Radiating the light of faith: Lessons from St. Gregory the Great

Posted on September 9, 2024 by Joseph Kopacz

By Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
“We do not proclaim ourselves. Rather we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your servants for the sake of Jesus. For the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has enabled his light to shine in our hearts to enlighten them with the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. However, we hold this treasure in earthen vessels so that it may be clear that this immense power belongs to God and does not derive from us.” (2Corinthians 4:5-7)

This scripture passage is taken from the first reading on the Memorial of St. Gregory the Great at the Mass for the Diocesan Catholic School Teacher Development Day last week. The life of this great Doctor of the western church, one of four along with Saints Ambrose, Augustine and Jerome, is an exceptional prism to view the varied dimensions of Catholic School educators. As in the life of Pope St. Gregory the Great, all educators in the faith are called upon to celebrate, live and circulate the treasure of faith, and not simply hold it within tucked away as if in a safety deposit box.

St. Gregory served as Pope from 590-604 AD. Throughout much of his life and especially as the successor of St. Peter the glory of God was evident, illuminating the presence of Jesus Christ in the church and in society.

He grew up in a prominent family in Rome, was well educated, a man of deep faith and very committed to service. Upon the death of his parents, he directed his wealth to the establishment of monasteries, assuming the vocation of a monk and serving as the Abbot. His administrative gifts were widely recognized and Pope Pelagius II who ordained him a deacon in 579 sent him as a legate to Constantinople. He returned to his monastery after his tour of duty in the East, but with the death of the Pope Pelagius in the plague that swept through Rome, by popular acclaim in the church and in society Gregory was swept into the papal office.

By the grace of God his accomplishments were legion over his 15 years at the center of the church. From the heart of the monastery, he brought Gregorian Chant into the mainstream of the church. Steeped in the scriptures he expended great effort in the renewal of the clergy, including the office of bishop. He commissioned missionaries far and wide to Africa, France, Spain, and to present day England and Scotland to convert the Anglo Saxons. The propagation of the faith is the church’s irrepressible missionary impulse, the Great Commission of Jesus (Matthew 28) and is integral to the ministry of the pope. At this very hour I am writing, Pope Francis is on a missionary journey to Asia, including Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, East Timor, etc. As a final note, St. Gregory was an accomplished scholar whose writings remain a cherished part of the church’s treasury.

Amid all his scholarship, and accomplishments, in the Office of Readings for his feast day we have a glimpse of the heart of the man who knew he was an earthen vessel who held an eternal treasure. “Indeed, when I was in the monastery, I could curb my idle talk and usually be absorbed in my prayers. Since I assumed the burden of pastoral care, my mind is concerned with so many matters. I must weigh the behavior and acts of individuals. I am responsible for the concerns of our citizens. I must worry about the invasions of roving bands of barbarians and beware of the wolves who lie in wait for my flock. With my mind divided and torn to pieces by so many problems how can I meditate, or preach, or teach, or lead wholeheartedly? Moreover, at times I let my tongue run, and because I am weak, I find myself drawn little by little into idle conversation, and I begin to talk freely about matters I would have avoided. … So, who am I to be a watchman, for I do not stand firmly on the mountain of action, but lie down in the valley of weakness? However, the all-powerful creator and redeemer of mankind can give me despite my weakness a higher life and effective speech; because I love him, I do not spare myself in speaking of him.” Gregory described his ministry as Servant of the Servants of God, a title that has anchored the papacy to Jesus Christ the Servant ever since.

The key for all of us, like Pope St. Gregory, is the treasure we hold in the earthen vessels of our lives, the weakness and vulnerability from within, and often the unpredictability around us. The treasure is the faith, hope and love, this year’s theme for our Catholic School communities, that is the glory of God shining on the face of Jesus Christ. From the center of the church to all points on the compass, all the baptized are called to be disciples radiating the One who is the light of the world, true God from true God.

Irradiando la luz de la fe: Lecciones de San Gregorio Magno

Posted on September 9, 2024 by Mississippi Catholic

Por Obispo Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
“No nos predicamos a nosotros mismos, si no a Cristo Jesús como Señor, y a nosotros como siervos vuestros por Jesús. Pues el mismo Dios que dijo: ‘De las tinieblas brille la luz’, ha hecho brillar la luz en nuestros corazones para irradiar el conocimiento de la gloria de Dios que está en la faz de Cristo. Pero llevamos este tesoro en recipientes de barro para que aparezcan que una fuerza tan extraordinaria es de Dios y no de nosotros”. (2 Corintios 4:5-7)
Este pasaje de las Escrituras está tomado de la primera lectura en el Memorial de San Gregorio Magno en la Misa del Día de Desarrollo de Maestros de las Escuelas Católicas Diocesanas la semana pasada. La vida de este gran Doctor de la Iglesia occidental, uno de los cuatro junto con los santos Ambrosio, Agustín y Jerónimo, es un prisma excepcional para ver las variadas dimensiones de los educadores de las Escuelas Católica. Como en la vida del Papa San Gregorio Magno, todos los educadores en la fe están llamados a celebrar, vivir y hacer circular el tesoro de la fe, y no simplemente guardarlo dentro como si estuviera en una caja de seguridad.

