Parish Evangelization Team Preaches in Newfoundland
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June 26, 2023The Baltimore Province Evangelization Team ended its Mission Season in beautiful Newfoundland, the week of May 11 – 18. We were honored to celebrate a Parish Mission at our own Redemptorist St. Teresa’s Parish, staffed by confreres David Louch, Tony Bidgood, Ciro Perez of our Canadian Province, and PIM General Government & Conference of North America Director, Anne Walsh.
Spring hadn’t happened yet in Newfoundland, but we didn’t get to see any of the famous icebergs that often are near its coast.
Located in St. John’s, the port City, our parish is only one of three now opened. The archdiocese is in bankruptcy proceedings, having had to sell off most of its properties to attempt to meet the costs of payments for the too many abuse cases of the past. The people of our parish purchased the Church and Rectory and administer the parish property as its owners. It was not owned previously by our community.
The Mission was advertised as an archdiocesan Mission, so attendance was terrific. There were approximately 100 attending the Saturday morning Sacrament of the Sick Service, and around 70 returned Sunday afternoon for the Mother of Perpetual Help program, where Jim Wallace gives an introductory presentation on the role of Iconography in our Christian Tradition, and the History of our Redemptorist Icon of Mother of Perpetual Help. He then gives a very detailed “reading” of the Icon itself, sharing its story written in the Icon.
With pauses for “gazing” at the Icon, the program moves into singing the Litany of Loretto and a prayer service to Mary of Perpetual Help. Folks come forward at the end to venerate a large copy of the Icon, that already has a special place within the Church and to receive a lovely gift of the Icon and metal bookmark or pin hand-made by a devotee from a former Mission in Sarasota, Florida.
We three preach together at all the weekend Masses, which ordinarily isn’t the usual experience for a congregation, and our closing sung invitation to “Come to the Mission” usually brings us lots of smiles.
Besides presiding and preaching at the morning Mass, we offered 4-5 hours of opportunity, Monday through Wednesday, for folks to meet with us for spiritual direction/conversation and/or confession. Approximately 250 gathered during the evenings of the Mission proper, Monday through Wednesday.
Considering all the loss for the people of Newfoundland, from the close of all parish parochial schools to the closing of at least seven parishes and their respective church buildings, Anne and the Redemptorists chose the theme of “Becoming a People of Hope in a Time of Loss,” one of the four themes we presently offer.
The fist Night addressed the issue of “Grief” naming its various stages. Night two reflects on grief as a spiritual practice. The Eucharistic Ritual that closes night three celebrates how grief becomes integrated into our life as a Community of Faith, empowering us to be “missionary disciples” to bring healing mercy, compassion and hope-filled love to our wounded and hurting sisters and brothers, as well as to suffering creation.
We left Newfoundland gratified that so many spoke to us at the evening socials after the formal Mission service sharing how important it was to them to have their grief addressed and honored.
The rituals of each evening, whether it was approaching the Sacrament of the Eucharist up close in the Monstrance, having the cross placed on their person, assuring them of God’s unconditional love, or a candle-lit procession and guided meditation welcoming God the Spirit to console and heal them, had a profound effect on all those gathered physically, as well as the many who participated via “live-streaming.”
Fr. Phil’s wizardry with technology complemented the presentations with powerful and moving visuals and videos, and the music ministry with choir and cantors every night validated people’s hurting hearts, and gave permission to express grief and sorrow, faith, and hope.
From Kansas to Newfoundland, in the course of 10 Parish Missions, we continue to be amazed at the powerful grace of God in the life of God’s People through the instrument of the Parish Mission, and are so grateful to share in the ministry.
