Jan 22, 2016
by Fr. Joe Nassal, C.PP.S., Provincial Director
As we commemorated the life and witness of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a quote from Andrew Fletcher caught my eye: “Martin Luther King was attracted to human hardship,” he wrote. “He did not react to suffering by simply rising to the occasion when he came across it. He sought it out.” Dr. King was following the example of Jesus who often sought out difficult and dangerous situations to bring mercy, compassion, healing and peace.
Recall the story of the man with the withered hand (Mark 3, 1-6). Jesus knew the religious leaders were watching him “closely to see if he would cure him on the Sabbath so that they might accuse him.” Jesus calls the man with the withered hand to come and stand with him. As he heals the man with the command, “Stretch out your hand,” he is challenging the scribes and Pharisees to stretch their hearts, to see in a new way, to be more inclusive and open.
While most of us want to avoid conflict at all costs, Jesus was willing to step in the middle of the conflict as the mediator of God’s mercy and compassion. This is one of the challenges for ministers of mercy and ambassadors of reconciliation, what we often call the willingness to “stand in the breach.” It is one of the qualities we admire in Dr. King, Andrew Fletcher writes, the “consistent way in which he chose to expose himself to suffering.”
As people of the Precious Blood, we are engaged daily in the paschal mystery. Indeed, our Constitution states, “Before his incorporation into the Congregation the candidate undergoes a special program of religious formation which includes a more intense experience of the paschal mystery…. (c35).” We don’t seek out situations of suffering because we’re masochists; we do it because as ministers of mercy we seek to do what Jesus did: to stand in solidarity with those who suffer. That is why, according to Fletcher, Martin Luther King “claimed that he would choose to live during no other time in history than during the second half of the twentieth century, when, as he put it, the world was ‘all messed up.’”
The world is still ‘all messed up’ and people of faith—especially Precious Blood people—want to seek out those people and places where we can help. We seek to stand with those who are suffering, those who are excluded, those who are marginalized, those who are pushed away from society and the church’s table. It is the least comfortable place to be but we do it because as Pope Francis wrote in The Joy of the Gospel, Jesus “has taken the initiative” and “loved us first,” so we are able to “move forward, boldly take the initiative, go out to others, seek those who have fallen away, stand at the crossroads and welcome the outcast. Such a community has an endless desire to show mercy (24).”
Jan 17, 2016
The Bible is both one of the most read books on earth and one of the most misunderstood. It is disturbing when it challenges our comfort zone, and at once comforts us with a merciful love that calls all of us as disciples. Perhaps one theme here is vocation, and another (Psalm 71) a humble life submission to God. Neither road is set out as th easy road to travel. The very next thing Jesus does is to call his disciples to take this road of disturbing and radical love with him.
OT 4 C Lectionary Catechesis
Jan 14, 2016
The second reading continues from last Sunday. The surface of the reading focuses on the Liturgy of the Word, and more deeply on Jesus’ proclamation of the year of grace and favor from God. Pehaps a parish could outline its engagement in the year of mercy, or promote the corporal works of mercy in a special way. Perhaps one could reflect on the over- and under utilized populations of the parish in ministries.
OT 3 C Lectionary Catechesis
Jan 8, 2016
by Br. Daryl Charron, C.PP.S., Director of Peace & Justice Committee
Our Kansas City Province corporate stance against gun violence states that we advocate for the requirement that more stringent background checks be done before a person can purchase a gun. We profess that uncontrolled and unlimited access to weapons and ammunition of any amount and any type do not foster a culture of life. This week President Obama announced new measures to reduce gun violence in the United States. Using executive action he proposes that all high-volume gun sellers at gun shows and on the internet must conduct background checks. He has suggested measures to improve enforcement of existing gun laws to strengthen the background check system.
We learned from Vincent DeMarco at our gun violence prevention workshop a couple months ago that background checks are the single most effective way to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people and save lives. Gun violence in the United States reached epidemic levels in 2015 with 330 mass shootings. We need to do our part in promoting gun violence prevention. The President’s actions will empower prosecutors to go after people who profit by selling guns to dangerous individuals. Please pray that these executive actions take hold and effect change in our country for a safer environment.
Jan 7, 2016
by Elizabeth Heule
Precious Blood Center Update – December 2015
As we come to the end of 2015 and look to the future we continue to bring to life and expand the vision of our community for the Precious Blood Center.
The Center welcomed many guests who came for gathering of various types. Once again we saw an increase of guests from the prior year. More and more people have found the Center to be a great place for gathering and renewal. Our guests feel welcomed and well cared for. We look forward to welcoming even more in 2016.
In 2015 we also completed a major infrastructure improvement construction project – the connection of our sewer system to the city system. Our campus was constructed with a septic tank system which ultimately drains to lateral fields. These lateral fields had failed or were failing at each end of our campus. The best response was to connect to the city sewer system, in keeping with our commitment to the environment and our promise to the city of Liberty. Construction began in mid-summer with preconstruction work and was completed mid-November with site cleanup. The project consisted of installation of a main line extending to and across South Liberty Parkway to our west, and then a connector line from this main to each building. Little evidence now remains of such a major site construction project. New grass and landscaping is in place and seemingly thriving. A spring adjacent to the lake dock was exposed through this construction process and will become one of the many small garden areas developed around the lake perimeter, for rest, meditation and prayer.
Moving into 2016 we look forward to facility and site upgrades, such as construction of a labyrinth and with great excitement we will be welcoming, Family Promise of the Northland.
Family Promise helps the unemployed and underemployed homeless families in Clay and Platt counties achieve self-sufficiency. Partnering with local agencies families are referred to their program. They then assist the guests to find housing, community assistance and jobs as required. Guests are screened for substance abuse and psychiatric issues prior to acceptance in the program.
We will be a host partner, providing overnight lodging, meals and hospitality for one to four families four times per year. Precious Blood Center will provide the lodging, Annunciation Parish from Kearney, Missouri will provide the volunteer coordinator and the volunteers required to provide the meals and hospitality. Guests will stay for one week, four times per year as we begin this new ministry. To serve those on the margins in this ways is a great fit for Precious Blood Center and has considerable opportunities for expansion. The weeks are scheduled in advance for the year, allowing preparation and coordination time.
Several other gatherings are already on our calendar for the coming year as well. We will host the Midwest Retreat Ministries, Precious Blood Leadership Council, Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty Retreat, Precious Blood Volunteer retreat, LGBT workshop, men and women’s Cursillos, and local parish staff and faculty reflection/retreat days.
We honor St. Gaspar and our spirituality as we continue with our doors open to all. Please contact me, if you have questions or any comments concerning the Precious Blood Center. We are always open to hear from you.
by Fr. Joe Nassal, C.PP.S., Provincial Director
