Why do we have priests, bishops and a pope?: Daily Mass Homily--Wednesday, October 15th, 2014 (School Mass)

(Listen to this homily here.)

            Now I want to see everyone on your best behavior as we come to Mass this morning!

            I asked the first and second graders earlier this week what a diocese is.  N, what did you think a diocese is?  The day you die.  That’s a very good guess, but a diocese is a group of Catholic churches in an area.

            What are we celebrating for our diocese now?  Our birthday!  On October 3^rd, 1889, we were formed, making us 125 years old!

            Who is in charge of our diocese?  God.  You.  Yes, God is the boss of everyone and no, I am not!  The person in charge of a diocese is a bishop and our bishop’s name is Bishop Paul Sirba.  Who is the leader of the whole Church?  The pope!  And what is the pope’s name?  St. Francis.  Pope Francis is our pope.

            Now why did God give us priests, bishops and popes?  He did so to ensure that everyone receives the gifts of the Spirit listed in our first reading: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”  Now who is the Spirit referred to in this reading?  God.  Yes, but specifically what is His name?  Remember the sign of the cross—“In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”  My only goal as a priest is that you grow closer to God, and one of the ways you can think about growing to God is being open to the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

            For you adults, it is good to examine yourself based on these fruits.  What fruits do you experience most?  Which ones can you work on becoming more open to?

            As we strive to be open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we continue to pray here at Mass.  Let us stand as we offer our prayers to God.