Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 25, 2026
On my IPad, I watched clips of Pope Leo's September visit to France. I was especially thrilled by the large gathering of young French Catholics in the sports stadium. The TV commentators said that there were 80,000 young people present. It was moving to see and hear all those young people singing the Salve Regina. Their faces were joyful and their singing was loud. Inspiring!
It is encouraging when lots of people come together to attest to our faith. But the young people in that sports stadium did not suddenly discover their faith that night in that youth gathering. Their faith was nurtured in their families and in their parish churches. Perhaps they were catechized in Catholic Schools or youth retreats. For sure, they were evangelized within the communion of the Church.
When we see lots of people gather to celebrate their faith, we are invigorated. It is a blessing to live our faith in the communion of the Church. That means that when we gather with our fellow Catholics to worship God, we witness faith to one another. Perhaps you don't think of it, but your faith and the faith of everyone else is bolstered by the presence of other Catholics also at worship.
It is a great blessing to live our faith in the Church's communion. Apart from the family, the primary place of Church communion is in the parish church. When you attend Mass or other church services, your presence is an encouragement to everyone. The same is true if you attend other gatherings bible studies, quiet adoration in the church with others, church meetings, even social gatherings after Mass.
The fact is that we need one another. Jesus did not call us only for a personal relationship with Him. He does want us to have a real friendship with Him, but Jesus also gathered us into the Church. Jesus wants us to be brothers and sisters to one another in the Church.
Of course the Church needs everyone's sacrificial financial support to survive and thrive. The Church also needs everyone's presence. We need to live within the communion of the Church, frequently present, always showing respect and love to one another.
The Capuchin friars of Saint John's gather each day at 7 AM for morning prayer, at 5:50 for evening prayer and at 9 PM for night prayer. At times I can't be present; the same is true for each of the other brothers. But I try to be present and sometimes I make great efforts to get home for Capuchin community prayer. Our community life depends on each one making an effort to be present for community prayer. If a friar does not make that effort, he harms our fraternity and our Christian communal bonds. Every one of the friars of Saint John's tries to attend community prayer.
Likewise, our presence within the community of the parish is very important. The presence of each one strengthens the faith of everyone. Attendance at Sunday Mass is a serious obligation for every Catholic. Missing Mass without a grave reason is a serious sin against God and against the community. Being present for weekday Masses, adoration in the lower church and other activities also strengthen the community of the Church.
About out 60% of our Sunday congregation at Saint John's are visitors. Their presence in our parish is an inspiration to all of us. Even though they are away from their homes, they seek a Catholic community to share Sunday Mass. When you travel, do you find a local church to attend Mass? Travel is not an excuse for missing Mass. Our Catholic communion is not only a local reality. We belong to a universal Church and we need to do our best to praise God within the communion and assembly of the Church.
We are blessed to be members of Christ's Church. Let's be good members by making sacrifices to be present as often as we can. Let's pray for one another, encourage one another and avoid any harmful behavior that would weaken the bonds of communion.
