Provincial Ponderings - September 2024

Welcome back to the Beacon after our annual August hiatus! It hardly seems possible that Summer 2024 has now officially passed into history and that Autumn has already begun. I hope that you have enjoyed a good summer season, and that August offered you time for rest and relaxation, along with some memorable experiences of play, genuine fun, and great times with neighbors, friends, family, and community to treasure for the days and months to come.

As I share this space with you, I find myself very grateful for the gift of The Baltimore Beacon and the inspiration and hope it stirs in me as a Redemptorist and a member of the worldwide Redemptorist family. In my regular process of preparation for my monthly reflection, I usually peruse the unfolding next edition of pictures and texts to see what is being highlighted and shared with our readers. For whatever reason, (perhaps because of the August break!), in doing so this month, I became so keenly aware of the Beacon’s blessings that I feel moved to ponder them with you.

In the pages to follow, The Baltimore Beacon offers some beautiful snapshots into the ongoing and
always unfolding story of our Redemptorist family: Confreres rejoicing in the ordination of their
brother Michael to the Episcopacy; joyful celebration for our sister and brother partners in mission and
their service to God’s people; providing sacred space for prayer and discernment; rebuilding homes and bringing hope and joy to the spirits of children; younger confreres gathered in faith and in prayer for a future full of hope; and leadership humbly seeking to learn and grow in their ministry of service.

Ours is a gospel story of faith, hope, and love that is centered in Christ and grounded in the Good
News of God’s plentiful love and redemption for all. This story we live out in our communion, care, and
support of one another, and by our real presence and compassionate service to our sisters and brothers throughout the world. Our Redemptorist life and spirit summon all of us to prayer and discernment, to welcoming others into partnership of our mission and ministries and celebrating all the gifts they bring, and to listening and learning from one another - as we together bring forth the kingdom of God in the grace and power of the Spirit.

This living Redemptorist story of grace and blessing, with all its accompanying invitations and
challenges, is what The Baltimore Beacon strives to communicate and to celebrate. That is why it exists
and why we are blessed to share it with you.

As you peruse and review this September issue of the Beacon, I hope and pray that the Spirit renews
and deepens your resolve to see yourself in the ongoing Redemptorist story of God’s abundant love in
who you are, and in all that you say and do. Praying, listening, discerning, forgiving, serving, affirming,
learning, enjoying, sharing, and celebrating are all doorways into the heart of Christ and into the
experience of our dignity as the beloved of God. They are also the ways through which we live out our
faith, hope, and love, and proclaim the Gospel of Christ, our Redeemer!

I am so grateful for all that this Beacon has stirred and reawakened in me. I feel certain that God wants
some grace and blessing for you, too, as you ponder this latest issue.

Thank you for the special place you have in our hearts and for the blessing of your presence, prayer, and participation in the ongoing Redemptorist story that is ours to live out and to proclaim to all the
world.

God bless and all the best to you! †