The hope in our youth

Confirmation group May 2015

The month of May was filled with dynamic steps in the life of our youth.  We celebrated Confirmation and First Communion as well as college and high school graduations.  Yet, what will there future be?

Two of our three graduates in Maynardville. We also had one college graduate.

The only one of six Catholic graduates in Rutledge who attends Mass

In Sherry Weddell's book, "Forming Intentional Disciples" she opens with some startling statistics. Here are a few: 

24% of 18 - 29 years old do not belong to any religion.

From 2000 - 2009 nearly four times as many adults have left as have entered the Catholic Church in the United States.

Of those who left the Catholic Church, 71% "just drifted away" and of 79% left by age 23.

Furthermore, 42% of those who left do not even believe in God.

The first communion group at BTC, May 2015

The first communion group of JP II, May 2015

Given these realities what will become of the smiling and happy youth who just made their sacraments of communion and confirmation?  What will become of our graduates?



I deeply hope that their experiences through the Catholic Church and these sacraments help them know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, as their friend and brother.  These sacraments of Holy Communion, the reception of Jesus in his body and blood (see John 6),  and Confirmation, "being sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit" will be the beginning of a dynamic life lived in Christ. 

The reception of the Body of Christ

The reception of the Blood of Christ

Our world is full of violence, greed, indifference, and self-centeredness.  Poverty and disease still affect vast populations in the world.  Christ came to announce the Reign of God ... of new way ... a way of justice, peace, mercy and hope.  We need every committed Christian to stand up and deliver.

These young people are part of that plan, both now and in the future.  Already, they can do things in their schools, in the work force and in their homes to bring the light of Christ more clearly in the world.  Whatever they choice to do in adulthood, if it is guiding by the Holy Spirit and gives honor to God, it will help change the world.  

"Be Sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit"

"Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life ..."

Yet, so they do not become a "drop out of faith" statistic, the current church, especially, their parents and our local members, need to love them, challenge them and encourage them to be faithful to Christ.  We can do that best by our example and by spending time with them.

Three generations of faith

These pictures show youth with  great joy and hearts on fire with faith.  May we help that faith staying burning.

JP II first communicants preparing to sing "Let their be Peace on Earth"

The Heart of Christ: A Holy Week Experience

Easter Vigil, JP II

                  Hosanna! This is my Body.  This is my Blood.  Crucify Him!  Alleluia!

 These are but a few of the words and phrases that capture Holy Week.  If you a Catholic you can name the days:  Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil and Easter.  Yet, I wonder more and more, how many  people in the United States and in the two counties I serve understand and recognize the significance of these days and what they tell us about the Heart of Jesus.  Has the routine of life and the commercialization of holidays pushed aside time for reflection and prayer?  I hope my worries are baseless.

Fr. Steve before the opening of the Way of the Cross at Central Point

At both St. John Paul II Catholic Mission in Rutledge and Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church we did our best to enter into the Passion of our Lord and celebrate our salvation.  The two days that require the most preparation are Good Friday and the Easter Vigil.

St. John Paul II has been doing the living way of the Cross since our arrival in 2011.  Each year this involves many individuals.  The person playing Christ is giving scripture to study.  Practices are held and children are incorporating as soldiers and the women and children of Jerusalem.  This is done where the folks live ending in the hillside pasture surrounded by goats and sheep.  To witness 167 people kneel in the open field in prayer has a power that can not be captured by media.

Jesus Falls the first time

Jesus meets the weeping women and children

He gave up his spirit

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta this year aimed at incorporating both English and Spanish Speakers in their bilingual living way of the cross.  The preparation behind the scene is itself forming a community of believers willing to sacrifice in the name of Jesus.

Women of Jerusalem at BTC

Jesus Falls the second time

The Crucifixion

The Easter Vigils are a once in year liturgy that takes time and preparation.  Above all the symbolism of dark and light, fire and water, is the reality that Jesus conquered death and set us free to have new life.  To witness new believers and old believers recommitment themselves to the resurrected Christ brings huge joy.

