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It is God’s plan that we attain the fullness of life by sharing his Son’s death. Taking up our cross, we are relieved of the burden of our sins and the burden of striving in vain to manufacture our own greatness.

As his Sermon on the Plain moves from happiness to woefulness, Jesus is doing us a big favor. He is saving us from the counterfeit happiness of elusive wealth, satisfaction of our carnal appetites, the merriment of the doomed, evanescent human respect . . . the very things that often prevent us from stretching out the roots of our existence to drink in the pure water of God’s love  which alone makes us truly flourish.

Just as St. Scholastica prayed with and for her brother St. Benedict, so too may she intercede for all of us on our lifelong journey of being formed in the likeness of Christ and of striving to bring about blessed order in the Church we love so dearly. May God bless us and keep us always in his love!

Then, sharing in God’s goodness and glory, sharing in God’s worthiness, let us do the work of God, bearing witness to the Lord in our daily life, living in such a virtuous manner that those who encounter will see in us something appealing, something worthy, something they’ve been looking for.

Just as in this Holy Mass we celebrate the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, so too we celebrate the official “presentation” of Father Francis Ouma as your pastor here at St. Joan of Arc, joined now with St. Patrick’s.

Be confident. A community like NDP shines like a light in the darkness. Even those who do not share our faith can see its beauty and importance. Stay true to who you are! Walk humbly with your God. And the God of truth and love will bless you, now and always!

Celebrating Fr. Kevin’s installation offers your parish community an opportunity to reflect, not only on his wonderful priestly leadership and service, but also on the mission of the Catholic Community of South Baltimore.