Mission Matters: Sept. 20, 2016

This week’s “Parish Table Talk”: Canon Law changes; Report on Disabilities & Inclusion; Marriage Rite – 5 significant changes; Do it anyway!; plus this Thursday’s blog post.

Watch for this Thursday’s Post:

All Are Welcome by  Deacon Bill Fleming, Director of the Office of Special Needs Ministry.

• Changes in Latin Church’s Law : Pope Francis has issued new changes to canon law that modify baptism, marriage, ecclesiastical rite, among others.  In his apostolic letter titled “Concerning Harmony between Laws, ” there are changes affecting eleven canons of the Latin Church legal code with an eye to clarifying ministry to Eastern Catholics.

•  Inclusion for all?: Religious entities and areas of worship are exempted from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but the spirit and message of inclusion still morally applies to the Catholic Church. The Archdiocese of Chicago has published a report that explains the “current state of disability awareness and inclusion across places of worship in the Chicagoland area.” How are we doing in our parishes in this regard? Check out this week’s blog post by Deacon Fleming, which will expand on this subject with a local point of view.

•  The new Rite of Marriage: Additions, instructions, cultural adaptations…Many elements are new in the wedding rite that will replance the 1969 Rite of Marriage book. Find out what’s new in this article that describe five important changes that will be useful to know in your ministry.

•  A special prayer from St. Teresa of Kolkata: Thanks to the Office of Respect Life for sharing this beautiful prayer in its Fall newsletter. The following inspiring words hang in Saint Teresa’s home for children in Kolkata – Do it Anyway! 

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. 

Be kind anyway.

 If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. 

Succeed anyway.

  If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. 

Be honest and sincere anyway.

  What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. 

Create anyway.

  If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. 

Be happy anyway.

  The good you do today will often be forgotten. 

Do good anyway.

  Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. 

Give your best anyway.

  In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway!

Questions? Feedback? Please leave a comment below