I would like you to go to the “Christmas Moments” story starting on P. 1 if you haven’t already read it. You will read about how, when finding a situation that would require help, we immediately responded. As busy as Christmas was around here, and it was chaotic at times, we still responded. You may ask why, when we are so busy, do we take on an additional need that would require some significant time to resolve?

The answer lies in what Urban Missionaries of Our Lady of Hope promise during their installation ceremony. The candidate makes these promises: Do you promise, To live simply? R. I do. To faithfully live your sacrament of marriage? R. I do (only if married). To live respectfully in the fullness of God’s creation? R. I do. To make available your time, talents and treasures, as you see fit? R. I do. To do daily works of charity under auspices of the Urban Missionaries of Our Lady of Hope? R. I do. To commit to a daily prayer life? R. I do. To remain a member of good standing in the Catholic Church? R. I do. To always remember that your family comes first? R. I do.

Commissioning Blessing

The priest then says the Blessing Prayer over each candidate after anointing their hands with holy oil. The priest will now ask: Abba, Father, we ask you to bless the mind of your servant so they may understand your command to love our neighbor for all your children. Bless the heart of your servant so they may feel the pain of all your children. Bless the shoulders of your servant so they may carry the burdens of your children. Bless the eyes of your servant so they may see the injustices visited on your children. Bless the ears of your servant so they may hear the cries of anguish of your children. Bless the hands of your servant so they hold the tears of your children. Bless the knees of your servant so they may kneel often in prayer for your children. Bless the feet of your servant so they walk among your children. Bless the tongue of your servant so they praise your name eternally.

And so, Father, we ask that your finger touch the soul of your servant so that they may know they are yours. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

I assure you that we are not the first to take the road less traveled. Recently, I was reminded of this fact by a very dear friend of the Urban Missionaries of Our Lady of Hope, Ken Riccardi, when he sent the following to me after he had finished doing Christmas entry every Wednesday, starting the second Wednesday of October until Wednesday December 20, 2023.

“The following hymn, sung yesterday as part of a service at Worcester’s First Unitarian Church celebrating the interconnectedness of all life, reminded me of you and our conversation at breakfast last Wednesday. I think you will appreciate it. It’s called “Just as Long as I Have Breath” (words by Alicia Carpenter; music by Johann Ebeling).

“Just as long as I have breath, I must answer, ‘Yes,’ to life; though with pain I made my way, still with hope I meet each day. If they ask what I did well, tell them I said, ‘Yes,’ to life. “Just as long as vision lasts, I must answer, ‘Yes,’ to truth; in my dream and in my dark, always that elusive spark. If they ask what I did well, tell them I said, ‘Yes,’ to truth. “Just as long as my heart beats, I must answer, ‘Yes,’ to love; disappointment pierced me through, still I kept on loving you. If they ask what I did best, tell them I said, ‘Yes,’ to love.”