Dear Partners in Mission,
A pediatric nurse, before listening to the children’s chests, would plug the stethoscope into their ears and let them listen to their own hearts. Their eyes would always light up in amazement. But she never got a response to equal that of six-year-old Gregory’s.
She tucked the sleek stethoscope in his ears and placed the smooth disk over his heart. “Listen,” she said, “What do you suppose that is?” He drew his eyebrows together in a puzzled line and looked up as if lost in the drum beat of the strange lub-dub, lub-dub deep in his chest. Then his face broke out in a marvelous, gap tooth smile. “Is that Jesus?”
This Easter season, having just celebrated the Holiest of Weeks with its beautiful images and faith rituals: waving palms, institution of the Eucharist, washing feet, Way of the Cross, kissing the crucifix, new fire, blessed water, Baptisms, renewing the promises, and more…we embrace Paschal Mystery. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…” John 3:16
Here at the Black and Indian Mission Office we seek to support our mission parishes, Catholic schools and parish religious education programs that raise awareness to the Good News of Jesus Christ. Look for their stories of on-going evangelization on our website. Consider joining the at home pilgrimage sponsored by the Catholic Negro-American Mission Board September 20-24, 2012, to honor the legacy Fr. Augustus Tolton, the first black priest ordained for the United States (Those flyers are forth-coming.). Participate in the canonization festivities of the first American born, Native saint, Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, October 18-24, 2012, in Rome as orchestrated by the Bureau of Catholic Indian Mission. (Click here for the Special Events page) Info on both of these outstanding witnesses to Christ can be found at Profiles in Faith on this web-site.
Make time this Easter Season to listen, figuratively, to the rhythm of your own heartbeat. With springtime freshness, sing out Alleluia in praise and thanksgiving for the miracle of Easter Resurrection and be prepared to see and hear Jesus everywhere.
Peace and joy of the Risen Christ,
Reverend W. Carroll Paysse
Executive Director
