Taking faith into the streets... The Gift of Fortitude

05-24-2020Letter from the PastorFr. Don Kline, V.F.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Several years ago, I was blessed to be a part of a Eucharistic Procession with nearly 10,000 people in Lourdes I have always thought about having a Eucharistic Procession through our neighborhood streets with the parishioners of St. Bernadette. I wasn't too sure about doing this at first because I preferred a quiet holy hour safely in the air-conditioned chapel as opposed to walking through streets with a monstrance with Jesus' Eucharistic Presence under an elaborate canopy. I convinced myself that people wouldn't understand so why do it?

Recently, a brother priest, who shared my concerns, told me what happened to him during the Eucharistic Procession at his church. As the procession rounded one of the corners on the route, he heard the rumbling of an angry motorcycle. "Great." he thought. "Motorcycle gang versus a bunch of pious Catholics." But he was shocked when the man got off his motorcycle and put down his kickstand. As 0ur Lord in the Eucharist went by, he took off his do-rag and knelt in the gravel. This cyclist was not a Catholic. He politely declined to join them when invited. He said that when he saw the procession, he knew he was seeing something holy so he stopped.

I have to say, not all Eucharistic procession experiences are as friendly. Nor should they be. I am sure that in other Eucharistic processions, people have shouted and beeped horns to be intentionally disruptive. But one never knows how the Holy Spirit is working--in others or in us. And He certainly does not leave us alone to face life's difficulties. He gives us the gift of fortitude.

Fr. Bill Peckmen wrote that, Fortitude is the bravery to engage in the good. One can hold the virtues of prudence, temperance, and justice to betrue, but if the Catholic lacks fortitude, he or she will not execute anything of these in life. Sacred Scriptures tell us "Do not be afraid" 365 times. God places a premium on bravery. These admonitions do not come in safe times in the Scriptures. They come as the protagonist iscoming up against the foe. Without the stouthearted rising up, the devil and his minions are given free movement among our locks.

There is a video entitled, "God in the Streets of New York City". I encourage you to look at this powerful video of a Eucharistic procession. The words spoken throughout the video are prophetic and timely. The monstrance which is used to carry the Blessed Sacrament is one of six that were blessed by Pope John II to mark the celebration of the Year of the Eucharist. The video depicts the contrast between the everyday chaos of the busy streets -- complete with traf~ic, construction and police cars -- and the peaceful presence of Jesus. There is always an opportunity to meet Jesus face to face. It poses the question: Will you recognize him?

Throughout the Easter Season, we have heard accounts of the building of the early Church in the Acts of the Apostles. Certainly, the gift of fortitude, a gift of the Holy Spirit, was essential as the apostles faced even death for the sake of the gospel.

Next week, we will celebrate the beautiful Solemnity of Pentecost. So many today believe that faith should only be expressed within the walls of churches lest we offend some modern relativistic sensitivity. I think we buy into this modern demand way too much, extinguishing the contribution of faith in the public square altogether.

Identifying yourself as a man or a woman of faith in the workplace, in your neighborhood or any public place includes risk. As a priest, every time I go into public wearing my clerical shirt, I get a few stares. When I eat in public I always say a pre-meal prayer that includes the Sign of the Cross. But I remind myself that I didn't become a priest to be comfortable. The same can be true of accepting Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.

As we approach Pentecost, I am praying specifically for fortitude for all of us. 0therwise, how will the world ever come to know the great gift of a relationship with 0ur Lord Jesus Christ.

Lastly, if you haven't yet signed up for online giving for our parish. Please do so here: https://saintbernadette.weshareonline.org. Your gifts are needed now more than ever so we can continue the mission of the Church of making more disciples. Thank you for all who have helped to keep our parish going.

God Bless,
Fr. Don Kline, V.F.