In this Sunday’s readings, Saint Paul applies an Exodus lesson to the Church of Corinth. After they escaped Egypt by the power of God, Moses’ people murmured complaints about the difficulty of the journey: “We remember the fish we ate in Egypt—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic.” Paul instructs the Corinthian Christians, “Do not grumble as some of them did!” For we, too, often lose our gratitude for God’s work, and instead complain.
Our Lord Jesus also responds to gossip about murdered Galileans, as if God allowed the grizzly murders because the victims were worse sinners than everyone else. Jesus rebukes the gossipers, “Do you think that these Galileans suffered in this way because they were greater sinners? If you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!” Jesus seem to mean that we are all under God’s judgment; rather than compare ourselves to others, we ought instead “bear fruit,” become the people of love and obedience that we’ve been commanded to be.
So let me be among those who take this lesson to heart, and express my gratitude for a few of those whose labors have recently borne fruit:
Confirmation: First, credit goes to parents, sponsors, and catechists for shepherding the youth of RocKenRo to their reception of the sacrament of Confirmation on March 14. I also thank key staff and volunteers such as Lisa & Tim Davis, Wayne Madden, Steve Swank, and others who were able to make St. Malachy Church into a host for the grand affair. The RocKenRo music directors integrated the music and choirs for a lovely ceremony. The Knights of Columbus from both parishes coordinated parking (and defended the lots from those who were less than eagerly cooperative!). And finally, we’re in debt to Kennedy Township, McDermott Funeral Home, Dr. Harkins & Butler Dental, the Allegheny Valley School, the Kennedy Fire Department, and other neighbors for all the additional parking they donated for the special occasion.
Decision-Making: An administrator is expected to make a lot of decisions for his parishes, but he’s supposed to do so in consultation with a lot of people. At RocKenRo, some of key persons who coordinate the consultations are the facilitators of the pastoral councils: Linda Gomulka at Holy Trinity, Alice Kilonsky at St. John of God, and Patty Beasock at St. Malachy. Linda was chosen for this role by Fr. Keene, but I retained her and since then she’s heroically organized consultations on many different and weighty matters. Patty, too, assisted Fr. Hissrich at St. Malachy, and Patty’s shown remarkable agility at adapting to the new operating procedure I’ve created for that pastoral council. Alice has trailblazed bravely, serving on the newly revived council at St. John of God. I am grateful for these three women and so many other persons who have been assisting me On Mission for The Church Alive!
—Fr. Dave
