Sept. 15, 2021 I have a very large extended family, and I’ve worked in careers that have brought me into contact with a wide variety of people. It’s rare for me to go somewhere in the North Country without running into someone I know. That happens less frequently to my husband. So, it was rather notable when Adam came home from transporting our son to the Summer Fun Day at Guggenheim and said he ran into someone he knew. “I’m not related to (this individual), but we have an aunt in common,” Adam explained. “I haven’t seen him since we were kids.” “I can’t place it, but I know that name,” I responded. About a week later, I was interviewing youth who attended the fun days. One of the teens participated in the interview with his father, who had served as staff at the fun day. That man was the same individual my husband knew in his childhood, and he told me he had been a counselor at Guggenheim “in the ‘90s.” “Wait,” I said. “If you don’t mind me asking, what years in the ‘90s were you there?” He gave me the dates. “You were a counselor when I went to camp in 1996,” I responded, laughing. “That explains why I knew your name!” I think most of us are familiar with “six degrees of separation,” the theory which contends that, because we are all linked by chains of acquaintance, you are just six introductions away from any other person on the planet. I’m pretty confident most of us are separated by fewer than six connections here in this diocese. We’re all linked. We’re a family of faith. The theme of this year’s Bishop’s Fund is “Family of Faith in Action.” The ministries funded by the Bishop’s Fund are yet another way in which we are linked as a family of faith. We are linked by the seminarians, deacons and lay ministers in formation, people who come from our communities, are supported by them and serve in them. We’re linked by the call to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and see Jesus in those in need. We’re linked by our desire to see youth and families have meaningful ways to connect with our Lord and our Church, whether it’s through a Catholic school or through youth and family ministry programs. We’re a family of faith. Families support each other. Please consider supporting this year’s Bishop’s Fund Appeal, whether it be with your prayers or with your donation. |
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