Thursday - 22nd Week of OT 2017 - "Animated by a missionary spirit"

What a beautiful coincidence…if those really exist…that the Gospel reading for today is the very same as the one for Bishop Perez’ installation Mass on Wednesday: the Lord’s command to Peter and the Apostles to put out into the deep waters to bring in the abundance of fish. This miraculous catch of fish through the efforts of the apostles and the help of God would become symbolic for all those souls who would come to salvation through Christ through the missionary efforts of the Church throughout the ages.

by Michael Dudash

Bishop Perez made it very clear that he is not the only fisherman in town; he is here, sent by the Pope, to help each of us be faithful to our own God-given vocation to be fishers of men.
Today’s Gospel also coincides with Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of September, asks the Lord to help parishes, “animated by a missionary spirit, to be places where the faith is communicated and charity is seen.”

Notice several things about this prayer intention. First, it is about parishes. Parishes are places under the care of a pastor, where a diversity of God’s people come together for worship, to study the faith, to pass on the faith, to contribute to the charitable works. We aren’t in this alone. We have priests to help us, fellow Christians to encourage us. Parishes should always be discerning how God is calling them to use their many gifts to forward the mission of Christ.

Notice also how parishes are to be places where “the faith is communicated” and “charity is seen”. These are two primary ways how we are to be the fishers of men, the Lord spoke about. We communicate the faith by catechesis to our young people, forming new disciples, and studying the faith, that we can communicate it better, more clearly out in the world.

How can the faith be better communicated here at St. Clare? To whom do we need to be better communicators?

And how is our charity to be more clearly seen? What charitable works does St. Clare need to take more seriously or engage in more faithfully?

May the Lord help our parish to become more faithful, more loving, more filled with His own missionary spirit, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For our new Bishop, Nelson Perez, that he may assist all of God’s people in being faithful to all the Lord teaches and commands.

For Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of September: “That our parishes, animated by a missionary spirit, may be places where faith is communicated and charity is seen.”

For the sick and afflicted, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, for victims of natural disaster and inclement weather, those who suffer from war, violence, and terrorism, for the mentally ill, those with addictions, the imprisoned, the unchaste, for the comfort of the dying and the consolation of their families.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.