A Faithful Resource!

As a gift to my parishioners, I purchased a subscription to the bulletin insert, "Growing in FAITH". The insert comes out monthly and I always try to put it in our bulletins the first of the month. The title reads very simply, "Discovering hope and joy in the Catholic faith." I used that title in my homily this morning as I spoke about Saint Damien of Molokai, whose memorial is celebrated today. Saint Damien is a saint for our time and a saint for the Year of Faith. He was beatified by Blessed John Paul II in 1995 and canonized a saint by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in 2009. Saint Damien came from Belgium to the United States, namely Hawaii, and ministered to people who had leprosy. As it states in "Growing in FAITH", "Horrified by the conditions, Fr. Damien built schools, churches, hospitals, and sanitation facilities. He bestowed dignity and hope and served until his death from the disease in 1889." Saint Damien is a faithful example for all of us. He truly brought the hope and joy of the risen Christ to those whom he ministered to! As a resurrection people and witnesses, we are called to bring hope and joy to all whom we meet. May Saint Damien intercede for us, that no matter what we encounter in life, we may have the grace and strength to proclaim the Good News to all peoples and in all situations! God Bless our journey!!!