An open letter to Our Lady of Grace parishioners

May 13, 2015 · 0 Comments

I am writing this as an appeal to all of you to strengthen your faith at this, our time of turmoil and to consider coming to church as before, instead of being bitter about all that has taken place these past few months.
It is sad when even one person stops coming to church, let alone so many of us.
I understand we have suffered a loss, in spite of daily fervent prayers from all of us. During the weekday rosary, one decade was frequently offered for “Fr. Gorman and our parish community.”
That only proves how much we cared. Any loss is hard to accept and it has been very difficult for us all, but “God is not deaf.”
He has heard each one’s prayer and knows what is in our heart. But God also knows what is best for our parish and this is the choice He has given us all.
Let us learn from another faith community in Aurora. They suffered too when their church burned down. I am sure it broke their hearts, but they stood united and strong and I feel this is the way they are working towards their healing.
To my knowledge they did not blame anyone for their disaster.
Our damage is spiritual, but we need to follow their wise ways. Anger, bitterness and resentment will not heal us. We go to church not to please so-and-so, or because of so-and-so. We go to church to show God our love and dependence on Him.
Let us remember the many times we have come to church to thank God for His mercy and goodness. He will not let anyone down.
Reading a few things in an article in The Auroran hurt me and that is why I am writing.
Being Christian, we should not treat our church and especially our needy people in such way, saying the attendance has gone down and the Share Life goal has not been met.
Two parables of Jesus; one about the “Pharisee and the Publican” and the other “Widow’s mite” come to mind.
Jesus has taught us to be humble and repentant. In my opinion, our contribution to Share Life campaign is equivalent to the “Widow’s mite” in the Bible.
If God gives us so much, then we can share some of that so much we have with the less fortunate. In our town, city and country we have people in need of help from Share Life charities. We have to remind ourselves to sincerely pray and thank God that only by His grace and mercy alone we ourselves are not the recipients of such help.
We should also keep in mind that what God gives God can also take away.
I have two questions for Cardinal Collins and Bishop Kirkpatrick:
What is the criteria for promoting a priest to a pastor?
Will they be choosing someone inexperienced from close by as our next pastor?
I pray that God grant us parishioners the grace to bear our cross willingly and may Jesus the Good Shepherd bring us all back to the fold. May we love God and our neighbour as ourselves as we are commanded to.