Seating for Tuesday's installation was limited. In addition to the priest and/or pastoral associate, only two people from the congregation could attend. I was so excited when I found out I would be one of the two.
I never appreciated my Catholic heritage when I was growing up. Iguess you could say I took it for granted. I didn't like all the holiness and formality. All the pomp and circumstance felt like it got in the way of what we came to church to do. It felt too stiff and formal. When the mass changed from Latin into English I was thrilled. I was too young to have memorized all the Latin phrases and English made the Mass seem more personal, even though I still wasn't sure why we did things the way we did.
This past year being in the lay ministry program has deepened my knowledge of why Catholics do what they do and how scriptural it all is. The mass has come alive, the teachings seem simple, and there is a whole lot of richness to each celebration. It's a shame it took me so long.
I really am ashamed I never cared enough about my faith to seek answers before. The really sad part is I almost walked away from being a Catholic because when I did start to question, I listened to people of different faiths tell me Catholic teachings are all wrong and gave me all sorts of erroneous information.
I bought into their beliefs hook line and sinker, and I made up my mind a few years ago that when my dad died I would find a new church. Driving Dad to church every Sunday was about the only time I got to spend with him. Even though I would rather be worshiping somewhere else, I'd take him to Mass but I'd sit in the pew and beg God to point me in the direction he wanted me to go when my time with Dad ended.
One Sunday an announcement was made that a new bible study was starting the following Sunday. I really wished I could attend but I knew I'd never be able to drive Dad home and get back in time.
But Dad's health took a turn for the worse a few days later and he wasn't able to go to church anymore. I was able to go to the bible study and for the next few weeks God just kept opening doors and brought people into my life that not only had a passion for Christ but also for the Catholic church.
And in an answer to my pleas, God directed me right where he wanted me to be, and I am so immensely grateful for that guidance.
On Tuesday I was even more grateful as I sat in awe as our 6th bishop was installed and celebrated the Mass with his new flock.
He has the friendliest face and warmest smile, and as his parents walked up the aisle bringing the offeratory gifts, I wish you could have seen his face. He glowed like a groom watching his bride walk down the aisle, his love for them was so evident. And the fact that this man would agree to take the job as shepherd of the Saginaw Diocese proves his love and obedience of God as well.
I pray that the love this man has for God will be reflected on to all of us and that in turn our love will make him feel warm and welcome in his new home. Maybe together we can make a real difference in the kingdom of God.
