. Paul, an extremely great moment in the early church. Paul was persecuting the early church, but on the road to Damascus, he got knocked off his high horse and Jesus called him to be his disciple and as they say the rest is history. Jesus calls each of us to himself. Do we have the courage to accept his call?
Tomorrow is the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. The US Church is asked to pray for the legal protection of unborn children.
The National Black Catholic Congress has published a Pastoral Plan of Action. It can be found on their website.
Let us continue to pray for peace in the world. Let us also pray for vocations to the church. Let us pray for the sick of the parish. Let us pray that all will come to respect life. Let us pray for one another and for the canonization of Father Tolton.