We always hear the challenge to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. We hear it through preachers of all denominations, all based on the Gospels themselves telling us to do so. But how? Often enough a plan of action is not spelled out. If it is, it deals with supporting missionary work overseas someplace, something that sounds important, but nonetheless is something that we don’t find relatable.
I find that often enough the answers to our questions are right in front of us. This reflection is regarding anything, and certainly it is true in religion and spirituality. Need proof? Absolutely! Let’s take the Our Lady of Peace School. Every time we go to Church, we always see it. It’s right in front of us. Yet how often do we view the school as God’s gift to us? Here is where we can spread the Good News! Here is how God wants US, here at our Lady of Peace, to fulfill His mission!
We must have already heard, repeatedly(!), that the school is our largest ministry in the parish. I know that I have. What’s more, I’ve said it myself several times. All that we must do, as a response to God’s offer, is to reach out and accept the Lord’s offer to deepen our embrace of the school. Here are some ways that we can accept the offer:
1. We can pray for the school.
2. We can ask school leadership about volunteer possibilities.
3. We can attend school functions that we hear about. The Auction, for example, is a wonderful one to attend. I hear that a comedy night is scheduled in a few weeks. Sometimes alerts are given out to go to any number of dining places that have arranged to donate to the school based on the meals we buy there. Ask Fr. Mark Baron or Sonya Scholle for more details.
4. Finally, we can donate money ourselves. We can increase our donation!
In such ways we can help support the largest ministry of Our Lady of Peace Parish Church and it is right next door. I am learning that good things are being done there. And this is being done with the help that is currently being given. Imagine how much this good work can intensify if we were to dedicate ourselves as a parish to do even more? I cannot imagine a higher value or goad in life than teaching our young people, and here I am limiting myself to basic educational subjects. Now, let’s expand our imagination to include instructions in spirituality. Religion! Necessary social values that if properly integrated, can help our young people to advance in life! We can all be a part of that.
We get much in turn by such dedicated effort. In helping our young people to learn, we learn. I don’t mean to say that we will increase our knowledge in Mathematics or Science, although you can never rule that out. What I am really referring to now, is that we learn how pleasurable it is to give ourselves to others. It’s a joy to help others. Let’s all experience that joy in rallying around our school!
Blessing! Fr. Walt
