Catholic Identity

June 14th, 2009

Bulletin Cover

One morning last weekend, when I was at Notre Dame for my class reunion, a conversation about the school and Catholic identity was shared with friends while we were having breakfast. We asked, “What is meant by Catholic identity”? For many, it is about Catholic teaching and adherence to the teachings of the Church. From this perspective, Catholic identity is about the relationship of the teachings of the Church with those in authority whose role is to teach. But that alone is not sufficient in understanding the meaning and fullness of our identity.

A “Catholic identity” is different than, let’s say, a Presbyterian identity, or other Christian denomination, in another significant way. The Sacraments. We live the Sacraments. We celebrate the Sacraments and live their grace, and the Eucharist particularly.

The Eucharist, the source and summit of our faith, forms, shapes, and defines our identity. As sign and symbol, the sharing of the Eucharist is the Body of Christ sharing at table. Christ is present among us in our gathering at his table. Today’s opening prayer speaks of his presence, “Lord Jesus Christ, we worship you living among us in the sacrament of your body and blood.” Our identity is found in our union with him, the community of disciples, gathered at table, doing his mission.

Our identity is more than appearance, of course. It is not like wearing a pin on a lapel to signify who we are and what we believe. Our identity is made known by the ways we live our faith. We model our lives after Jesus, living our lives for others, with generous love, in humble service. We are the Body of Christ—the Eucharist—blessed, broken, shared.

When the Eucharist is separated from the mission of the Church, the ritual action from the living of faith, something is missing. It is not meant to be detached from the world, a world in need of saving grace and redemption. The Eucharist, the presence of Christ in gifts of bread and wine, defines who we are what we do. The self-gift of Christ is or model for living.

As a parish community, we recognize that we are the Body of Christ present on his corner of the city, opening our hearts and doors to do his mission. If Baptism gives us life in Christ, the Eucharist gives this life sustenance, meaning, and the grace to live his gospel of service. Among those we serve, we see the hunger of souls in search of God’s compassion and mercy. We are willing servants of the Lord who calls us to serve him by our care for the poor and the stranger. The sufferings of Christ continue in the lives of those who are in need of healing and long for the peace of his kingdom. From our Opening Prayer today, we offer to others “a life poured out in loving service of that kingdom.”

Soon we are to make improvements to our worship space, which means a temporary change in where and how we will celebrate mass. After next Sunday, work will begin in our chapel. It is expected that the work will take four to five weeks to complete. We will be moving our Sunday mass to our “upper room” on the second floor while work is being done. Week day masses will be in the basement. This new experience of our worship and celebration of our Sunday liturgies can bring a unique awareness of how we gather and pray, of how we see sacred space, of waiting with expectation through a time of transition. I appreciate the efforts all will be making to make these weeks ahead rich by our presence to one another, in prayer and song, with patience and good will.

Also, in anticipation of the completion of the chapel improvements, and the installation of our icon, Christ the Healer, we will gather as a community, along with Archbishop Vlazny, for the blessing and dedication of the icon on Sunday, August 16, at the 10 AM mass. Please, mark your calendars and join the celebration. This will be a special event for us, a celebration of our life and mission.