THE GOOD NEWS
ARCHBISHOP BELTRAN

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May 11, 2008

The Good News...

...Mother’s Day

Today we observe one of the great celebrations of the year. Today is Mother’s Day. Today we are all reminded of the beautiful role that God entrusted to the woman who gave us life. Our mother, by cooperating in the creative plan of God, truly gives us life.

Today, every one of us, young or old, should give praise and thanks to God for our mother, whether she is living or deceased.

To all mothers in this Archdiocese, I extend my very best personal congratulations and best wishes. You will be remembered today in my prayers and Masses. I ask Almighty God to bless each of you in a very special way.  May the Good Lord watch over you and your children all the days of your lives on this earth and lead you to everlasting life in heaven. A very happy and blessed Mother’s Day to you.

...We Are Sent!

On the first Christian Pentecost, Jesus sent His Holy Spirit upon the Apostles as He had promised. This descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Church was the beginning of a continuing “mission” or sending of God’s people.

Just recently, we received the news that Pope Benedict XVI was sending one of our own priests, Bishop-elect Anthony Taylor, to the Diocese of Little Rock so that he may begin the ministry of shepherd among the people of Arkansas.

In this issue of the Sooner Catholic, on Page 3,  is a listing of some priests assignments or reassignments.  These priests are being sent across the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City for priestly service among God’s people.

For the three young men to be ordained on May 30, Joseph Schwarz, Christopher Tran and James Wickersham, this will be their first priestly assignment. They are being sent as priests for the very first time.  For the three priests who have just arrived from the Diocese of Nellore in India, this will be their first priestly assignment in Oklahoma. For the other priests who are currently in an assignment, they too are being sent to continue their priestly service elsewhere in our Archdiocese.

While it is customary for priests to be sent on assignment, the fact is that all Catholic people are also on assignment.  The Feast of Pentecost, which we celebrate annually, reminds us that we have all been sent. Pentecost is much more than an historical recollection of  the first Christian Pentecost. It is a reality of our Catholic faith.

When we were baptized and again when we were confirmed, God was sending all of us to live and proclaim the Good News of Jesus. Go out into the whole world, He said, and share this message of faith, hope and love with others.

For many decades now, the Church has further emphasized the heart of our Catholic faith as reaching out — going out — and sharing with others.  Popes Paul VI and John Paul II as well as our current pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI, energetically challenge us to live and proclaim the Good News. The         reality of Pentecost continues. The Holy Spirit is sent upon us. He lives with us.  He inspires us. He empowers us.

The Holy Spirit of God is sent to us by Jesus because Jesus alone is Lord and Savior. Let us joyfully accept the assignment that the Lord has given us.  Let us live, work and pray together that all our Catholic communities will joyfully, faithfully and enthusiastically live and share this Catholic faith.