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Spring brings boundless beauty for tired eyes and hope presses up through the soil of our resistant natures. This spring, with its spectacular alternation of clear sunny days and rainy bursts, reminds us of the miracle of our life and of all Creation.

For Catholics in the Albany Diocese, the season has been full of blessings as well. These include the June 12 ordination of five priests, the "Amazing God" evangelization initiative and the "Covenant to Educate," a plan to revitalize Catholic education in our Diocese. To top it off, a handsomely renovated Cathedral provided the setting for the first two events. Once exterior work on the front is complete, the Cathedral will be rededicated in November.

Each of these initiatives - and there are many more - should encourage and challenge us in a time that has left many of us discouraged, tired and wondering. This has not been an easy time for the Church, though the Gospel message of God's love will always revive and sustain us. Now we have fresh causes for taking a breath and moving on.

The ordinations are excellent news - to have new priests, but also to ordain the largest group in 28 years. It won't go on like this every year, but these new priests among us will long be a source of joy and promise. Most have had careers already, from insurance and teaching to music or engineering. All possess, in varying ways, the common inspiration, clarity and dedication we see in Catholics who find and pursue a vocation, either in or outside the Church.

Just weeks before, four deacons - two permanent and two transitional - were ordained, another infusion of grace and manpower.

Soon enough, the diocesan Catholic School Office will issue the final version of the "Covenant to Educate." Our schools, as in many other dioceses, face various difficulties. One challenge certainly is getting the good news out. As Bishop Hubbard wrote in these pages last week, "The paradox is that we are probably doing a much better job in Catholic school education today than we were in our 'heyday.' We have much smaller class sizes, fully-certified teachers and administrators and curricula competitive with public schools and other private schools."

Other challenges he noted include making or keeping tuition affordable, stabilizing the system, renewing confidence and growth. These and other fronts have been addressed by a panel of experts from various fields, than shared with pastors, principals, teacher and parents.

The final report should provide a kick-start and long-term fuel to the preservation and revitalization of Catholic schools. We all have a stake in this cause.

A third chunk of fresh life arrives with the Diocesan evangelization initiative. Beginning this fall and continuing over three years, it will reach out to inactive or alienated Catholics and young adults and engage parishioners in spiritual renewal and their parishes.

Evangelization teams have been or will be formed at parishes and clusters. There will be Scripture study, a youth rally, "come home" for Christmas and Easter campaigns and other efforts.

As observed by Rev. Frank DeSiano, CSP, who spoke at the June 7 kickoff, we offer the wonderful gift of God's love but must do so in a culture of choice. Regardless of our role in the larger initiative, the broad-based effort should give us all the courage to invite friends, relatives, neighbors and strangers to share in the Good News of Jesus Christ.

(06/24/10) [[In-content Ad]]

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