Pastor Notes June 23, 2024
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June 24, 2024We welcome Fr. Joseph Arackal, a Vincentian Missionary priest, who will be present at our weekend Masses. In 1625 St. Vincent DePaul initiated this order of priests in France to evangelize the Catholic faith to those who were without religion, to renew the faith in Catholic communities, and to properly train and support seminaries for the formation of priests. Over the centuries the Vincentian order has spread throughout the world, numbering 3,100 priests and serving in 95 countries. Among the countries are Mozambique, Nigeria,Congo, and Ethiopia in Africa, most of the countries in Central and South America, India, Nepal, Cuba, our own United States, Mexico, Lebanon, Austria and Germany—France—and Israel and Ukraine to name a few. Their mission appeal to our parish and others, will support the training and formation for the Vincentian Seminarians; support a Christ centered education to thousands of children in the DePaul Schools; job training for the youth in their Technical Schools; bring the Gospel to non-Christians; and support evangelization through their retreats and bible gatherings.
Fr. Joseph concludes in his letter to our parish prior to his arrival: “I urge you to be generous (if you are able) in your mission offering since these Missionaries need our help. If you do not have an opportunity to make an offering today or would like to make an additional offering, you may do so in the specially marked envelope placed in each pew. Please keep the Vincentian Missionaries and seminarians in your prayers. Thank you very much for your prayers and generous support.”
In Iowa their is a nearby St. Vincent DePaul Society run through Christ the King Catholic Church. A branch of the Vincentian Order, it is a group of Catholic laypersons who are interested in helping those in need. A non-profit charitable organization providing a unique style of personal assistance with food, clothing, educational and job training, and other services to people facing economic, emotional or spiritual crises. The Society relies almost exclusively on private individuals, businesses, organizations, and individuals for support. St. Vincent DePaul Society’s outreach is guided by a sense of compassion for those struggling with poverty, loneliness, illness, family problems. Sustained by the values of the Catholic faith, they are committed to become more like Christ. For Vincentians, encounters in their outreach is an opportunity to share a spark of faith and hope.
St. Vincent de Paul was born in 1581 in France and ordained in his twenties, dedicated to serving the poor. He appointed to serve as chaplain in the galleys, ministering Amon imprisoned slaves. In the ensuing years he became ‘superior’ of what is now known as the Congregation of the Mission or the Vincentians. Vincentian priests, at that time took vows of poverty, chastity, obedience, and stability, devoting themselves to the people in smaller towns and villages. Vincent himself was a pioneer in seminary education, renewing the formation when the moral among seminarians was ebbing.
St. Vincent, father of those who are in misery, come to our assistance. Obtain from our Lord help for the poor, relief for the infirm, consolation for the afflicted, protection for the abandoned, a spirit of generosity for the rich, grace of conversion for sinners, zeal for priests, peace for the Church, tranquility and order for all nations. Amen. As St. Vincent de Paul said, “If God is the center of your life, no words are necessary. Your mere presence will touch hearts.”
Many of our young children were energized this past week with our Catholic faith during the Vacation Bible School programs at Sacred Heart and St. Malachy. They experienced the first hand witness of the volunteers who shared their time and faith, learned about the saints, prayed together, and within the great outdoors of God’s creation, they understood their ‘compass’ in life as Christ Jesus. And do they have energy, and good imagination! VBS is a blessing for many of our families.
God Bless, Fr. Tim
FYI: “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” (John Bunyan, author and pastor)
