Truth in Charity (May, 2025)
by The Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico
05/05/2025
As we near the halfway point of the Holy Year: Jubilee of Hope, the Catholic Church stands at a pivotal crossroads. Across our diocese and beyond, we have seen many changes. Last month, after the joyous celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday, the Holy Father joined him as he entered into eternal rest.
We united with the universal church in mourning the passing of our beloved Holy Father. Pope Francis was a beacon of hope in troubled times, a voice for the voiceless and a tireless advocate for the dignity of every human person.
For Catholics, this can be a time of change and uncertainty. But with change comes an immense amount of faith in the Holy Spirit to guide us forward. I encourage all of us to embody the teachings of Pope Francis and view these opportunities in a positive way: with hope.
It is hope that moves us forward. It is essential to embrace hope to plan, knowing that God is with us and that he won’t abandon us. Recently, in our diocese, we have experienced change as the result of pastoral planning for parishes and the closure of Catholic schools. Both are indicators of the challenges we face in an evolving world.
In our diocese, we need to prayerfully consider these challenges so that we can strategically plan for our future and meet the changing needs of the faithful we are responsible for shepherding. As Pope Francis has said, “To be faithful, to be creative, we need to be able to change.”
This planning helps us continue to bring the Gospel to every soul, even if it requires us adapting to something new. We must open our hearts so that we can listen to what the Holy Spirit is calling us to do.
This Holy Year of Jubilee encourages us to look forward. Pope Francis reminded us that a jubilee is not a time for despair, but a time for renewal, mission and hope. Despite his own health challenges, the Holy Father continued to lead us, inviting us to embrace the love of Christ.
We must also remember that hope is not passive; it requires action.
As Catholic communities, we must take action to renew our commitment to prayer and evangelization, ensuring that our faith is lived and shared. Our diocese is blessed with a strong, faith-filled community of pastors, parishioners, families and educators who work together to strengthen religious education, inspire vocations and create welcoming parish communities. Though some doors have closed, our mission remains steadfast: to bring the love of Christ to the world.
Prayer is central to this calling. We must continue to ask God to send his Holy Spirit to us to help guide and direct us through difficult situations. We must embrace the sacraments through prayer, and especially through the Eucharist. When we remain faithful to the Mass, the Mass can help us transform.
Pope Francis placed pilgrimage, mercy and justice at the heart of this Jubilee. We must honor his legacy, embracing these themes to strengthen the work of charity, deepen our prayer lives and seek reconciliation where divisions exist. The future of the Catholic Church will be measured by the faith we cultivate in our people.
So let us continue to embrace the Jubilee of Hope as a call to trust in God’s wisdom, to rebuild and to reimagine how we live as disciples. Let us step forward in faith, embracing the mission Christ has entrusted to us, knowing that hope never disappoints when it is rooted in him.
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