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You are living stones being built into a spiritual house (cf. 1 Pt 2:5): The Big Picture of Parish Life at St. Joseph Associate Pastor's Column Sunday, May 7, 2006 With the recent Archdiocesan announcements of the five year plan of parish closings, mergers and clustering, we are grateful to Divine Providence that our cluster is not directly effected at all. In the same breath, we are also grateful to the countless generous souls who contributed their skills, funds and hours to keep St. Joseph’s not only afloat, but flourishing and growing. Our perseverance is a work of both God and man. We could lament the challenges that face us, with massive bell tower repairs pending, serious stain glass and storm window work, plaster and paint work in some sections of the Church, and all this besides the spire, masonry and pointing work needed. But we don’t lament, because we know that many generations have gone before and made sacrifices to build, then to sustain, this beautiful temple to the true God, a sacred space for prayer and the celebration of the sacraments. It is a privilege that Divine Providence has put each of us – some since birth, others later – on the crossroads with St. Joseph parish. What fruit has sprung from the sacrifices of so many over the last century and a half? Let’s just say we still have the frequent celebration of the Holy Mass, we have baptisms and funerals, confessions, weddings, and this great parish church serves both God and man in it’s specific sacred function. Our parishioners bring food to the hungry. They maintain the parish’s German roots. They persevere with the infinite treasures of Catholic tradition in the liturgy. They praise God with exquisite liturgical music. They participate in the Knights of Columbus and Legion of Mary. They provide food for the hungry. They engage the local residential associations. They love their forbearers and alumni. They study Catholic theology together in organized courses. They have organized a vibrant Altar Society, Holy Name Society, and St. Joseph confraternity. They adore the Eucharist ceaselessly! I have even the unique privilege of bringing my youth group, Trailblazers, into this parish, to provide seeds for a sort of “virtual alumni” to follow in the steps of previous generations who love and support this parish. And many programs are on the dockets to promote holiness of life and faith, devotion to Mary and Joseph; to connect more with the neighborhood; to increase numbers of registered parishioners and attendees at Sunday Mass; to initiate a grant petition program to support the huge expenses of our poor parish. Some say there’s a rebirth in Detroit; the truth is, it’s starting at St. Joseph parish. As I’m new here, please go out of your way to tell me how I can help you and your family. Share with me how you in turn could help this parish and the other members here, our brothers and sisters in the Catholic Church. In this way, let us together be good servants of the Lord. Furthermore, as we are now preparing our book for the 150th anniversary, please send in information, stories, photos, materials, and ideas for the book. It will be more than a commemorative book, but a milestone by which to judge where we are and where we should go. I continually encourage the parishioners to participate in the myriad of activities we have, to start even more, and to invite others from near and far to participate appropriately in our parish life. I encourage the same to you, Gentle Reader: for when a parish needs a worthy Church building, we remember that it is made of in fact not of rocks and glass, but of the Catholics who are the living bricks of the Church. Be generous with your skills, funds and hours of volunteer work, and not only will our parish stay open, but we can be a model to all of what the burning fire of the Trinity’s love can do with humble souls who love him. |