New Fire     and

New Water

Blessed Teresa witnessed two young men, ages 14 and 12 be baptized and initiated into the Catholic Church along with one adult be confirmed into the Catholic Faith after years of attending with her husband.  St. John Paul II witnessed one adult be baptized and initiated into the church, another confirmed joining his wife in the faith, and a mother and child receive sacraments together as well as one other infant baptism.  Each individual and family has a story of discovering and rediscovering Jesus more deeply in their life.  All of them have chosen to express this faith in the Catholic way of life.

Baptism of Jose

Baptism of Luis

Profession of Faith of Susan

Yet, the experience I have shared the most, is the Chrism Mass with Bishop Stika.  The week before Holy Week he was hospitalized and came near to death.  Yet, there we was speaking from his heart of the miracles of God.  The theme is that God interrupts us on the journey of life.  He pokes,pleads and prods us into new directions.  Yet, when we let him lead, even onto death, new life will come.  The Sacraments of the anointing, baptism, confirmation, communion, and reconciliation all guide us on the way.  His joy and authentic homily touched my heart and soul.

The group getting ready for baptism

Fr. Neil prepares Shirley

Baptism of Shirley

Baptism of Jadin

Baptism of Joeclyn

Confirmation of Dean

May God interrupt your life and help you discover his personal love for you.  Let his heart become your heart!!

First Communion of Jose

Luis drinks of the Blood of Christ

Sharon joins her family at the table of the Lord

Three Churches but One Heartbeat

The three Pastors

Last night completed our second annual Ecumenical Revival in Rutledge, TN.  In so many ways this was a unique and powerful experience.

Since my arrival here, Pastor Ryan of Rutledge Methodist Church, Pastor Chan of Rutledge Baptist Church and myself of St. John Paul II Catholic Mission in Rutledge have gathered once a month for conversation, prayer and lunch.  This grew into a deep friendship and a shared food pantry ministry.  Last year this led us to hold an Ecumenical Revival under the theme that "They all be one."  This year, the people of the churches requested another ecumenical revival.

From Monday until Wednesday we gathered for three nights to reflect on the theme "... the Least of These."  In a world with so much division and in a political atmosphere with so much suspicion and distrust of the other, it is wonderful to come together as brothers and sisters of the Lord to be revived in the Holy Spirit.

JP II English Choir

Pastor Ryan

Monday night Pastor Ryan lead the way with a reflection on Matthew 25:31-46 supported by music from St. John Paul II English Choir.  His image of the two sides of one coin:  we claim Christ on one side and we serve the Lord on the other, started us off in a very positive direction.  This was followed by a wonderful musical drama performed by the WordPlayers out of Knoxville.

WordPlayers -- drama on Christ

Pastor Chan greeting folks

 Tuesday night Pastor Chan continued our reflection on the least of these with Acts 6:1-6.  Pastor Chan reminded us that this is an early experience of racism.  The biblical concern was the Hebrew widows were receiving care, but the Greek widows were not.  We too must have a heart open to carrying for all widows ... for all people.  The music that night was shared with Cliff from the Baptist Church and the St. John Paul II Spanish Choir.  This night was special in that we had the largest participation of people from different races present.  Something special happens when God's rainbow of people pray together under his SON.

Pastor Chan

JP II Spanish Choir

The congregation gathers

Frank Lesko, Ecumenical worker with Glenmary

Cliff behind the organ

The final night folks received the message from myself based on Luke 6:20-26.  The point was Jesus turns the world upside down when we truly follow Him.  The music was shared by both a Methodist duet and Rutledge Baptist Church.  Pins were giving encouraging all of to "Lend a Hand and Lift a Heart".

Baptist Choir

Myself -- preaching

Social unites even more

The heart of Christ that beats in each member of the Methodist Church, the Baptist Church and the Catholic Church warmed us all.  We were not three congregations for these three nights, but one body of Christ.  Our focus was not on ourselves, but on the least of God's children.  We united our hearts together with the heart of our Lord.  We sang with one voice and promised to lend our hands for the sake of Jesus and to lift their hearts for the sake of the Reign of God.

 God's Kingdom is just a little brighter and our hearts are little warmer for sharing in prayer these last three nights.  The missionary heartbeat of East Tennessee is healthy today in Grainger County.

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.