Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I recently celebrated Mass at Lakewood Catholic Academy in the chapel with the 6th grade. It was live streamed throughout the school for the other students in their classrooms, enabling everyone to participate. Students’ family members at home were also able to virtually participate. It’s not the ideal situation, but with the present Covid situation they do their best to offer this form of communal Mass. When it comes time for the distribution of Holy Communion, the students wait patiently in the hallways for Eucharistic ministers. Their patience is an example of service to the Lord.
Last Monday I was invited to bless the prayer blankets created by our P.S.R. families that will be presented to those of our community that are in need of special prayers. What a beautiful act of service that our families offer as they are attentive to the needs of other people. This act of compassion is a service to the Lord.
Our young people are blessed with spiritual gifts. In St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, we hear about spiritual gifts. He encourages his listeners – and us – to recognize our spiritual gifts. Like St. Paul, let us recognize the spiritual gifts of others, especially in the lives of our young people. Waiting in line for Communion and making a prayer blanket may seem like a simple task, but that “simple” service is their profound expression of their spiritual gift in service of the Lord.
We need to provide reminders to our young people, like St. Paul to his followers, to recognize their spiritual gifts and cultivate them. Our witness of faith is essential, but our words of encouragement are vital in letting them know how important they are in the service of the Lord.
Christ’s Peace!
Fr. Workman