Editor’s note: Article originally published on April 1, 2021.
Holy Thursday is a celebration of The Last Supper Jesus had with his Apostles before his death on the Cross. Matthew, Mark, and Luke contain narratives of this event in their Gospels. The Gospel of John gives a different account where Jesus washes the feet of his Apostles. During the Mass on Holy Thursday the priest washes the feet of parishioners as a sign of service.
This liturgical feast is one of my favorites in the entire church calendar. The institution of the Eucharist takes place on Holy Thursday. I also find the washing of feet as a profound gesture of love and service. Finally, the conclusion of the Mass sets up the stage for Good Friday― Jesus’ Death on the Cross.
Editor’s Note: Matthew Chicoine interviewed Jocelyn Abyad via phone call on June 26th, 2025. Some of the questions have been rearranged and edited to provide the best reader experience without losing any integrity of the answers given.
What inspired you to start We Carry You Still, and how did your personal experience shape its mission?
In 2020 and 2021 my husband and I lost three babies due to miscarriage (at 10 weeks, 6 weeks, and 15 weeks). We were blindsided and found there were not a lot of existing resources that were compatible with our faith.
My husband and I did some research on this and found our own journey of healing. I found a local grief support group called Forget Me Not (they later merged with Owl Love You Forever).
From the work we saw with Forget Me Not, we were inspired to create more Catholic resources for those experiencing loss. My mom, myself and a couple friends started We Carry You Still as a non-profit in 2024.
How does your Catholic faith—and the richness of the Eastern tradition—inform the way your organization accompanies grieving families?
I am an Eastern Catholic and my mom is a Roman Catholic, so we had the East and West represented. As we brought my friends on board, they are actually Orthodox, our mission expanded. The Orthodox similarly are not providing enough support on the miscarriage issue. Our faith is an Incarnate one. When you lose a child due to miscarriage it feels like this invisible weight that people are carrying on their own. One of the beauties of our faith is that we have a physical faith. We have our Mother in Heaven. She knows how it feels to bury Her child.
You mention that miscarriage affects not just the parents, but the entire Body of Christ. What does that communal aspect of grief and healing look like in practice?
Well the name of our ministry reflects that vision. We address this on several levels. First, we know that the parents and immediate family carry the baby that was lost in their hearts, even for years to come.. We offer free Memory Boxes for the women who experience the miscarriage to help them remember their child and process their grief..
Similarly, we are empowering the community to show up for the grieving family with this gift box. Sometimes the community wants to help and show up but they don’t know how. This gives them a way to do that. Everybody together is carrying each other in their grief. Mothers, fathers, living children and even parents who had miscarriages decades ago. And helping the community around them support those in grieving their loss.
What kind of spiritual and practical support does We Carry You Still offer for couples navigating miscarriage or infant loss?
We also offer healing retreats (no matter how long it has been since you lost a baby).
Our retreats are offered to women and couples. We are in the unique position that my husband is serving as a priest and father who knows the loss of a child personally.
Our box packing events are an opportunity for people to help pay if forward and put their grief to work. While we do have some people who haven’t experienced this type of loss helping with the grief boxes, it is predominantly those couples who have experienced loss themselves with miscarriages helping to prepare these boxes for those couples who are currently going through the grief of losing a child.
Many Catholic parents struggle with how to talk to their other children about miscarriage. Do you have any advice for families walking through that?
First off, on our website, we offer informational guides and resources. We have a guide for anyone who is touched by these losses. We have guides in both English and Spanish. On our resources page we have book recommendations for both adults and children. Everything we recommend is in line with official Church teaching.
Typically, for children it is helpful to keep them informed about the miscarriage, bring them to the funeral, visit the graves of their siblings, and invite them in prayers.
There’s this context by which the children can experience such loss through the lense of faith. There’s a hope in the Resurrection and seeing our babies (and their siblings) in Heaven.
I think that while my children were very sad at the moment, having them be a part of the grieving process in light of our Catholic faith has been impactful in the healing process.
How can parishes, priests, and Catholic communities be more supportive to families facing this kind of loss?
