immaculate heart of mary

TWENTY-EIGHTH
SUNDAY IN
ORDINARY TIME
Nativity of Our Lord
C AT H O L I C C H U R C H & S C H O O L
CONSECRATION OF THE WORLD TO THE
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY
HOLY HOUR
3:00-4:00 PM
AT NATIVITY
OCTOBER
POPE FRANCIS ~ OCTOBER 13
FROM THE DESK
OF OUR PASTOR
This week, this section features a column written by Fr. Accursio Ciacco, our Associate Pastor:
Dear Parishioners,
During the first World War, in a small town in Portugal, the little kids, known as the little shepherds, were playing
together when Our Lady appeared to them. It was May 13, 1917, and the three little kids’ names were Jacinta, Lucia
and Francisco. The small town is called Fatima.
Mary appeared to them full of light and asked them to keep going to the same place every month for five more apparitions. Our Lady
asked them to do penance and to pray, especially the prayer of the Rosary.
During the apparition in July, the kids were shown Hell. There were terrified. The Blessed Virgin told them that God wants the
salvation of souls, and for that reason it is necessary to pray. It was on this occasion that Our Lady also gave us the Prayer of Fatima,
which we say at each decade of the Rosary: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven,
especially those in most need of thy mercy.
During the last apparition, more than 70,000 people attended and witnessed the famous miracle of the Sun. It had been a rainy day.
The sky was gray and everyone’s clothes were drenched. All of a sudden the sky became clear, people’s clothes instantly dried up. The
Sun appeared as a silver disc people could easily look at. It started to spin and move and it looked like it was about to fall on earth.
Some other interesting aspects of the apparitions of Fatima are the three secrets and the requests of Our Lady.
The three secrets are now very well known. The first was the vision of Hell the Little Shepherds had; the second was about the end
of the war; the third was about the attempted assassination of John Paul II, which happened on May 13, 1981, the anniversary of the
first apparition.
The requests of Our Lady were about prayers, acts of penance, and the building of a church in the same spot where the apparition
took place.
There was also another request, and that was the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart. Pope Pius XII and Pope John Paul
II, in different ways, consecrated Russia to Mary. Out of respect of our Orthodox brothers, this was always a somewhat veiled act. At
the same time we have an important witness that this was received in Heaven. Sister Lucia, the only one of the three shepherds who
lived to be an adult, said that in another apparition, Our Lady told her that her request was fulfilled.
Pope Pius XII and John Paul II also consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Following that tradition, Pope Francis is
about to do the same. This Sunday October 13, 2013, on the 96th anniversary of the last apparition of Our Lady in Fatima, is going
to consecrate again the world to her Immaculate Heart. The statue of Our Lady from the shrine in Fatima will be present in St. Peter’s
These are some of the people who witnessed the miracle of the Sun on October 13, 1917.
Square in Rome, so that the Pope will
be praying in front of it, on behalf of all
of us.
Let us be united with him in this
important gesture and let us desire that
the consecration of the world may also
become our own desire to belong to
Jesus through the intersession of Our
Mother Mary.
Have a great week,
Fr. Accu
These are some of the people who witnessed the miracle of the Sun on October 13, 1917.
LITURGICAL
SCHEDULE
Mass Times:
Weekend Masses:
Saturday 4:30pm
Sunday 7:30am,
9:30am, & 11:30am
Youth Mass 5:00pm
Daily Mass:
Monday-Thursday 7:30am
Friday & Saturday 8:00am
First Friday of the month: 12:00pm
Readings for this Week:
Sacrament of Penance:
Saturday 8:30am & 3:00pm
Sunday 30 min. prior to each Mass
Saturday: Romans 4:13, 16-18; Luke 12:8-12
PARISH
OFFICE
900 Midway Blvd.
Broomfield, CO 80020
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday
8:00am-5:00pm
www.nool.us
Phone: 303-469-5171
Fax: 303-469-5172
School: 303-466-4177
PLEASE NOTE!
Send all
bulletin information
to Jacquie Fankell at
[email protected]
by Tuesdays at noon.
