The 2020 Bishop’s Appeal has been entitled: “A Joyful Witness.” Our readings remind us of this joyful witness that we are called to give. It is easy to get cast down into a mentality of doom and gloom. Nevertheless, an encounter with Christ Jesus lifts us out of this doom and gloom and sets us upon a straight path which leads towards the hope that manifests itself to us as a great light. As was stated in our Gospel: “The people who sit in darkness have seen a a great light.”
Christ is this great light which is being spoken of. Nevertheless, so many allow themself to continuously be thrust down into doom and gloom to the point that the ability to see this great light becomes dimmed. With that the virtue of hope begins to slip away from us. Thankfully, we are called to be a joyful witness to the Gospel. As a joyful witness we stay close to Christ and allow the joy that we receive from Him to be brought forth into the world.
With that we come to celebrate Catholic Schools Week which should fill out Church which a spirit of joy and hope for the future as well as the present age. Through a Catholic education your children are given a firm foundation of faith in order that they can come to know this great light which is Christ. Statistics attest that children provided a Catholic education are more likely to practice their faith as adults then those who did not receive one. As we come to celebrate Catholic schools this week I invite each of you to pray for our students and teachers they they may always remain a joyful witness to the Gospel message. I also invite your family to consider sending your children to our parish school. I, as well as our principal, are committed to working this reality out with your family.
This brings me to next week where we hold the annual bishop’s appeal. Some may question why we in Johnson City ought to support something which exists outside of our parish. Saint Paul answers here from our Epistle and urges us “that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose.” Thus this collection serves as a reminder that we are a parish connected to a diocese which is connected to the Church universal.
At a time where it may be difficult to be filled with hope concerning the future of the Church and her ministry thanks to scandal and the closing of parishes in some dioceses we are called to be joyful witnesses to the Gospel. With that I can say that this diocese continues to grow and open new parishes. With that I can say that we have a decent amount of men who are studying for the priesthood. Hopefully, this parish will continue to foster vocations to the priesthood into the future as it has done with Deacon Zach who will be ordained a priest this summer.
With the continued growth of this diocese and its vibrancy there is a great need for us to support the bishop’s appeal. To do so is to support the many ministries which make up this diocese. Through it we support the formation of our future priests, through it we provide for the needy through the support of Catholic Charities as well as the mobile medical clinic, through it we provide for our youth and their education in the faith, and through it we support many other ministries which make up our diocese.
