Together on the Journey: A Weekly Word from Archbishop Hebda
I suspect that most would agree that there’s been a heaviness in our community these days. Ever since the deadly shooting of Renee Good on Portland Avenue last Wednesday, I find myself googling “Minneapolis” every few hours to learn of the latest developments in a situation that truly tears at the heart.
Bishop Izen, Bishop Kenney and I were all away on retreat with the other bishops of our region last week, so we had plenty of opportunity to pray. I was praying for: consolation for the grieving members of the Good family; wisdom for our political leaders here and in Washington; prudence and safety for those charged with enforcing our laws; temperance on the part of those protesting; healing for those wounded by the divisions that cleave our state and our nation (especially our young); courage for our neighbors who have been living in fear; and a sense of hope for families directly impacted by the detention of loved ones.
You won’t be surprised that I was also praying for our parish priests, deacons, pastoral ministers and educators who are dealing firsthand with all of these tensions, striving to bring the light of the Gospel and the balm of Jesus’ love into these difficult situations.
Of course, I was also praying for peace, especially as we concluded the season that celebrates the birth of the Prince of Peace. I found it providential that the Church would have given us as our psalm response at yesterday’s Mass, commemorating Jesus’ baptism, the affirmation from Psalm 29: “The Lord will bless his people with peace.” I am confident that the Lord keeps his promises, but I am hoping that he won’t keep us waiting too long. Maybe I should be praying for patience.
In the midst of these heavy times, we’re particularly blessed this evening to be hosting Bishop Andrew Cozzens, the bishop of Crookston, who is returning to the archdiocese for a 6:30 p.m. presentation entitled “A Wounded Church: Finding Peace and Healing.” The event will be held at St. John the Baptist in New Brighton and is open to the public (register here). It will begin with Mass at 5:30 p.m., and conclude with Eucharistic adoration at 7:30 p.m. How providential that the evening event, planned months ago, would have been scheduled to coincide with this challenging time. Bishop Cozzens is going to be leading a morning of recollection on that same topic tomorrow for our Archdiocesan staff. Thank you, Bishop Cozzens!
If Bishop Cozzens or the events of these days inspire you to be instruments of peace and healing, I hope that you might think about contacting any of our parishes serving immigrant communities to see how you might support them in their ministry. Since the beginning of December, our immigrant parishes have seen drastic reductions in the number of parishioners attending Mass. I celebrated Mass at two of our Latino parishes yesterday, and they both had fewer than 50% of their usual congregations. A number of parishioners expressed to me their concerns about how the parishes will be able to continue their excellent ministry and outreach to the needy if Mass attendance (and offertory) remains low. I’m confident that it would be a shot in the arm for them if you could join them some weekend.
I also would be grateful if you would continue to pray for Father Greg Schaffer (a priest of our archdiocese who serves as the pastor of our mission parish in Venezuela) and for the parishioners he so generously serves. In the aftermath of the extraction of the Venezuelan president, the U.S. State Department has described the situation in Venezuela as being particularly dangerous for Americans. Please be sure to pray for Father Greg as he discerns an appropriate response to this development.
Finally, and on a more joyful note, I hope that you will join me in wishing Bishop Izen a very happy birthday! May the Lord bless him with many more.
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