Traditionally in the Church this Sunday is called Good Shepherd Sunday yet the readings for this week focus more on the flock than on the Shepherd. In fact, biblical scholars tell us that the readings for this Sunday speak to a theme of unity in diversity, and that our focus should be redirected so that we celebrate the presence of the Risen Lord in our communities of difference.
Trinitarian Unity. In our theology we obtain our under-standing of the Trinity through glimpses into the sayings of Jesus Christ and of the early believers in the Church. We hear Jesus talk about the relationship He shares with the Father, a unity that shows them as One in the Godhead, yet still distinct. Scholars tell us that this is “a foundational unity,” and that it sheds light on the relationship that Jesus has with His flock, “it is a relationship that cannot be undermined by another” and so no one can then destroy this relationship we share with Jesus just as no one can destroy or separate the relationship between Christ and His Father. There-fore, the relationship between the Father and Son is similar to our personal relationship with the Christ, if we believe, hear, and fol-low His word; if we are His sheep and He is our Shepherd. Ac-cording to experts, the relationship between a human shepherd and the sheep is quite unique, even to the point that they—the sheep—recognize the shepherd‟s voice as well as his movements and will follow the shepherd anywhere he calls them. When this Gospel was written and while Jesus ministered on earth, the people of the day understood full well Christ‟s use of this terminology.
In the first two readings today the communities that are illustrated depict them comprised of people from “every nation, race, people, and tongue, Jews and Gentiles alike” (remember John‟s vision in Revelation—the multitudes hail from all peoples). This is the make of many of our Catholic parish communities today. No longer do we have the strictly Irish or Polish or Italian or Lithuanian parishes. Rather, today those parishes that came into being out of a particular cultural identity have slowly changed in makeup as thriving young parishes give way to retirement communities; mono-cultural parishes are no bi- or tri-lingual; the melting pot scenario has transformed our landscape in such a way diversity is considered a vital contribution to our Being. Some may even begin to see this as a fulfillment of Jesus‟ prayer that „all might be one.” What we need to see this as is that despite our differences in skin color, or traditions, or “ways of life,” we are all joined in the common confession of Faith, we are all brothers and sisters of Christ, and we are all children of the One, True God. We must come to see this as our Communal Unity.
This all leads to a price, according to Sister Dianne Bergant, C.S.A., and that price of diversity can often be resentment. Many times when a group has a long-established track record and a new group comes along the former can view the latter as an invasion of foreigners…look at the way they drove Paul and Barnabas out of the synagogue. Change can often be perceived as a threat rather than as new gifts coming into the group which, if embraced, can enrich the current with new ideas. Sometimes we see these new ideas, new people, and new groups not as helpers but rather as “people with little or no appreciation of the established form of life, manner of expression, or way of perceiving God,” Sister Dianne Bergant states. After all, we are reminded of the “company of the blessed revealed in John‟s vision, …those garbed in white robes, and who carry palm branches of victory come from every nation and race and people and tongue.” Sister Dianne notes that we would see in the end that unity in diversity will win out. And that all will be united yet distinct, as are Jesus and the one He calls the Father. He is the shepherd. We are all His sheep. And when we hear His Word, recognize it as the Word of God and then follow it to the best of our human abilities count-ing on His grace in our lives, then and only then are we united with Him as He is with the Father. Unity—it is an enduring thing!
Updates on Buildings & Grounds. Some on-going maintenance is taking place around the church: (1) Eagle Scout Candidate James DePasquale, who did an outstanding job on the four main “exterior” atrium doors is now working his magic on six of the “exterior” doors in Russell Hall. As you might recall, the wooden doors that lead from the atrium and Russell Hall to the outdoors are actually interior doors. Thus, the beating they have taken from the sun and the elements has completely worn off the varnish and denigrated the wood. James‟ work, which includes some help from other scouts, is giving us a few years to prepare for the eventuality of installing actual exterior doors. I am grateful for James‟ dedication and talent as this community service enables us to do other projects while we plan for the future. (2) You may have noticed the peeling paint on the outside of the church near the alcove at the vestibule entrance. That exterior wall will be scraped, power washed, primed and painted over the next few weeks. (3) quotes are being obtained for repairs and expansion of the walkway to the Marian Garden. Tony Drapelick has been working on that and parishioner Ben Dunning of Dunning Gravel has graciously donated the bricks so that our costs are labor only. (4) With the success of the sound proofing of Russell Hall we sought a quote last year for similar work to be done in the atrium so that that space could become more usable for functions along with Russell Hall. Last year the Finance Council approved a quote for the work but due to the installer‟s schedule it could not be completed. As luck would have it, new technologies will allow us to begin with a smaller but hopefully equally beneficial solution which should lower the overall cost associated with this necessary project. We hope to finalize the quote next week and begin the sound-proofing work. (5) The Women‟s Club is planning their annual work on the church grounds this week getting ready for the outdoor season and to make our grounds look beautiful for both First Holy Communion on May 1st and Confirmation on May 8th. Bishop Peter Rozzaza will be our principle celebrant for Confirmation. I want to thank the Women‟s Club in advance for their volunteerism and wonderful work they do all spring and summer to keep our grounds and flowers looking so beautiful!
Protecting God’s Children: As part of the Church‟s program to Protect All of God‟s Children, the Archdiocese of Hartford trains and recruits facilitators to help implement our Safe Environments Program—a program aimed at enlisting Church employees, volunteers and clergy in building up an atmosphere that does not tolerate inappropriate behavior of any kind, particularly relating to child abuse. While I was in Boston as a deacon I was trained as a facilitator and have been “re-upped” to work on this program in our own Archdiocese. This will entail working with others to implement criminal background checks of all clergy, paid employees, and all volunteers that have regular contact with children. In addition, we will hold Virtus training sessions here at Saint Catherine of Siena for our own folks as well as for parishes in the Farmington Valley. I encourage you to participate in this endeavor and to ask me any questions you might have with regard to Protecting God‟s (and our) Children. Our next Virtus training program is planned for Monday, June 14 at 7 p.m.
