June 30, 2002

Father Owen's Homilies

Homily, Sunday, June 30, 2002

In place of the usual homily, this Sunday I would like to make some remarks about the Future Full of Hope Capital Campaign. This Sunday marks the end of the fund raising. In the long run I hope we will look back on this experience as a profitable one for our parishes. This campaign has been a challenge to me and to Sister since neither of us has ever been a part of such an effort. I judge that it has been a challenge to the Parish Councils and other volunteers. The Parish Secretaries have taken on an extra measure of work. As your pastor, I am especially grateful to the Presidents, the members, and the secretaries. Many of you said, “yes” to my request for volunteers to help call on individual persons. We are grateful to you.

Over all I welcome the opportunity for us to expand our vision and our horizons to see the larger Archdiocesan Church. Mound City, KS seems so remote and yet, we seem so remote to the people there. Yet, we are all one in the Body of Christ as we have communicated at the common table. The Church especially today needs a common vision in this time of crisis, a time to heal a breech of trust. Perhaps the value of this campaign is in the doing and not in the amount of money and pledges collected. Many thanks to all of you.

Today’s effort is simply an attempt to make sure that everyone got a chance to be a part of this effort. Do fill in the information on the card and pledge if you feel so moved. The ushers will collect the cards, put them in the collection baskets, and they will be a part of the Offertory Procession. In a moment we will speak the Creed, our statement of trust and belief in a Loving God who sent the Son to show the Greatest Love for us.