San Gregorio sirvió como Papa desde 590 hasta 604 d.C. Durante gran parte de su vida y especialmente como sucesor de San Pedro, la gloria de Dios fue evidente, iluminando la presencia de Jesucristo en la iglesia y en la sociedad.
Creció en el seno de una familia prominente en Roma, tenía una buena educación, era un hombre de profunda fe y muy comprometido al servicio. A la muerte de sus padres, dirigió su riqueza al establecimiento de monasterios, asumiendo la vocación de monje y sirviendo como abad. Sus dotes administrativas fueron ampliamente reconocidas, y el papa Pelagio II, que lo ordenó diácono en 579, lo envió como legado a Constantinopla. Regresó a su monasterio después de su período de servicio en el Oriente, pero con la muerte del papa Pelagio en la peste que azotó Roma, por aclamación popular en la iglesia y en la sociedad, Gregorio fue puesto al cargo papal.
Por la gracia de Dios, sus logros fueron innumerables a lo largo de sus 15 años en el centro de la iglesia. Desde el corazón del monasterio, llevó el canto gregoriano a la corriente principal de la iglesia. Empapado de las Escrituras, dedicó grandes esfuerzos a la renovación del clero, incluyendo el oficio de obispo. Comisionó misioneros a lo grande y largo de África, Francia, España y hasta la actual Inglaterra y Escocia para convertir a los anglosajones. La propagación de la fe es el impulso misionero incontenible de la Iglesia, la Gran Comisión de Jesús (Mateo 28) y es parte integral del ministerio del Papa. En este mismo momento en que escribo, el Papa Francisco está en un viaje misionero en Asia, incluyendo Indonesia, Papúa Nueva Guinea, Singapur, Timor Oriental, etc. Como nota final, San Gregorio fue un erudito consumado cuyos escritos siguen siendo una parte apreciada como tesoro de la iglesia.
En medio de todos sus estudios y logros, en el Oficio de Lecturas para el día de su fiesta tenemos una mirada en el corazón de un hombre que sabía que era un vaso de barro que guardaba un tesoro eterno. “De hecho, cuando estaba en el monasterio, podía frenar mi pensamiento distraído y, por lo general, estar inmerso en mis oraciones. Desde que asumí el cargo del cuidado pastoral, mi mente está ocupada por muchos asuntos. Debo reflexionar en el comportamiento y los actos de los individuos. Soy responsable por las preocupaciones de nuestros ciudadanos. Debo preocuparme por las invasiones de bandas errantes de bárbaros y tener cuidado con los lobos que acechan a mi rebaño. Con mi mente dividida y hecha pedazos por tantos problemas, ¿cómo puedo meditar, predicar, enseñar o liderar de todo corazón? Además, a veces dejo correr mi lengua, porque soy débil, me veo arrastrado poco a poco a una conversación ociosa, y comienzo a hablar libremente sobre asuntos que tendría que evitar. … Entonces, ¿quién soy yo para ser un centinela, porque no estoy firme en el monte de la acción, sino que me acuesto en el valle de la debilidad? Sin embargo, el creador todopoderoso y redentor de la humanidad puede darme a pesar de mi debilidad una vida superior y un habla eficaz; porque lo amo, no escatimo en hablar de él”. Gregorio describió su ministerio como Siervo de los Siervos de Dios, un título que enlazado el papado a Jesucristo el Siervo desde entonces.
La clave para todos nosotros, como el Papa San Gregorio, es el tesoro que guardamos en las vasijas de barro de nuestras vidas, la debilidad y la vulnerabilidad desde adentro y, a menudo, la imprevisibilidad que nos rodea. El tesoro es la fe, la esperanza y el amor, el tema de este año para nuestras comunidades escolares católicas, que es la gloria de Dios brillando en el rostro de Jesucristo. Desde el centro de la iglesia hasta todos los puntos cardinales, todos los bautizados están llamados a ser discípulos irradiando a Aquel que es la luz del mundo, Dios verdadero de Dios verdadero.

Embracing the beginning of the ministry new year

Posted on August 19, 2024 by Joseph Kopacz

By Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
As we go deeper into the month of August the waves of a new year of ministry around the diocese roll onto the shores of our schools, parishes and social services. Not all programs and services begin at the same time, but by mid-September all are at high tide. Our Catholic Schools are going on all cylinders by the first week in August, in step with our four Early Learning Centers that serve over 12 months. Catholic Charities does not close its doors at any point in the year, but a new school year requires a higher engagement for programs that serve children and youth. Likewise, the lights in our churches continue to burn brightly over 52 weeks, but with the onset of fall, parish ministries are in high gear.

