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Over the past couple years as the Diocese of Jefferson city gives us resources to use for parish small groups, I have used the bulletin fronts to give some thoughts on each of the sessions. I will use the bulletin fronts again for our Small Group Study on “Parishes as a Community of Beatitudes.”  Week 1, Being Blessed with a Poverty of Spirit.  The first question we might ask is “What is a poverty of spirit?” It’s understanding that material things including money will not find us the happiness we truly desire.  It is understanding that this world lacks what we truly desire; that we are made for something (Someone, really) more. And, that when I rely on God, and see that all comes from God, then I am on my way to a poverty of spirit.  I need to rely on him.   So that this does not appear to be depressing (it isn’t; it is freeing and allows us to live with incredible peace and joy) what are some examples of living a poverty of spirit? It means giving generously – open handed and having a large heart.  When a missionary dines with a family who lives in a dirt floor hut and the family gives the missionary the first bowl of food, all the while the missionary knows the family can’t afford any food let alone enough for another, the family still insists that the guest receives the best and the first of the meal.  Poverty of Spirit means being carefree about success and failure.  When I speak the truth and do the good for the Lord, will I be persecuted, will people like me or think that I am weird? Poverty of spirit will answer with, “Who cares? God is enough and he will more than provide;” including giving deep peace and joy even if at the surface it is painful.  Poverty of Spirit is using gifts in service of the world.  The key words here are “gifts”, “service” and “world.”  Our gifts given to us by God are used in service, not us receiving, but giving. We trust God will provide for us as we give. For what purpose do we give our gift in service to the world?  To make this world more what God wants it to become.  When we choose going to the nursing home over going to the movies or the game, this is using our gift of time in service to the lonely person in the nursing home.  Module 1 asks us to reflect on what our parish would look like if all of us were converted more to a poverty of spirit; trusting more on the Lord and believing he is the giver of everything and in our gratitude, we give it all back to him. 

Then module one asks us to reflect on a passage from Pope Francis about the life of a parish.  “The parish is not an outdated institution. Precisely because it possesses great flexibility… the parish proves capable to self-renewal and constant adaptability, it continues to be the Church living in the midst of the homes of her sons and daughters.” He continues, “This presumes that he parish is in contact with the homes and lives of its people and does not become a useless structure out of touch with the people or a self-absorbed group made up of a chosen few.  In all of its activities, the parish encourages and trains its members to be evangelizers; it is a community of communities, a sanctuary where the thirsty come to drink in the midst of their journey and a center of constant missionary outreach.” Several of the reflection questions at the end of this module ask us to look at how our parish is living up to Pope Francis teaching on parish life.  So, I ask you to reflect on what is written here and what I propose as some strengths and opportunities we have for further growth. 

Last year we had 39 funerals. How many in our midst are grieving? We have a bereavement committee who reaches out as they are able; the family receives a parish care basket when they meet with the priest to plan the funeral liturgy of their loved one. These are good and are examples of how we walk along side of our parishioners in their lives. How do you as a parishioner, not a member of a committee, but by your baptism reach out to the grieving in our midst?  We have several people who visit our shut-ins and parishioners in nursing homes.  This keeps them all connected to the parish. Do you have neighbors who need a visit; is there a caretaker who can use your shoulder or ear?  We are forming children in our Catholic school, PSR program and Confirmation Program. How can we as a parish help our parents have the best Catholic resources and give them the absolute best support in being the parents God is calling them to be?  How do we accompany our parents in this most crucial time in family life?  It’s not just those who have raised children; but how can parents support parents; single people, widows and widowers support parents? How can all of us be evangelizers of the faith?  How does what I am involved in at St Vincent de Paul (including all the activities of the school) bring forth the Word of God and the Kingdom of God?  How are these activities helping us grow in holiness? Becoming lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ?  If they are not, how can the activity add this necessary component for it to be considered a vital ministry of a Catholic parish?  Module 1 gives us a lot for prayer and discernment as we look at our own poverty of spirit and our parish as a whole.  Let us discern well and take the necessary action to continue to grow individually and as a parish.