This Sunday, we hear the “Sermon on the Mount” as presented in the Gospel of St. Luke. This great sermon, found in an even more expanded version in the Gospel of St. Matthew, provides us all with the foundation of our lived faith. Recognizing our poverty before God and hungering for union with the only One who can satisfy our deepest longing, we strive to follow the Way His Son, Jesus, taught us back to God.
All of us are called to follow this Way. And, we priests are called to help the people under our care along this Way. We strive to live Jesus’ message faithfully every day. Even in retirement, many priests continue to serve; we are blessed to have Msgr. Carroll serve us with such dedication and love years after he retired as pastor of St. Hilary of Poitiers parish in Rydal.
Others, due to declining health, have withdrawn from active ministry but continue to offer prayerful support to everyone in our Archdiocese. These priest reside at Villa St. Joseph in Darby, Regina Coeli in Warminster, and other health care facilities and they need our prayers and support. And so, we join with all the parishes throughout the Archdiocese in taking up the annual Collection for the Care of Aging and Retired Priests. This is an opportunity for all of us to express our gratitude for the many blessings we have all received through their faithful ministry.
As you have been in the past, I encourage you to be generous this weekend in grateful recognition of the service these priests have offered you and your families. Please know that your kindness and generosity is remembered daily in their Masses, intentions and prayers. And, I ask that you continue to remember them in your prayers as well!