I think number one if I speak broadly, this is the forgotten front of the pro-life movement. We do a good job of praying outside abortion clinics and pray to end abortion and euthanasia. And yet we leave faithful couples in the pew who have experienced miscarriage with little to no support.
Burying the dead is a corporal work of mercy. If women are prepared to bury their babies; if people were given these resources they would be more prepared to deal with these crises when they happen.
I think we can be more sensitive on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Use more inclusive language that acknowledges that there is a range of experiences of motherhood and fatherhood.
Providing information is a key way. In the Diocese of Phoenix, we will be participating in the annual NFP training and giving couples resources if and when they may need it. To at least give them resources in the back of their mind should they experience a miscarriage.
For those who want to help but aren’t sure how, what’s the best way Catholics can support someone who’s grieving the loss of a child?
I would point back to the guides we have on our website. Don’t be afraid to mention the child. The parents will not forget about their child. If you can remember the child by name it can be very empowering.
I try to ask open-ended questions to see how they are feeling. And I also ask people to tell me about your family instead of how many kids you have.
Where can my audience learn more about your work?
Visit us at We Carry You Still and take a visual tour to learn more. You can also follow us on: Facebook and Instagram @wecarryyoustill . There are two other excellent ministries in this line of work. One is Redbird which supports child loss of any age and the other is Springs in the Desert, who supports Catholics experiencing infertility.
About Jocelyn:
Jocelyn Abyad is the wife of Fr. Zyad Abyad and mother of 7 daughters on earth and 3 babies in Heaven. She holds a degree in psychology from Arizona State University and worked as a finance banker for over a decade before choosing to stay home to homeschool her children. Alongside her husband, she serves at St. John of the Desert Melkite Catholic Church in Phoenix, Arizona.Jocelyn shares insights on homeschooling and liturgical living across multiple platforms as Melkite Momma and is a regular contributor to Byzikids Magazine. Throughout her work and personal experiences, Jocelyn seeks to foster faith, family, and community.
Our City in Derry in the North of Ireland has suffered. The Derry City Walls built during the 1600s tell a story of British oppression and persecution. During ‘The Troubles’, a period of 30 years from the 1960s to 1998, Derry went through trauma, grief and untold suffering as sectarian violence and feuds were ongoing between paramilitary groups.
The trauma and suffering did not end with the ‘Good Friday Agreement’ which brought about fragile peace from sectarianism. The people across Derry and the rest of Northern Ireland continue to struggle with PTSD, issues of poverty, despair, mental illness, unemployment, imprisonment, addiction, violence, family breakdown, and suicide. Northern Ireland has the highest rate of suicide in the UK with higher rates among men and the youth.
It is into this darkness that Jesus chose to come and shine bright.
The Franciscan Friars: A Ministry of Hope
The Franciscan friars of the renewal settled in Derry in 2010 and since then they have ministered to the broken rejected and most in need in derry. They offer love, material assistance and a journey into intimacy with God as well as an invitation to find the ultimate joy in knowing that regardless of circumstances we are loved as sons and daughters of God.
The CFR friars regularly swap about the members of their community within the different friaries. In September 2023 Fr Antonio Maria Diez De Medina CFR was transferred to Derry Northern Ireland from London. In London Fr Antonio had been in active ministry with young adults alive in their faith as well as walking alongside a group called Cenacle Charismatic London led by Ania Graglewska, a Polish lady living in London sharing the joys of her own healing miracle and her love of the Gospel and the Holy Spirit.
Seeds of Revival: A Vision for Renewal
Fr Antonio could see the amazing love the people of Derry have for their faith , the Eucharist, Our Lady and our celebrated Sr Clare Crockett, newly made servant of God. Fr Antonio and his friends from Cenacle London decided to come alongside those in Derry seeking breakthrough for a renewal of the Catholic faith in Ireland.
Many of us in Derry wanted to be part of raising up Jesus in the most Holy Eucharist as the ONLY solution to all of what our people are suffering. The Franciscan friars of the renewal and a dedicated team of lay people began to step out in faith for something brand new to us. Fr Antonio encouraged us as we got in contact with other CFR friars in America to hear about how massive Eucharistic processions going across the whole of America were bringing about an ‘on fire’ Eucharistic Revival. In particular we connected with Br Damien Novak CFR in Newark New Jersey, Fr Gabriel Kyte CFR in Albuquerque New Mexico and more recently Fr John Anthony Boughton CFR who is the General Servant of the community in the Bronx New York.
