A Missionary Heart in Union/Grainger County

In August 2015 our two missions will celebrate four years of life.  In some ways, we are still beginning, but since Blessed Teresa of Calcutta is now a parish; it is a sign that we are beyond beginning.  Thus, I felt a new blog and a new blog title was needed.

Picture as of December 2011; now St. John Paul II

Picture as of December 2011; now Catholic Church

In searching for this new blog title, I have found inspiration from Pope Francis in his exhortation:  Joy of the Gospel.  He writes, "In virtue of their baptism, all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples. "  (#120)  As we move in the world as missionary disciples it is also important to have a missionary heart.  Pope Francis warns against being a "sourpuss". (#85) Instead he invites us to contemplative fraternity.  "It is a fraternal love capable of seeing the sacred grandeur of our neighbor, of finding God in every human being, of tolerating the nuisances of life in common by clinging to the love of God, of opening the heart to divine love and seeking the happiness of others just as their heavenly Father does." (#92) 

At risk of sharing too many quotes, let me add the following about love, passion and hearts. 

"Mission is at once a passion for Jesus and a passion for his people." (#268)

"Loving others is a spiritual force drawing us to union with God; ..."When we live out a spirituality of drawing nearer to others and seeking their welfare, our hearts are opened wide to the Lord's greatest and most beautiful gifts. ... The work of evangelization enriches the mind and the heart; it opens up spiritual horizons; it makes us more and more sensitive to the workings of the Holy Spirit, and it takes us beyond our limited spiritual constructs. ... the openness of the heart is a source of joy.
 (#272)

So I hope to communicate the missionary heart beat of myself, my fellow Glenmarians, my Catholic family of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church, Maynardville and St. John Paul II Catholic Mission, Rutledge and the people of our Union and Grainger County.

If you enjoyed my previous blog, Catholic Missionary Beginnings, I hope you find this one just as helpful.

Stay tuned, more will follow soon.  In the meantime, keep your missionary heart beating in the joy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.