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'Chosen in Christ ... for the praise of his glory'

Archbishop Wenski's homily at St. Catherine of Siena's 50th

Archbishop Thomas Wenski preached this homily at a Mass Oct. 19, 2018 marking the 50th anniversary of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Miami.

If we wanted to draft a new mission statement for St. Catherine of Siena Parish, on this your 50th anniversary, I think we could draw on the words of St. Paul in today’s first reading.

In Christ we were also chosen,
destined in accord with the purpose of the One
who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,
so that we might exist for the praise of his glory…

“Chosen in Christ…for the praise of his glory.” This sums up very well why this parish exists – and it describes what a life well lived looks like.

Here, decade after decade, thousands of Christ’s faithful have worshiped here – praising the glory of God – and, in doing so, they have become more conscious of their election in Christ.

Durante 50 años, la parroquia de Santa Catalina de Siena ha recorrido un largo camino. ¿Quien no recuerda esos años después del incendio cuando la mitad de los feligreses seguían la Misa al aire libre sin aire acondicionado? Gracias a Dios, Uds han superado esto y otros retos a lo largo de estos 50 años. Y, hoy, afirmamos que hay un futuro brillante por delante.

Archbishop Thomas Wenski and Father Rolando Cabrera, St. Catherine of Siena administrator, celebrate Mass the 50th anniversary Mass.

Photographer: MARLENE QUARONI | FC

Archbishop Thomas Wenski and Father Rolando Cabrera, St. Catherine of Siena administrator, celebrate Mass the 50th anniversary Mass.

The word, parish, is derived from the ancient Greek – pa-roi-ki-a; the Spanish, parroquia, is much closer to the original Greek than its English equivalent. It meant a sojourn in a foreign land, or a community of sojourners. And, so when the Hebrew Scriptures were first translated into Greek, pa-roi-ki-a was used to describe the Israelites as they journeyed through the desert on their way to the Promised Land. As Catholic Christians, we know that here on this earth we have no lasting dwelling place, for our citizenship is in heaven, our true Promised Land. Our parishes, where the community of sojourners meet, are then like way stations along our pilgrim way as we journey towards that heavenly homeland.

And St. Catherine of Siena, of course, is much more than just a simple way station or rest stop: it is truly an oasis where we find rest and renewal as we travel in a world that, because it increasingly pretends that God does not matter, appears as a dry and arid place, a desert as foreboding as the Sinai desert must have appeared to the Hebrews, the original sojourners.

Our parishes are oases where you parishioners can be refreshed by those “rivers of living water” in the sacramental life of our Catholic faith. In this parish, you – together with your fellow sojourners – learn how to live your lives in such a way that you can show that God does indeed matter.

And nourished by the sacraments and enlightened by God’s Word, you are strengthened to continue your journey witnessing in the world to that hope which does not disappoint, the hope that has a human face, Jesus Christ.

Ser discípulo en la fe y misionero de la esperanza es el reto dado a todos los fieles. Esta parroquia – y todas las parroquias de la Arquidiócesis – existe para entrenar a sus feligreses como discípulos y misioneros de Jesucristo para que nuestros pueblos tengan vida en él. Todos estamos llamados a ser discípulos y misioneros – que nadie ponga excusas de que son demasiado pobres o con poca educación, porque dentro de la familia que es la Iglesia Católica, no hay nadie que es tan rico que no pueda recibir, ni hay quien es tan pobre que no tenga nada que dar.

Aquí en Santa Catalina de Siena durante 50 años, esta fe ha sido profesada, celebrada, vivida y orada. En este aniversario de oro, podemos mirar al pasado con gratitud, podemos vivir con entusiasmo el presente, y debemos mirar hacia el futuro con confianza. En los años venideros que esta comunidad de creyentes católicos siga dando un testimonio de fe, esperanza y caridad a todos los habitantes de esta area de Kendall. Y en los años venideros, que se comprometan todos para que en esta parroquia de Santa Catalina de Siena, nuestra fe católica sea mejor celebrada, más compartida, mejor predicada y más y mejor vivida.

For 50 years, St. Catherina of Siena Parish has welcomed God’s pilgrim people. Over the years, thousands of people have met Christ in Word and Sacrament. For 50 years, here at St. Catherine’s the Lord has fed you and met your needs. However, the history of this parish – like any history forged by fallen human beings – is full of lights and shadows. We should not be surprised that the Church which Christ founded to save sinners is – well – full of sinners. Yet, the Church is holy – and she is holy not because of us but because of the Spirit that is given to her. Despite the shortcomings and foibles of her human members, the Church of God has continued to grow here in South Dade – and here at St. Catherine of Siena.

But during these 50 years – with the help of God’s grace which is always more than enough against our own inadequacies – you have built more than buildings – you have built community, a community of faith, hope and love, a community where Christ is known, adored and encountered in the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Al comenzar los próximos 50 años de esta comunidad parroquial, que puedan ustedes profesar la fe en plenitud y con renovada convicción – con confianza y esperanza.

For 50 years, you have been chosen in Christ…for the praise of his glory.