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Faith Facts Q&A - New Guidelines for Catholic Worship from our Pastor, Fr. Joseph Illo

From our Pastor, Fr. Joseph Illo From the Pastor's Laptop, Sunday Bulletin dated  - May 4, 2008

 

 

Some have said the Catholic Church is like a big city bus. People crowd to get on, but since no one knows each other, we keep to ourselves. Our wonderful Pope (our “papa”—our bus driver) made a stop in our country last month and showed us that, after all, we are not a church full of strangers. We are a—very large—family.

 

   During tile work last week, we had daily Mass in the side chapel, which has exactly 107 seats. God smiled and arranged that exactly 107 (give or take) people came for each daily Mass. There were enough seats, but just enough seats, if we all sat together. What happened is this: those who came first sat near the door, with an empty seat on either side. No one sits next to strangers, right? Those coming in later felt there was no room for them at Mass, so they stayed outside, looking in. I even saw one family look in, feel not welcome, and leave. So I began asking those “in the Bus” to move to the “back of the vehicle” and sit together, so those coming later would have a place. At first a wall of expressionless faces met my request. But a nice lady sniggered sheepishly, got up, and sat next to a perfect stranger! “Hello,” she said. The “stranger” remained sitting bolt upright, staring straight ahead. The next day, people began sitting closer, and in a week, people were warming up to actually sitting next to each other!

 

   In the end, all rather enjoyed the experience. Because, the truth is, we are not strangers. God is the Father of us all; we all eat at the same holy table; we all profess the same Creed. We are not strangers but brothers and sisters in Christ. It’s hard to overcome the “Public Bus” feeling in the Catholic Church, but we can definitely work at it.

 

   Are there enough seats at St. Joseph’s? Are there enough parking places? Is there enough money? The truth is, God has provided more than enough of everything for our parish, but we must share. He has provided an abundance in our lives, but we must share. There is no scarcity; there is only abundance. Catholic Stewardship is recognizing the abundance, giving glory to God, and learning to share. Imagine a child coming to dinner, and mother saying “I’m sorry Johnny, but there is no room for you at our table. Go back to your room.” God provides. It is for us to steward His gifts.

 

 

 

 

Welcoming the morning at St. Joseph's Church, Modesto, California