From the Cathedra of the bishop at the center of the diocese it’s captivating to take a long, loving look at the diocesan network that has so many levels and levers. Earlier this month I had the privilege of making a mission appeal on behalf of the diocese in Keene, New Hampshire. Of course, wherever and on whatever weekend an appeal is conducted, the scriptures always lead the way.

On the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time on Aug. 10-11 the Bread of Life Discourse in chapter 6 of St. John’s Gospel was reaching toward its apex. “I am the bread of life…I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” (John 6:48-51)

The Lord’s words echoed far and wide that weekend, not only in New Hampshire and Mississippi but everywhere in the world where the Catholic Church gathered. In other words, at the heart of Jesus’ discourse is the Eucharist where we consume his body and blood, as well as his words. We celebrate our unity and identity, for we are one, holy, catholic and apostolic church; (Nicene Creed) there is one faith, one Lord, one baptism, one God who is Father of all and dwells in all. (Ephesians 4:4-5)

However, flowing from this unity is amazing diversity. The church and the gospel are implanted in a particular place, time and culture, and just in our country alone there are significant differences in each region and, for that matter every state. On mission appeals, it is a joy for me to brag on the Diocese of Jackson and over 10 years I have spoken in catholic parishes from Wisconsin to Florida, from New Hampshire to California.

The CARA study undertaken during our Pastoral Reimagining process confirmed that Catholics in the Diocese of Jackson make up 2-3% of the state’s population. Demographics as well as geography, history, climate, education and many other factors coalesce to create the conditions for evangelization and a host of ministries. Those who genuinely love the Lord and care to see the church thrive are eager to understand the Diocese of Jackson, its accomplishments and challenges as Catholic Church in Mississippi. Many have never lived, traveled or visited the Magnolia State, but after one Mass two weeks ago a gentleman informed me that he was born in Yazoo City. Usually, our sisters and brothers in the faith respond generously when they hear how their contributions will assist parish, school and service ministries.

At this time of year, especially with the unfolding of many ministries and activities it is especially gratifying to share our story of faith during the Mass, our great prayer of thanksgiving. “With Saint Paul may we be confident that the Lord who has begun a good work in us, will bring it to completion on the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

CARLISLE, Miss. – Seminarians EJ Martin, Francisco Maldonado and Joe Pearson get ready for the beginning of a new year in their formation at the annual seminarian convocation with Father Nick Adam. (Photo courtesy of Father Nick Adam)

Dando la Bienvenida al Comienzo del Nuevo año Ministerial

Posted on August 19, 2024 by Joseph Kopacz

Por Obispo Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
A medida que entramos en el mes de agosto, las olas de un nuevo año de ministerio en toda la diócesis llegan a las costas de nuestras escuelas, parroquias, y servicios sociales. No todos los programas y servicios comienzan al mismo tiempo, pero a mediados de septiembre todos están en marea alta. Nuestras Escuelas Católicas están funcionando a toda capacidad desde la primera semana de agosto, en sintonía con nuestros cuatro Centros de Aprendizaje Temprano que funcionas durante 12 meses. Caridades Católicas no cierra sus puertas en ningún momento del año, un nuevo año escolar requiere una mayor participación de los programas que sirven a los niños y jóvenes. Del mismo modo, las luces de nuestras iglesias continúan ardiendo intensamente durante 52 semanas, pero con el inicio del otoño, los ministerios parroquiales están en pleno apogeo.

Desde la Cátedra del obispo en el centro de la diócesis, es cautivador echar una mirada larga y amorosa a la red diocesana que tiene tantos niveles e influencias. A principios de este mes tuve el privilegio de hacer una llamada misionera a la diócesis de Keene, New Hampshire. Por supuesto, dondequiera en cualquier momento y lugar que se lleve a cabo una apelación, las Escrituras siempre guían el camino.

El decimonoveno Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, del 10 y 11 de agosto, el Discurso del Pan de Vida en el capítulo 6 del Evangelio de San Juan estaba llegando a su punto culminante. “Yo soy el pan de vida… Yo soy el pan vivo que bajó del cielo. el que coma de este pan vivirá para siempre; y el pan que yo daré es mi carne para la vida del mundo”. (Juan 6:48-51)

Las palabras del Señor resonaron a lo grande ese fin de semana, no solo en New Hampshire y Mississippi, sino en todas partes del mundo donde se reunió la Iglesia Católica. En otras palabras, en el corazón del discurso de Jesús está la Eucaristía, donde consumimos su cuerpo y su sangre, así como sus palabras. Celebramos nuestra unidad e identidad, porque somos una sola Iglesia santa, católica y apostólica; (Credo de Nicea) hay una sola fe, un solo Señor, un solo bautismo, un solo Dios que es Padre de todos y habita en todos. (Efesios 4:4-5)

Sin embargo, de esta unidad fluye una diversidad asombrosa. La iglesia y el evangelio están implantados en un lugar, tiempo y cultura particulares, tan solo en nuestro país hay diferencias significativas en cada región, de hecho, en cada uno de nuestros estados. En cuanto al llamamiento misionero, es un gozo para mí presumir de la Diócesis de Jackson durante más de 10 años he hablado en parroquias católicas desde Wisconsin hasta Florida, New Hampshire y California.