Sunday: 2 Kings 5:14-17; 2 Timothy 2:8-13; Luke 17:11-19
Monday: Romans 1:1-7; Luke 11:29-32
Tuesday: Romans 1:16-25; Luke 11:37-41
Wednesday: Romans 2:1-11; Luke 11:42-46
Thursday: Romans 3:21-30; Luke 11:47-54
Friday: 2 Timothy 4:10-17b; Luke 10:1-9
Next Sunday: Exodus 17:8-13; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2
Pastor
Fr. Michael Carvill, ext. 114
[email protected]
Parochial Vicar
Fr. Accursio Ciaccio, ext. 111
[email protected]
In Residence
Fr. Gabriele Azzalin, ext. 121
[email protected]
Deacons
Richard A. Medenwaldt, ext. 106
[email protected]
Leonard “Buz” Onesky, ext. 106
[email protected]
Steve Vallero
Executive Assistant to the Pastor
Lynne Gallagher, ext. 101
[email protected]
Business Manager
Kyle Hubbart, ext. 108
[email protected]
School Principal
Kathy Shadel, ext. 119
[email protected]
Director of Faith Formation
Mark Thomason, ext. 104
[email protected]
Development Director
Ilene DuBey, 303-641-3667
[email protected]
Director of Religious Education
Diane Irby, ext. 103
[email protected]
Director of Music
Tad Koriath, ext. 123
[email protected]
Director of RCIA
Deacon Richard A. Medenwaldt, ext. 106
[email protected]
Parish Registrar
Merrilyn Sikora, ext. 110
[email protected]
Business Office Accountant
Carol Sullivan, ext. 109
[email protected]
Administrative Assistant - Front Desk
Belinda Marquez-Salgado, ext. 100
[email protected]
Sue Gettings, ext. 100
[email protected]
IT Specialist
Jim DuBey, ext. 115
[email protected]
Pastoral Communications Associate
Jacquie Fankell, ext. 135
[email protected]
Promoter of Works of Charity
Maura Johnson
[email protected]
Parish Sacristan
Marylou Sivigliano, ext. 136
[email protected]
THIS WEEK
AT NATIVITY
MASS INTENTIONS
Sunday, October 13
7:30am †Elsie Bovdik by Karen & Sheila
9:30am People of the Parish
11:30am Patrick Bridges by Joan
5:00pm †Elaine Hebert by Nativity Widows Luncheon Group
Monday, October 14
7:30am †Residents of DWCF by the Kairos Team
Tuesday, October 15
7:30am Nativity Faith Alive
Wednesday, October 16
7:30am Angelica Reyes by MaryAnn & Ron Reyes
Thursday, October 17
7:30am †Magdaline Handlay by Knights of Columbus
Friday, October 18
8:00am Patrick Bridges by Joan
Saturday, October 19
8:00am Elaine Hebert by MMP Cenacle
4:30pm †Doris Weibel by Curtis, Patricia, & Jasmin
Sunday, October 20
7:30am †Dorothy Blazel by Audrey & George Heiney
9:30am People of the Parish
11:30am †Janet Meyer by the Ventura Family
5:00pm †Pat Bruno by Steve, Mary Pat Chady & Family
Prayers for the sick and for the deceased:
We pray for all who are sick, and for our deceased relatives and friends
that they may speedily attain the blessedness of heaven and rejoice in
the eternal treasure of God’s glory and love.
If you have any prayer requests, please contact Connie
Modecker at 303-404-1792 or Joanne Farver at 303-466-8859 to be
included on Nativity's Prayerline.
