Bishop to students: No one is too small to serve God

STRATFORD – “When God looks at us and calls us, we can do great things.”

Encouraging and inspiring Saint John Paul II Regional School students gathered Dec. 12 in Saint Luke Church, Bishop Joseph Williams celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, recalling the Blessed Mother’s love and hope given to a humble peasant farmer on Mexico’s Tepeyac Hill in 1531.

“‘Little Juan, the smallest of my children … do not be afraid. Am I not here, who am your Mother?’” he continued, echoing the enduring words of Mary.

The festive atmosphere at Saint Luke Church – which included a morning Mass, students dressed like Juan Diego, a spirited mariachi band, and cultural Aztec dancers – was just one of many throughout the world, nation and in the Diocese of Camden in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Later that evening, Bishop Williams celebrated with the community of Holy Cross, Bridgeton.

It was fitting, however, that he started the celebration at Saint Luke, a part of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Shrine. In addition to the students, faculty, staff, parents and parish faithful, Bishop Williams was joined by Father René Canales, pastor; Fathers Paul Abbruscato and Armando Rodriguez Montoya, parochial vicars; and Deacon Omar Aguilar.

He recalled the angel Gabriel’s Annunciation to Mary in Nazareth and how, 1,500 years later, the Blessed Mother would choose Juan Diego for his own mission.

Gabriel’s visit to Mary, and her subsequent appearance to the peasant farmer, are proof that “God chooses the humble” to accomplish His work, the Bishop said. “Juan thought he was too insignificant to fulfill her request. But Mary lifted up the lowly, like God does in every generation.”

“We don’t have to be rich, or super popular, or have a lot of power to do great things for God,” he said, only imitate Mary’s messenger and “love God, be humble and trust in Him.”

After Mass, the Bishop continued his visit with students in the school’s lunchroom. “They won’t forget his encounter,” Principal Helen Persing said, expressing her appreciation for the Bishop’s visit.

She said that the story of Juan Diego is an opportunity for students to know the impact they can have. “Students can show love, respect and be kind, invite someone to the lunch table, or invite them to play a game with them on the playground.”

Seventh-grader Isaiah Mendez said he not only relished “the joy, spirit and happiness” of the feast day, but appreciated learning about a humble farmer’s mission.

“Anyone can feel God and do His work,” he said.