CARLISLE, Miss. – Francisco Maldonado, Grayson Foley y Joe Pearson leen sus Biblias en su convocatoria anual de seminaristas de verano antes de comenzar un nuevo año de su formación. (Foto cortesía del Padre Nick Adam)

El estudio de CARA realizado durante nuestro proceso de Re-Imaginación Pastoral confirmó que los católicos en la Diócesis de Jackson representan el 2-3% de la población del estado. La demografía, así como la geografía, la historia, el clima, la educación y muchos otros factores se unen para crear las condiciones para la evangelización y una gran cantidad de ministerios. Aquellos que realmente aman al Señor y se preocupan por ver a la iglesia prosperar están ansiosos por aprender de la Diócesis de Jackson, de sus logros y desafíos como Iglesia Católica en Mississippi. Muchos nunca han vivido, viajado o visitado el estado de Magnolia, pero después de una misa hace dos semanas, un caballero me informó que había nacido en la ciudad de Yazoo. Por lo general, nuestras hermanas y hermanos en la fe responden generosamente cuando escuchan cómo sus contribuciones ayudarán a los ministerios parroquiales, escolares y ministerios de servicio.

En esta época del año, especialmente con el desarrollo de tantos ministerios y actividades, es especialmente gratificante compartir nuestra historia de fe durante la Misa, nuestra gran oración de acción de gracias. “En San Pablo, confiemos en que, si dios empezó tan buen trabajo en ustedes, estoy seguro de que lo continuara hasta concluirlo el día de Cristo Jesús”. (Filipenses 1:6)

Living the Eucharist: a journey of faith, hope and love

Posted on July 15, 2024 by Joseph Kopacz

By Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
The National Eucharistic Congress is underway in Indianapolis this week and considerable faith, hope and love have been poured into the preparations that have made it all possible. Our Eucharistic Lord is working great wonders and inspiring many to recognize Him and love Him in the gift of His Body and Blood during this graced time in our nation’s Catholic history.

One obvious manifestation of the outpouring of God’s grace were the four national Eucharistic processions that converged earlier this week in Indianapolis. Recalling the words of St. Paul, many joyfully walked as pilgrims in adoration. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near.” (Philippians 4:4-5) It is a time of revival, renewal, and rejoicing to know the enduring and eternal gift that the crucified and risen Lord has bequeathed to the church in the Eucharist.

As we enjoy this issue of the Mississippi Catholic that features the celebrations of the sacraments from around the diocese, it is abundantly evident that the Mass, the great prayer of Thanksgiving is the heart and soul of our identity as Catholics. Recently, at each closing session of our Pastoral Reimagining, the Eucharist was the centerpiece to express our gratitude, as well as to call upon the Holy Spirit to inspire us in our commitment to be faithful to the Lord in pastoral reimagining. The holy sacrifice of the Mass is our true north on the way to eternal life, the fulfillment of the promise the Lord made to all disciples who ate his body and drank his blood. “I am the living bread that comes down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; the bread I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” (John 6:51)

The Eucharist, the center of the church’s life, somehow seems to say it all. It says in a hundred different ways: this is who we are, and this is who God is … When we look at Eucharist in all its rich fullness, we can rekindle within ourselves eucharistic amazement and wonder at this great gift God has given to us in his Son Jesus. (Stephen J. Binz, Eucharist, page 2) The psalmist captures these gifts of awe and wonder. “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name, good indeed is the Lord. His mercy endures forever, his faithfulness lasts through every generation.” (Psalm 100)

Central to recognizing the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is our hunger and thirst for God’s Word. Our Liturgical/Sacramental Catholic world cannot exist without the proclamation of the scriptures during each administration of the sacraments. Emergency baptisms or anointings would be the exceptions. The Emmaus story in St. Luke’s Gospel embodies what Pope Saint Paul II meant in his document Ecclesia de Eucaristia at the turn of the millennium. In other words, the church is born from the Eucharist and the road to Emmaus portrays the fullness of Eucharistic faith when the Word burned in the disciples’ hearts, and they recognized the risen Lord’s presence in the Breaking of the Bread. The inspired Word of God prepares us to see the glory of God in the Lord’s body and blood on the altar.