Collection Counters this week: Robbie Zerr, Sheila
Carranco, Patricia Kegerreis, & Jean Hindie
Sacristy Laundry this Week: Betty Dangreau
Collection Counters for next week: Roxane & Bill
Pecchio, Irene Zerr, & Roger Dickerson
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Sunday, October 13
RCIA for Children 11:30am
Baptisms 12:45pm
Marian Holy Hour 3:00pm
CL Beginning Day 1:30pm
High School Youth - Captain Phillips 6:30pm
Basketball 6:30pm
Monday, October 14
Endow 9:00am
First Eucharist Class B1 6:00pm
Stephen Ministry 7:00pm
Women's Guild Meeting 7:00pm
Tuesday, October 15
Endow 8:30am
TOFF 9:00am
St. Joseph Rosary Makers 1:00pm
MJ Bible Study 1:00pm
Colossians 2:00pm
Religious Education 4:30pm
Colossians 6:30pm
Religious Education 6:30pm
Fourth Year Biblical School 7:00pm
Wednesday, October 16
St. Joseph's Men's Group 6:00am
Endow 8:00am
LACE 8:00am
Religious Education 4:30pm
Women's Bible Study 4:30pm
Children's Choir 5:30pm
Endow 6:30pm
RCIA 6:30pm
Religious Education 6:30pm
Venturers of the Star 6:30pm
Healing for Families Bible Study 7:30pm
Thursday, October 17
MJ Bible Study 8:15am
Endow 10:00am
Adoration 12:00pm
Holy Hour 5:00pm; Benediction 5:55pm
School of Community 6:45pm
Centering Prayer 7:00pm
Second Year Biblical School 7:00pm
Knights of Columbus 7:00pm
NFP Class 7:00pm
Friday, October 18
Saturday, October 19
MASH 7:00am
CL Charitable Work 1:30pm
Fraternity Potluck 4:30pm
Sunday, October 20
RCIA for Children 11:30am
Baptisms 12:45pm
CL School of Community 3:30pm
High School Youth 6:00pm
Basketball 6:30pm
LATEST
UPDATES
VENTURERS OF THE STAR
Venturers of the Star, our middle school youth group which is led by Fr. Accu,
has gotten off to a great start this year! A number of middle school students
consistently attend to sing songs, play games, and learn about their faith.
All middle schoolers are welcome to join in on the fun on Wednesdays from
6:30-8:00pm at the Frassati House (580 W. 3rd Ave. Dr.).
UPCOMING EVENTS
& ANNOUNCEMENTS
OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH
This Sunday, October 13, we will be viewing the movie
Captain Phillips for our high school youth meeting. We
will meet at Marco's Pizza at 6:30pm at the Orchard
(located at 144th and I-25), and view the 7:30pm
showing of the film. We will cover the cost of dinner,
but be sure to bring money for the movie ticket!
ENDOW RETREAT FOR 8TH GRADERS
All 8th grade girls are invited to join us on Saturday,
October 26 from 9:00am-3:00pm in Weibel II for
a retreat. Kate Sweeney with Endow will lead this
retreat--a day set apart to discuss authentic femininity
rooted in Christ. The cost is $60. To register, go to
www.endowgroups.org and click "Join a Group."
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
MARY, MOTHER OF THE REDEEMER ENDOW SESSION FOR WOMEN
You are invited to join us on Tuesday evenings from 7:30-9:00pm starting October 15 to study John Paul II's
writing, Redemptoris Mater. This study will explore Mary’s place in the life of the Church and Catholic devotion.
Please contact Anne Gray at [email protected] or 303-526-1954 for further information.
RESPONDING TO THE CALL CONFERENCE
Saturday, October 19, 2013, doors open at 9:00am
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (11385 Grant Dr.,
Northglenn, CO 80233). Celebrate the Holy Mass and
listen to numerous speakers for this Marian/Divine
Mercy mini-conference. Please respond to the call and
register by contacting Marsha Anne at 303-373-1137.
Suggested donation for adults is $20 and for youth
ages 12-18, $10. Register as soon as possible because
seating is limited!
LITERARY ANALYSIS CAN ENLIGHTEN
This month we will be discussing Peace Like a River
by Leif Enger. It is an enjoyable faith-filled novel
guaranteed to please any reader. Our meeting will be
on October 16, the third Wednesday of the month,
after the 7:30am Mass. For November, we will read
Unbroken, a World War II story of resilience and
prejudice by Laura Hillenbrand. For more information
please call Mary at 303-465-1274 or Ann at 303-4515219. All are welcome to join us.
RCIA NEXT SESSION
The topic: God, Creator of Humans. Human persons
have been created in the image of God. They are
uniquely endowed with the ability to return themselves
to God in freedom and love. Our next session will
take place at 6:30pm on October 16, 2013 in Weibel
II room. We will also touch on the Scripture for 29th
Sunday in Ordinary Time for October 20. There
is still time to begin a journey of looking into the
Catholic Faith. If you have any thoughts about looking
into joining the Catholic Church…"come and see!"
