December 19th, 2021

Jesus Christ: Yesterday, Today, and Forever ~

As the title of this column suggests, I have a few things to share about the Church as we roll toward Christmas and the end of another year.

The first is the state of the Catholic (universal) Church. Some of you are aware that Pope Francis has called for a synod on synodality. The words synodality or synod are a bit ambiguous, but its basic meaning in the context of the Church, is a body which gives the pope a way of discussing the issues of the day, and receiving feedback and advice from the episcopacy (bishops). Popes have always done this, consulting with their bishops on different matters, in one form or another. Pope Francis has used synods as a way of giving him legitimacy for making changes in the Church that he wants to see. Pope Francis wants to use the coming synod on synodality like previous popes have used ecumenical councils, such as Vatican II, to make permanent changes in the Church. Pope Francis’ changes don’t appear too much to be about trying to change doctrine, truths about the faith and morals, so much as Pope Francis wants to use the synod to change the way in which the Church is organized and ministers to people. Changing the focus of the Church from the Glory of God and the salvation of souls, to the edification of people and helping them with their material and emotional needs. We’ll see how this goes.

The German bishops are in a multi-year process of synodality and should wrap their synod up by this February. So far it looks as if the German bishops are using synodality to legitimatize optional celibacy for priests, ordination of women, blessings of sodomitical unions, and giving Holy Communion to anyone (Catholic or not, mortal sin or not). If the German bishops go ahead with this plan, then I think there will be great confusion for the whole Catholic Church unless Pope Francis makes some things very clear, which he is not prone to do. So between what the German bishops are already primed to do, the pope’s ambiguity, and the worlds bishops entering into an undefined synod on synodality to explore changes for the Church – we all have a lot to pray for – and trust Our Lord in. 2022 will be an interesting year for the Church, and potentially very challenging. We at Holy Redeemer will continue to live and teach the same faith that has been passed down to us from Jesus and the apostles. Stay strong in the faith. Others need us to be lighthouses, guiding them safely into the harbor of Our Lord amidst the confusion and division in the Church.

Here at home, the dispensation to skip Mass has ended (with lots of exceptions) but Mass attendance doesn’t reflect that. I’ve heard from a few different pastors who share the same thing: Mass attendance has not increased with the return of the obligation to attend Mass. At Holy Redeemer Mass attendance is down about 30% from pre-covid numbers (sad, but much better than many other parishes), while financial giving is only down 3.5%. Of the 1000 plus who attend Mass here, we have a great core of practicing Catholics to grow from.

We are so fortunate to be here at Holy Redeemer, I hope you know that. We have so many things going for us that most other parishes don’t have and would love to have; namely – each of you! Be sure to thank Our Lord for those blessings and continue to seek in the coming year, our parish’s mission of glorifying God and sanctifying souls.

In Jesus and Mary,