So St. John Henry Newman begins one of his famous quotations. It continues: “…to be perfect is to have changed often.” But no-one likes change; it makes us feel uneasy and psychologically can be quite traumatic. It is important to spend time thinking about why it makes us feel uncomfortable. For the most part, it is because we human beings are designed for order, not chaos – and stability is, in fact, the bedrock of holiness. It’s the reason why the highest form of life – religious life of monks and nuns – insists upon the virtue of stability.

It is appropriate for me to acknowledge a fair degree of things that have been unsettling for our community here in Georgetown. Perhaps things could have been done a different way – and hindsight is a marvelous thing. But it’s important at this point to take stock and see how the essential things have not been taken away: we have daily Mass and the Sacraments; our Church is open daily; we have a resident priest and we have financial stability after years of uncertainty. God is good – and He provides, superabundantly,  but often not in the way we might have imagined.

God has given us an opportunity to renew our community by leaning closely into our Bishop’s vision for the diocese. Building upon its history and spirit, listening to what we are being asked to do, we are already seeing multiple blessings. Our Hall is being used more intensively than it has been in years. Our Offices are now a place of welcome for all comers. There are fun events for all the family every month, if not more – and new members are joining the community all the time. As your Rector, I see this growth and I’m grateful to all of you for your prayers and support.

There will be bumps in the road I am sure. We are having to deal with a new kind of Catholic community here – one based upon engagement, rather than geography. That is to say, you are part of the Georgetown Oratory because you want to be, and you approve of its mission. To that end I would like to encourage you to get behind this vision by using the white envelopes to support the Church. Please remember to make your Offertory checks payable to ‘Guild’ and to write your name and address if you need a yearly tax letter.

I know these kind of administrative changes are frustrating – but they are necessary so that we can be confident of staying within our means, as we continue to enhance the beauty and reverence of our worship of Almighty God. May the Lord bless and protect your families this week and always.