Last week our we had a parish mission in the Polish language. Next week we will have a mission in English. It will run from Palm Sunday evening until the following Wednesday. It will be conducted by Mr. Bill Wegner of Good News International which has given over 300 missions in the United States and in other countries.
The title of our particular mission is Our Call to Holiness. We will have the opportunity to reflect upon this from a lay person's point of view which is true for all of us. We are called by God to be in His image. We are called by Him to be who He wants us to be. Moreover, each of us receives a call from God no matter who we are or where we are according to His plan. So, holiness is being in the image and likeness of God whatever our state in life is and wherever we find ourselves to be at every moment in our lives. It's being a true daughter and son of God. And how do we do that? We live it by being one with the Son, Jesus Christ, our Brother and Lord. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in union with Him, we do the will of His Father.
The Sacraments are necessary for us to live this life. The Eucharist is also called Holy Communion because it makes us intimately united with our Lord. To receive worthily we need to be in the state of grace, that is, without being conscious of any mortal sin. So, we need the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession. Of course, before all of this can happen, we need to be baptized. In Confirmation, the Holy Spirit strengthens us in living our union with Jesus. Matrimony enables husband and wife to live this holy union with each other and their children. Holy Orders unites a man in a particular way with Christ so that he is actually in His Person as a priest and has the power to administer the Sacraments. Finally, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick enables the person to keep and strengthen the union with our Savior.
God certainly takes care of us, helping us to be united with Himself—helping us to be holy.
So, come to the mission next week. I believe that you will enjoy it by finding it rewarding. I am looking forward to all of us having a renewed enthusiasm for our faith.
Fr. Stanley
