It is as a community of faith that we remember and we celebrate. What is it that we remember and celebrate? We remember not simply that time 125 years ago when the parish was established. We remember what the community stands for, what it represents and what it has allowed to happen.
This community stands for thousands of people who over these past 125 years have come to be the living stones that make up this community of faith here in St.Joseph‘s parish. This community stands for thousands of people who through word and sacrament have become a community filled with the spirit. This community stands for those who over the years have come to the Church to meet their God, to receive his salvation, to hear his word of pardon and forgiveness, to worship in spirit and truth, to sit at the Lord‘s table and share in the meal that he himself prepared and thus became empowered to prepare in turn a like meal for their brothers and sisters who were struggling as they walked the way to the father.
This community is where thousands over the years have come to plead to their God to be delivered form sin and satan and death. In this community young and old have come to celebrate their joys and sorrows. There is no aspect of life that has not been touched by this community.
Yes we remember. We remember those who have gone before who have handed on to us the faith, members of our families, priests, friends young and old. We remember tragedies and joys. How many more anniversaries of this community that we may live to see is unimportant. But what is important is the attitude we have towards Him in whose name we gather, and towards Him in whose name we gather, and towards those He came to save.
And that‘s what it means to be community, who remembers, who celebrates, who believes.
That is what we are.
That may we always be.