Special care for indigenous communities

May 24, 2018

146. In this sense, it is essential to show special care for indigenous communities and their cultural traditions. They are not merely one minority among others, but should be the principal dialogue partners, especially when large projects affecting their land are proposed. For them, land is not a commodity but rather a gift from God and from their ancestors who rest there, a sacred space with which they need to interact if they are to maintain their identity and values. When they remain on their land, they themselves care for it best.

Nevertheless, in various parts of the world, pressure is being put on them to abandon their homelands to make room for agricultural or mining projects which are undertaken without regard for the degradation of nature and culture.

Source : Laudato Si'

Fr. Robert Tywoniak

Blessed Sacrament Church

The Holy Spirit Is the Moisture That Holds the Dough Together.

Saint Irenaeus, bishop, wrote the Holy Spirit is like moisture added to dry flour that forms a lump of dough that forms a loaf of bread. Without the Holy Spirit, “we who are many could not become one in Christ Jesus without the water that comes down from heaven.” (From the Treatise Against Heresies.) Further, Irenaeus says, “Through the baptism that liberates us from change and decay we have become one in body; through the Spirit we have become one in soul.”

While Jesus was on Earth His message was limited to one time, place and people. As true man walking on Earth He could only be at one place at a time. The Holy Spirit, however, spans the globe. It is able to work in and through all people.

Pentecost is the celebration of the Spirit as the force for Christian growth. This is seen in the willingness of Christians to stand up and witness to their faith. We gain the courage to move beyond ourselves to others with the message of life.

In Acts, the Spirit is presented as the source of power for witness. It makes a noise then fire. The Apostles are given gifts that permit them to preach to all. We see what happened in Genesis at the Tower of Babble reversed. The sign is the Word will go out to all of humankind. The Word is universal. It brings about a diversity of function without threat to unity. This is what is meant in 1 Corinthians 12 when Paul says, “To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” All our talents are to be used by all to unify us into one wonderful community of love.

• What experience of the Holy Spirit have you had in your life?
• In what way can you see the Holy Spirit bring our parish community together?

The Holy Spirit is the moisture that holds thedough together.

Fr. Robert Tywoniak
Pastor