The First Steps: October 2023 Procession
As we experienced and heard the witness of the friars and others in America talking about life changing experiences in the Eucharistic processions they were part of we found we were catching fire with the same flame of love! The same Eucharistic burning fire of the heart!
We had our first Eucharistic procession in Derry Ireland in the neighbourhood around the friary on 28th October 2023. This was a direct response to what we felt God wanted to come against the Halloween culture that has developed in our city over the recent decades as people, hurting and hungry for meaning and spirituality, search in pagan Irish shamanism and witchcraft for the solution to their problems. Derry has become so immersed in these alternative spiritualities that it boasts it’s title as Halloween capital of Europe.
The Eucharistic procession on 28th October 2023 just before Halloween was a cry from Our Lord in the Eucharist and His body of Christ the Catholic faith community in Derry , the Eucharistic beating heart of Jesus , to return to God who Is Love. Our God who has already done all this before us, who has won the battle against sin and death and is offering us Himself, body blood soul and divinity and an invitation to eternal life in Him.
Breaking Through the City Walls: A Historic Moment
Jesus is the true Sonlight!
The Emmaus 2023 neighborhood Eucharistic Procession was a great success. Following this celebration, Fr Antonio and his friends from London met with several local organizers. Together, they planned to create something entirely new for Derry in 2024.
Human Life International Ireland , Executive Director Patrick McCrystal, and many of the local Derry people felt our Lord wanted the next Eucharistic procession event along with the Cenacle London Charismatic involvement to be a breakthrough for LIFE. Patrick McCrystal held a reception after the procession at a hotel in the city centre. This gave an opportunity for all the teams involved in organising the procession to unite. What was communicated was a sense of joy and overwhelming to tears.
We knew we were part of something supernatural. We could not process what had just happened. “A breakthrough Eucharistic procession passed through the arches of the Derry city walls – the first in 400 years! Bishop Donal McKeown gave permission for this historic event. The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal led the procession, joined by diocesan priests and seminarians. The Benedictine Monks of Perpetual Adoration from Silverstream Priory and the Home of the Mother Sisters (Sr Clare Crockett’s Order) also participated. Hundreds of lay people completed this momentous gathering.”
The Impact on the Streets of Derry
We felt the sense that God was breaking bonds of division and free masonic strongholds. The impact was phenomenal. People were kneeling and crying in the streets, blessing themselves, walking with us. At one point, people sang the Divine Mercy Chaplet as the priest raised the Eucharist high in the town square. Everyone present—including busy shoppers and security guards—knelt in reverence and worship.
The Effatha ‘be opened’ Eucharistic procession carried deep significance. The people of Derry and their priests gathered to pray for specific intentions. They prayed for hearts to open to God and others. They sought reparation and repentance for humanity’s turn from God and His commandments. They asked God to overcome global forces of fear, evil, lies and sin. They prayed for revival and unity in the Church. They requested an end to human trafficking, abortion, and euthanasia. They sought freedom through the Spirit of Truth. Finally, they prayed for priests to embrace deep Marian and Eucharistic devotion.
Growing Momentum: From Local to Global
The Effatha procession in Derry also launched 40 days of perpetual adoration worldwide. The team in London created a website where adorers could sign up for an hour, regardless of time zone or location. It was hugely successful and the graces of the Eucharistic revival were evident all through it. Momentum was building.
On December 12, 2024, the lay teams, along with the Franciscan friars and the Sisters of the Renewal, organized a Eucharistic procession. It took place in their neighborhood in Derry to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of their community. This procession attracted huge attention and support and was filmed by EWTN. Many school children of all ages came out to join us as the procession passed the school yards. Some of the older students passed out roses and miraculous medals to people passing in cars and on the walkways. Again we witness families and the elderly in their gardens some with tears streaming down their faces kneeling and blessing themselves.
