Pope Benedict XVI has declared June 2008-June 2009 the Year of St. Paul in celebration of he 2,000th anniversary of the saint's birth.
This Pauline Year presents us with many opportunities to work for evangelization here at St. Joseph Parish and beyond. You are all invited in the beginning of the Pauline Year to discern how best to study, pray and celebrate the life, inspired writing, spirituality and missionary spirit of St. Paul. We can never underestimate the power of a Catholic life lived with integrity and radiant vitality. How many potential “St. Pauls” might we influence by radiating the power of Christ from deep within.
The Cross influences everything about Paul. He states, “I preach Christ and Him Crucified.” The Cross transformed his teaching and allowed him to evangelize others by helping them to interpret the meanings of their own sufferings. He also uses a curious phrase, “I boast in the Cross of Christ.” (Galatians 6:14) He puts the Cross of Christ above any temptation to egoism or pride. The Cross is the true source of his apostolic effectiveness.
One of the classic Pauline images is that of the Body of Christ as a communion of individuals with specific charisms and talents which build up of the Body. Paul shows that the Eucharist is the source of unity, harmony and communion in the Body. Our reverent reception of the Eucharist is the great spark of missionary activity that leads us, like St. Paul, to the ends of the earth.
May the fire that the Holy Spirit cast down into the heart of St. Paul, which in turn lit up the earth, inflame our hearts to be vibrant and effective missionaries in the Year of St. Paul and throughout our lives.
Online Resources
· The Official Site for the Holy Year, http://www.annopaolino.org
· Archdiocesan information on the celebration, http://www.rcan.org/index.cfm
This Pauline Year presents us with many opportunities to work for evangelization here at St. Joseph Parish and beyond. You are all invited in the beginning of the Pauline Year to discern how best to study, pray and celebrate the life, inspired writing, spirituality and missionary spirit of St. Paul. We can never underestimate the power of a Catholic life lived with integrity and radiant vitality. How many potential “St. Pauls” might we influence by radiating the power of Christ from deep within.
The Cross influences everything about Paul. He states, “I preach Christ and Him Crucified.” The Cross transformed his teaching and allowed him to evangelize others by helping them to interpret the meanings of their own sufferings. He also uses a curious phrase, “I boast in the Cross of Christ.” (Galatians 6:14) He puts the Cross of Christ above any temptation to egoism or pride. The Cross is the true source of his apostolic effectiveness.
One of the classic Pauline images is that of the Body of Christ as a communion of individuals with specific charisms and talents which build up of the Body. Paul shows that the Eucharist is the source of unity, harmony and communion in the Body. Our reverent reception of the Eucharist is the great spark of missionary activity that leads us, like St. Paul, to the ends of the earth.
May the fire that the Holy Spirit cast down into the heart of St. Paul, which in turn lit up the earth, inflame our hearts to be vibrant and effective missionaries in the Year of St. Paul and throughout our lives.
Online Resources
· The Official Site for the Holy Year, http://www.annopaolino.org
· Archdiocesan information on the celebration, http://www.rcan.org/index.cfm
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