Central to an authentic celebration of the Eucharist is the understanding that at the end of Mass the service continues.

“Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.”

“Thanks be to God.”

As the Lord distinctly taught, it is urgent to put into practice what we have heard in order to build our house on rock, the solid ground of faith in action. Seizing the moment with all who are in attendance at the Eucharistic Congress will be the invitation to be Eucharistic missionaries, or missionary disciples on fire with the joy of the Gospel. Afterall, we are the Body of Christ, the church, and we are to carry our holy communion with the Lord and one another into our lives and world as a leaven that witnesses to God’s Kingdom.

Indeed, the Lord is always near, and never more so than when the members of his body, the church, faithfully live the Good News.

Vivir la Eucaristía: un camino de fe, esperanza y amor

Posted on July 15, 2024 by Joseph Kopacz

Por Obispo Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
El Congreso Eucarístico Nacional está en marcha en Indianápolis esta semana y se ha vertido una considerable fe, esperanza y amor en los preparativos que lo han hecho todo posible. Nuestro Señor Eucarístico está obrando grandes maravillas e inspirando a muchos a reconocerlo y amarlo en el don de Su Cuerpo y Sangre durante este tiempo de gracia en la historia católica de nuestra nación.

Una manifestación de la efusión de la gracia de Dios fueron las cuatro procesiones eucarísticas nacionales que convergieron a principios de esta semana en Indianápolis. Recordando las palabras de san Pablo, muchos caminaron alegremente como peregrinos en adoración. “Regocíjense siempre en el Señor. Lo diré de nuevo: ¡alégrate! Tu bondad debe ser conocida por todos. El Señor está cerca”. (Filipenses 4:4-5) Es un tiempo de renacimiento renovación y regocijo para conocer el don duradero y eterno que el Señor crucificado y resucitado ha legado a la Iglesia en la Eucaristía.
A medida que disfrutamos de este número de la revista Mississippi Catholic que presenta las celebraciones de los sacramentos de toda la diócesis, es muy evidente que la Misa, la gran oración de Acción de Gracias es el corazón y el alma de nuestra identidad como católicos. Recientemente, en cada sesión de clausura de nuestra Reimaginación Pastoral, la Eucaristía fue la pieza central para expresar nuestra gratitud, así como para invocar al Espíritu Santo para que nos inspire en nuestro compromiso de ser fieles al Señor en la renovacion pastoral. El santo sacrificio de la Misa es nuestro verdadero norte en el camino hacia la vida eterna, el cumplimiento de la promesa que el Señor hizo a todos los discípulos que comieron su cuerpo y bebieron su sangre. “Yo soy el pan vivo que ha bajado del cielo; el que coma de este pan vivirá para siempre; el pan que yo daré es mi carne y lo dare para la vida del mundo”. (Juan 6:51)

La Eucaristía, el centro de la vida de la Iglesia, de alguna manera parece decirlo todo. Lo dice de cien maneras diferentes: esto es lo que somos, y esto es lo que es Dios… Cuando miramos la Eucaristía en toda su rica plenitud, podemos vivir en nosotros el asombro eucarístico y la maravilla ante este gran don que Dios nos ha dado en su Hijo Jesús. (Stephen J. Binz, Eucaristía, página 2) El salmo capta estos dones de asombro y maravilla. “Entren por sus puertas dando gracias, en sus atrios canten su alabanza. Denle gracias y bendigan su nombre, Si el Señor es bueno, su amor dura por siempre, y su fidelidad por todas las edades”. (Salmo 100)

Un elemento central para reconocer la presencia real de Jesús en la Eucaristía es nuestra hambre y sed de la Palabra de Dios. Nuestro mundo católico litúrgico/sacramental no puede existir sin la proclamación de las Escrituras durante cada administración de los sacramentos. Los bautismos o unciones de emergencia serían las excepciones. La historia de Emaús en el Evangelio de San Lucas encarna lo que el Papa Juan Pablo II quiso decir en su documento Ecclesiastico de Eucaristia en el cambio de milenio. En otras palabras, la Iglesia nace de la Eucaristía y del camino.

Emaús representa la plenitud de la fe eucarística cuando la Palabra ardía en el corazón de los discípulos, y reconocían la presencia del Señor resucitado en la fracción del pan. La inspirada Palabra de Dios nos prepara para ver la gloria de Dios en el cuerpo y la sangre del Señor en el altar.

Un elemento central de una celebración auténtica de la Eucaristía es la comprensión de que al final de la Misa el servicio continúa.

“Vete en paz, glorificando al Señor con tu vida”.

“ Demos Gracias a Dios”.

