Mahatma Gandhi once said that the best way to preach the Gospel is to live it.
Those words sprang to life at a recent meeting organized by Father Vince Guest, Vicar of the City of Camden and pastor of Sacred Heart Parish. There we were, gathered as a religious family around the dining room table in the rectory at Sacred Heart Parish in South Camden: seven sisters, three priests and one brother, who happens to be me.
The purpose of the meeting, as outlined by Father Vince, was for each of us who work and/or live in Camden to share our personal stories and reflections and to voice our hopes and concerns, both physical and spiritual, for the future of the Church in Camden.
Saint Francis de Sales is known for the quote, “Don’t say anything – just listen. It is no small thing to just listen!” He made that statement four whole centuries before the idea of a synodal Church became a reality.
The saint lived in a time much like our own, one of deep divisions in both politics and religion. Protestants and Catholics, always at odds, killed each other over which were the “true” Christians preferred by God. The kings and queens of Europe took advantage of the poor and underprivileged, while European explorers invaded and plundered the homelands of native peoples around the globe and used the Bible as a weapon of forced conversion.
It seems that we humans never learn from our long history of previous mistakes, and we just keep repeating them: violence, exploitation, racist cruelty. Greed and corruption prevail over social justice and Catholic social teaching, even as Pope Leo reminds us that love is the reason Jesus was incarnate on earth as the human face and heart of God.
That is exactly what our humble meeting at Sacred Heart was all about, why Father Vince convened it, and why 11 dedicated women and men religious showed up at the table. We shared from our hearts and truly listened to each other, offering our hopes and dreams for better times.
Six of the seven women religious were Sisters of Saint Joseph, and one was of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Their communities have ministered in Camden for almost a century and have been directly involved in the evolutions and changes that have occurred in the city.
Some of the sisters shared deep concerns that the majority of people they serve are living in constant fear of deportation. Father Mike McCue, my Oblate confrere and friend, spoke of his experiences for the last 17 years working at Joseph’s House homeless shelter and his work with those in the community struggling with addictions. Everyone’s ministry is timely and in demand – and very demanding.
Despite the many personal hardships and challenges we shared and pondered on around that table – the same table at which daily Mass and the Eucharist are celebrated – the overriding feelings from each of us were of love and hope. As the perfect conclusion to this holy gathering, Father Vince provided tacos from a Mexican restaurant recently opened by one of his parishioners – more evidence of hope, courage and determination.
Just knowing we are not alone in our fears and anxieties was enough to send us off with renewed energy and commitment: the gentle synodal awareness that we are listening together in the Heart of Christ.
Brother Mickey McGrath, an Oblate of Saint Francis de Sales, is an award-winning artist and author who lives in Camden.
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