RECEIVERS OF GOD’S GRACES A Meditation by Father Arturo Chagala, Parochial Administrator of St. Michael's Parish Evangelization is at the heart of the Universal Church. This mission of the Church to evangelize can be made visible in a concrete way through the Parish level. Saint Michael Church envisions this missionary identity by helping both parishioners, non- parishioners and non- churched people to deepen and rediscover the love of God through a Christian formation based on the richness of Baptism.
For five Sundays during the Easter time we evangelized, at the Parish level, in Norris Square Park by announcing the “Good News” of Christianity. Many people were touched by the witness of some members of the Parish who courageously shared their faith experience as to how God saved them from their sins and the current stream of secularization in a society that progressively denies God. The celebration was preceded by a small procession around the park. It was performed in a joyful environment where kids, young and adults could praise God by singing bible songs. Miracles were the result of this mission outside the Church building to reach the far away. A man just walking by at the time of the mission was touched
by the Gospel as he was facing the temptation of commiting suicide and alcohol problems. Another man received encouragement through the Gospel as he suffered the sad situation of a process of divorce. Married couples strengthened their relationship to Christ as they approached the Sacrament of reconciliation. This is just to mention few of the many miracles God worked in this mission.
FATHER CHAGALA DURING MASS AT ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH.
As a follow up of this mission, we invited everyone to continue listening to the “Good News” by joining a series of talks held in La Salle Academy. The aim was to introduce the people into a way of looking at Scriptures in a more lively experience. This is an answer to the thirst that many of our Catholics live. The less we experience the Scriptures in a personal relationship, the more our relationship to Christ lacks.
the message of love and hope that Pope Francis is bringing to our families. I strongly encourage you to be receivers of God’s graces. As you know, the Pope’s event is expected to bring thousands of people to Philadelphia.
PREACHING AT NORRIS SQUARE PARK DURING THE GREAT MISSION.
This time of evangelization in Saint Michael’s has been a time of receiving God’s grace for those who accepted this invitation to journey. A people without a journey is like the waters that are stunk in a bucket; they don’t flow. Eventually they get smelly. Our Church is not meant to be in that state. On the contrary, it is meant to be like live-giving water that flows abundantly and serves as a sign of the Risen Christ who can conquer all our situations of slavery to sin and death. Evangelization is an event of hope– hope for us who are already inside the Church, but also for those outside of it. Evangelization is at the heart of the Father who loves both the “Prodigal Son” and the “older brother” who is always at the Father’s house: Who are we, who are you? With the Pope’s visit to our city of Philadelphia, God will bestow even more graces as we welcome
As a result of this, the places for the pilgrims to stay will be very much limited. For this reason, I invite all of you to consider the generosity of hosting families in your houses. By doing this, God will give you many blessings in your lives. Don’t stop being a recipient of God’s graces. May the Blessed Virgin Mary open your heart and inspire you to consider this great occasion of your generosity. You may contact me at this email Arturo.chagalagil07@gmail.com or call at the parish office (215) 739-2358. Thank you for your prayers and may God bless you abundantly. Sincerely yours in Christ, Father Arturo Chagala Parochial Administrator
FATHER CHAGALA AFTER CELEBRATING THE WEEKLY SUNDAY MASS AT IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH IN NORTHERN LIBERTIES, A WORSHIP SITE OF ST. MICHAEL'S PARISH.