St. Joseph the Worker

Parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker:

This Monday, November 4^th, is the Feast Day of St. Charles Borromeo.  He lived in the 16^th century, dying at the age of 46 in 1584.  He was a Cardinal of the Church at age 24.  In his diocese of Milan, he introduced the reforms of the Council of Trent.  St. Charles was considered a model bishop by his own brother bishops.  He founded a good number of seminaries during his lifetime.  He is the patron saint of catechumens, catechists, and seminarians.

Let us think about those three for a minute.

CATECHUMENS.  This is the name for those who are unbaptized.  They are seeking full initiation in the Catholic Church, needing Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist.  Their initiation would occur at the Easter Vigil.  Their presence in our Church can lead us who are full members to consider what type of example are we for those seeking initiation?  Are they able to look at us and see how they are to live out the Catholic faith?  And, do we seek to live out our baptismal call more deeply when we see their call to the Catechumenate?

CATECHISTS:  This is the name for those who are teachers of others in the ways of the Catholic faith.  Whether it be those teaching our youth, adults, parents seeking baptism for their child, couples seeking marriage, and others who pass on the traditions of our Church—all of them are so valuable in the continuation of being formed in the ways of Jesus Christ.  And, these teachers are able to challenge us to study Catholicism each and every day in order to understand and appreciate our Catholic faith.

SEMINARIANS.  One of the greatest needs in our country right now is to have our seminaries filled with seminarians!  Our parishes need priests to administer the Sacraments, especially Eucharist, Reconciliation, and the Anointing of the Sick.  Young men, especially, need to listen to the call of the Lord to follow Him as ordained ministers.  All of us need to pray daily for more vocations to the priesthood, so that the priestly work of Jesus Christ will thrive daily.  And, all laity are called to see the need to pray diligently for more priests to enter the seminaries to be trained.  St. Charles would be proud of us being “cheerleaders” for this to occur.

Have a great first full week of November.  Please pray for all Catechumens, Catechists, and Seminarians!

Your Pastor, Father Joe