Carrying the Cross of Love

Dear Friend,

As you may have noticed at our parish liturgies, each altar server tasked with carrying the processional cross has a different style of doing so. What you may not know is that our main processional cross is quite heavy, and that several years ago, Father Henri took it upon himself to craft a cross which our younger servers could handle without tipping over halfway down the aisle. (Thank God, that never happened!) The new cross – you’ve seen it – is in proportions to smaller arms and bodies. Our younger servers can now lead the procession.   

For years to come, I’m sure I’ll think of Father Henri’s gift to our parish whenever I hear a Gospel reference to “carrying the cross,” as we do this week. “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple,” says Jesus. In a short essay on this text, Sister Kathleen Hughes observes that “discipleship has everything to do with freedom of heart: holding possessions without possessiveness may be the way we achieve freedom from things.” It's a great insight, pointing to a practice that opens us to grace. Father Henri is onto something too; that is, in community, with creativity and generosity, we can help each other carry our crosses. 

Regarding his own path of discipleship, Father Henri has been asked to relocate to the national OFM vocation office in New York city. Upon his departure, we won’t be seeing him as often, though he will be returning to the Mission for regular vocation events in California. We can all hold our brother in prayer as he ministers in discernment with future Franciscan friars. We can be grateful for what he’s taught us about our call to help each other carry the cross of love.

Gratefully,

Father Dan, Pastor