For questions, call Deacon Dick at 303-469-5171 ext.
106 or by email at [email protected].
FIRST FRIDAY WITH FATHER
We will have Mass at noon on Friday, November 1 at
Nativity. Following Mass, bring your own lunch to
enjoy in Ryan Hall while Father Michael discusses a
new topic. Please RSVP to Jack and Roz Gallagher at
720-566-0870 or email [email protected] by October
30. October was well attended by 37 people. All are
welcome to attend!
HEALING FOR FAMILIES BIBLE STUDY
A group is forming at Nativity parish to study the book
The Healing of Families by Father Yozefu Ssemakula
(Father Joseph). Father Joseph is an international
speaker and a PhD Candidate in clinical psychology
WE NEED YOU! We continue to need people
in Washington DC. Father Joseph recently gave
interested in helping with RCIA or sponsoring
workshops at St. Thomas More and Queen of Peace
someone on the way to Confirmation. There are many parishes to promote effective healing prayer for
tasks that can be beneficial to those in the process,
personal and family problems that have been resistant
including sponsors. It takes a community to form
to other forms of prayer. In connection with this,
disciples and these tasks don’t require a high level of
the group will also study Lumen Fidei, the Encyclical
knowledge, only a desire to help. Come and be part of Letter by Pope Francis. Study Groups will meet at
the Forming Disciples Team or contact Deacon Dick at Nativity Parish School on Wednesdays at 7:30pm. For
the parish.
information, contact David Arling at 719-250-2775 or
303-635-2347.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRAYER
PUBLIC SQUARE ROSARY CRUSADE
Please join in the 2013 Public Rosary Crusade. The United States is in great
need of public prayer, repentance, and conversion. We must ask God to save
America through the Rosary of His most holy mother.
Where: The corner of Midway and Kohl Streets in Broomfield
When: Sunday, October 13 at noon
Contact: Lourdes Navarrete at 720-887-9777
FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
ATTENTION NATIVITY SENIORS
Fr. Michael invites you, the seniors of our parish,
to help us plan a new group focusing on fellowship,
friendship & fun... we intend to include cultural
& sporting events, speakers, potlucks, fun outings,
and much more! Please join us for pizza and open
discussion of ideas for the group on Monday, October
21 at 5:30pm in Ryan Hall. If you are interested, or
have any questions, please contact Joe Weibel at 303469-1592 , Howard Hoch at 303-807-4580 or Ilene
DuBey at 303-641-3667.
CHICK-FIL-A SPIRIT NIGHT TO SUPPORT
NATIVITY ATHLETICS
We are once again having a Spirit Night at the
Flatirons Chick-fil-A on Thursday, October 17, 2013
from 3:30 until 7:00pm. All you need to do is mention
Nativity of Our Lord Spirit Night when you order your
food in the restaurant or drive-through during these
hours, and the athletic department will receive a check
for 20% of the night’s proceeds. It is an easy way to
show your support and have a delicious meal! The kids
are counting on you, so please join us!
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
40 DAYS FOR LIFE
40 Days for Life is a Pro-Life effort that consists of:
40 days of prayer and fasting, 40 days of peaceful
vigil, & 40 days of community outreach. This fall,
from September 25 -November 3, our community will
make up two of over 300 cities in the United States
and internationally joining together to turn hearts and
minds from a culture of death to a culture of life. To
find out more about this life-saving mission contact
[email protected] or see the website:
www.40daysforlife.com.
REAL CHOICES FALL FUNDRAISER
The Real Choices Fall Fundraiser has been
rescheduled for October 18, 2013 at 6:30pm. The
dinner will be held at the Event Center at Church
Ranch, Westminster. It is a free event, but reservations
are required by calling 303-665-2341 or at www.
realchoicespartners.org.
