Although it seems a paradox, the greater the sacrifices made out of love, the greater is our joy and peace. Whether it is the brave decision of a pregnant woman to reject abortion and allow a loving family to parent her child when she cannot, or the daily sacrifices of parents in raising young children, or the hard work of caring for an elderly relative with dementia, when we step up to those challenges, God can stretch our hearts and fill them to overflowing with his love, joy and peace. With hearts so transformed, we can become living witnesses to the meaning of Jesus’ mission: I came that all might have life, and have it to the full!”
In the 1978 Pastoral Statement of U.S. Catholic Bishops on People with Disabilities, the Bishops recognized that “it is not merely enough to affirm the rights of people with disabilities. The Church must become ‘an advocate for and with people with disabilities’ and ‘it must work to increase the public’s sensitivity toward (their) needs and support their rightful demand for justice.’”
Deacon Bill Oggeri and Mr. Frank Griebel, our parish advocates, act on behalf of the people with disabilities to ensure that all are invited to share in the life of our parish – spiritually, physically and socially. Please feel free to discuss with either of them any suggestions or concerns you may have by emailing or calling either Rectory.