Dear Friends in Christ,
This past Sunday, we had a beautiful celebration of the Holy Mass with traditions from Africa. Our main celebrant was Father Ernest Amadi along with Father Mike Ezeatu and me concelebrating. There was joyful singing which filled our church and so many people commented on the Holy Gospel being carried up the aisle on the back of a woman. The glory of the Word of God was seen when Deacon Bob lifted the Gospel after taking it from the back of the carrier. There was good food and friendship celebrated in our parish hall. It was great to see our own parishioners from various African countries and to welcome those from other parishes. I am grateful to the Lord that we could celebrate with our African brothers and sisters. Thank you to Attoh Moutchia, a member of our parish council, who helped to facilitate this beautiful celebration. Even within various cultures, the most important thing is the living of the true faith: Catholicism. The basics of our faith never change. There is the necessity of Baptism for salvation; we must love and reverence the Real Presence of Jesus Christ expressed in regular Mass attendance and adoration; regular confession of sins in the Sacrament of Penance is essential; we should have a fervent devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary; we cannot live without meditation of Sacred Scripture and the living out of the moral teachings of the Church. These times call for us to energize our faith rather than pulling back. When we are judged, we will not be judged by what others did, but rather, we will be judged on how much we love God and how we lived that love at every moment.
God bless you,
Father Szolack