Pastor's Letter

Today we celebrate the moment when Jesus was lifted up into heaven.  We celebrate the Ascension of Our Lord.
 
According to the account in the Acts of the Apostles—our first reading for today—we see that the apostles looking on didn’t quite know what to make of it. In fact, they get caught looking up into the clouds as they watch Jesus ascend.  Two men “dressed in white garments” (messengers from heaven?) suddenly stand beside them to snap them out of it. They move them from looking at the sky, bewildered, to looking forward to where they needed to go next. In that brief moment, they “lifted up” their spirits to move into action.
 
During this time of pandemic, we need these kind of moments that lift us up.  We can spend a lot of time looking into the future or into the unknown or to what bewilders us, which can leave us speechless.  Sometimes something—or someone—says something, though, to ground us again, or give us hope, or move us into a better state of mind and heart. And that act of kindness moves us forward to get through the days ahead.
 
Last Sunday, our parish experienced one of those moments, and it happened because so many of you took the time to share some food, paper goods, laundry supplies, and needed resources to help the hungry and those in need.
 
In the midst of non-stop rain, car after car pulled up to the front entrance with bags and bags of donated goods for the food pantry at St. Aloysius—our sharing parish northwest of downtown Chicago.  What we didn’t know, was that the timing was right.  As Manny Velasquez from St. Al’s told us, it was the answer to a prayer. 
 
Earlier that week, the St. Al’s food pantry—which is now serving triple the number of clients as before the pandemic—was supposed to receive a large shipment. However, because of the great need around the city, it didn’t come in. They showed me pictures of the empty shelves and were concerned they’d have to turn away families in need. 
 
Our St. Hubert community that morning filled their entire van, almost to the ceiling.  They had tears in their eyes, because they could face the week—and next week, too—being able to keep the pantry open and continue their mission of feeding the hungry.  They kept saying, “You can’t believe how much of a blessing this is. Your community really came through for us—again!  You do a lot to help us keep going.”
 
In lifting them up, we were lifted up, too.  That’s how it works.  Jesus shows us over and over again that goodness leads to more goodness. When we help others, it actually helps us because it’s like medicine for the soul. 
 
In these uncertain times, I feel truly blessed belonging to our parish and being able to see that goodness is something that endures and triumphs over fear and pulling away. In these last few months, seeing your faith and your charity has lifted me up.  It moves my eyes from looking at what bewilders, to seeing a future filled with hope and opportunity.  Thanks for the lift!
 
             —Fr. Mike