We have a missionary! It is not every day that a Melkite parish can say that a parishioner is going off to serve the Lord and the Church in this dynamic way. Often we conceive of missionaries going to Africa, to China or to Latin America. Seldom do we recall that our own country’s Catholic faith was established by men and women on fire for making disciples and friends of the Lord, teaching sacred Scripture and giving witness to the Truth, to salvation, to new life in Christ crucified and risen! At the conclusion of tonight’s Divine Liturgy (see picture), Father Dennis imparted a blessing sending forth our parishioner Gregory Allin Bliss as a FOCUS Missionary. You have seen and heard Greg proclaiming the Scripture at the Liturgy and serving at the altar.
Greg embarks on his missionary journey like Saint Paul and other missionary saints to other parts of the USA. He will first spend time in Denver and then coming closer to home in Worcester.
In part, Father Dennis prayed to God the Father,
“Continue to act today, loving Savior, for the good of Your Holy Church. Send Your Holy Spirit upon Greg who is dedicating himself to life as a missionary with FOCUS; inspire him and his colleagues to respond to Your Great Commission and to serve You as missionaries, for the building up of Your Body, the Church.”
May every blessing be imparted upon Greg’s good work. Saint Ann, pray for Greg, the FOCUS missionaries and our own parish!
Continued blessings!