WHERE TWO OR THREE (HUNDRED) ARE GATHERED
There is a saying that says, “two is company and three is a crowd”. Well two or three hundred is at least a good start to get SeptemberFest off and running! Numbers don’t automatically add up to greater strength unless a crowd is drawn together and galvanized with a unity of purpose as is the case in the congregation who gathers in church for Mass or the multitude of volunteers who work together to make SeptemberFest happen. Jesus speaks in the Gospel this weekend about the power of an intentional gathering of His disciples to make Him present: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them” (Mt. 18:20).
The force multiplier at the heart of the Church is not found in mere numbers, but the unity that we possess in Christ. We can be one by virtue of the redemption He won for us on the Cross, united by His Precious Blood and united by the mission of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
Next weekend we will celebrate our transferred parish Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at all our Masses. The Feast itself falls on Thursday, September 14th, but it is well worth celebrating our unity beneath the Cross. We come as well to a special anniversary for the Holy Cross church building next weekend. September 16 marks the 95th anniversary of the dedication of the current church edifice in 1928 which was the third church to be named for the Holy Cross along 17th Ave NE. The first and second church structures were at 4th Street and 17th instead of University and 17th, but amazingly, since 1886 Mass has daily been offered on this campus at the crossroads of the neighborhood. As we come to Mass next weekend, we will hear the Feast Day readings and be given an opportunity worship God with grateful hearts.
It is also noteworthy to mention that September 7th was the 110th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of the current St. Clement church edifice in 1913 which is the second church building dedicated to St. Clement. And although we celebrated the centenary of the current St. Hedwig church building in 2019, we are looking forward to Bishop Joseph Williams’ visit on Saturday, October 21 for the 4 pm Mass to bless the new ambo, baptismal font, and altar. More details will be forthcoming for this special and long-awaited occasion!
Speaking of anniversaries, 2024 will be a special 175th anniversary year for the establishment of St. Anthony of Padua Church which was the first parish in Minneapolis, founded in 1849. We claim that history as part of our strong foundations and spiritual legacy since the 2013 merger brought St. Anthony of Padua parish into our parish family even though the church building itself was sold to Catholic Eldercare. Ten years into the merger, we continue to say, “Come, Holy Spirit” and teach us to be one in Christ Jesus that we may bear witness to all of our neighbors.
My thanks are due to all who have been involved in making SeptemberFest such a great success, especially our co-chairs and leadership, our booth leaders, volunteers, musicians and entertainers, parish staff, and all who worked in visible and hidden ways. If you’re visiting our parish this weekend, my hope is that you are inspired to want to come back. Thanks to all the businesses, organizations and individuals who were so generous as donors and sponors to help make SeptemberFest a financial success as well. The joy of a festival weekend is just a glimpse of the spiritual joy we have because of the triumph of the Cross!
Grace and peace,
~Fr. Howe