Not Just Today!
“To heal wounds, to bind what is broken and to bring home those who were lost.” This was the entire life and mission of Saint Francis of Assisi, and it is clearly a prophetic mission for our day. We see people’s mistrust of societal institutions grow as news of corruption and weakness occupy news cycles. And we see a significant number of Catholics disengage from the practice of our faith. At a time when our country is torn apart by violence, fear, and uncertainty about the future, so many Catholics have become disillusioned. The Church has been rocked by clerical crimes and cover-ups, financial misconduct, and betrayals of trust. Even as some people have tried to re-engage with the Church, they have felt ostracized by a minority of Catholics who loudly define Catholicism by using their own extreme, political ideologies of the right or of the left.
In reality, the majority of Catholics around the world form parish communities and ministries of welcome and not judgment. These are sacred spaces that allow people to fall in love again with Christ and His Church. We believe it is our challenge and mission as Franciscan Friars, Assumption Parishioners, our entire staff, and volunteers to create a space for this intimate encounter between Jesus and all His people.
Welcome Home Sunday is our sincere attempt to create a parish where everyone encounters the Healing Heart of Christ - the Loving hand of Christ - the reassuring words of Christ! Just as Saint Francis was blessed with brothers and sisters who shared their love of God with others, we seek the Lord’s blessing upon Assumption parish by asking people to not simply return to Mass, but to be an active part of our community of faith. We are a poorer community without your presence, prayer, and active participation in the life of the parish.
Assumption is not a perfect parish and it’s not a financially rich parish. However, we are rich in the treasure of our parishioners and volunteers who never cease to amaze me by their love of God and our neighbor! From our homebound parishioners praying for us to our parishioners feeding the hungry in our Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen, or taking care of the sick in our Poverello Health Center – Assumption is truly a powerhouse of prayer and service to our neighbors living on the Northside of Syracuse.
I began this reflection by listing some of the many reasons people leave the Church and I have come to believe there’s only two reasons to return to the practice of our faith: 1 - Jesus Christ, who never stops inviting us and loving us, and 2 - our community is better when you're here. All people truly are welcome here to join or re-engage our rich community of prayer, worship, and service! Join us as we hope to heal wounds, to bind what was broken and to seek those who were lost!
