INTRODUCATION
Presented at Sunday January 6th Mass and Parish Discussion on Tuesday January 8th
Hello, I am Cindee McColley Director of Ministries CCD/RCIA here at SPX. We just heard from Bishop Boyea and his call to evangelization. St. Pius X has dedicated these next four weeks to understanding the three parts of his Pastoral Letter (GO and Announce the Gospel of the Lord) these weeks will help prepare our hearts for this awesome mission.
When Pope John Paul II unlocked the enormous door to St Peter’s Basilica welcoming the 3rd Millennium 13 years ago … it to was a call to discipleship. His words were “Open wide the doors and let the people in.”
Today our Bishop urges us in his introduction not to hold back by hiding our gifts under a bushel basket. He writes, Jesus is inviting us to participate in and share with one another a friendship with Him, a fellowship of the cross. Bishop Boyea reminds us – with these words…
Let it not be said by any one of us that we neglected to carry out Jesus’ last command that we failed to share our greatest gift the salvation of souls.
So we come equipped with spiritual gifts. Maybe you have the gift of faith, peace, understanding, generosity, service, or the ability to make good decision. Maybe you are gentle or have the gift of wisdom. God will use these gifts for his mission!! These special gifts become spiritual forces released through faith and are meant to build the community and then the world- let your light shine brightly…
Boldly proclaim the Good News to everyone.
Part of our mission is to tell our story. Share with others why you love Jesus. Look around- we all have pew neighbors. Tell them how Jesus healed your broken heart while you were reading scripture or how he comforted you. Tell someone about the child that is now cancer free. Tell your pew neighbor how the rosary has changed your life.
Because when you do You are stirring the Holy Spirit within all of us to answer that call. Your story gives us hope and courage. We cannot leave our faith stories about Jesus under a bushel basket any longer.
We must evangelize to each other before we can evangelize the world. As the Bishop stated …it starts in our homes or not at all.
You are invited to prepare your heart for this awesome, life- changing journey. Dig out your rosary; dust off your bible and catechism. Turn on your GPS, fasten your sandal strap, or sky-belts
We are going where we’ve never gone before. Don’t get left behind!! The Spirit of God is preparing us today.
There will be an early distribution of Bishop Boyea’s Pastoral Letter this Tuesday January 8 at 7 p.m. right here in the church with more discussion on his introduction.
Thank you.