Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Message from the Pastor



                                 "WELCOME"

In many instances of dealing with people, we use the word WELCOME in two different contexts. First, we use it to express that we receive with pleasure someone who is NEW and we show initial hospitality to this arriving visitor. The words: “You are welcome to join us” gives the receiver a pleasant feeling of ACCEPTANCE permitting one to “BE A PART”. Meaning, a person agrees or permits or admits the other to incorporate or to connect. Secondly, it is used as an expression as in “You are welcome” to acknowledge an expression of gratitude (after someone said: ‘Thank You’).

The word “Welcome” to receive someone warmly is almost present in many cultural languages. In my Filipino tongue, it would be, “MALIGAYANG PAGDATING” and in Spanish, it would BIENVENIDO! And so for this weekend, I would like to say to our new parishioners, “WELCOME!”.

There was an old story told by a pastor in a parish that once there was a person who just moved in within the location of his parish. This person visited the church and commented like this to the pastor, “Father, you have such a nice ‘church’, wonderful stained glass windows, awesome flower arrangements, enticing church bell sounds and many more. I think I would like to belong to your parish”. The pastor replied, “Well, that is just our church building; wait till you see the REAL Church this weekend…”

The pastor must be referring here to the COMMUNAL Church (the people) and not more of the church as structure, building or edifice. Of course everything starts with simple beginnings and later develops. Like in our GOSPEL for this Sunday, we are asked to be productive by using one’s ability to MULTIPLY good things or resources. In a way, it is an INVESTMENT!
When two or more people encounter each other, the factor of OPENNESS has to be there. Even when one welcomes the other, it would mean opening your DOOR or your LIFE to that person. But speaking of welcoming a person, there was an incident when I was in New Guinea, not aware that a priest who is to visit us was formerly assigned in that location, my “WELCOME, here Father”, was responded by: “I WAS HERE BEFORE YOU!”…(Oooppss…Sorry). Although it was sarcastically done by the person, the positive side of it is that, this priest still “considers” himself as connected to the place even after many years have passed.
In Jesus’ ministry, we can recall that not all the villages he visited were WELCOMING to him. It is part of life that we cannot please/convince everybody! But to our new parishioners joining us, make St Brendan you home of you faith…
If Jesus has said: “I don’t call you slaves no longer, but I now call you friends”; we can put it in line with this as to say to our new parishioners: “You are visitors  or guests no longer, you are now members of this parish.” Consider yourself as one of us or belonging to us. And responding further to our Gospel, develop your faith by taking some ministries you are comfortable doing to serve others.
Let your talents grow and multiply…. YOU ARE NOW MEMBERS of this PARISH!
WELCOME
 Fr. Ted