Dear parishioners:
It was St. Francis of Assisi who said these words: “All the darkness in the
world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” These words tragically became a lived reality for the
Catholic Church last Tuesday when a grand jury report was released in
Pennsylvania revealing the names of over 300 wicked shepherds who preyed on 1000
innocent vulnerable lambs. Countless clergy and laity across the US are horrified
by the findings in the recently released report in Pennsylvania. Justified emotions such as anger, sadness,
shame, disappointment and mistrust toward the Church have risen to the surface. The bottom line is some of the Church’s leaders have
failed their flock and the Church with evil actions and need to be held accountable
for their actions.
Although the Church is experiencing a sense of extreme
darkness and probably will for some time, the light of Jesus Christ which is
inside each of us will lead us to victory. We experience this light through the many good
shepherds who are assisting their flocks to grow in holiness. We experience this light through the works of
the laity, who are making a positive difference in the world. We experience this light through the
Sacraments especially the Eucharist where Jesus reveals Himself as the Bread of
Life.
My dear friends let us continue to pray for continued healing
of the victims and their families and for the purification of our Church. During this time we need to continue to remain close
to the Sacraments that give us Hope. May
Blessed Mother, who is our life, our sweetness, and our hope wrap her mantle of
love around us and our Church that we may not feel despair at this time but
journey with the Hope and Light of Jesus Christ.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers for
me and the priests and brothers of The Rock Hill Oratory.
