It is so nice to be getting back into the “swing of things” slowly returning to celebrating Masses and performing baptisms. I have a new outlook on both the “handicapped” and the home-bound. Sitting on the “sidelines” has also given me a fresh outlook on our parish. Before I go any further, I want to first thank the visiting clergy who have been helping me out with the celebration of the Masses. There have been a variety of priests on weekends (Fr. Matera, Fr. Fidelis, Fr. LaPlante, and Fr. Kevin) and for the daily Masses; Fr. David from Holy Family Monastery has been “in residence” here since May 6. I greatly appreciate their willingness to help—coming here is in addition to their al-ready busy schedules. The visiting priests that have come here have made the same comments:

• That we have a well-organized parish and that the laity is fully involved. I think they really enjoy coming here because the sacristy is always prepared for the celebration of the Mass—I want to thank many folks who have stepped up to help, particularly Cheryl Caneschi, Marlyce Rooney, Kathi Bonner and Mike Grappone—each one has taken on the role of sacristan making sure that everything is ready for Mass, and our altar servers who have tremendously helpful to the priests.
• that people are actually participating in the Mass—by singing and praying—unfortunately this is not always the case in all parishes.
• and that the congregation is always so welcoming to the visiting clergy—this is the singular comment I also hear from new parishioners. We are a welcoming community, and that’s a “good thing.”

I highlight these comments because I believe that they are tell-tale signs that our parish is alive and well. Many variables are used to measure the vitality of parish life—from the “October Count” and ministries offered to the weekly collections taken up and the numbers of families registering as members (we are now over 1300 from the 875 in 2007). While each of these is a measurement of growth and life, the greatest barometer of all is the “ownership level” which comes from a happy and pleased congregation. When that number is up, folks feel a sense of pride in and a commitment to the community and thus desire to share it with others. That, my friends, is a credit to you all.

As I go around town and hear from parishioners and non-parishioners alike, from Catholics and non-Catholics, the common denominator is that people seem to enjoy being part of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish. I credit that with the make-up of the parish as well as with the ministerial and programmatic leaders which we have. When folks join our parish comments confirm that: “Your religious education program is valuable—my kids are leaning ‘something’ when they come;” “Your ministries offer us an opportunity to live-out our beliefs;” “The Youth Ministry pro-gram is creative and the youth learn that they are the church –now;” “I love the music—from the piano and the organ to the choirs singing…it is alive;” to “The facilities are clean and the front office is helpful.” These things breathe our Catholic spirit into the community around us. And all this comes from a lot of different folks…folks who are alive in the faith themselves and willing and honored to share their faith with others.

Jesus Christ, in the Gospels, speaks about the spirit of faith being alive in each of us and how that Holy Spirit is shared universally in and through the seven-fold, unique gifts given
differently to each one of us by the same, One God. Christ also speaks to the power each one of possess in passing on that Spirit to others—in fact in the Gospel s of Luke and Matthew and in the Book of Revelation among other places, Christ speaks of how He abhors the “spirit of indifference.” “Be either hot or cold for the Lord, but indifference is what keeps us from living out our faith. Consider in Revelation 3:14-21, the Lord is de-scribing the “lukewarm” heart attitude of those in the Laodicean church, an attitude manifested by their deeds. They were neither cold nor hot in relation to God, just lukewarm. Beverages are better either cold or hot. Similarly, the Lord would rather that people be either hot (spiritually on fire for Him) or cold (rejecting Him outright). The Laodiceans understood the analo-gy because their city drinking water came from a spring six miles to the south over an aqueduct, and it arrived disgustingly lukewarm. It was not hot like the nearby hot springs that people bathed in, nor was it refreshingly cold for drinking. It was luke-warm, good for nothing. In fact, it was nauseating, and that was the Lord’s response to the Laodiceans—they sickened Him.”

The letter to the Church at Laodicea is the harshest of the seven letters to the churches in Asia Minor. “By His indictment against their “deeds,” Jesus makes it clear that this is a dead church. That is not to say that there were no true believers there, only that the church as a whole was spiritually uncommitted. Jesus frequently equates deeds, or works, with a person’s true spiritual state. He said, “By their fruit you will recognize them” and “Every good tree bears food fruit” (Matthew 7:16-17). Clearly, the deeds of the Laodiceans were not in keeping with true salvation because the deeds of the true believer will be “hot,” reflecting the spiritual passion of a life transformed. The lukewarm deeds, however—those done without joy, without love and without the fire of the Spirit—do more harm to the watching world than the deeds done by those who are complete-ly cold to the things of God. The Lukewarm are those who claim to know God but live as though He does not exist. They may go to church, but their religion is self-righteous complacency. They may claim to be Christians, but their hearts are unchanged…”

Hearing these words we might picture ourselves, from time- to-time, as “lukewarm” but the reality we must look at the “big picture” and recognize that while I have three kids and a full time job or am in my later years and unable to serve in a minis-try—God looks to us to carry out our faith in “right relationship” to our family and work commitments. What it also means is that we must be honest with ourselves when we ask “what do I do to live out my faith?” Remember, “God does not want us to do everything but that we all should do something.”

We are truly blessed here at St. Catherine of Siena Par-ish. We have lots of folks of all ages do many things—living out and sharing our faith with joy and love. Sure, we each could do more…but what matters most is what Mother Teresa said about charity (paraphrased), It is not the size of the act but the love with which it is given.

If you would like to become involved—or more in-volved—in our ministries or activities you may call the parish office (658.1642) or speak to Fr. Michael or any head of a min-istry or program—from teaching in religious education to help-ing at a youth ministry event to ushering to being a lector, altar server or Eucharistic Minister; from visiting someone at McLean or knitting a prayer shawl for a wounded veteran or grieving neighbor, to working at a Men’s or Women’s Club event, to setting up for the picnic or Alleluia Party—and so much more. All’s He wants of you is to get “heated up” over Him and His love. It is who we are supposed to be.