From the Heart of Our Pastor, Father Stubna (10/22/2020)
Some years ago, our then Bishop of Pittsburgh, Bishop Donald Wuerl, wrote a pastoral letter entitled, Speaking the Truth in Love: Christian Discourse within the Church. Sadly, it was written out of necessity to address the manner in which some of the faithful were responding to the decisions and changes that were being made for the good of the Church as part of the parish reorganization. We were reminded in that pastoral letter that as members of the Church we share one faith, one baptism, one life in Jesus Christ. We are indeed brothers and sisters to each other, united in our love for God and his Church. That has to be the foundation of our relationship in the Church. “As Catholics,” Bishop Wuerl wrote, “We know that we work together in a very special way. We seek the common good. We invite Jesus to walk with us in our discussions and we pray that the Holy Spirit will enlighten our minds. We accept decisions for the good of the whole Church, even if at times we are saddened by these very difficult choices that have to be made.” At the heart of who we are as the Church is Christ’s call to love one another. Whatever diminishes love diminishes the Church. A measure of our love for God and for each other is how well we deal with frustration and disappointment. Both are a normal and frequent part of life. As Bishop Wuerl reminded us: “They need not lead to anger, rash judgement, or their public expression but rather to tolerance, trust and patience after the example of Jesus Christ. Love calls us to a higher standard as part of God’s family.”
We have worked hard over these past two years to bring our four former parishes together into one faith community. The realities confronting us as we undertake On Mission for the Church Alive are real and serious. None of our parishes can stand alone any longer and we must come together and create a new parish to serve the faithful not only in the short term, but importantly for many more years to come. This has not been an easy journey, I know, but one that is being done for the good of the faithful and the Church. Times and circumstances change. Our neighborhoods and communities are not what they used to be – even 20 years ago, let alone 50 or 60 years ago as some of us remember and cherish. But the present time calls us to do our duty in service to God and to the Church. It is our time to create a parish community that is vibrant, alive, faithful, and full of love for God and neighbor. We must do things differently. We have an obligation to be faithful and wise stewards of the resources we have available and this requires that things change.
But our journey, if it is rooted in faith, must always be based on trust and charity. Our discussions and dialogue must always be rooted in a deep respect for each other. There is never a time that disrespect and lack of charity is acceptable. As Bishop Wuerl wrote: “We are called to a higher level of respect for the truth and for each other than is often witnessed on some radio and television talk shows. The intensity of one’s opinion is not the same as the truth. Speaking out of anger does not justify falsehood. Frustration or disappointment does not condone a lack of charity.” As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us: “Respect for the reputation of persons forbids every attitude and word likely to cause them unjust injury and calls rash judgement, detraction and calumny offenses against the truth.”
I realize that the difficult decisions we need to make for the good of our parish and the long-term viability of the Church in Greenfield, Hazelwood and Oakland may be decisions that some disagree with or question. But what we do, we do out of a deep love for Jesus Christ, the Church and for one another on this journey of faith. We have shared the facts honestly and laid bare the realities of our finances, demographics, buildings, staffing and other key components of the life of our parish. Whether or not some choose to reject those facts, or doubt their accuracy, does not make them any less true. It is important to hear again those words of the bishop: “Christians must not only speak the truth but must also do so in love. It is not enough that we know or believe something to be true. We must express that truth in charity, with respect for others, so that the bonds between us can be strengthened in building up the Church of Christ.” Jesus calls us to be disciples who are aptly described as the light of the world and the salt of the earth. The way we engage in discourse with one another is not tangential but essential to how the world finds Jesus in us. Who would be drawn to a community whose discourse is filled with rancor, mistrust, disrespect and even hatred? We cannot highlight evangelization and then destroy its fondest hopes by the way we talk with and about one another.
Bishop Wuerl’s words are as timely and needed today as they were when they were written: “In the life of the Church, as in all communities, decisions need to be made. On such occasions it is the responsibility of the pastor to make the most conscientious decisions. Resolution to those in secular society often means “winning.” This is not the case within Christian discourse. We are not in the mode of personally winning or losing. We must all be concerned that it is the Church of Christ that benefits. For many in our day, immediate gratification is a primary concern. Within the context of the Christian discourse, however, we need to look at the larger picture and consider what is best not only for the present moment but also for the future, not only for a small group, but also for the whole. The paschal mystery of Jesus Christ speaks of dying and rising. At times, our own agendas must die so that the good of the whole might rise. Sometimes our own prized solutions must give way to what becomes apparent as the greater good for all.”
I have seen and experienced firsthand the anger, division, unkindness, disrespect and lack of charity that not only manifests itself in our country these days, but also in the Church and in the lives of some of our parishioners. This is never acceptable behavior for any reason. But I have also seen the faith of so many in our parish over these past years, and the great love that so many hold in their hearts for the Lord and for his Church – and the respect, care and understanding that so many of you have shown me as your pastor and the other members of our clergy team. I am deeply grateful for your kindness and support as we do what needs to be done. The faith of our parish is strong and it is this faith and unity that bears testimony to our ability to make difficult but necessary decisions and, above all, to our commitment to work quietly, calmly, peacefully and lovingly together as the Body of Christ. May God bless all of us who are committed to walk this journey together for the good of our parish family, for the good of the Church and most of all for our eternal salvation!