WOMEN'S GUILD MEETING
The October meeting of the Women’s
Guild is scheduled for Monday, October
14, 2013 at 7:00pm in Weibel II Hall,
Please join Nativity Parishioners on Tuesday mornings
where food kits will be put together for
throughout the campaign in vigil prayer in front of
sale at our Craft Fair table. We will
the Boulder Abortion Clinic. We will carpool after the need many hands for this process, so be sure to attend
7:30am Mass. Please meet in the gathering area. On
to help us out. Questions? Call Nicki Battista at 303October 22, Father Michael will be joining us. With
469-0670.
questions or to arrange a prayer partner for another
time, please contact Carrie Kudrna at 720-261-7622.
SHOPPING FOR STUDENTS
During the month of OCTOBER, stop by Guest
Services to sign the Orchard’s Bully-Free Pledge and
HANDCRAFTED ITEMS NEEDED
earn 250 points for Nativity. Only one person needs to
Parishioners: The Women’s Guild needs your
stop by Guest Services and write down the names of
donations of handcrafted items for our craft fair sales
table. Please deliver these to the lower lobby reception your immediate family on the pledge sheet for an easy
250 points per individual. The top two schools with the
desk. Thank you!
most pledges will win a Treasure Chest of anti-bullying
materials (worth $200 each) to be used at their school.
ITEMS NEEDED AT FISH
With Thanksgiving and Christmas around the corner, Each student who signs the pledge receives a free
FISH of Broomfield is in need of the following items to sticker and pencil. Also, don't forget to text Nativity's
give to our clients to celebrate these special occasions: school code, OTC11, to 55800 this month for 500
points for Nativity. As always, THANK YOU for your
boxed potatoes and stuffing, jello, canned fruit, cake
continued support!
and pie mix, and canned cranberries.
BREAKFAST BURRITOS FOR FLOOD RELIEF
Please support the K of C Breakfast Burrito Sale to assist Catholic Charities Colorado
Flood Relief Fund. Homemade take-out burritos will be available for $3.00 after mass in
Ryan Hall or outside the main entrance on this and the next couple weekends to support
this disaster relief fund.
Online Giving
Nativity participates in an online giving program that serves as a consistent, reliable means of making your offering to our parish.
To give online:
1. Visit our website www.nool.us.
2. Click on the Online Giving button on the right sidebar.
3. Complete the registration.
Questions?
Contact Kyle Hubbart at
[email protected].
CU BOULDER HOMECOMING: SUPPORT A PRECIOUS CHILD
Purchase a ticket (of $50 value) for $25 and $5 goes to support A Precious Child!
What: CU Boulder's Homecoming football game to support A Precious Child
When: Saturday, October 26, game time TBD
Where: Folsom Field, in Boulder
Why: To help A Precious Child provide sports equipment and participation fee
scholarships to underprivileged children in Colorado
How: Go to www.cubuffs.com/promo and us promo code 2013apreciouschild
For more information, contact Kiki Fornito at [email protected]
PRODUCTS OF THE MONTH:
lotion, deodorant, & hand soap
There is always a need for certain items, like the ones above, at FISH and the Samaritan Shelter. Please bring your
products to the church and place them in the labeled basket downstairs.
A PRECIOUS CHILD NEEDS YOUR HELP WITH FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THE FLOODS
A Precious Child is partnering with FEMA to open a satellite Resource Center in Boulder for the next week
to better service families affected by the recent flooding. They are calling on you to help them. Tasks will
include helping the Boulder satellite center by assisting families while they shop for clothing, diapers, socks and
underwear, toiletries, bedding and more! Additionally, they are seeking volunteers to help sort through incoming
donations at our Broomfield Resource Center. Visit their website at www.apreciouschild.org or call 303466-4272 to volunteer.
HEALING OPPORTUNITIES
PROJECT RACHEL POST ABORTION
HEALING HOTLINE: 303-388-4491 ext. 153
Open 24 hours to women and men.
COUNSELING SERVICES
Becky Kusick, M.A., L.P.C., offers counseling services
through Nativity. Becky has a Master’s Degree in
Clinical Psychology and is a Licensed Professional
Counselor. She has worked in the field for over 20
years. Becky works with couples, children, and adults.
For more information or for an appointment,
call 303-907-6499.
DOES ANYONE REALLY CARE?
