Finding Peace in Unsettled Times

Finding Peace in Unsettled Times

Last week we shared a column from our Archbishop Richard Henning, in part because of the hope he sees arising in the church, and in part because at the time I had planned to write the column my head was spinning from my conversations with the Archbishop! As we shared with you at Masses last weekend, Archbishop Henning has asked me to remain as Pastor here a bit longer (several months or up to a year) until an appropriate pastorate opens up closer to my parents, as I had requested. While this is a major change from what we had been preparing for, I am happy that he has allowed me to stay here with all of you during this time, and I look forward to advancing ministry and property projects that I would have left unfinished.

 

Another minister of Christ (on a much higher level!) has been getting a lot of press over the last two weeks. His message has been focused on various aspects of the Peace the Risen Christ gives to his apostles and to us, His Peace that we are called to share with one another – especially if we dare to call ourselves Christians – disciples or followers of Christ. Some would say that Pope Leo is directly confronting the U.S. President and the military actions of the United States, but they would only be partially correct. Only a few of the Pope’s remarks have been directly related to the attack on Iran and encouraging U.S. citizens to contact their representatives in Congress, but even the secular press has acknowledged that this Pope has been consistent in his emphasis on peace long before the recent public criticism from our President (e.g., The Sun Chronicle cover story on Tuesday, April 21). Pope Leo has been addressing the abundance of violence and war in our world throughout his papacy, and this past week has been focused on examples of the results of oppression and colonization as he makes his long-anticipated pastoral visit to places in Africa. The Pope’s message is not political, it is the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, which needs to be lived in concrete ways in the world. The Church does not impose Christian faith on others, but we are called to propose the moral and ethical implications of Christ’s teachings for all the world – and the call to work toward peace for all is meant for everyone!

 

This call to live Gospel values more faithfully is echoed in the San Damiano Cross displayed on the new Paschal Candles we chose for our parishes this year, since 2026 is celebrated as the 800^th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi, who heard Christ speak from that cross, telling Francis to rebuild His Church. Saint Francis lived the radical fidelity to the Gospel through poverty, humility, fraternity, and care for creation. This centenary highlights his relevance in a time marked by division, materialism, and environmental crises. It calls believers to renewal of faith, deeper conversion, and a simpler, more joyful discipleship. More than a remembrance, it is a spiritual invitation to become instruments of Christ’s Peace in everyday life.

 

My friends, now is the time to rededicate ourselves to living the “boldness” our parishes chose to embrace as one of our top four values as a collaborative. This is not a time of passive waiting for a new pastor, but of continued growth as disciples and ministers of Christ. As your pastor for the foreseeable future, I look forward to continuing to walk this journey of faith with you… To paraphrase another great saint, “For you I am pastor, and with you I am Christian.”