Jeff Jaworski is a Partner and Co-Founder of Triune Financial Partners, and serves as Treasurer of the Catholic Education Foundation's Board of Directors.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 6:34-35
I was recently moved by the simplicity of this command and especially in the context of the divided world we live in. Everywhere we turn, someone seems to be arguing for arguments sake alone. I suppose that as we examine history, we’d see that this has more often been the case than just recently.
So how do we focus on something ENCOURAGING? How about looking to what the Catholic Faith has done very well over the last 2000 years- form and live in community!
Ever notice how well the Catholic community comes together when there is a crisis in their own parish community? When my younger sister, a wife and mother of two girls, was diagnosed with cancer, there were lots of important people who became involved, but it was her Catholic parish that surrounded her and her family with prayers, cards, meals, and support in the way of rides and even some yard work! All fairly simple and inexpensive things but all great examples of the role a parish can play in bringing us together as friends to make a positive difference in someone’s life and remind them of how loved they are by God. Her parish was by her family’s side and even continues to be to this day.
Wouldn’t it be a shame if we allowed the Catholic parish as we know it today to “fade away?” Let’s face it, the problem used to be solved by a Catholic family having lots of kids. You may know one of those families or even have been lucky enough to be part of one. Since the days of eight or more kids in a family are rare, it’s critical that EVERYONE who wants the opportunity to grow up with a Catholic education and in a Catholic community gets that chance. While we may not live next door to someone who wants that opportunity, the reality is that there are some just across town and if we don’t assist them with our abundance…who will?
I understand that government plays an important role in many areas of our life, but let’s face it, CHURCH plays a much more effective role in growing Christians. Please consider the impact that your support can make when you help CEF serve families who want to be part of a Catholic community.
We all win when it happens!