St. Brigid’s Cloak: A Global Revival Begins
Before plans for the December 12, 2024, Eucharistic procession had even begun, the teams received in prayer that Our Lord was calling for something greater. He was placing it on their hearts to organize an even bigger, wider-reaching Eucharistic procession in 2025. It would take place on the feast of St. Brigid, Saturday, February 1—one of Ireland’s most significant days. St. Brigid, along with St. Patrick, is a beloved patron saint of Ireland.
One young man on the team, devoted to Our Lady, felt she was asking for a simultaneous Eucharistic procession in Medjugorje. The idea was powerful: the same day, the same time. As soon as the announcement was made, it went viral.
Fr. Leon and his team in Medjugorje responded immediately with a heartfelt “yes.” In unity and agreement, they embraced the call. Tears flowed, emotions ran high, and the Holy Spirit moved powerfully as people around the world said yes.
Suddenly, people from all over the world began reaching out. They wanted to unite with us by holding their own Eucharistic processions. We quickly realized St. Brigid was interceding for us!
She once asked the King of Ireland for all the land where she spread her cloak. He agreed, and miraculously, her cloak covered the entire country. This sparked a great revival and a return to the faith in Ireland around 500 AD.
United in Prayer: A Worldwide Movement
Most recently we got news that Fr George Stewart a priest in the Bronx New York is leading a Eucharistic Procession to unite with us. We also just heard about 3 Eucharistic processions that will be happening in Dublin and converging at the Radio Maria studios as well as another procession in Manchester England with the Men of St Joseph.
The Eucharistic revival has sparked another beautiful development. Communities have stepped forward to offer 24-hour adoration with prayers of intercession during the feast of St Brigid on February 1st, 2024. Fr Gerry Campbell and ‘The 12’ in Knockbridge, County Louth, Ireland, joined this initiative. Craig Lodge House of Prayer in Argyll, Scotland, also participated. Both communities conducted 24-hour worship and adoration. Together, they united in prayer for worldwide Eucharistic Revival.
Looking Forward: A Call to Action
The Eucharistic Processions, adoration and pilgrimages of coach loads of people coming from all around is snowballing!
On February 1st, hundreds of school children will lead the faithful behind priests carrying the Eucharist in procession. The participants will pray for these intentions: that world governments recognize Jesus Christ as King, that abortion, euthanasia, war and other threats to human life end, that families heal from sin, division, addiction and suicide, that the Immaculate Heart of Mary triumph, that global elite agendas and healthcare dictatorships yield to the tranquility of God’s order, and that the Holy Spirit pours out a new Pentecost of hope during the Jubilee Year 2025.
We are seeing mighty miracles in our midst. Please get involved! This is a Eucharistic Revival! Jesus is coming for His people!
Saint Paul wrote, “For as in one body we have many parts, and all the parts do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually parts of one another” (Romans 12:4-5). We often hear priests and bishops tell us, the laity, to be the hands and feet of Christ. The analogy of the many parts making up a whole body makes sense to me. Everyone has an individual role based on your gifts and state in life.
What I never thought about until recently was the specific role Mary plays (using this analogy of the Body of Christ). The Mother of God connects the faithful to her Son, the Second Person of the Trinity. In this post, I will share a few more reasons why Mary is the neck of the Body of Christ.
Her Humble Role in Salvation History
There’s nothing flashy about the neck. It’s a humble muscle whose primary focus is to link the head to the rest of the human body. Likewise, Mary is the connector of the Body of Christ with Christ the Head. Saint Bernard said, “It is not hard to be humble in a hidden life, but to remain so in the midst of honors is a truly rare and beautiful virtue.”
No other person in the history of Christianity (except for Christ) has as many titles or honor given as Mary. The angel Gabriel declared, “Hail, Mary full of grace” (Luke 1:28). To the average person this type of praise could lead to the sin of pride. Verse 29 referred to Mary as being “troubled” by the angel’s claim. According to St. Alphonsus’, “Mary was troubled because she was filled with humility, disliked praise, and desired that God only be praised.”
The humble neck is an appropriate analogy to speak of the Blessed Virgin’s humility.
Testifies to Jesus’ Full Humanity
In the fourth century, there arose a heresy, or false teaching, that denied that Mary was the mother of Jesus. Named after the bishop Nestorius who promoted this belief, the heresy formally became known as Nestorianism.
