Last weekend our parish kicked off the HOME Campaign. Through the HOME Campaign we have the opportunity to come together as a parish family and support something which will help to guide the future of our diocese and parish home.
Behind me you will discover two banners which have various pictures taken from activities which have taken place here at our parish home. These pictures are only a small selection of all that takes place here which helps to spread the message of the Gospel throughout Oak Ridge. If we think of the life of our parish home we will think of the education of our children in our parish school, we would think of the ladies who so graciously give of their time to support a grieving family with a meal following a funeral, we will think of the people who so graciously gave their time yesterday to help with our parish cleanup, and this list goes on and on. If you look real close you will even see your former pastor, Father Bede, from whom planning for the HOME Campaign was begun under. One thing that we cannot forget about when we think of our parish home is the sacraments and how they have entered into the life of the faithful here and have assisted them in coming to know of God’s love.
Many have been baptized here, married here, and confirmed here. Anointing and Confessions have taken place within these walls. Even a few have been ordained here within the walls of the parish Church.
Today we have the opportunity to celebrate a similar situation. Today we get to celebrate the Eucharist in a special way for today our second graders get to make their First Communion. Therefore, my dear children, I implore you to know that what you will soon receive is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ’s love is so great for you and for us that He continues to come to us in the form of bread and wine which through the words of consecration have truly been transformed into becoming the Body and the Blood of Christ. In this world there are many voices which claim to be the voice of love, but through this exchange with Christ we experience love itself.
In our Gospel we are told of a new commandment where we have been called to “love one another. As I have loved you.” As we glance into our parish home and as we have the opportunity to partake of the sacraments may we come to understand and spread this commandment of love. If we commune with Christ within the Eucharist our heart and soul must be transformed by what we receive. Through our participation in the Eucharist we cannot be sent into the world left as if left unchanged. The Eucharist challenges through an infusion of grace to imitate Christ more and more.
As we continue the HOME Campaign may we always realize the many ways in which our parish home has participated within this commandment throughout the years. May we not be content keeping this commandment in the past, but may be willing to bring it with us into the future. There are many great events which have taken place on these parish grounds and as we now look into the future these events will continue to take place which will transform the lives of the faithful.