Como el Señor enseñó claramente, es urgente poner en práctica lo que hemos escuchado para construir nuestra casa sobre la roca, el terreno sólido de la fe en acción. Aprovechando el momento con todos los que asisten al Congreso Eucarístico estará la invitación a ser misioneros eucarísticos, o discípulos misioneros encendidos con la alegría del Evangelio. Después de todo, somos el Cuerpo de Cristo, la iglesia, y debemos llevar nuestra santa comunión con el Señor y unos con otros a nuestras vidas y al mundo como una levadura que da testimonio del Reino de Dios.

El Señor está siempre cerca, y aun más cuando los miembros de su cuerpo, la Iglesia, viven fielmente la Buena Nueva.

Holy Spirit inspires believers to embrace Sacred Heart of Jesus

Posted on June 10, 2024 by Joseph Kopacz

By Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
It was 125 years ago that Pope Leo XIII consecrated the world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the dawn of the 20th century. Twenty-five years ago, at the dawn of the new millennium Pope John Paul II reconsecrated the world to the Sacred Heart imploring the church especially, but all people of faith and good will to see in the Sacred Heart of Jesus the essence of God who is love. Each year in our liturgical calendar the feast of the Sacred Heart is commemorated on the Friday after Corpus Christi, the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of the Lord. How fitting is this sacred combination. From the pierced side (heart) of the crucified Savior flowed blood and water, the gift of eternal love and the wellspring of the sacramental life of the church, baptism and the Eucharist.

The spirituality of the Sacred Heart steadily took root and flowered from the time of the visions of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, VHM in the 1670s to the major movements of the 19th century. St. Cardinal John Henry Newman, a phenomenal theologian and apologist who embraced the Catholic faith at mid-life chose for his episcopal motto in 1879 “Cor ad Cor loquitur” heart speaks unto heart. At the center of his intellectual prowess and pastoral dedication was the beating Sacred Heart of the Lord solidly anchored in the scriptures. “I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what the hope is of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.” (Ephesians 1:18)

A year earlier across the channel in France in 1878 Father Leo John Dehon received permission from the Vatican to establish the religious community of the Priests of the Sacred Heart in the same year on Feb. 20 that Pope Leo XIII began his long tenure that would last until 1903.

Do we see a pattern here? The Holy Spirit was hard at work to inspire believers from the center of the church to all points on the compass to embrace the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Love for Jesus Christ in his Sacred Heart is Eucharistic through and through as we hear the words of the Lord echoing through time at every Mass: “this is my body, this is my blood poured out.” (Mark 14: 22-24)
To be washed clean in the Blood of the Lamb (Revelations 7:14) is the fountain of Eucharistic Revival. Yet, love for the Sacred Heart and the Lord’s sacrifice cannot be contained within our churches, as sacred as they are. The charism of the Priests of the Sacred Heart is to transform the world we live in through acts of compassion, justice and mercy. This labor of love on behalf of God’s Kingdom has been alive and well in the north of our diocese for over 80 years through the dedication of the Sacred Heart Fathers (SCJs).

Likewise, Pope Leo XIII in his love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus yearned for greater justice for all workers during the Industrial Revolution when so many, including children, were being crushed beneath the wheel of industry. His landmark encyclical Rerum Novarum or “The Rights and Duties of Capital and Labor” is valued as the foundational document for the Social Teachings of the church in every generation since.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus is well integrated into the liturgical and personal prayer of the church. We celebrate and cherish this symbol of God’s eternal love every First Friday of the month knowing that it is a love poured out every day of the year to enflame our worship and to inspire our actions on behalf of greater justice and peace in our world.

Jubilee Prayer: “I now consecrate my heart to your Sacred Heart, Jesus. You are the Son of God whom I love with all my heart. I offer you my body, soul, my mind, and my heart. Receive me, make me holy, make my heart like your heart, and guide me in the way of perfect love today and every day of my life. Amen.”

Abiding presence of the Holy Spirit

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Joseph Kopacz

By Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
“Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be recreated, and you shall renew the face of the earth.”

Our lives are imbued in the mystery of God’s Holy Spirit whose graced presence is always at work. We can never fully comprehend the gift and the grandeur of God’s manifestation in our lives, an unfathomable mystery, but the Spirit gradually reveals what we need when we remain open in faith.

Of primary importance is our relationship with the Most Holy Trinity because the Holy Spirit enlightens our hearts and minds to know that Jesus is Lord, and God is our Father. (1Corinthians 12) God who is love has poured the gift of self into creation and salvation and in Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, shows us how to live and to love in all circumstances. But like the Blessed Mother and the saints, we must be willing partners.

