Stewardship Season: Week 5 In-Gathering Sunday
Growing as Saints: God’s Power Working in Us. What does that mean to you? Have you someone in your life who you consider to have saint-like qualities? Perhaps you lean on God to be with you in the ordinary of life. During the month of Stewardship, various parishioners have reflected on the theme. This week we have a piece by Sarah Rowe:
"Saint Patrick and Me"
I had the good fortune to be in Dublin this past August. My sightseeing included St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the adjacent St. Patrick’s park. In the park I came across a small plaque marking the location of where St. Patrick founded his first church in Ireland in the 5th Century.
This small plaque struck a chord with me. I only knew St. Patrick in reference to St. Patrick’s Day, shamrocks, etc. Researching further, I learned that he was born in 386 AD to wealthy parents in England. At the age of 16, he was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking the family estate. He then spent six years of captivity in Ireland. During this time he worked as a shepherd outdoors in all weather and in the hills away from people. It is believed that during this isolation, Patrick turned to religion for solace. After the six years, it is said he experienced a dream where he heard God’s voice telling him it was time to leave Ireland. He managed to escape back to England where he had a second revelation. He dreamt an angel told him to return to Ireland as a missionary. He then began fifteen years of religious training in Gaul. Once he was ordained, he was sent to Ireland with directions to convert the Irish people to Christianity.
He was very successful in spreading the word of Christianity by incorporating traditional Irish rituals into his lessons. For example, he used the three-leaf shamrock to explain the Trinity and incorporated the sun with the cross to make the Celtic cross. Monasteries, schools and churches were established throughout Ireland over his tenure of thirty years.
What relevance has this in our present day? His story reminds me to keep my mind and heart open to listen to God’s guidance. The principles he taught of faith, hope, compassion and charity apply today. In my own life, I can endeavor to follow these principles by caring for my family and friends, church, community, and environment.
