Fr. Tom’s Letters

Each week Fr. Tom writes a letter to parishioners in our bulletin. Every letter is comprehensive, including current information about the Parish, an explanation of Scripture for that Sunday, and an invitation to become more engaged in the life of the parish.

October 20, 2024

Dear Parishioners,

As Americans we hear and read every day about the contentious elections that will take place on November 5. While the presidential and congressional elections capture the greatest attention, on the New York State ballot, the vote on Proposal One is very important. Bishop barres has taken the lead on Long Island in explaining how this Proposition One proposal is a real threat to some very important realities, ones that touch us on how we practice our faith, live our gospel mission, especially in terms of health care and hospital ministry, and support the vocational call of moms and dads. The passage of Proposition One would limit religious freedom, threaten Catholic-based health care and the important contribution of Catholic hospitals to health care here on Long Island and diminish the respect and dignity of the vocation and responsibility that parents are called to by God. Parental wisdom, oversight, and permission is critical to the life of a child. I encourage you to be prepared as you enter the voting booth on November 5 to cast your vote that rejects this proposal that violates our religious freedom and violates the vocation of parents and undermines family life. Bishop Barres’ letter is reprinted in today’s bulletin.

While the debates, arguments, and speeches of this political season have captured our focus, another very important Catholic event has been taking place at the Vatican. The Synod on Synodality, which began two years ago at the parish level, is drawing to a significant concluding point this month. After this part of the Synod ends during late October, the Church will await Pope Francis’ conclusions, teachings, and exhortations. As I have always enjoyed the writings of Pope Francis, I await with anticipation his written reflections that will be based on the three-year synod process.

What are some of the things that have been happening this past month at the synod meetings in Rome? They began in the spirit of a retreat. Timothy Radcliff, OP, a Dominican priest offered a series of reflections based on the Resurrection stories of the gospel. Pope Francis must have enjoyed these faith-filled reflection of Father Radcliffe. About ten days later, along with 20 others, Pope Francis named Father Radcliffe a cardinal of the Church.

As has been the case all through the synod process, a foundational summons of the synod has been to listen to the Holy Spirit. One of the reasons I have found the Synod so inviting of my attention is that it offers a contrast to the acrimony exchanged between candidates for so many of the elected officers that will be determined in November.

One of the lessons I remember from 54 years ago from my junior year religion class with Fr. Albert Bertoni at Chaminade was the maxim from a Christian philosopher: “Life is a mystery to be lived, not a problem to be solved. In a sense, Pope Francis’s emphasis on listening and the Holy Spirit reminds me of that maxim. Back in the spring, Pope Francis offered a series of reflections on the Holy Spirit. Writing about “confusion” at the synod, one commentator offered: “But confusion at this stage may not be a bad thing. As Pope Francis has often said, the Holy Spirit first creates confusion and then brings harmony, as happened at the first Pentecost. Indeed, he has repeatedly reminded participants, ‘The Holy Spirit is the protagonist at the synod.”

Perhaps the words of Cardinal-elect Radcliffe describe well the purposes and activity of the synod. “…the Church enters more deeply into the mystery of the Divine Love by dwelling with deep questions to which we have no quick answers.”

The synod seeks to understand how the global Church is truly universal, a home for all people who share our faith. The universal Church is one of tremendous diversity among her people and culture. The synod aspires to promote the unity of the Church while understanding, supporting, and promoting our diversity. Our unity as Church and diversity as persons are not opposites nor are they in opposition.

About the questions of unity and diversity, mission and ministry that the synod seeks to explore, Fr. Radcliffe said: “We must not run away from the difficult questions…We dwell with these questions in the silence of prayer and mutual listening. We listen, as someone said, not so as to reply but so as to learn. We stretch open our imagination to new ways of being the household of God which has room for everyone…”

As the synod draws close to its conclusion and we receive reflections from the process of the past three years, I look forward to receiving Pope Francis’ writings so that I might share them with you.

Have a peace-filled week!

BISHOP BARRES' LETTER CAN BE FOUND IN BOTH THE DIGITAL AND PRINTED VERSIONS OF THIS WEEKEND'S BULLETIN

Fr. Tom

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