During his homily in preparation for Together in Mission Sunday at St. Gregory the Great Church, Father John Schiavone spoke about reaching out to others as Jesus did, and of the Trinity as the model for church.
"It is relational," the pastor noted. "God is Trinity, a community of persons. God is love, and that is relational." He emphasized that as the parish comes together to worship, they are strengthened - "set apart to pray, to strengthen ourselves in our sense of identity, and our sense of mission."
Participating in Eucharist is the focus for Father Schiavone, and as a result of participating in that prayer they reach out to help others. "I am not so much interested in developing programs to get people involved," says the former music consultant in the Office for Worship. "I am interested in illuminating the reality that the 'program' in which we are involved is the liturgy. From there, everything else flows."
Kate Rahm, St. Gregory's director of liturgy and parish business manager, loves her dual role. As a convert, she still finds herself in awe at special times --- Holy Thursday, for example. "It is just because of what the liturgy represents," she says. "Every year I am moved by the breaking of the bread and the washing of the feet."
Fed and nourished at liturgy, St. Gregory's large population is active in a variety of ministries, in the parish and the community. Some 800 children - pre-school through high school --- are enrolled in its religious education program, headed by Eucharistic Franciscan Missionary Sister Clara Luz Bolanos, DRE, who works closely with the parents.
"Parents want to learn about the faith," says Sister Clara Luz of her culturally diverse community. "Sometimes the commitment or their own lack of knowledge keeps them away. But once they come and see the non-threatening atmosphere, they are grateful. Sometimes it is because they have not had good preparation themselves in their faith and they are embarrassed. But after they have attended classes for parents regarding sacramental preparation, they say that they are glad that they came. They are more confident to teach their children."
In terms of outreach, for the last 20 years Deacon Arturo Barragan has served with St. Gregory's Neighbors Helping Neighbors, together with his wife Marilu and other parish volunteers. Between 60 and 70 families a day receive services, food, clothing and temporary assistance. Deacon Barragan says families who were one step away from eviction or loss of services and were assisted now help others in need.
Again, the Eucharistic celebration is the source, he says.
"The people at St. Gregory make the 'sending forth' at Mass a reality because they serve the Lord in outreach - it's real support," says Deacon Barragan. "They put their money where their mouth is, and the pastor supports the people."
St. Gregory is assisted with donated food, clothing and assistance by nearby St. Pius X, Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. Bruno parishes. "Sending forth from Mass means we help others," says the deacon. "It's the living Christ in flesh and blood in action. It's the Trinity in action. It is neighbor helping neighbor."
"A parish is a place where people feel at home, familiar, comfortable and loved," notes Father Schiavone. "But we are pushed to not just sit back and enjoy, but to reach out. It is a kind of tension between the pastoral and the prophetic."
"At St. Gregory's the people who are here really feel at home. That is our blessing, but what we have here is not just for us. We have to find ways to not just share with each other, but to reach out to the rest of the world. It's not just our church; it's Christ's church." |