Reflections on Lent, Culture and "Rowing in the Same Direction"

Dear Friends,
I wanted to reach out to all of you to say hello, to give you an update on my sabbatical, and to thank you for your continued commitment to our wonderful parish community. Each year, Lent provides the opportunity for all of us to go deep – to go all in with Christ so we can go all out for Christ. The Greek word that marks this season is metanoia which conveys deep spiritual conversion – a dynamic always preceded by God’s grace. As a pastor, I have found that those who are spiritually and psychologically healthy are people of light who build up the body of Christ. To that end, I encourage you to read the short book Spiritual Resilience as part of your Lenten journey.

I spent Ash Wednesday in the Wheeling-Charleston diocese which is one of those places aptly described as ground zero – a place, not unlike our own archdiocese, that has seen acute harm from the clergy abuse crisis. Justice Janine Geske, Julie Craven and I had been invited to share the story about the work of restorative justice in our archdiocese and its potential for healing. It was humbling and moving to be with them as they expressed their pain, but also their hope for greater accountability and healing in the Church. Crux recently published a story about our visit.

After West Virginia, I spent two days in Washington D.C. with several Catholic leaders at the National Leadership Roundtable Summit. Several Twin Cities Catholics were in attendance, including Archbishop Hebda, Dr. Julie Sullivan, President of St. Thomas and Ann Cullen Miller, President of the Catholic Community Foundation. Leadership Roundtable is a non-profit with a stellar reputation that seeks to bring best practices to Church management. The gathering was enlightening and inspiring and I found that many of us were rowing in the same direction. My prayer and study have led me to the firm belief that cultural conversion is much needed in the Catholic Church. The contours of this cultural conversion are the main focus of my writing.

Next week, I travel to Houston to meet with a group of Catholic psychologists who have developed a new model for parishes where they offer psychological services to parishioners rooted in the Catholic tradition. This is a cutting edge and creative new ministry that holds potential for other Catholic dioceses in the United States. While in Houston, I will take in an organ recital of our very own Dr. Jacob Benda who will be in town sharing his talent and faith.

I have enjoyed my time in south Texas but miss all of you! I have found the people of San Antonio to be exceedingly warm and friendly. People will literally stand and hold the door at the gas station for minutes as you walk from your car. I have not lived in a friendlier town in the U.S. That said, they also drive very aggressively and that same nice person who held the door for you is liable to run you off the road in their pick-up truck. The stark contrast is amusing to me.

I have been saddened by the outbreak of the Coronavirus as well as the recent deaths from the shooting in Milwaukee and the tornados in Tennessee. Regarding the spread of the Coronavirus and its rapid spread in Italy, this will likely lead to rescheduling our pilgrimage to Italy. Please keep all who have been affected by the virus in your prayers.

I remain most thankful to our parish staff and our parish leaders who continue to share their gifts generously – helping our parish remain vibrant and healthy. I look forward to being back with all of you in late April as we bask in the glory of our risen Lord. I ask for your prayers that my writing and research produce good fruit for the Church.

Be assured of my continued prayers for you and your families as we journey from the dessert of Lent to the empty tomb of Easter. And never forget that God loves you!
Happy Lent,
Fr. Griffith