The Third Ecumenical Council at Ephesus in 431 declared that Mary is theotokos (the God-bearer). Led by Saint Cyril of Alexandria, the council fathers, wrote about Mary:
“Mother of God, not that the nature of the Word or his divinity received the beginning of its existence from the holy Virgin, but that, since the holy body, animated by a rational soul, which the Word of God united to himself according to the hypostasis, was born from her, the Word is said to be born according to the flesh.” (DS 251).
Catholics honor Mary as mother, and celebrate her motherhood on January 1st because:
Jesus entrusted us into the care of Mary as our spiritual mother (see John 19:26-27).
Honoring the motherhood of Mary reminds us of the humanity of Jesus
Mary as Mother of God protects against heresies claiming Jesus wasn’t fully man
Necks and Nourishment
Saint Bernard of Clairvoux fittingly wrote about Mary, “‘channel’ or, even, the neck, through which the body is joined to the head, and likewise through which the head exerts its power and strength on the body. For she is the neck of our Head, by which all spiritual gifts are communicated to His Mystical Body.” Saint Pope Pius X echoed the same sentiment in his encyclical Ad diem illum.
Food enters the mouth of the body and is carried down the neck (more precisely the esophagus) into the digestive system. In an analogous manner, Christ’s nourishing grace is channeled through Mary to the rest of the Church’s members.
During my first Marian consecration, I experienced a closer relationship to Jesus. Saint Louis de Montfort said,
[Mary] is the safest, easiest, shortest and most perfect way of approaching Jesus and will surrender themselves to her, body and soul, without reserve in order to belong entirely to Jesus.
Notice how the saint didn’t say Mary was the ONLY pathway to Christ. You can still pray directly to Jesus. It is in my experience that anytime I reflect on the life of Mary or ask her for help I always end with only thinking about her Son.
All analogies fall short of the reality they try to explain. But analogies help us understand things beyond our full comprehension. Mary is like the neck of the Body of Christ. Jesus entrusted the Church to his Mother (John 19:26-27). Examples from Church Tradition (Saints Bernard and Pope Pius X) and Scripture display how Mary’s primary role in salvation history is to give birth to Jesus and connect us with Him.
P.S. Thanks for sticking around for the post-article credits!
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Pray for everyone affected by the coronavirus. Is the toilet paper shortage frustrating? Definitely, but remember we are all on the same side—Team Humanity.
We should be helping the most vulnerable. Why? Because Jesus did that. He dined with sinners and tax collectors. Allowed the prostitute to wash his feet with her hair and perfume—even though the elite ridiculed him for that decision.
Christ let the children come to listen to him. He wasn’t afraid to help the leper. When he was tempted by the Devil, despite being hungry and thirsty, Jesus never gave into worldly power.
Social distancing makes it tougher to help our neighbor in the same tangible way that Christ helped those around him. But that shouldn’t cause us to lead to inaction.
As a Catholic, I became an adopted son of God. The Holy Spirit swells within all baptized individuals. A creative force of Love, the Holy Spirit will never cease to inspire us and grant us the gifts of courage, understanding, wisdom, knowledge, and wonder. The key is we have to be ready to ask for the gifts. Humble ourselves.
Here are a few ways to be the hands and feet of Christ during this pandemic crisis:
1️⃣ Hand write letters you your family members, especially those lonely, neighbors, or even contact a nursing home to get names of senior citizens to write to.
2️⃣ Don’t take more than you need
There is a difference between gathering for reasonable concern over a quarantine versus hoarding goods in panicked response or because you want to turn a profit.
3️⃣ Exercise charity online
Social distancing doesn’t mean people will stop being social. Digital interactions will increase. While we have been used to social media for years, the newsfeed has become saturated with negativity about the virus.
Fighting fire with fire only leads to more flames. The same is true with negativity. Match pessimism with a greater dosage of positivity. Be kind and empathetic online to others. Share a funny anecdote about how you are dealing with this crisis.
Jesus forgave Peter for being a jerk who denied him three times. You can certainly forgive those people who acted uncharitably regarding this issue or those individuals whose hysteria led to hoarding.
