Our Gospel message this weekend centers on the Call of Christ, which comes to everyone in different ways. One great example takes place this Saturday.
On Saturday January 28, we welcome to our parish The Salesian Guild of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for their 73rd annual Gathering. Named after St. Francis de Sales who is the patron saint of Church communicators, the meeting brings together men and women who are engaged in the world of mass media and communications within the Archdiocese. Some work for Church-sponsored media and institutes or others employed by secular media outlets in the surrounding area to be considered members.
The Salesian Guild meets to experience prayer fellowship and deepen their faith and vocation as communicators in the modern world. They will join the parish for the 4 pm Mass on Saturday evening January 28th and then adjourn to our new parish center for a social hour, followed by dinner and speakers.
The main speaker this year is Deacon Greg Kandra, a popular national blogger an ordained deacon for the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York. He worked at CBS News for a quarter of a century, writing and producing shows such as 48 Hours,
Sunday Morning, 60 Minutes II, and the CBS Evening News. He will speak about his experience as a deacon and as a former professional in the world of national news. The group will also present their Distinguished Communicator of the Year Award which this year will go to Michael D. Pitman. Mr. Pitman is being recognized for his integrity, professionalism, fellowship and idealism as a political reporter for the Cox Media Group in Ohio where he has worked for the Journal-News newspaper in Butler County.
The Salesian Guild only meets once a year for their big night which is held at different venues throughout the Archdiocese. The fellowship generated at the meeting is meant to strengthen the communicator’s ties to one another and to the Church during the year to come. We welcome them and hope that this year's event is the best ever.
Finally, the Salesian group tries to assemble on a Saturday as close to the feast of St. Francis de Sales which was this past Tuesday, January 24. De Sales was a Bishop and Doctor of the Church; he was famous for writing little pamphlets and printing them by the thousands to help people understand the Catholic faith. De Sales was first trained as a lawyer but felt called to become a priest against the wishes of his noble family in 16th century France.
His writings are the first example of religious publications being used to communicate the Catholic Faith to people who had fallen away from the Church. He is thought to have brought back to the practice of the Catholic faith more than 40,000 people in Switzerland.
De Sales wrote many famous books including, “Introduction to the Devout Life.” His special interest was promoting the vocation of the laity in the Church and the world, so that they be the true salt and light that Jesus talked about in his Gospel.
In 1923 Pope Pius named St. Francis de Sales the patron Saint of Catholic writers and of the Catholic priesthood because of the witness of his life as a priest, bishop and communicator.
St. Francis de Sales attended a Jesuit high school, so we know he would feel at home here as well. He was known for his pithy sayings; one of my favorites is: "We have to cook the truth in charity until it tastes sweet." Welcome to the Salesian Guild. Please feel at home here at St. Xavier Parish.
Fr. Matthew Gamber, SJ, Associate Pastor