Meeting with priests

Yesterday morning, the priests of this diocese assembled in the Bishop Carter Auditorium at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of Saint Joseph in North Bay, Ontario.  It is a well-established tradition in this diocese that on the day when the Mass of Chrism is celebrated, the priests gather for a meeting with the Diocesan Bishop before the celebration of the Mass.  During this meeting, we have a moment for prayer, for greeting one another (we don't often see one another because of the vast distances in this Diocese), and for a word of inspiration from the Bishop.

This year, the Bishop's comments were inspired by his annual Lenten message to all the faithful.

At the invitation of His Holiness, Benedict XVI, the Church is currently living a Year of Faith.  As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Second Vatican Council, this year allows us a speical occasion of deepening our appreciation for the faith that has been entrusted to us.  The process of appreciating this gift begins by recognizing the fact that we ourselves are in need of a new evangelization, which begins with an understanding of the fact that we ourselves are in need of evangelization.

This evangelization will truly be 'new' if, for the love of Church, we dare venture off the beaten track and think outside the box, allowing for new pastoral practices.  For this, we have to take a new look at the world and the Church, and risk new ways and means.  When all is said and done, we need to speak and act with a renewed heart.

The somber reality is that the Church has been in a state of decline for the past number of years.  The reasons for this decline are varied, but the truth is that we all must dare to rediscover the treasure of the gospel truths.  Never tiring of proclaiming this truth to the world, we must dare to reach out to the youth of our day who have serious questions about any organization that smacks of institutional influence.  We must find ways to build bridges with parents who are searching for truth, but who have failed so far to find the answers to their quest.  We must dare to proclaim the message of Christ to those who may be considered as the outsiders, for truth be known, there is no such distinction as 'insider' and 'outsider' when it comes to the Church: we are all walking the same road together and none of us is any better than the other, for we are all disciples.

In the words of Pope Francis, we must all learn to admit our own poverty, in order to discover the truths that the gospel proclaims.  If we do, we will be all the better for it.