CHRIST THE DIVINE SHEPHERD PARISH  

In the great roster of saints, there are relatively few that have the appendage “the great” added to their names, which is why I think it’s more than a happy accident that they are all celebrated so closely together.  There is no canonical process required before we can refer to a saint as “the great”.  No dicastery in the Vatican makes that kind of decision. A saint is referred to as “the great” only through the constant and common acclimation of the People of God. In other words, if they’re still referring to you as “the great” several generations after you’ve passed,  then it’ll probably stick.  So the question becomes, what do I have to do to get people to refer to me as “the great”? And the answer simply seems to be this: be holy and love others.

Gertrude was great not simply because she was a mystic who had powerful visions, but because she shared those visions with others and taught people about the love that is in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Albert was great not because he was a brilliant philosopher and theologian, but because his knowledge of God led to a real relationship with Him, one that he shared with his students. Leo and Nicholas were great not because they were popes, but because of their ascetical way of life and deep devotion to their people.

So why is it beyond coincidence that these feast days ended up so closely together? As we approach the end of the liturgical year, we focus on the four last things - one of which is judgment. If we were to be judged on our personal holiness, or if we were to be judged on how we loved others, would we be called great? Would we even receive a passing grade?  As we prepare to begin a new year of grace, let us ask these four “great” saints to pray for us that we, too, might do great things in building up the Kingdom.

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Also, please note the parish office will be closed from Thursday until Tuesday the 28th. Daily Mass will still be celebrated as scheduled. 

If you are traveling, be safe!

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Parish Census- Our first parish census has begun. It is important that everyone participates so that we have accurate information for pastoral planning and so that we can communicate more effectively.  Census forms are available on the website and have been mailed to your home. 

Oremus pro invicem!

Father Michael Conway