Competition vs. Family
As RocKenRo On Mission for The Church Alive!, we prepare for a day of fewer people, priests, resources, and Masses. The expectation of scarcity tempts us to competition and mutual sabotage, as we imagine grabbing more for ourselves and leaving others with less. Already you can hear a few Catholics around Pittsburgh hoping for the failure of their neighbors so they can scavenge what remains.We can acknowledge the worldly reality without imitating it. Our personal convenience and the appearance of worldly success do not last. In faith, we know that what lasts forever is wholehearted participation in the love of Christ. And that love is also the only enduring foundation for building up the Church, which is our mission. So in this era of scarcity, let us instead love more magnanimously. In Acts 2, St. Luke describes the study, fellowship, worship, prayer, wonders, shared possessions, gladness and generosity of the Church after Pentecost:
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Please see your brothers and sisters in Christ not as competitors, but as opportunities for you to be a faithful member of the family the Lord Jesus is adopting for himself.
Anita Bridge served Holy Trinity Parish as director of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. In that capacity she shepherded many people into the Catholic Church and taught others to help with that process. She concludes her service this summer and we owe her our appreciation. Please note her announcement in this bulletin.
We’ll explore the possibility of parish consolidation at a series of assemblies:
St. Malachy: September 14 at 5:15 p.m. or September 15 at 12:15 p.m.
St. John of God: September 21 at 5:45 p.m. or September 22 at 11:00 a.m.
Holy Trinity: September 28 at 6:15 p.m. or September 29 at 1:15 p.m.
Your feedback will be accepted at any assembly, even if not in your home parish. Meanwhile, please pray that each of us remain open to the will of our Lord and the movement of his Holy Spirit. —Fr. Dave
Dear Fellow Holy Trinity Parishioners,
For the past thirty years, Initiation Ministry has always been my first love. So it is with much sadness, but not regret, that I tender my resignation as the RCIA Director here at Holy Trinity Parish. This is also the time in my senior years that I would like to spend with my children and especially my grandchildren who are growing too quickly.
When I look back on my catechetical and liturgical ministry, RCIA has always been the most fulfilling and so it is with heavy heart that I do this even though I know this is the correct time in our parish. I wish nothing but blessing on all those who have walked the conversion journey as parish sponsors over these years and gratitude to you, our parishioners, for your support and promise of prayers. I thank you, dear parishioners, for entrusting me with the opportunity to walk with our inquirers as they seek to make Jesus and life in the Catholic Church integral to their lives. Each year we all grew as we made this continued journey of conversion of life.
I promised parish leadership that I would be here to assist when necessary if a sub was needed. My gratitude for this opportunity that you have afforded me will never cease. Thank you for your encouragement to answer the call Jesus extended to all of us: “Follow Me!” I will be forever indebted for your trust and most grateful for your prayers. With many blessings, —Anita Bridge