A Stephen Minister is a trained volunteer ready
to listen in a non-judgmental way while maintaining
strict confidentiality. Through a caring relationship,
those who are hurting receive the love and support they
need. A Stephen Minister can help you realize that
God always cares. If you are going through hard times
due to loss of a loved one, unemployment, depression,
addiction, or any other reason, call today and ask for a
Stephen Minister. Please call 303-469-5171, ext.
113 and leave a confidential message. Your call
will be returned within 48 hours.
OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND THE PARISH
CMA WHITE MASS & CONFERENCE
The Annual Gospel of Life Catholic Medical
Association White Mass and Conference will take place
on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at St. Thomas More
Parish (8035 S. Quebec St., Centennial). Medical
professionals, please wear your white lab coats for the
White Mass that will take place at 8:30am. A few
dynamic speeches focused on honoring humanity will
follow Mass. To register, go to www.ccdenver.org.
CATHOLIC YOUNG ADULT SPORTS (CYAS)
CYAS is a year-round recreational sport league for 1839 year olds. We are currently registering for:
Wiffleball: Sundays from 4:00 to 6:00pm,
October 27-December 15 (excluding the
Sunday before Thanksgiving). Late Registration
ends Sunday, October 20. Go to: www.
CatholicYoungAdultSports.com or for questions
contact Paul at 720-988-9632.
NORTH METRO CATHOLIC SINGLES
Oct 17: We will be celebrating the Octoberfest. We
will have a German Potluck so everyone needs to bring
a German dish, and we will play games afterwards.
Oct 20: We will go to Immaculate Heart of Mary for
10:30am Mass, and we'll go to a nearby restaurant
afterwards. For more information, contact Mary Jo at
303-457-8289 or Sue at 303-465-1593.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
The Students for Life of America present the Rocky
Mountain Leadership Summit for all pro-life high
school, college, and homeschool students on Saturday,
October 26 at Colorado State University. It will
be held in Clark Building A-201 in Fort Collins,
CO 80521. For more information, contact Lauren
Martinez at [email protected].
PRESENTATION: THE SHROUD OF TURIN This free presentation will be on Saturday, October 19 at 6:00pm in Big Mac Hall at Sts. Peter and Paul
Catholic Church (3900 Pierce Street, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033), and it will be presented by Dr. John and
Rebecca Jackson, as seen on the History Channel, EWTN and BBC.
HOLY FATHER’S
GENERAL AUDIENCE
POPE FRANCIS
ST. PETER'S SQUARE
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013
GENERAL AUDIENCE
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good morning,
In the Creed we say “I believe in one... Church.” In
other words we profess that the Church is one, and
this Church by her nature is one. However if we look
at the Catholic Church in the world, we discover that
it includes almost 3,000 dioceses scattered over all
the continents: so many languages, so many cultures!
Present here are many bishops from many diverse
cultures, from many countries. There is a bishop of
Sri Lanka, a bishop of South Africa, a bishop from
India, there are many here... bishops from Latin
America. The Church is spread throughout the world!
And yet the thousands of Catholic communities form
a unit. How can this be?
1. We find a concise answer in the Compendium of
the Catechism of the Catholic Church which says:
the Catholic Church in the world “has but one faith,
one sacramental life, one apostolic succession, one
common hope, and one and the same charity” (n.
161). It is a beautiful definition, clear, it orients us
well. Unity in faith, hope and charity, unity in the
sacraments, in the ministry: these are like the pillars
that hold up and keep together the one great edifice
of the Church. Wherever we go, even to the smallest
parish in the most remote corner of this earth, there is
the one Church. We are at home, we are in the family,
we are among brothers and sisters. And this is a great
gift of God! The Church is one for us all. There is
not one Church for Europeans, one for Africans, one
for Americans, one for Asians, one for those who live
in Oceania. No, she is one and the same everywhere.
It is like being in a family: some of its members may
be far away, scattered across the world, but the deep
bonds that unite all the members of a family stay
solid however great the distance. I am thinking, for
example, of my experience of the World Youth Day
in Rio de Janeiro: in that endless crowd of young
people on the beach at Copacabana we could hear
many languages spoken, we could note very different
facial features, we came across different cultures
and yet there was profound unity, they formed one
Church, they were united and one could sense it. Let
us all ask ourselves: as a Catholic, do I feel this unity?