The biblical narrative recounts the primordial and temporal work of the Spirit of God. In the beginning, the Holy Spirit hovered over the original chaos and darkness and created light and order. The Spirit of God spoke through the prophets and created meaning and hope in the nation of Israel preparing the way for the long-awaited Messiah. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” because Mary was alive in faith and in her openness allowed the Holy Spirit to act. (John 1:14) The Spirit of God accompanied the Lord Jesus in every step of his earthly ministry (Luke 10:21) and from the throes of death, raised him to eternal life. (Romans 8:11) At the Ascension the disciples were instructed to remain vigilant waiting to be clothed with “power from on high.” (Luke 24:49) The miracle of Pentecost with the great outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit and the birth of the church fulfilled all their yearnings.

There is a pattern to this lavish generosity of Divine Providence that we see in the outpouring of God’s Spirit in creation, the blood and water that poured forth from the crucified Lord and the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost. As Jesus declared in the Good Shepherd narrative, “I came so that they may have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Two-thousand years later Pope Francis has invited the church throughout the world in the Synod on Synodality to hear “what the Holy Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 3:22) in an ever-deepening experience of communion, participation, and mission. The Holy Father’s invitation is anchored in the unflinching belief that the Spirit of God is always at hand to renew the church with Pentecost fervor, evidence of the more abundant life that Jesus promised. In our diocesan Pastoral Reimagining from Pentecost 2023 through Pentecost 2024, building upon the earlier gatherings with Synodality, we have relied on the Holy Spirit to lead us in fruitful prayer and conversations in order to stir into flame the gift of God’s grace that we all received at Baptism.

Of course, during this time of Eucharist Revival the Holy Spirit is summoning the church to a renewed experience of worship as the Body of Christ who offers sacrifice and praise to God. Once gathered it is the Holy Spirit who opens our hearts and minds to hear God’s word with the capacity to put it into practice. It is the invocation of the Holy Spirit, “the power from on high” at the words of institution who transforms the bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

Ultimately, it is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9) who awakens us to the promise of eternal life. In the indwelling of the Holy Spirit consider the seven gifts, the 12 fruits, the three theological virtues of faith, hope and love, and the four cardinal virtues of prudence, temperance, justice and fortitude. In this light we begin to understand the abundance of which Jesus spoke.

Where would we be if not for the abiding presence and action of the Holy Spirit? Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of the faithful so that we can worthily celebrate the Solemnities of the Most Holy Trinity, and the Body and Blood of the Lord in the days ahead.

Presencia Permanente del Espíritu Santo

Posted on May 22, 2024 by Joseph Kopacz

Por Obispo Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
“Ven, Espíritu Santo, llena los corazones de tus fieles y enciende en ellos el fuego de tu amor. Envía tu Espíritu y serán recreados y renovarás la faz de la tierra”.

Nuestras vidas están imbuidas del misterio del Espíritu Santo de Dios, cuya presencia llena de gracia está siempre obrando. Nunca podremos comprender plenamente el don y la grandeza de la manifestación de Dios en nuestras vidas, un misterio insondable, pero el Espíritu revela gradualmente lo que necesitamos cuando permanecemos abiertos en la fe.

De primordial importancia es nuestra relación con la Santísima Trinidad porque el Espíritu Santo ilumina nuestros corazones y mentes para saber que Jesús es el Señor y Dios es nuestro Padre. (1 Corintios 12) Dios que es amor ha derramado el don de sí mismo en la creación y la salvación y en Jesucristo, el Camino, la Verdad y la Vida, nos muestra cómo vivir y amar en todas las circunstancias. Pero al igual que la Santísima Madre y los santos, debemos ser socios dispuestos.

La narración bíblica relata la obra primordial y temporal del Espíritu de Dios. Al principio, el Espíritu Santo se cernía sobre el caos y la oscuridad originales y creó luz y orden. El Espíritu de Dios habló a través de los profetas y creó significado y esperanza en la nación de Israel, preparando el camino para el tan esperado Mesías. “El Verbo se hizo carne y habitó entre nosotros” porque María estaba viva en la fe y en su apertura dejó actuar al Espíritu Santo. (Juan 1:14) El Espíritu de Dios acompañó al Señor Jesús en cada paso de su ministerio terrenal (Lucas 10:21) y de la agonía de la muerte, lo resucitó a la vida eterna. (Romanos 8:11) En la Ascensión, los discípulos recibieron instrucciones de permanecer vigilantes esperando ser revestidos de “poder de lo alto”. (Lucas 24:49) El milagro de Pentecostés con el gran derramamiento del Espíritu Santo de Dios y el nacimiento de la iglesia cumplió todos sus anhelos.
Hay un patrón en esta generosa generosidad de la Divina Providencia que vemos en el derramamiento del Espíritu de Dios en la creación, la sangre y el agua que brotaron del Señor crucificado y el derramamiento del Espíritu en Pentecostés. Como Jesús declaró en la narración del Buen Pastor: “Yo vine para que tengan vida y la tengan en abundancia”. (Juan 10:10)

