We have had so many funerals lately at St. Timothy that I
am very aware of the “cloud of witnesses” that surrounds us in the
Kingdom. It seems that one-by-one our
most senior members, the founding members of our parish, are receiving their
ticket. There are others who are much
younger who have also been called into the Mystery. I am greatly affected by this. Learning about each person whose funeral
liturgy I celebrate, I become ever more aware of the rich heritage that belongs
to us as St. Timothy Church.
I am noticing also two contrary “movements” that are happening
in our gathering, especially at our Sunday Masses.
Many of those who benefited from the work and sacrifice of
the first generations of our parish are letting go of it without much
thought. They have not taken up the
torch and plunged in to do their part to keep the community alive. They are busy about many things – no doubt
things that are important, at least to them – but they are allowing Faith and
an active, cultivated relationship with God to disappear. Some have chosen to go to other churches, for
whatever reason. But many simply stop
participating in the “things” of the Catholic Faith. They are no longer with us at our weekly
gatherings, though they may keep in touch with us at social events.
At the same time, if you do come to Mass regularly at St.
Timothy, you will notice that there are several young couples and young
families who have found a place to call home among us. They are not from the founding families, but
they have discovered St. Timothy Church as a place where they feel comfortable. While I am doing many funerals, I am also
finding that there are many baptisms.
Something new is starting even as we say farewell to our founders and as
their own families allow what they have had as a constant part of their lives
to slip through their hands due to neglect.
The Spirit calls us to do what we can to renew and enliven
the Faith of those who have drifted away.
We must also pray with and for those who have gone ahead of us in the
ways of Faith. But the larger task that
is given to us is to take up the new responsibility we have to assist our
newest members in their efforts to bring up their children in the ways of
Faith.
Please look around you and offer your own welcome to the
new members. They will be the ones who
keep the great tradition of St. Timothy alive.
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