Dearest Family in Christ:
St. Philip Catholic Church is a unique and particular church in Franklin, which is a part of the Universal Church. Eucharistic celebration is the center of our life.
As we know, the Eucharist is the love and sacrifice of Christ for all of us. It is our strength and hope. This spiritual food leads to love of neighbor and eternal life. It is the body of Jesus, which makes everyone a member in His body. Therefore, by receiving the Body of Christ, all become the members of Christ and His family. Thus all of us become one family in Christ. What a joy filled way of life!
This family is not just in words but is also real in it’s sharing and caring for one another. In the Eucharist, Christ is actively involved in giving Himself for us and asks us to be active people. “This is my body, take it and eat it. This is my blood, take it and drink it. Do this in memory of me.” These words of Jesus explain to us His total sacrifice and His call to us to serve in the spirit of His sacrifice. Listening and responding to His call is the way we give service to our brothers and sisters, which makes us the Eucharistic family.
The Eucharistic family gathers around the Eucharist, drawing its strength, hope and love, to nourish us as a people of action. The Eucharist inspires and compels us to bring God’s Kingdom to all, as Christ told us, “The Kingdom of God is at hand.” Jesus Himself is the Kingdom of God. Wherever He lives is the Kingdom of God. “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there will I be in their midst” says the Lord.
St. Philip Catholic Church is celebrating its 140th year starting this November. For generations, our parish family has been a Eucharistic family and we continue to serve in a multitude of ministries. Are we all going the same direction? In this 140th year, we will continue on a journey to better understand how to inspire our members to be a Eucharistic people with the vision we will constantly work to attain:
“ST. PHILIP CATHOLIC CHURCH IS THE EUCHARISTIC FAMILY WHICH BRINGS GOD’S KINGDOM TO ALL.’’
Today, more than ever, we are challenged in our lives to grow spiritually. Our Church today faces very challenging obstacles. In some ways, it is just like in its early days, though in a different way. You remember, our faith was born and took root during the dark days of the Roman Empire’s grip on the world. Like then, materialism, anti-Christian and atheist philosophies could shake our faith if we do not cling tightly to the love of Christ and our Eucharistic family, just as the early Christians did. We must constantly put on the shield of Christ to protect our value system, respect life, love and worship God, and respond to His word.
In other words, remain Christ’s disciples and constantly follow in his footsteps.
Many of St. Philip’s people are searching for ways to relieve the pain in their lives. Many are burdened by financial, health, spiritual, marriage or family problems. Yet, we cannot let these break their hearts! We can help others in many different ways. God has blessed each of us with unique gifts He wants us to use for His glory. Jesus tells us “the kingdom of God is at hand” Mt. 4:17. This kingdom of God is not far from us but is with us. We need to realize it and spread it to others. We are the primary instruments of it. Mt.28:19, 20.
Over the past few months, I have been reflecting upon how each of us could have the opportunity to extend our discipleship to our brothers and sisters right here in our parish. We all have a great role to play, to keep God’s kingdom alive in our community itself. We need to work together to achieve God’s kingdom. We need to spread our privilege of being a disciple to our neighborhoods by periodically getting together in prayer services, sharing of our spiritual and material gifts, caring for one another, etc. Thus, we can help everyone know Christ and follow Him as a disciple.
Everyone of us hears God’s call differently and that is why each of us is essential to the whole body of Christ. I feel that some very specific needs of some of our family members could be met by the following ministries:
1. St. Philip CARES Ministry
2. Grief Sharing Ministry
3. Divorce Care
4. Divorce Care for Children
5. Before You Divorce
6. Marriage Preparation
7. Family Renewal
8. Neighborhood and/or Emmaus Groups
Some of these ministries are person to person through friendship given and received. Some are better achieved in group sharing. Others are courses or classes we will begin to offer very soon. Do you feel called to one of these? Please call Fr. Tran or me if you want to get involved. Do you know how to reach Fr. Tran or me? Please pull us aside after Mass or call us on the telephone. If we don’t answer, please leave a message and we promise we will return your call. Please call the main church number: 615.794.8588 – my extension is 22 and Fr. Tran’s extension is 25.
This year God has given us an excellent opportunity to follow him as his faithful disciples during the 140th anniversary of our church. We need to make best use of it by our active participation. We have to put our interests behind the interests of God’s kingdom. In other words, we are the Disciples of Christ today, to whom Christ has given us his mission of spreading His Kingdom to all. This demands our commitment to Christ our Savior and our neighbors.
So, let us be united as one family making the Eucharist as the Center of our life to love and serve everyone.
God Bless You.