St. Paul was right in writing in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Be the hands and feet of Jesus. Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no better time as the present to start. Learn from the suffering caused by this pandemic to love others!
The Catholic Church Needs the Laity Now More than Ever
If you are a parent, teacher or have any authority over anyone in a job, then you may understand the cross you must carry at times when called set down the parameters for success. As we enter the following examination of conscience as members of the church in light of recent events in our Catholic church, let us consider the responsibilities of our leaders, and take on the mindset of child being guided by a loving (and human) parent, or a docile sheep following his trusted shepherd.
As with any confession, this is not the time to confess the sins of others in excuse for our own sins. This is a time to take a serious and deep look into our hearts and where we have failed to abide and participate in the well-being of our beautiful Mother Church.
Have I been praying for our leaders? Especially, priests, bishops and cardinals?
“When people want to destroy religion they begin by attacking the priest; for when there is no priest, there is no sacrifice; and when there is no sacrifice, there is no religion.”
— St. John Vianney.
While many of us sit and read the newspaper and watch our screens in horror at the sins of some of church leaders, we must ask ourselves in earnest, how many times have I honestly prayed for them in the past year? Month? Week? Today?
We should be praying for our church leaders. Every. Single. Day. Not only that, we need to be offering sacrifices and fasting.
If the millions of Catholics all over the world prayed for our leaders’ protection, the Holy Spirit would have listened and prevented many of the Enemy’s attacks on the clergy.
Over the years, my faithful group of Sisters in Christ have done some of the following weekly ideas:
A Holy Hour of Reparation
A rosary for our church leaders
Fasting on Fridays, even just from lunch
Offering your Sunday mass intention for them
A hand-written note reminding him that you appreciate the fact that he gave up his life to serve God and all of us.
It doesn’t have to be complicated. The smallest prayer and sacrifice can make a difference when we remember what God can do with the little we offer Him.
Do I understand that God works His will through my obedience to His authority?
Our priests are not supposed to be entertainers. I have heard people complain about the way he talks, the way he sings or doesn’t; his homilies are too long, too short or too “preachy” (really?) Maybe we didn’t like what he said or the way he said it. Maybe he told us something that challenged us or took away our favorite “toy” (Harry Potter Books, Yoga, Ouija, etc.) because he proclaimed the dangers it posed to our souls, and like a rebellious son or daughter, we reacted with an offended attitude of pride, and a sharp word for him and his failures.
Did we consider he is responsible for our sanctification? Sins of omission are when we hold back from telling the truth because of our own fear of rejection. He is responsible for the entirety of his parish in this way.
If I say to the wicked, You shall surely die—and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade the wicked from their evil conduct in order to save their lives—then they shall die for their sin, but I will hold you responsible for their blood. 19 If, however, you warn the wicked and they still do not turn from their wickedness and evil conduct, they shall die for their sin, but you shall save your life. –Ezekiel 3:18-19
Obey your leaders and defer to them, for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account, that they may fulfill their task with joy and not with sorrow, for that would be of no advantage to you. –Hebrews 13:17
Do I share in the priestly mission of the church by making my own holiness a priority?
What is the priestly mission of the church?
To understand the “priestly mission of the church”, we refer to CHRISTIFIDELES LAICI (POST-SYNODAL APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION OF HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II ON THE VOCATION AND THE MISSION OF THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE CHURCH AND IN THE WORLD.)
The lay faithful are sharers in the priestly mission, for which Jesus offered himself on the cross and continues to be offered in the celebration of the Eucharist for the glory of God and the salvation of humanity. Incorporated in Jesus Christ, the baptized are united to him and to his sacrifice in the offering they make of themselves and their daily activities (cf. Rom 12:1, 2).
How can I help the priestly mission of the church?
By offering my prayer, work, struggles, suffering and joys each day.
Speaking of the lay faithful the Council says: “For their work, prayers and apostolic endeavours, their ordinary married and family life, their daily labour, their mental and physical relaxation, if carried out in the Spirit, and even the hardships of life if patiently borne-all of these become spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Pt 2:5). During the celebration of the Eucharist these sacrifices are most lovingly offered to the Father along with the Lord’s body. Thus as worshipers whose every deed is holy, the lay faithful consecrate the world itself to God”[23].
