On the Clarity of Our Catholic Mission
Mark S. Roberti, Director of Stewards, Heartland Parishes of Ellis County

I’m a member of a Catholic men’s prayer group.  We call ourselves Men of Myra.  It’s named such because it originally started, and meets, at St. Nicholas of Myra Parish in Hays on Saturday mornings at 7:30 A.M.  Men from other parishes also attend.  We read and discuss the Sunday readings.  What do the readings mean to us?  What can we draw from them?

We all agree that this group sharing helps us more fully appreciate the Sunday Mass and our faith.  We miss it on a Saturday when we can’t be present. We’ve heard the Sunday readings and reflected on them. We’re more engaged when we come to Mass the next day.  That’s part of what Vatican Council II meant when the bishops emphasized, “full, active, and conscious” participation by the laity.  

Recently, we had a visitor, a former Hays resident visiting his family.  His background is military.  We discussed the current world phenomena of “relativism”, the secular concept that “your truth” and “my truth” can be diametrically opposed, yet both be considered the truth.  As you know, truth is then reduced to opinion.  Relativists simply believe in the rather absurd notion that truth can contradict truth and still be the truth.  They don’t really believe in objective moral truths.  Several years ago, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger called moral relativity the greatest threat to the faith today.  Last week, as Pope Benedict the XVI, he again asked Catholics worldwide to challenge the climate of moral relativity and help change that misguided mind-set.

“How could moral relativity so powerfully engage our culture?” someone in our group asked.  “Clarity of mission,” our guest military man responded.  In a successful military campaign, the leaders – those in authority -- identify the mission.  The troops are informed of the mission and work with coordinated precision to accomplish it.

Therein lies the problem in our Church today, he said.  He then related a story from 20 years ago in Hays.  A big community-wide mission was given.  The speaker was a priest from out-of-town.  Everyone was primed for a nice inspirational message.  Instead, the priest took the listeners to task.  “Get off your laurels, let’s see some sweat and blood,” he said. “Your forefathers came to America and built an incredible Catholic community from near nothing.  With all your wealth today, you are barely even maintaining it.” 

Our visitor was very clear.  The issue was clarity of mission.  Catholics, not just in Hays or the Diocese of Salina, have been distracted along the way.  Our wealth has not freed us.  It has blinded us.  We are in bondage to it.  “Faith without works is dead,” he said.  Hmm, I said to myself, where have I heard that before?

 “The kingdom of God is at hand.”  Stewardship plus evangelization equal discipleship.