Dos mil años después, el Papa Francisco ha invitado a la iglesia de todo el mundo en el Sínodo sobre la sinodalidad a escuchar “lo que el Espíritu Santo dice a las iglesias” (Apocalipsis 3:22) en una experiencia cada vez más profunda de comunión, participación y misión. La invitación del Santo Padre se basa en la creencia inquebrantable de que el Espíritu de Dios está siempre disponible para renovar la iglesia con el fervor de Pentecostés, evidencia de la vida más abundante que Jesús prometió. En nuestra Reimaginación Pastoral diocesana desde Pentecostés 2023 hasta Pentecostés 2024, basándose en las reuniones anteriores con la Sinodalidad, hemos confiado en el Espíritu Santo para que nos guíe en oraciones y conversaciones fructíferas para encender el don de la gracia de Dios que todos recibimos. en el bautismo.

Por supuesto, durante este tiempo de Avivamiento Eucarístico, el Espíritu Santo está convocando a la iglesia a una experiencia renovada de adoración como Cuerpo de Cristo que ofrece sacrificio y alabanza a Dios. Una vez reunidos es el Espíritu Santo quien abre nuestro corazón y nuestra mente para escuchar la palabra de Dios con la capacidad de ponerla en práctica. Es la invocación del Espíritu Santo, “el poder de lo alto” ante las palabras de institución que transforma el pan y el vino en el cuerpo y la sangre de Jesucristo.

En última instancia, es la morada del Espíritu Santo (Romanos 8:9) quien nos despierta a la promesa de la vida eterna. En la morada del Espíritu Santo, considere los siete dones, los 12 frutos, las tres virtudes teologales de la fe, la esperanza y el amor, y las cuatro virtudes cardinales de la prudencia, la templanza, la justicia y la fortaleza. Desde esta perspectiva comenzamos a comprender la abundancia de la que habló Jesús.

¿Dónde estaríamos si no fuera por la presencia y acción permanente del Espíritu Santo? Ven Espíritu Santo y llena los corazones de los fieles para que podamos celebrar dignamente las Solemnidades de la Santísima Trinidad, y el Cuerpo y la Sangre del Señor en los días venideros.

Ascension to Pentecost: Clothed with power from on High

Posted on May 8, 2024 by Joseph Kopacz

By Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
Before ascending from this world to his God and our God Jesus instructed his disciples to return to the Upper Room to await “to be clothed with power from on High.” (Luke 24: 49) To be outfitted with the Holy Spirit is a wonderful image of our intimacy with God and by wearing it well we remain in style to bear the message of salvation to every corner of the planet till the end of time.

The feast of the Ascension is the bridge between the Resurrection and Pentecost that completes God’s plan of salvation begun specifically in the Incarnation when “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

Throughout the Gospel of John, it is uppermost in Jesus’ mind that he is to return to God the Father from where he came. “No one has ascended to heaven except the One who descended from heaven.” (John 3:13)

At the outset of the Last Supper before the washing of the disciples’ feet, his divine destiny was set in motion. “Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in this world and loved them to the end.” (John 13:1)

On course, the link between the Cross, the resurrection and the ascension is established. “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” (John 3:14-15)

The Lord’s resurrection appearances in the four Gospels are remarkable, and yet shrouded in mystery. These encounters reveal the risen Lord in his glorified body, capable of eating (Luke 24:43) and of being touched (John 20:27) and of conversing in varied settings, on the road, at the beach, in the garden, in barricaded rooms and on mountaintops.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church in the first of its four major sections (Can we name the other three sections?) reflects upon the Ascension in the context of the Creed. (CCC 659-667) The transition of the risen Lord in his glorified body after the resurrection to his exalted body with his Ascension to the right hand of the Father forever (CCC 660) clears the way for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in daily life and prepares a place for us in eternity.

“Only Christ could have opened this door for the human race, he who wished to go before us as our head so that we as members of his body may live with the burning hope of following him in His Kingdom.” (CCC 661)

St. Paul in his pastoral letter to Timothy elaborates upon our understanding of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit from on High. “For the Spirit God gives us is not one of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2Tim 1:7)

Power, directed by loving discipline has the capacity to transform lives and to carry out the Lord’s Great Commission to bear the Gospel to all the nations. This is the power of God that forms the Church as One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic, that all receive at Baptism, that is invoked upon our numerous young people who have been confirmed, that transforms the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of the Lord, and that we will call down upon Deacon Tristan Stovall and all who will be ordained in sacred orders.

As we heard in last Sunday’s first reading, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon Cornelius and his household, the first Gentile converts, truly a second Pentecost, came about through ardent prayer and joyful hope. Likewise, the Holy Spirit is at work in our homes and in our churches.

May we be vigilant in prayer and joyful in hope as we prepare to be clothed with power from on High this Pentecost for the promises of the Lord are fulfilled in every generation.

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