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ARCHBISHOP BELTRAN

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January 20, 2008

The Good News...

 ...Continuing to Live the Fullness of Our Catholic Faith

In the first issue of the Sooner Catholic for 2008, I extended a very sincere invitation to the Catholic people of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.  I invited you to strive to live the fullness of our Catholic faith throughout this New Year.  That invitation arises from my own personal belief and love of our Catholic faith. I want you to experience the same joy which the practice of our Catholic faith brings me. Then together you and I will be able to share this Good News of Jesus with others.

My first challenge for 2008 was that you participate in the Sunday Eucharist every Sunday of the year as well as all Holy Days of Obligation.  To miss Mass on Sundays or on days of obligation without sufficient reason is a serious sin which damages or destroys our relationship with God and inflects restrictions on us.

The value of the Mass does not arise from the externals such as the music, the preaching or the socialization. All these are important and all contribute to our overall growth in faith. But the essential value, which is priceless, arises from Jesus Himself. The sacrifice of the Mass is the re-enactment of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. It is His sharing of His tremendous love for us who are sinners. In response to God’s love and invitation, let us make our utmost priority the full and active participation in the Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation!

In future issues of the Sooner Catholic, I will address other important practices of our Catholic faith such as regular confession, daily prayer, Marian and private devotions and  requirements  for  valid  marriages. But I must also remind you that as human beings composed of body and soul, we can never restrict holiness of life to the “purely spiritual dimension.” We are human beings made of flesh and blood. We live in real time. We are bound by natural laws. We hunger and thirst.  We get tired and we must rest. These human, material and timely realities all contribute to our truly living a life of holiness.

Two weeks from now we will conduct our Archdiocesan Development Fund appeal. Over the years, we have simply referred to this appeal as the ADF. Therefore, at the Masses on the weekend of Feb. 2 and 3, I will address you at every Mass in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City with a sincere and earnest recorded message. I hope all of you will hear my appeal and respond with generosity and love.

It is most unfortunate that some people do not make a faith connection to the financial needs of the Church.  I am convinced that generosity to the Church, practiced out of love of God, is a real sign of that love. It is indeed one of the most striking signs of our love of God.

The Catholic Church is unique. It is not just a community of believers.  The Church is established by Jesus Who leads and guides it. It is His Body through which He brings us God’s great love and mercy.  Through this visible Church which He founded, He forgives us, nourishes us, strengthens and guides us. And in His mysterious divine plan for our salvation, He invites us, His Church, to share in His own mission.  Through us, the Mission of Jesus and His presence in the world continues.

Therefore, whenever we support the mission and life of the Church, we are responding to Jesus Himself.  Whenever we make His teachings known or His mercy experienced, whenever we share the Good News of Jesus with others, we are responding to Jesus Himself.

The Church of our Archdiocese is able to continue this mission and ministry of Jesus with the funds you contribute through our ADF appeal.  Therefore, I thank all who in the past have generously responded to my ADF appeal. Now, I invite all other Catholics to join us in this great combined mission of Jesus.

On ADF Sunday, please make a generous pledge of financial support to our Archdiocese. Your pledge can be fulfilled over the next 10 months, thereby each month your commitment  will  be  gratefully acknowledged.

Support of the ADF campaign is part of living the fullness of our Catholic faith. Financial support of the Church is indeed a sign of your faith and love of Almighty God Who loves us totally and completely.