Star of the Sea liturgies ‘reverent, relevant’: Archbishop

This is an excerpt of a homily by Archbishop Miller during a visit to Star of the Sea Parish Oct. 31 to Nov. 3. More information about parish visits, including photos from past events, here.

This experience of meeting– even if often too briefly – so many people who are engaged in the life your parish family has been encouraging. In addition to celebrating Mass with the children, visiting classrooms, and meeting with the teachers at your wonderful school, which so intentionally focuses on living its Catholic identity, I had the pleasure of visiting with nearly every parish group, committee or association. 

I heard of their contributions to building up the parish, often over many years of dedicated service; I picked up tips on the creative ways you do things that I can share with other parishes; and I offered my own observations on certain questions that came up in discussion.

Above all, I was able to learn first-hand why you are rightly proud of your parish family as well as some of the challenges you face as a large and diverse community of faith and outreach. Resolving particular challenges can only come about through the action of God’s grace, which we must humbly implore. It is prayer, and only prayer, that enables us to preserve what St. Paul calls the “unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3).

It has also been inspiring for me to witness first-hand how your parish family, under the zealous guidance of your pastor, is living out its mission as, in your words: “A Roman Catholic community who follows Jesus Christ and invites others to do the same.”

You have set for yourselves two principal goals as a parish: to facilitate parishioners to be friends and followers of Jesus Christ who have a personal relationship with him, and to go forth and invite others into friendship with Jesus in the family of the Church.

You’ve pledged to be, to sum it all up, what Pope Francis calls “missionary disciples.”

Among you is a great abundance of spiritual gifts and good works. The attention given to the Liturgy and the participation of so many – probably hundreds in your three churches of Holy Cross, Good Shepherd, and Star of the Sea – to make the celebration of the Eucharist reverent and relevant is noteworthy and impressive. Nor can I fail to mention the special graces that comes to your parish from having a chapel of Perpetual Adoration where the blessings of Lord are constantly invoked.

Your outreach to the wider community is also exemplary. We are called – after being fed and re-charged by our parish prayer and sacramental life – to “go out” as witnesses to the Gospel – and through very many groups and ministries you do this dedication, great creativity and generosity. I certainly urge every parishioner, without exception, to place his or her gifts and talents at the service of the parish family, even if you must limit your involvement because of other commitments. 

We all know it is necessary to intentionally invite others to share in our ministry, especially those who are younger and not yet as fully integrated and involved as those who have found a home here for many years. Welcoming new members to our organizations and planning on succession are necessary for a community to flourish as the good Lord wishes.