“As the body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one, so also Christ” (1 Cor. 12:12). God’s sincere desire – and Jesus’ sincere prayer – that we share in the oneness and love of God Father, Son and Holy Spirit, has always been a goal hard to reach, and harder to maintain.
Healing wounds inflicted on communities that have not always conformed to the dominant culture was a problem for early Christians not of Jewish origin, and it has persisted in various forms ever since.
We must always strive for unity in diversity, if we are to fulfill the Church’s mission that all find a home in the body of Christ. It will not come naturally, as we prefer that which is most familiar, and most comfortable. Many Redemptorists have capitalized on the various expressions of Christian faith and culture in the parishes, communities, and foundations where we find ourselves, looking to foster unity in diversity.
From December to early February, Visitation BVM in Kensington, Philadelphia, has found joy, unity, and hope by appreciating and celebrating the faith, culture, music, food, and history of our diverse communities. La Virgen de Guadalupe and Christmas, Our Lady of Suyapa and the Lunar New Year, Black history month and Catholic Schools’ week were all joyfully recognized and celebrated.
Of course, all these celebrations preexisted the Redemptorists coming to Visitation BVM in Kensington. Jim Brennan, C.Ss.R., beloved by the people and mourned in his passing, served many productive, fruitful years here. As a formator, Jim would remind us, “Do not presume to think that Gospel arrived when you did.” While all the aforementioned traditions and celebrations were here, our particular Redemptorist charism has made Visitation BVM especially open and welcoming to various groups.
We are blessed here as well with a beautiful Church, a multicultural and diverse school, and a Community Center that has become an essential part of not only our mission, but a part of the City of Philadelphia’s mission to tackle homelessness, severe drug addiction, and poverty. Sarnelli house remains open and active, and the community at St. Peter the Apostle participates in our ministry.
Many see this area of Kensington as full of despair and hopelessness. But the people bring so much hope and vitality to the parish and mission that you can see and experience what our Redemptorist spirituality promotes: “in seeking the salvation of souls, the members achieve their own sanctification.”
Many commentators have noted that division, polarization, and animosity have increased around the world. Continuing to promote the God that is crazy in love with us in Kensington these past three months have provided ample opportunity to find the one God in many different faces.