The first time I gathered with parishioners came a few weeks after Cardinal George appointed me and a few weeks before I moved in. We sat and talked a while about hopes and dreams, expectations and needs. After the meeting broke up, I was talking to someone who mentioned that he lived around Devon and Pulaski. Not two minutes later, someone else told me he lived on 64th and Pulaski. I always remembered that because Devon Avenue and 64th Street are the same distance from the center line of the city. Since then, I’ve learned that others come from farther away. I thought to myself that this must be a special place to draw people back from such distances. It’s very easy to go to the neighborhood church, yet people make the commitment to come here Sunday after Sunday, year after year.
The Gospel today has a very simple message. Jesus is indignant when his disciples stop people from bringing children for his blessing. He is angry when anyone blocks another from feeling his love. As we celebrate the 104th anniversary of the founding of Holy Innocents Parish, let us be sure that we are not placing blocks on God’s love. Let us pray for one another, that all of us may have a deepening faith and success in our family and work. Let us pray for our nation, that we may come together to solve immigration issues and give many people true belonging in this land. Let us pray for ourselves, that we may remove the walls that prejudice and misunderstanding raise between us. Let us pray for our parish, that we may truly be a house of prayer for all peoples.
Happy Anniversary!
God bless all of us!
Fr. Phil Cyscon
I can understand why people keep coming back-a great group of people keep drawing me back as often as I can make it!
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