Holy Spirit Parish

Dear Holy Spirit Parish:                          October 18, 2020

         “Then repay to Ceaser what belongs to Ceaser, and to
                           God what belongs to God.        (Matthew 22:21)
 
Of the many interpretations of this most puzzling Gospel line I like Terullian’s the best.  He said the image indicates the owner.  The coin bears the image of Ceaser and so belongs to him.  You (we human beings) bear the image of God and so belong to God.  This was no idle discussion for Jesus.  Remember, when they brought Jesus to trial they accused him of telling people not to pay the Roman tax. (Luke 23:1-4)
 
The question is no idle question for us, two weeks before our national elections.  We have been listening to the guidance of our Bishops in their document Forming Conscience for Faithful Citizenship to discern what God is asking of us on November 3rd.  The Church offers us other guidance as well.
 
For example, today is World Mission Sunday.  Each year on the third Sunday of October Catholics all over the world act not simply as Americans, Brazilians, Italians or Vietnamese.... but as those who belong to God.  And we act that way by reaching out to address the needs not of just our own families or countries, but the needs of God’s family.  This annual collection supports those working in mission fields where there are not yet strong enough churches to support them.  Supporting this collection empowers these missionaries to bring the liberating Gospel of Jesus to those who do not yet have hope or justice in their lives.  There will be an envelope included in the next parish Newsletter coming to your home.
 
Of course the mission field is right here as well. Last Sunday as I ate my lunch in Spirit Hall a woman walked in wondering if I had a minute.  That led to her going to the car and bringing in her husband.  The couple had a long life story and seemed at the edge of losing hope that they would find a place where they could be accepted simply as they are. They were looking for a spiritual home and had been told that Holy Spirit would be a good place to try.  I listened and then said, “children of God, you are home.”
 
They will be our fourth and fifth RCIA candidates. These pandemic times are so strange.  I had pretty much accepted the idea that we wouldn’t have an RCIA program this year because there are no gatherings of people to encounter candidates at.  But now, five people have simply walked in our doors or called and said they want to become full members of this Catholic Church.  It is as if the uncertainty of the times is moving people to seek deeper foundations for their lives.
 
So, we are starting this year’s RCIA program!  If you or you know someone would like to explore the possibility of becoming Catholic or finish their initiation with the Sacrament of Confirmation, please contact me or the parish office. We are having a first organizational gathering today (Sunday) at 1:00pm in Spirit Hall.  Please come.  But we are definitely still open to other’s joining us.
 
In addition to new RCIA candidates walking into the parish we also have new RCIA team members. A couple of weeks ago a Deacon Bill and Mary Jo Holzhaeuser from the Superior Diocese came in to get a membership packet.  They are moving to Stevens Point to be closer to family members Travis and Joanna Slattery.  Of course, its really that granddaughter Josephine that has uprooted them.  They won’t actually make the move physically until the end of the year.  But thanks to the wonders of technology they will be able to join our RCIA team even while still in Ashland.  Please thank Josephine the next time you see her!
 
When you follow Jesus its a world of friends, met and unmet, bearers of God’s image.
 Fr. Steve
 

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