Dear Parishioners,

This weekend in Rome, easily the most beloved church leader of the past century is being honored with the official title of "blessed" and entry into the Catholic "hall of fame" that beatifies and canonizes outstanding figures in the life of the Church. Pope John XXIII or "good Pope John", as so many have known him, has left both an enduring and endearing mark on our lives. Although he had worked quietly and faithfully as seminary professor, and papal delegate (to Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece and France) and Patriarch Archbishop of Venice, when he was elected Pope in 1958 it was a huge surprise to many, including himself! In fact, he seems to have been surprised at every major appointment in his life. When sent to represent the Pope in Paris he wrote, "Where horses are lacking, donkeys trot along!" When appointed to Venice, he wrote, "An unexpected change in the direction of my life. I remember St. Joseph and imitate him. I turn my little donkey in another direction." Elected at age 77 and expected to be a caretaker pope with little to contribute until a younger man could succeed him, in less than a hundred days Pope John startled the world by announcing his intention to convoke an ecumenical council. By the time he died, less than five years later, Pope John had by the force of his personality and by the charm of his manner demystified the papacy, and by unleashing movements of renewal and reform, had began a transformation of the entire church. Pope John spoke of the importance of self knowledge and the dangers of trusting too much in one's own ideas. He found gentleness, humility and patience too often lacking in churchmen. "A caress is better than a sting", he wrote. If he realized his own temptation was to be too patient and quiet, he found the opposite vices even more dangerous. He described himself as "inclined to gather the good wherever he finds it, not wasting time and energy on investigating evils." He wrote in 1961, "distrustful souls see only darkness burdening the face of the earth. We prefer to reaffirm all our confidence in our Savior who has not abandoned the world which he redeemed." The conviction that God is present and active in the world, as in the Church, lay behind his frequent remark that the Church is not a museum of antiques but a living garden of life.

Your Pastor,
Brian T. Joyce