Riding Together on the Same Journey

Summary of a Fr. Gerry Creedon homily from February 19, 2006

"Blessed is the one who has regard for the lowly and the poor." Ps 41:2

BARTOLINA, A YOUNG mother of three with a 6-month-old daughter in her arms took advantage of our visit to her remote community in the hills on the Haiti- Dominican Republic border. I was there with a mission team headed by Bishop Loverde.

She wanted a ride in our truck to Banica --10 miles away.

She needed something she could not find in her region, a three-pound can of dried milk.
Normally she would have walked, even when pregnant, for hours over rocky terrain and steep slopes ..all for a tin of milk.

Bishop overheard similar stories on his first pastoral visit to the mission I helped to found 15 years ago. Fr. Jack and Fr. Rich have also served there.

The scriptures today all reflect on the bountiful love of God. God is always yes, not yes and no.

The people glorified and praised Jesus for his healing touch. They were astonished.

The loving face of Christ is shown in our relationships, in all of the ministries of our parish, but beyond us in the larger outreach of our church community. Banica is one of the programs funded from the Annual Diocesan Lenten Appeal.

We tend to be parochial, focusing only on St. Charles, yet all of the priests of this parish: Fathers Jack, Rich, Charles and I reach out in our ministry beyond our parish lines through the diocese. We want you to do the same. Take home the flyer in today's bulletin and learn about the many ways we serve. Come next Sunday, if you have not already done so, to pledge your support to our diocesan outreach.

Over past years we have met our diocesan goals, even with 11 percent of our people participating, the second lowest rate of any parish in our diocese. With the building of our Parish Center that focus on parochial concerns is understandable. However it is time for us to join the diocese more fully. I ask all of you to consider extending your generosity.

Our parish and our diocese have no other purpose than to share the generous love of Christ with all who need his saving touch. Of course the bishop gave Bartolina a ride. Come let us extend a hand too.