I recently stumbled upon a post on social media by a priest who is the new pastor of my home parish from years ago. He had posted a prayer that I found remarkably inspiring and it is the attitude we should all assume since each and everyone of us IS THE CHURCH. Pick up your yoke, give thanks to God and learn from this holy attitude that he has each mass pray together after communion each week:
Lord Jesus Christ, I thank you for our parish, St Mary’s Delaware. My parish is composed of people like me. I help make it what it is. It will be friendly, if I am. It will be holy, if I am holy. Its pews will be filled. if I help fill them. It will do great work, if I work. It will be prayerful, if I pray. It will make generous gifts to many causes, if I am a generous giver.
It will bring others to worship, if I invite and bring them in. It will be a place of loyalty and love, of fearlessness and faith, of compassion, charity and mercy, if I, who make it what it is, am filled with these same things. Therefore, with the help of God, I now dedicate myself to the task of being all the things that I want my parish to be. Amen. Sylvester Onyeachonam; pastor St Mary Church Delaware Ohio
Let us as laity follow the example of this loving shepherd and remember:
What I am, my church will be.
Megan Naumovski is a writer, teacher of the Catholic Faith, speaker and blogger at The Domestic Church of Bosco boscoworld.blog with a mission to form laity in the Church, support priests, and bridge Christian friendships beyond the borders of denominations. Formerly a youth minister, teacher of religious education and apostolate leader for youth, she now works in leadership with Catholic women and writes in her sleep because she can’t help it.
Saint Pope John Paul II declared, “Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.” The Enemy utilizes despair in an attempt to disable hope. Good Friday’s horror is not negated by Easter, but rather suffering is transformed. Transformation occurs when we take up our cross.
Among the biggest news stories this Easter was the terrorist attack in Sri Lanka. Deaths of nearly 300 Christians cause the Body of Christ deep pain. I cannot even begin to image the sadness, anger, confusion, doubts, and despair the victims’ families have to endure. Hope certainly would be the last thing on my mind. Death appears to have the final say. This suffering in South Asia may seem to supersede the joy of Easter. Words cannot do justice to describe their suffering. I can simply provide my prayers for peace and understanding.
Christ’s victory over death on Easter brings purpose to pain. As Christians, we are called to unite our suffering with Christ’s in atonement for the world. According to St. Maria Faustina, “Suffering is a great grace; through suffering the soul becomes like the Savior; in suffering love becomes crystallized; the greater the suffering, the purer the love.” Only on the OTHER SIDE of suffering does her claim make sense.
During our suffering, we experience all sorts of doubts. We may question our purpose in life. I certainly did during my greatest period of despair—on the heels of losing unborn children due to miscarriage. I questioned God’s goodness about why would he allow a baby to die. The people in Sri Lanka I am sure ask God why their loved ones died in a senseless attack!
Suffering tested and later transformed my faith—from belief I took for granted to a faith of strong conviction. My capacity to suffer deepened. Because I lost my children, I have a greater ability to emphasize with others who lost loved ones. Far from being an expert in suffering, I became a student of Christ via my tribulations. While I aim to pick up my cross daily, I fail often. The true remedy is frequent reception of the Sacraments.
I hope the Sri Lankans find the strength to rely on God in their time of need. Hope is the greatest defense against despair and doubt. Hope is a gift of the Holy Spirit. When you do not feel hope please do not despair. Trudge forward daily and keep asking God for hope. Hope in Jesus’ Resurrection transforms us. If you are experiencing doubts, fears, or despair please ask for help. Post prayer requests in the comment section.
“With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones.” –Ephesians 6:18
“As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ.g 13For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.h
14Now the body is not a single part, but many. 15If a foot should say, “Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body,” it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. 16Or if an ear should say, “Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body,” it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18But as it is, God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 21The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I do not need you.” 22Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are all the more necessary, 23and those parts of the body that we consider less honorable we surround with greater honor, and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety, 24whereas our more presentable parts do not need this. But God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it, 25so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. 26If [one] part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.” –1 Corinthians 12: 12-26
