Let us plead God to stop the pandemic of arms, large and small, which infects our world.” Pope Leo XIV –
News about the tragedy at Ascension Parish and School in Minneapolis came shortly after our bulletin was sent to print, and I did not have the opportunity to offer comment about the horrifying incident. A week later, I still have no words. As one person commented, “There are no words because there should be no words.” We don’t have words for something so unspeakable and unbelievable.
Last Sunday, Pope Leo used a word familiar to us, “pandemic.” During the days of lockdown, we experienced hope amid helplessness. The hope came first through unity, our lives in some ways became simpler, and we found ways to strengthen relationships and unite ourselves with those who were suffering. Hope was also found in the resilient efforts to care for the ill, and the determined belief that a medical intervention could be found. Lastly, the world was united in rejecting the “status quo” of illness and death. Churches and schools will respond again with efforts to protect against these acts of violence, but we are called to more. The status quo is unacceptable. Converting a culture of death which begets war, violence, abuse, abortion and assisted suicide is the greater mission. How are we being called to pray and act in this pandemic?
ENGAGING AND INSPIRING THE YOUNG CHURCH – Last September, our parish renewed its efforts to grow attendance at Sunday mass, particularly among the young and their families. Those efforts resulted in an average increase of 500 people in weekend mass attendance (Saturday evening/Sunday.) While Sunday Mass is the source and summit of our relationship with Christ, other aspects of parish life draw us into that encounter with the Lord. As we begin another school year, I share with you the ways in which St. Rose of Lima parish seeks to be a source of inspiration and motivation for engaging and accompanying youth and young adults.
School and Faith Formation – Both of these entities provide direct catechesis in our faith to children, but they also connect young people to the church’s care and service to the marginalized. The school and faith formation programs also engage the young in a development of the practice and importance of sacramental life.
Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) –With one of the largest and diverse parish athletic programs in the diocese, St. Rose provides our young people with an opportunity to develop their skills as athletes but teaches them sportsmanship, respect for others and helps them to understand our parish as a home for them.
Catholic Scouting – Our parish charters a Scouting America Cub Pack and Troop. This makes these units a part of the parish’s mission. We also host units of Girl Scouts USA. Both scouting programs offer opportunities to be engaged in religious activities and advancement programs that assist and accompany faith formation. Additionally, scouting programs cultivate leadership and service.
Music Ministry – Our bell choirs are a unique gift to our parish liturgies. Children and teens have embraced the opportunity to engage in an instrumental ensemble that requires working together to produce a moment of praise and worship. This year we are excited to reignite a children’s choir. Mrs. Diane Griffin, a seasoned music educator (and mother of our cantor Matt Bayen) will be leading children twice a month at our 10:00 am Family Mass on Sundays.
Altar Servers – Students from 4th grade through high school play a significant role in the celebration of Mass on Sundays and other solemnities. Participating in parish life as an altar server helps young people to be more personally engaged in Holy Mass and gives them a hands-on opportunity to learn about the church’s liturgy.
Information on these ministries is readily available in the weekly bulletin and https://stroseoflimaparish.org/ or you can email me, frgerard@srolchurch.org, and I will point you in the right direction.
We are blessed to live in a young community, and with that blessing comes rich opportunities to minister to “youth” and “young adults.” Youth are adolescents and teenagers in middle school and high school, while young adults are those in their late teens and twenties. Generationally distinct from one another, these ages are, however, connected through three factors:
1) Periods of rapid developmental, emotional, and social transitions that greatly impact their spiritual and personal growth. 2) The Catholic Church has not invested as much as it should in them. 3) These generations have been among the most absent from the active practice of the Catholic faith in our nation’s history.
In the last year, a community of young adults has grown in our parish. They have formed bible study groups and hosted larger spiritual and social events. With them, I recognize a need to form them as disciples and peer leaders. For several years now, middle school students have embraced our Faith and Sports nights, but addressing the needs of high school students has fallen short as we have been unable to retain those we have hired for ministry with teens.
I am happy to announce that we have engaged a new ministry here on Long Island. This weekend, you will have the opportunity to hear from JT Parker, founder and executive director of Five Loaves Ministries. This partnership will be focused on building up and supporting the engagement of our parish with the youth and young adult populations of St. Rose of Lima. Please welcome JT and Five Loaves to our parish. For more information, see https://fiveloavesministries.org
Peace,
