Christifidelis Laici: the final installment

We come now to the final two sections, 63 & 64, of Pope St. John Paul the Great’s exhortation on the laity.  Section 63 begins by recognizing that “formation is not the privilege of a few, but a right and duty of all.”  In order for this to happen, those who will form others must themselves be formed.  The Diocese of La Crosse offers continuing opportunities for this.  Keep an eye on the bulletin as these opportunities are offered.  This also happens in our Tri-Parishes; especially with the Men’s Spirituality Group, the Tuesday evening prayer group, our Women’s Spirituality Group meetings (3x’s/year), and a number of other small groups aimed at marriage & family, women’s spirituality, and teen girls.  I heartily thank those who have undertaken leading these various efforts.  They are beautiful signs of the Spirit active within our parish communities.  If you are feeling called to “do something more” and would like some guidance, direction, materials, PLEASE contact me and I will very happily put you in touch with those who are also interested as well as those people and/or resources needed to make this happen. 

Our Holy Father of (very) happy memory points out, in concluding, that we can only form others if we, ourselves, are being continually formed.  This process is never “done” since we see in the lives of the saints: the more they were formed, the more they felt the need to be further formed.

Finally, he points out that while methods made available by human science and newer technologies are important, these are “made more effective the more they are open to the action of God.  So, let us remember that it is about learning more: facts, techniques, etc.; but, it is much, much more about knowing Him, Who is the source and goal, the beginning and the end, the font & the summit – God Himself.

Over the next three weeks this space will be taken up with some timely (not political) issues, so don’t go away!  After that, we will begin covering Pope Francis’ new encyclical, due out October 3^rd.