Feeding the Multitudes for Dummies

A Little Goes a Long Way

(part of the series on Faithful Citizenship)

By Frank Lesko, Coordinator of Justice and Peace

I often feel like I am trying to feed 5,000 with only a few loaves and fish whenever I bring my faith into the political sphere. What could my one little vote do? What difference will yet another petition make?  The problems are so immense; my efforts seem so small.

I wonder what the initial reaction was when that little boy came forward in today’s Gospel. There was a massive problem–a multitude had assembled and they were in need. It might have seemed ridiculous when that boy showed up to contribute five barley loaves and two fish.

A historical point: Barley was the food of the poor at the time of Jesus. This was a kid who did not have much to give. On top of that, he did not offer only his leftovers. Rather, he simply gave what he had.

A few weeks ago, Franciscan Care for Creation ministry led a petition campaign against hydraulic fracking after weekend Masses. The signatures supported the Governor in her veto, even though her veto was ultimately overturned in the legislature.  Is that the end of the story?

The feedback from that event showed ripple effects all over. Many folks were happy to see this effort being made. It caused a stir. Conversations and debates happened. People were nourished for their journey and inspired in their faith.  One person told me that they had a non-Catholic guest with them at Mass who was impressed to see this.  God took some small efforts and used it to feed multitudes.

Our faith calls us to trust in God’s abundance. Our faith calls us to stay engaged even when it would seem like the most sensible thing to pull up stakes and give up. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5), Jesus calls us blessed when we continue to hunger and thirst for justice, because when we look at the odds, the sensible choice would have us not even try.

This is why a faith community such as ours can take the lead in advocating for causes that the rest of society would never attempt. Throughout history, faith communities have been first on the scene, such as when it did not look like the abolition of slavery nor the civil rights movement had a prayer. Yet, with an impetus of faith, people put their loaves and fishes in play. And the multitudes were fed.

Read Full Post »

Introducing: Gabriel Project

Pictured above:  Ministry Co-Leaders Kiplyne Moffett and Danielle Merritt-Sunseri

Introducing Gabriel

By Danielle Merritt-Sunseri, Ministry Co-Leader

The Angel Gabriel is a messenger: “Rejoice!  Fear Not!”  He not only delivers the message, but becomes an advocate and friend to Mary.  He offers her encouragement and reassurance.  He testifies to the community that Mary deserves their love and protection and communicates her needs.

Gabriel Project is a ministry in which parishioners offer support to women who are experiencing an unexpected or crisis pregnancy.  Support may be in the form of friendship or guidance to secure medical care, housing, food, or material needs.  The ministry acts as a safety net, assuring the expectant mother and child that they will be loved and cared for.  Our parish is excited to announce the formation of the Gabriel Project ministry!

The key to the Gabriel Project is a community response.  As our St. Francis Gabriel Project ministry works with its first client, we invite the parish to join our efforts.  We are organizing a baby shower for a mom, who is expecting to deliver her baby in August.  She is a beautiful young woman and a determined college student with a dedicated family supporting her and a great faith in God.  If you would like to help plan her shower, receive a copy of her wish list, or become part of the Gabriel Project ministry, please email Kip at kiplyne.moffett@gmail.com or Danielle at drsinpa@yahoo.com

Read Full Post »

New Ukraine Hosting and Adoption Ministry

By Denise Huska, Ministry Leader

St. Francis of Assisi is piloting a ministry this summer to offer support to orphans from the Ukraine.  Much in the model of the Children of Chernobyl ministry, families will host children from Eastern Europe for a few weeks in the summer.  Redline United is the host agency that will bring 11 Ukrainian Orphans, ages 7 – 15, from 3 provincial orphanages to the Raleigh and Cary area for a 3 week stay beginning Thursday, July 19 through Sunday, August 12th.   The mission of the collaboration in performing God’s Work is two-fold:

• To bring hope and joy to orphans of Ukraine and break the recurring hopelessness revealed by UNICEF statistics:  80% of orphaned children will turn to crime; 65% of orphaned girls will become prostitutes; and 15% of orphaned children will commit suicide.   The Children will stay with host families within the Triangle to experience life in America and most especially God and the happiness found within a faithful and loving family.
• The second part of the mission, for families in the Triangle interested in adoption, is to bring these children before those families in the community to explore the possibility of a forever loving home.  Redline United has partnered with Stork International Adoption Services of Virginia to assist and support a family through the adoption process.

