Jubilee Year: Happy Christmas Anniversary
JUBILEE YEAR – Happy Christmas Anniversary
As we come to the end of our year-long celebration of St. Francis de Sales parish community, we say “thanks for all that has been” and “yes to all that God has in mind.” Not long ago the singer Earth Momma released a song entitled, We Are Standing On The Shoulders. Using her lyrics let’s reflect on where we have been and where we are going.
“We are standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before us.
They are saints and they are sinners; they are friends.”
Our parish community was/is made of limited, very human people, who with God’s grace, attempt to live as the Body of Christ here in Abingdon.
“We can see beyond the struggles and the troubles and the challenge when we know that, by our efforts, things will be better in the end.”
Our parish faith-community exists today because our fore-mothers and fore-fathers had a vision, risked, sacrificed and were hopeful, that God’s Kingdom was being further created in and through them.
“They lift me higher than I could every fly. I imagine our world if they hadn’t tried. We wouldn’t be here celebrating today.”
Through the passion, trust and courage of so many others, WE ARE ST. FRANCIS today. Let us join our hands, minds and hearts to continue in their spirit.
“I will stand a little taller, I will work a little longer, and my shoulders will be there to hold the ones who follow me.”
As we begin our journey into the future, what part are we willing to play in carrying our inheritance forward? We, who have been so blessed and graced in our common Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation, have heard Christ Jesus’ call to follow him. Will we also let Christ’s love be revealed in us not only in our parish community but also in our wider world? Are we willing, as were our ancestors in faith, to be risk-takers, and people of hope? Is each one of us willing to share our time, talent and treasure to move the St. Francis de Sales parish community into the next 150 years? Remember we are God’s people – we are St. Francis de Sales. To which we respond
“Deo gratias! Ad multos annos! Thanks be to God! To many years!
By Beth Taneyhill