church of blessed sacrament

1890 Washington valley Rd 

“Still Figuring Things Out”

It has been a cruel summer. We’ve had three mass shootings, then the political discord on the reasoning behind the motives of shootings. All too often, we retreated back into our echo chambers, affirming our steadfast beliefs about what’s wrong with our country. A few days later, on August 7th Federal Agents arrested 680 immigrants who were thought to be illegal. It was heart-wrenching to watch children in extreme emotional distress. As Bishop Joseph Kopacz of Jackson Mississippi said, “This is a man-made disaster—literally….these folks are our neighbors. They’re not criminals, the vast majority of them. They’re hard-working people.” Many of us are bewildered that the raid would happen on the first day of school for the children of those workers. A day that ought to be filled with promise and excitement, was instead a day of trauma that will never be forgotten.

I reflect upon what is happening as a pastor, not a politician or policymaker. The issue of immigration is complicated. Historically, the Roman Catholic Church has had an open heart to the immigrant community. Through the centuries, the Church prioritized the plight of the immigrant community because frankly, the vulnerability of this community seems to be more open to the treasures that the Church seeks to offer compared to more comfortable communities. And, ultimately, the Church is aware of the scene in Matthew’s Gospel 25 vs. 42-45

"For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me. Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me. Haunting words of Jesus that call us not to be idle."1

On a lighter note, I wish to thank the morning rosary group for inviting me to their periodic breakfast at Denny’s, and for our two parish trustees who have given me their time and insights into our parish. In addition, I am grateful to the three individuals who have come forward to accept the invitation to be part of our parish finance committee that will commence in September, along with another project with information forthcoming.

1  Michael J. O'Loughlin and J.D. Long-Garcia, “After ICE Raids in Mississippi, Catholic Charities Prepares for Long-Term Impact,” America: The Jesuit Review, August 8, 2019, https://www.americamagazine.org/ politics-society/2019/08/08/after-ice-raids-mississippicatholic-charities-prepares-long-term.