The fourth verse is that people of different cultural traditions will also eagerly discern and answer their call to become Companions . Our community in the United States was born to serve people who came here from different countries . Today many people from countries around the world call America home , despite the message they sometimes receive that they are not welcome . Many people from different cultural traditions understand what it means to be a minister of reconciliation because they have stood outside the circle and were not welcomed in . They have lived out Precious Blood spirituality in the core of their being without even knowing what it was . By entering into relationship with people from different cultural traditions in this country , our Companions would be stronger , as well as grow in their faith through the example of people who come from different cultural traditions and backgrounds .
The final verse is my dream that Companions and members can continue to foster relationships and truly begin to minister together in service to the community . Our Companions have many talents and gifts that they would love to offer to the community . I hope that as we move into the future we can trust each other and have confidence that we are all working for the common good . Companions value and care for the community as much as you members do . I hope that in the future that Companions will be allowed to work together with you for the good of the community that we are care deeply about .
Congregation at the gathering at Techny Towers
I conclude with a writer from this generation who reminds us of the importance of this moment as we dream about the future . In the hit musical “ Hamilton ” Lin Manuel Miranda wrote , “ History has its eyes on you .” History has its eyes on us today . Our community comes from a long line of dreamers who looked
Vicky Otto and Fr . Richard Bayuk visiting during the gathering
into the future with conviction as they carried forth the message of reconciliation and renewal . Will we continue with the same visionary boldness or will we get let obstacles and challenges deter us ? I hope that we will do our ancestors proud in this moment . The powerful play of our future will go on . We have a verse to contribute . Let ’ s make it count . �
Fr . Alvin Herber , continued from page 3 put the parish plant to bed .” But rather than walking through the buildings and rooms and turning on lights as he went , he would instead carry a flashlight . He didn ’ t want to spend the money to pay for the electricity to turn lights on and off as he made sure everything was secure .
He walked around with a flashlight . And one of his favorite tv programs every afternoon , “ sacred time ” to him , was the soap opera “ Guiding Light .” ( When he left St . James , the parishioners arranged for him to receive autographed photos from the actors and actresses of the series !) He was for the people wherever he served , a guiding light . He often said to me , “ You know , a missionary is at home wherever he finds himself ." And whenever we would be out somewhere for the evening , he would at some point say , “ I think it ’ s time to go home .”
Al , thank you for being a guiding light , pointing out to us the way , the truth , and the life . You knew that you were only the flashlight , that you were pointing all of us in the right direction , not wanting us to get lost in the darkness . Rejoice and be glad , Al , for you have come to Mt . Zion , to the city of the living God , the heavenly Jerusalem . To myriads of angels who accompany with song and trumpets , and to a blood that speaks more eloquently than that of Abel . You are home . Turn off the light . You don ’ t need it , because your light now reflects the one who is the Way , the Truth , the Life . W
8 • The New Wine Press • November 2017