Because of my role as treasurer of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), I had the privilege this past weekend of participating for the first time in the “Church in America Meeting,” a biannual gathering of the officers of the USCCB, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM).
It’s always enlightening for me to hear of the experiences of bishops from around our nation and indeed from other parts of the world. While there are differences in experiences for sure, there’s also a wonderful commonality that comes from sharing in the privilege of serving in the Lord’s vineyard.
As I met my international colleagues for the first time this past weekend, I noticed that they all raised their eyebrows as soon as they heard “Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.” As one after another promised prayers for our local Church at this difficult time, it was apparent to me that our sisters and brothers around the world are very much aware of what has been unfolding in our communities. St. Paul had it right when he wrote to the Corinthians that when one part of the body of Christ suffers every part suffers with it (1 Cor 12:26).
I am grateful that I have seen that same sense of solidarity within our archdiocese in these past months, hearing, for example, inspiring stories of how some parishes are stepping up to assist our inner-city schools and parishes in helping families that have been particularly hard-hit by loss of income, family separation or who are lacking basic groceries or their monthly rental payments. Our school leaders and teachers have been heroic in striving to meet the emotional and physical needs of their students, as have so many of our pastors and parish staff who have been working around the clock to provide material assistance in addition to offering extraordinary pastoral care.
I’ve been moved by stories of counselors, health care professionals and lawyers offering their services to those in need. I’ve loved, moreover, the photos and videos I have received of parishioners packing boxes of produce, and relished the stories that I have heard of those volunteering to drive kids to school or to be present at the beginning and end of the school day to offer a sense of solidarity to struggling young scholars and their families. “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you do unto me.”
Many of you have called or written to ask how you can help. I have consistently encouraged people to pray — to pray for an outpouring of wisdom on our civic leaders, for a heightened respect for the dignity of each human life, and for the cleansing of our hearts from any hatred. How easy it is for us to harden our hearts at a time like this.
I have also been encouraging people to offer their time, talent and treasure to assist those in need. We have been blessed that the Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota has stepped up to coordinate a faith-based response to this situation. They have established the Minnesota Catholic Relief Fund specifically to provide financial support to local Catholic parishes and schools as they accompany individuals and families navigating uncertainty and need. Donations can be made at ccf-mn.org/relief.
While the response to their appeal has already been excellent, our parishes and schools are recognizing that the actual needs are sobering and that they will sadly continue long after the present surge subsides. The annual Lenten call to almsgiving couldn’t come at a better time.
One of our excellent pastors confessed to me recently that he’s having a hard time gearing up for Lent this year, noting that he’s been in the midst of a penitential season since last December. I hope that you will keep him and all of our priests and their staffs in your prayers, or as your intention for fasting as we begin Lent this week. I see, moreover, how hard Bishop Kevin Kenney and the staff of our Latino Ministry Office, as well as the leadership and staff of the Minnesota Catholic Conference, have been working in these past months to bring reason and the light of Christ into our communities and I know that they could use prayers as well.
Every year on Ash Wednesday the reading from the Prophet Joel reminds us that we are to return to the Lord with our whole heart, hoping that the Lord will be “stirred to concern for his land” and take “pity on his people.” Through our prayer, fasting and almsgiving this year, may we become more aware of the greatness of God’s compassion (Psalm 51) and accept our role as ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5) so that “we might become the righteousness of God in him” in the midst of our community. Just as the whole body suffers when any part suffers, so too will the whole body rejoice when any part rejoices.
Blessed Lent!
