Faith Lifts!

Saturday, March 5th, marked the first "Women's Morning of Spirituality" for the Catholic Diocese of Memphis.  And what a "Faith Lift" it was!  The bitter cold temperatures and rain did not keep us away, as there were over 800 women who attended this invigorating event at Our Lady Of Perpetual Help!

I have to admit, I was truly inspired by the turnout.  My non-Catholic friends are always boastfully talking of their church events, worship services, bible studies and other faith lifts.  Needless to say, I was proud of the Catholic Women of Memphis and their efforts to support this event and I felt blessed to be a part of it.

During the "Women's Morning of Spirituality" something became apparent to me.  Although Catholics may not have a fellowship for every shade of grey, we have something far better...it's called the Seven Sacraments...in particular, the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion.  These sacraments give us more nourishment, healing and sustainment than anything I have ever witnessed. Not only are the sacraments actual gifts from God - they are tangible signs of His love, mercy and grace.

In Reconciliation, God himself is present in the confessional so that we can be healed, comforted and forgiven.  And if being forgiven is not enough, He keeps on giving!  Through the Sacrament of Holy Communion,  we are invited to gather around His table where we are given the actual Body and Blood of Christ.  All of these miracles take place through the Priest in persona Christi. 

Speakers Brenda Kindelan and Christina King are dynamic women of faith who shared their stories of struggle, hope and inspiration.  Through their stories, we were given two powerful testaments of faith.  We saw first hand how ALL Catholic women should be embracing the Church, our families and those around us.  But our morning did not end with just another "feel good story" and an empty box of tissues.  Together, over 800 "Dynamic Women of Faith" participated in Reconciliation, a Mass and of course the Eucharist.

Throughout history, committee's, organizations, clubs and foundations have come and gone.  Doors have opened and others have closed.  Churches have been founded and others forgotten.  A few facts that we ALL need to marvel in is this: For over two-thousand years, we have been blessed with the ever sustaining, Holy Catholic Church.  For over two-thousand years, we have been given access to the splendor of her sacraments to heal us in our brokenness.  For over two-thousand years, we have thrived AND survived where all others have failed.  And for over two-thousand years, our Church exists because the Holy Spirit remains present.  As Bishop J. Terry Steib reminded us in his homily on Saturday, "Christ is truly in our presence".  Bishop Steib, I could not agree more!