For
now, I would like to sing the praises of a remarkable group of people who
exercise ministry on what we call our Catholic Campus. Yesterday at Mass I
introduced to all who were gathered at St. Joseph's Basilica the women and men
who work at our Pastoral and Administration Offices, Newman Theological
College, Saint Joseph Seminary or Villa Vianney (our home for retired
priests). These buildings co-exist on a beautiful piece of property overlooking
Edmonton, and the collaboration in ministry exercised among them is captured in
the term "campus." They are among the most dedicated people I have
ever met! They love the Lord and his Church, and give themselves fully to the
service of God's people. Most times they work "behind the scenes," so
I thought it was time to lift them up, thank them, and, above all, invoke God's
blessings upon them.
Gathered
in the Basilica were the people who, in our Pastoral and Administration
Offices, work in evangelization, catechesis, ecumenism, interfaith relations,
on behalf of life and family, the missions, liturgy, and social justice and for
the evangelization of youth. Those who support parishes with new evangelization
initiatives, guidance for parish councils and the fostering of stewardship were
there. We have people who dedicate themselves to the pastoral care of the sick, homebound and
prisoner, who promote vocations to the priesthood and support our permanent
diaconate, and who minister sensitively to the hurting through our marriage
tribunal while providing other canonical services. Communications is exercised
by an office dedicated to this work as well as by the folks at the Western
Catholic Reporter.
From
Newman Theological College we had present the faculty, administration and
support staff, and from our seminary the formation team and administrative
assistant.
Supporting
it all are our offices of finance and accounting, of development, of human
resources and of operations.
As we
gathered to thank and honour these dedicated disciples, we heard from the
Gospel of St. Matthew (20:1-16a) the parable of the owner of the vineyard who
hired labourers at a various hours of the day and yet paid them all the same wage. Viewed
entirely from the perspective of human quid-pro-quo logic, the owner was
manifestly unjust. Yet Jesus is speaking in this parable of the sovereign and
free love of God, who may call people to ministry at varying stages of life yet
rewards all equally with the joy that comes from knowing and serving him, or
who may touch people's hearts with the knowledge of his love and call to
salvation at different times, yet who bestows his saving grace not on the basis of any merit (we
cannot earn salvation!) but out of his sovereignly free generosity. Our people
on campus have worked there for periods of time ranging from many years to a
few months. At differing times in their journeys have they felt the summons of
the Lord to follow him through their particular form of service in the
Archdiocese. Length of service may differ; the joy is the same. Oh, I suppose some
days may be more joyful than others, but that's normal. The challenges facing
us are many, but we confront them with the sure and hopeful knowledge that we
are led and strengthened by the grace of God.
I
express my sincere thanks to all who work so tirelessly and with such deep
dedication at our Catholic campus. The Archdiocese is immeasurably blessed by
your presence and efforts, and I want you to know that we are all very
grateful.
