On page one of The Catholic Messenger (Sept. 23, 2010) is a report on the Ministry Formation Program.
Six persons were commissioned and 95 individuals participated in a daylong retreat at St. Patrick Church in Iowa City. There were earlier Catholic Messenger stories of Kathie and Jim Obradovich and of other deacons and their spouses.
Perhaps our heavenly Father is answering our prayers for more vocations in a way that will best serve our mission rather than the way we “‘want,” e.g., more clergy. Our prayers may be answered in ways other than increased ordinations. (To clarify: What I write is not meant as anti-clerical.)
How open are we, the Church, to the Holy Spirit leading us to changes in the social and sacramental structure of the Church rather than trying to perpetuate the present or return to our past? Has not our Church survived through the centuries because of openness to the Holy Spirit’s urging to adapt the institution as needed while continuing our Christian faith and our faith-based services to society?
Chuck Felling
St. Mary Parish, Iowa City
