SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
23 JULY 2023
We
have seen the realities of these parables over the centuries. In the mid nineteenth century, a young page
in Uganda was baptized and grew in his relationship with Jesus Christ. With a group of other young pages, Charles
Lwanga was sent to a chief of the most powerful tribe. That tribal chief saw Christianity as a
threat and was intent on eliminating Christians. He was also a pedophile. Not only did Charles Lwanga resist his immoral
actions, but he protected the other pages from the chief’s advances. As wheat within the midst of weeds, they were
executed in brutal ways. But like the
mustard seed, the deaths of these martyrs caused an enormous growth in
Christianity in Uganda. Instead of
frightening people by murdering these young men, the chief’s brutal murders
caused an opposite reaction. People were
impressed with the heroic witness of their faith and their willingness to shed
their blood. The Church grew because of
the witness of these martyrs. The Church
thrived and became a leaven increasing the numbers of the faithful and
affecting the life of Uganda. When I was
there for the dedication of Father Larry’s church, I was greatly impressed by
the faith of his people. On our triumphal
arch is the image of Saint Charles Lwanga, interceding for us.
Faith
continues to grow in Uganda. That is why
Father Larry is our mission preacher this year.
He is pastor of a large parish of 10,000 people (about the same size as
Saint Pius). With three Parochial
Vicars, he serves a parish that includes eight outstations to make it easier
for people to walk to Mass on Sunday.
The Archbishop has decided to form a new parish out of one of those
outstations. He has given Father Larry
the task of forming that parish, which includes building a church and a
rectory.
Over the
years, we have helped him build his parish.
Our generosity has built his main parish church, a health care center, a
rectory for the priests, a renovated school, and a number of other projects
that have benefitted his people. Having
been there myself, I can attest to Father Larry’s careful use of our
funds. He was on the front page of the
local newspaper on the Sunday of the dedication. The article praised him for giving all his
funds to his parishioners. It drew a
sharp contrast with the politicians who used first world donations to enrich
themselves. It pointed to his old shoes
and worn out vehicle.
I can also attest to the gratitude
of his parishioners. When we visited the
health care facility, the Sisters gave us two chickens to thank us for all the
improvements they were able to make. We
decided that they would not fit in our luggage.
So, we gave them to the driver of the van which the Archbishop had given
to us. We received many handwritten
notes of thanks. We felt like rock stars
and received a standing ovation when we arrived for the four-hour Mass.
Father Larry appreciates our
generosity. There are envelopes at the
end of the pews for your contributions.
You can donate online. You can
bring your check, addressed to Saint Pius, to Mass next weekend. Now, Father Larry will express his own
thanks.
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