One supportive word can make a world of difference

by Claire Howard, USAC President

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary’s main entry for the word “affirm” is as follows:

“validate, confirm, to state positively, to assert as valid or confirmed, to express dedication to.” 

With the press emphasizing the negatives about a handful of priests and religious, we Serrans need to make an extra special effort to affirm the majority. Just imagine: if each one of our over 13,000 U.S. Serrans increased the validation of our priests and religious, it could make a big difference!

In this Lenten season, instead of giving up something, try increasing something: your affirmation. Stop and thank those who are working to keep Christ in our lives – not only priests and religious, but also religious education teachers, Eucharistic ministers, lectors, leaders of song, bible study groups, Knights, Serrans, etc. Let your imagination expand this list and figure out a way to do it.

Here are some pertinent excerpts of the Pope’s traditional February address to the clergy in the diocese of Rome:

“Vocations decline when the intensity of faith and fervor diminishes. . . The greater the number of laity who seek to live their baptismal commitment with generosity, the more necessary the presence and activity of ordained ministers. . . The Church’s commitment to vocations must have at its roots a great common commitment: one that calls upon lay people, priests and religious. . . Each parish and Christian community. . . must feel a shared responsibility in proposing and accompanying vocations.”

Shouldn’t Serra’s commitment to vocations always include affirmation? That in itself helps to support the growth of priests and religious spiritual fervor.

In the March issue of the Catholic Digest is an article about churches that struggle without a priest in residence. It states, “The Catholic community in a priestless church is very close-knit, partly because everyone strongly senses that they can’t say no when asked to serve. If parishioners say no, things may not get done.” When the author was in parishes that had three or four priests, and a task needed to be done, the parishioners held back and waited for “Father” to do it because they believed it was his job. A priestless parish does not allow for that type of thinking. The article ends by saying, “Priestlessness, then, prompts participation.”

What a sad thought, and yet how true it often is in many of our parishes. Think about that! How can we as Serrans help to change it? Who said it is Father’s job? Even if it is, there must be a way we can help with that job.

Regardless of his letters’ content, St. Paul’s style was almost always affirming. He began most of his letters by stating what he most appreciated about his readers and the joy he felt because of their faith in God. If Paul could do it, why can’t we? Attest, certify, guarantee, vouch, witness, say, state, AFFIRM.

Thank you for all you do for Serra. Mary, Queen of Vocations, pray for us. Please continue to say the following Prayer of Jabez for our Serran year:

Oh, that you would bless Serra abundantly
And enlarge Serra’s territory
That you will be with Serra in all that Serrans do,
That you will keep Serrans from evil,
And that Serrans may not cause pain.
 - Paraphrased from the Prayer of Jabez, Chronicles 4:10

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