Two weekends ago, more than seventy-five friends and fellow parishioners participated in our Fall Day of Prayer & Reflection: Rebuilding the Church with Saint Francis of Assisi. During this special morning of prayer, devotion, and faith sharing, Cliff Garvey delivered two beautiful reflections about how every person can play some small part in healing God’s family and rebuilding the Church during these troubled times.

Throughout the morning, Cliff wove together the life of Saint Francis, his own long experience as a lay minister, and the wisdom that can be found in film, music, sacred scripture, and contemporary spiritual writing. He also twice quoted Dr. Leo Buscaglia (1924-1998), a well-known author, educator, and television personality. In an interview shortly before his death, Dr. Buscaglia said: “We live in a small world. Not a leaf falls that doesn’t effect a myriad of things. When we reach out to someone in love and the effect is made, then everyone and everything who comes into contact with the person we have touched is better for it.”

I love these words. In them, we find no slick slogans or talking points. We find no new strategies for evangelization. We find no new philosophies or theologies. We find only the power of love: born in our love of Christ and made manifest in the world by our discipleship, our love of family, friends, and neighbors, and our kindness toward every person who crosses our path each day. Bringing love into the world is not easy, but we can do it and we must do it. If we fail to carry Christ’s love into our long-suffering world, then our already wounded Church is doomed.

Every single one of us can make a difference. Look to the living proof all around us. Look to the everyday saints who clean our churches, feed the hungry, clothe the poor, teach our children, and pray with the sick. Look to the everyday saints who give themselves wholeheartedly to some parish ministry well into their seventies, eighties, and even nineties. Look to Saint Therese of Lisieux who writes: “Love proves itself by deeds, so how am I to show my love? Great deeds are forbidden me. The only way that I can prove my love is by scattering flowers and these flowers are every little sacrifice, every glance and word, and the doing of the least actions for love.”

How can we heal God’s family and rebuild the Church? What can you do? What can we do to-gether? Here are some suggestions: What if every person who comes to church this weekend promises to pray for one minute every day for me, our pastoral team, and all of our fellow parishioners? What if every person who comes to church this weekend picks up one piece of trash in our parking lots or on the streets? What if every person who comes to church this weekend volunteers one hour per month to visit the sick, serve the poor, or help out at some fundraising or service event? Just imagine what good we would do together!

What if every person who comes to church this weekend remembers their home parish in their will? What if every person who comes to church this weekend gives one extra dollar or two each week? What if every person who comes to church this weekend brings a friend and that friend gives an extra dollar or two? Just imagine what we can accomplish together when we choose to love, to give, and to do what little we can! May God bless us with generous and loving hearts as we work together to rebuild the Church for future generations!

Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com

Read More: The Power of One, Part 1
Read More: The Power of One, Part 2

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (10-20-19)
Bringing Home the Word (10-20-19)
Watch: The Pope Video (October 2019)

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Respect Life Month
A Prayer for Life

By Father Michael Pavlakovich