Dear Friends in Christ,
In the past few weeks, we have been praying a prayer at the end of the Intercessions for the blessing and success of the Convocation of Catholic Leaders: Joy of the Gospel Conference in South Jersey. The Diocese of Camden will hold this event in Atlantic City from March 25, 2019 through March 28, 2019. This conference will “bring together pastors and representatives from every parish in the diocese for an intensive four days that, it is hoped, will have a profound effect – both spiritually and practically – on the future of the diocese.” We were instructed to have to budget for at least ten parishioners to attend this conference along with the pastor. I asked the following people, who agreed to participate, and have submitted their names to represent Our Lady of Hope Parish: Froylan Alejo, Norberto Cruz, Joanne Farrell, John Harry, Anne Lerro, Anthony Mingerino, Attoh Moutchia, John Raftery, Carmen Rodriguez, Olivia Sanchez, Carmen Williams, Father Rene Canales and myself. This is quite a commitment from these faithful parishioners, but we are praying that some real blessings may come forth and seminate in the Our Lady of Hope Parish at both Saint Agnes and Saint Jude communities. The Bishop came from a national conference upon which ours is based, very excited and full of hope. The Lord alone knows just how much we need a boost from the Holy Spirit during these times. Samuel Chadwick said, “”Confusion and impotence are the inevitable results when the wisdom and resources of the world are substituted for the presence and power of the Spirit.” We have become worldly and have too often veered away from the Lord and His Gospel. May this be a serious commitment to be open to the Holy Spirit’s power and to bring that energy back to our Pastoral Council to see where we can better make the Lord Jesus known and loved.
God bless you,
Father Szolack