Fr. John's Reflection

In last week’s message, crisis was presented as happening when a person’s usual and customary coping skills are no longer adequate to address a perceived stressful situation. Often such situations are novel and unexpected. A crisis occurs when unusual stress, brought on by unexpected and disruptive events, render an individual physically and emotionally disabled – because their usual coping mechanisms and past behavioral repertoire prove ineffective. A crisis often limits one’s ability to utilize more sophisticated problem-solving and conflict resolution skills. As Catholics, as Christians, we are blessed with an always faithful, always trustworthy way of coping – it is the Lord -- our faith in a loving, compassionate, protective, peace-filled personable God.

One aspect of a crisis that certain cultures across the world have placed in a greater context with faith-based roots is that Crisis = opportunities of Grace. The first commandment of love involves loving God with our whole mind, heart, soul, and our whole strength. This commandment provides us with the channel for his healing love to be poured out on us. We can embrace this teaching. We know by the teaching of St. Paul to the Romans that when darkness and/or sin increases, grace overflows even more.

Another aspect of a crisis is that when it is known that a person or a group are in crisis, a community of faith becomes mobilized or ministries in a parish family become forefront. Family members, friends, partners in the crisis and social support networks may be able to help us stabilize and to cope. The second great commandment of love, “Love Our Neighbor as Ourselves” is exemplified in our love of each other in support and compassionate ways that mirror the love of God.

This past weekend we heard about one of the supports that exist in our parish family that can be there to help support and be the listening ear and presence of Our Lord for one in need – Stephen Ministry. Please reach out to be a care giver or receiver or to get more information by responding to the ad found on page 5 of this bulletin.

If your situation seems to be overwhelming or in need of further support than friends, family, fellow parishioners or ministries, please contact to gain referrals or resources from our newly formed Mental Health Team listed below.

Linked Parishes’ Mental Health Team*
Rev. Peter Bassey
Deacon Matthew Wenke
Diane “Dee” Cecchi
Anne Miles
Carol Autieri
Ruth Palmquist
Carmella Bartimole
Marion Boyce
Rev. John Adams

*If you need to contact the team at this time,
please contact Rev. Peter Bassey or Rev. John Adams.
All contacts and correspondences are strictly confidential.

God’s Comfort and His Peace,
Fr. John