A Bountiful Harvest

~ In today’s Gospel Jesus tells us about a man who is already rich and receives a bountiful harvest. A key lesson of this story is that God has given us so much, and none of it is really ours to keep; rather, we are called to share it with reckless abandon. The economists, advertisers, and politicians, however, all tell us that our resources are scarce, and we must cling to them. God’s way is radically different!

As our collaborative Immigrant & Refugee Ministry celebrates the completion of our second year welcoming, assisting, accompanying our immigrant neighbors, I cannot help but be overwhelmed by the incredible abundance God provides for us. Throughout these past two years, my office has overflowed with diapers and dishes, coats and cookies, and so much more, all of which are distributed to those who need them. We have seen an outpouring of monetary and volunteer support for those in need of U.S. passports for their citizen children, successfully bringing some peace of mind to dozens of families since February, in collaboration with the St. Louis Public Library and the Archdiocese’s Immigration Task Force. Since January, volunteers for our new Accompaniment Program have stood in solidarity with 75 immigrant compas at their check-ins with government authorities. The generosity of our community has kept people housed, providing $50,000 in rent and utilities assistance during the past fiscal year (not to mention the thousands more provided by our St. Vincent DePaul conferences). With the help of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, we have given 11 families brand new beds. Our friends at St. Cronan’s have been delivering groceries to those whose loved ones have been detained or deported. A group of coaches and students from St. Raphael’s shared their passion for soccer with a day of fellowship on the field playing together with immigrant families. We celebrated the diverse cultures that make our community so strong and beautiful with the annual Migration Mass with 500 people in attendance and a potluck lunch with a surplus for our unhoused neighbors. Not only have the gifts of time, talent, and treasure been abundant, but so has the gratitude that flows in return. Truly, by God’s grace, we receive a bountiful harvest–one meant to be shared.  

During the Summer months, this column will be highlighting the good work and parishioners involved in one of our various Social Justice Ministries.  Each week, we will feature an article from a different ministry, written by one if its members, as a reflection on the calling to Catholic Social Teaching at St. Margaret of Scotland.