In his poem, “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” John Donne says, “No man is an island, entire of itself.  Each is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.”  As human beings we are social people, connected to one another in many ways.   The tragedy of the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile moved our hearts with concern and a desire to reach out.  The problems of some people are the problems of all.  In the Church we are not islands as individuals or parishes.  We are part of the “main.”  The “main’ in this case has many meanings.  First of all we are part of more than 2,000 years of Christianity.  From humble beginnings in the Holy Land, the church today is worldwide and is comprised of more than one billion people.  Right here in St. Patrick’s we are blessed with the presence of two priests from another continent.  Both Fr. Desmond and Fr. Anselm come from Nigeria in Africa.  Without them we would not be able to offer all the services and liturgies we currently have.  They are our brothers in the “main,” the “one, holy catholic and apostolic Church” we say we believe in each Sunday when we profess our faith by proclaiming the creed together.  Our common faith makes us one with God and with each other.

Another part of the “main” we belong to is the Diocese of Rockville Centre.  Together with the 133 parishes throughout Suffolk and Nassau Counties we are more than 1.5 million strong.  In addition to the parishes, there are more than sixty other institutions and organizations that serve our needs and the needs of all who come to us.  One of the integral and key ways the apostolic work of the church in our diocese is supported is through the annual Catholic Ministries Appeal.   One hundred percent of the money donated goes to five areas: Formation, Education, Catholic Charities, Pastoral Outreach and Parish Share.  The following is a quote from the brochure for this year’s appeal and is a good summary of the work of the “main” we are doing as the Diocese of Rockville Centre: “Every year, through the support and commitment of individuals and organizations, we serve more than 500,000 people in our Long Island Community.  This support enables our children to continue to receive the gift of spiritual formation, sacramental preparation, and quality education.  It allows seminarians, deacons and lay leaders to fulfill their calling to serve their community.  With your support, Catholic Charities can maintain its services for the poor and disadvantaged, and we can continue to reach out to our young people and others to find the best ways to guide and pass on our faith from generation to generation.”

This weekend I am speaking briefly after communion to ask your support for this vital and life-giving work of the Church (you and I) right here on Long Island.  I am very aware of your generosity to our parish and other causes presented for your help.  Our support of the Catholic Ministries Appeal directly helps more than half a million people.  As a parish priest I can tell you that people come to us when they are down and out.  Many people are suffering in these difficult economic times.  Our culture continues to bombard us, especially our young people, with examples of greed and encouragement to take care our all our wants, needs and whims first.  Our daily commitment to live our faith is not always easy, but is a source of hope for ourselves and all whose lives we touch.  As the church on Long Island we touch the lives of countless people, most of whom we will never meet.  But through our support of the Catholic Ministries Appeal they know our love, concern and goodness.  In a later verse in his poem I quoted above, John Donne says, “For I am involved in mankind.” Our love and concern makes a difference and makes the Good News real and concrete.  Please join with me in making a pledge or donation to the Catholic Ministries Appeal. There is a form in today’s bulletin or online via the Catholic Ministries Appeal section of this home page for your convenience.  Whatever you can do will be very helpful.  If each family could give a dollar or even fifty cents a day, we will meet our goal of $150,000.  That is a large sum on top of everything else we are supporting right here at St. Patrick’s.  But we are part of the “main.”

There have been articles about the dire situation we are facing financially in the diocese.  Being of service to one another takes time, talent and money.  I again ask your support for the crucial work we are doing as the church right here on Long Island.

Father Walden ; ;