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This Fr. Gerry Creedon homily was delivered at St. Charles on October 13, 2002
If you received a gilt-edged invitation from Queen Elizabeth II to Buckingham Palace for a banquet would you attend? I know my mother would, and she would drag along my reluctant, rebel father dressed in his navy blues, his Sunday best. We would all show up for a special invitation.
Every Sunday morning we hear an invitation from Jesus. Happy are those who are called to his supper.
There's a story that has gone around about a wedding that was to take place in Manhattan and the groom didn't show. The reception was all laid out so the bride went to the local homeless shelters and invited homeless people to the reception.
Jesus tells us that all are invited. In this particular gospel text there are no excommunications. Everyone is welcome to come to the feast. All receive that special gilt-edged invitation. If you examine your hearts, you are not here this morning just because you have a Sunday obligation, you are responding to an invitation.
I met a cynic from a neighboring parish who upon seeing the mound of dirt outside of St. Charles commented that they couldn't believe St. Charles was actually building a community center. Well they underestimated the power of a congregation that comes together to participate and share their resources generously. This parish shares not just financial resources, although they are important, but also other gifts. It is a joy to serve in a parish where there is so much generosity.
The Ministries Fair: An Invitation to ALL
Today the parish celebrates a Ministries Fair and all of you are called to make a detour to the cafeteria after Mass to hear about the variety of ministries here at St. Charles. Those ministries are not just for a special few like the clergy or anointed lay people or the professionals in religion, they are for ALL.
This morning I baptized a child at the 9:00 AM Mass. Part of the Rite of Baptism is a christening. When you christen a child, you anoint them with oil of chrism, which is the same oil that is used for priests at ordination or for your confirmation. The call to share the priesthood and is given in some measure to everybody.
All have gifts to offer. There are a variety of ways of offering yourself and of making your contribution. You may do so in your work. Many of you see your profession as a vocation or a calling to answer God and to give something back to your society, your world, or your neighborhood. If you can't see your profession as a calling, ask yourself, "why am I doing what I am doing or am I waiting to retire to do what I want to do with my life"?
You may also consider your call in terms of the other roles in your life: husband, wife, mother, father, sister, brother, son, or daughter. We all have a role and in that role we are offering something to others. We are called to renew ourselves and our willingness to share our baptismal gift, whatever that unique gift might be.
This may not be the year for you to volunteer in the church or any kind of ministry. Perhaps it is enough to survive and keep your head above water this year. Maybe next year you'll have time available. There are people burning out and the last thing we want to do is burn out in the service of the church. At the same time we have couch potatoes and people who are rusting out. This could be your year to get involved.
St. Charles Has 7 Ministry Groupings and 5 Neighborhoods
There are seven basic ministries in the life of St. Charles although there are about 72 different activities associated with these ministries. The core ministries are Community Life, Education, Hospitality, Latin American Community, Liturgy, Social Justice and Stewardship. You may also consider parish neighborhood activities. Many of you here are already involved with one or more of these ministries. Take some time to visit the Ministries Fair today to see all the activities sponsored by St. Charles.
All of us are called to say yes. Come to the feast.
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or 2002
Homilies
Revised/reviewed December 7,
2002