As a Catholic, do I live this unity of the Church? Or
doesn’t it concern me because I am closed within my
own small group or within myself ? Am I one of those
who “privatize” the Church to their own group, their
own country or their own friends? It is sad to find a
“privatized” Church out of selfishness or a lack of
faith. It is sad! When I hear that so many Christians
in the world are suffering, am I indifferent or is it as
if one of my family were suffering? When I think or
hear it said that many Christians are persecuted and
give their lives for their faith, does this touch my heart
or not? Am I open to a brother or sister of the family
who is giving his or her life for Jesus Christ? Do we
pray for each other? I have a question for you, but
don’t answer out loud, only in your heart. How many
of you pray for Christians who are being persecuted?
How many? Everyone respond in you heart. Do I
pray for my brother, for my sister who is in difficulty
because they confess and defend their faith? It is
important to look beyond our own boundaries, to feel
that we are Church, one family in God!
2. Let us go a step further and ask ourselves: are
there wounds in this unity? Can we hurt this unity?
Unfortunately, we see that in the process of history,
and now too, we do not always live in unity. At times
misunderstanding arises, as well as conflict, tension
and division which injure her and so the Church does
not have the face we should like her to have; she does
not express love, the love that God desires. It is we
who create wounds! And if we look at the divisions
that still exist among Christians, Catholics, Orthodox,
Protestants... we are aware of the effort required to
make this unity fully visible. God gives us unity, but
we often have a lot of trouble putting it into practice.
It is necessary to seek to build communion, to teach
communion, to get the better of misunderstandings
and divisions, starting with the family, with ecclesial
reality, in ecumenical dialogue too. Our world needs
unity, this is an age in which we all need unity,
we need reconciliation and communion and the
Church is the home of communion. St Paul told the
Christians of Ephesus: “I therefore, a prisoner for
the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling
to which you have been called, with all lowliness and
meekness, with patience, forbearing one another
in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit
in the bond of peace” (4:1-3). Humility, meekness,
magnanimity, love to preserve unity! These, these
are the roads, the true roads of the Church. Let us
listen to this again. Humility against vanity, against
arrogance — humility, meekness, magnanimity, love
to preserve unity. Then Paul continued: there is one
body, that of Christ that we receive in the Eucharist;
and one Spirit, the Holy Spirit who enlivens and
constantly recreates the Church; one hope, eternal
life; one single faith, one baptism, one God and
Father of us all (cf. vv. 4-6). The wealth of what unites
us! This is the true wealth: what unites us, not what
divides us. This is the wealth of the Church! Let each
one ask him- or herself today “do I increase harmony
in my family, in my parish, in my community or am I
a gossip. Am I a cause of division or embarrassment?
And you know the harm that gossiping does to the
Church, to the parishes, the communities. Gossip
does harm! Gossip wounds. Before Christians open
their mouths to gossip, they should bite their tongue!
To bite one’s tongue: this does us good because the
tongue swells and can no longer speak, cannot gossip.
Am I humble enough to patiently stitch up, through
sacrifice, the open wounds in communion?”.
3. Finally, the last step which takes us to a greater
depth. Now, this is a good question: who is the driving
force of the Church’s unity? It is the Holy Spirit,
whom we have all received at Baptism and also in the
Sacrament of Confirmation. It is the Holy Spirit. Our
unity is not primarily a fruit of our own consensus or
of the democracy in the Church, or of our effort to
get along with each other; rather, it comes from the
One who creates unity in diversity, because the Holy
Spirit is harmony and always creates harmony in the
Church. And harmonious unity in the many different
cultures, languages, and ways of thinking. The Holy
Spirit is the mover. This is why prayer is important. It
is the soul of our commitment as men and women of
communion, of unity. Pray to the Holy Spirit that he
may come and create unity in the Church.
Let us ask the Lord: Lord, grant that we be more and
more united, never to be instruments of division;
enable us to commit ourselves, as the beautiful
Franciscan prayer says, to sowing love where there
is hatred; where there is injury, pardon; and union
where there is discord. So be it.