How can our parishioners become involved?

a.       Become a non-adoptive advocacy host family for 3 weeks in the summer and support the child’s stay, faith-building, and outreach to potential adoptive families.  This summer, Jay and Danielle Merritt-Sunseri Family will host a child!

b.      Become an adoptive family of a Ukrainian orphan alongside the support of Redline United and St. Francis’ Ukraine Hosting and Adoption Ministry.

c.       Become a camp counselor, full or half days, during their stay to support the activities, play, and Bible lessons during their daily camp in Raleigh.

d.      Provide or connect the ministry to Russian translators.

e.       Become a shuttle driver to/from daily camp in Raleigh and on Friday’s for field trips to the beach and area lakes.

f.        Community Outreach Coordinators are needed to plan weekly events at parks for potential adoptive families to meet the Children.  These events vastly increase the successful connection of children to new families!

g.      Make charitable donations to Redline to support the travel costs and/or the children’s needs while in the US.

h.       Pray for the Children, their Orphanages, Redline United, and this Ministry!

3.)    The two important Community Outreach Events to meet the Children this summer will be held:

July 29th and August 5th from 4 – 7 PM at the Preston Village Picnic Shelter in Cary.  It’s a wonderful way to meet the children, their caregivers at the orphanage, Ministry leadership, and enjoy a FREE dinner while your children share time on the playground with new friends.

There will be opportunities and summer events to learn more about this Ministry in upcoming bulletins!  For more information now, or to support this summer’s experience, please contact Denise Huska at dhuska@nc.rr.com or 919-380-1867.

What better way is there to show that we are all truly one family under God than to open your hearts and your homes to children from another part of the world—children who have bleak prospects for their future unless a family adopts them in and a whole community encircles them with love!

Read Full Post »

A Prophet in His Homeland

By Frank Lesko, Coordinator of Justice and Peace

St. Paul’s words today are either a great comfort or challenge, depending on how you want to look at them.  It is clear that he had some kind of affliction—many believe that he stuttered.  That did not stop him from his daring ministry of preaching, teaching and traveling.  It can be such a relief to realize that we do not have to be perfect in order to follow Christ.

On the other hand, it is also a reminder that our weaknesses are no excuse for not getting out there on behalf of the Gospel.  In fact, if there is anything the whole Communion of Saints has taught us, is that any person can be an exemplary witness of the Christian faith—no matter what disabilities you have, no matter how old or young you are, rich or poor, formally educated or street smart, there have been multitudes of people before us who have had all sorts of weaknesses who were stunning role models of what it means to be Christian.

Our culture places so much importance on accumulating more and more stuff for ourselves: More achievements and diplomas on our resumes, bigger and better cars and houses.  We need to be polished public speakers and well-groomed in all the ways of the world.  Without a proper balance of humility, we can use these things to inflate our ego or for power and control.

The message today is not an excuse to be mediocre.  Our vocation is to use our gifts and talents for the sake of the Kingdom, no question about that.  But God can and will work through us no matter what.  In fact, it may be easier for God to work through us when we are weak, because then we not trying to muscle through it ourselves by our own efforts.

It is also a reminder for us to be willing to hear God’s voice wherever it may come.  In the Gospel, few took Jesus seriously because they knew new his parents and figured he was just the kid from the neighborhood they had known for years.  St. Paul was ridiculed for his affliction.  They could not hear the message of the Gospel because it did not come in a way they were expecting.  Sometimes God speaks through the most humble and ordinary people and circumstances.

Maybe there is someone in your life that you do not take seriously.  Could it be that God is speaking to you through them?

Read Full Post »