This weekend we celebrate the patron of this church, Saint Henry.
Saint Henry’s feast day falls on July 13 each year;
for a parish or church named for a saint, that day is a solemnity
and the bishops allow the feast to be celebrated
on the nearest Sunday – so that’s what we’re doing this weekend.
The point is that a parish should know its patron saint.
We were entrusted to his care; Saint Henry prays for us in heaven!
Before I go any further, let me share some news.
1) You might enjoy knowing that Joseph Allaire,
one of our seminarians
and a son of Our Lady of Good Hope parish,
made a trip to Germany this summer,
and visited the grave of St. Henry and his wife, St. Cunegunda.
2) You can see some improvements on our campus,
and I hope you like having some repaired curbs and fresh asphalt.
3) Meanwhile, we are installing a new floor in the PAC
and added some fresh paint.
With a renewed Parish Activity Center,
you and I can fill it with activity again, for all ages,
from prayer and meetings to social activities and sports.
There are generous people who are helping make these improvements possible
this summer and if you want to help, let me know.
Now let me share a bit about Henry.
He was born in AD 973 and died in 1024, a thousand years ago.
He was part of an important family.
His father had been Duke of Bavaria.
But then his father fell into disfavor with the King,
and dad was deposed from his office.
Later, the political winds changed again, and Henry and his family
were back in their position of power and prestige.
One of the wise decisions his father made
was to entrust Henry to be educated by the bishop Wolfgang,
who was later recognized as a saint.
Perhaps St. Wolfgang helped Henry learn from his family’s trials
to focus on Christ’s kingdom, instead of his own, uncertain one?
Some people have great conversion moments; perhaps Henry did too.
Others are set on a path of prayer early on – this was Henry’s story.
He was taught the importance of giving Jesus time every day.
Sometimes the most life-changing decisions are the simplest.
And we might notice that not many politicians become saints!
Why did Henry? Maybe because of the seeds of faith planted early.
This is what we do in our parish family in so many ways.
With Bishop Leibold School, with religious education and preparation for sacraments,
with retreats and other activities for adults,
With our many opportunities to feed the hungry and help the troubled, All this plants seeds.
If you did the math, Henry lived only 51 years on earth –
fewer years than this parish has been here in South Dayton –
And yet the light of heaven that shined through his life
reaches forward a thousand years to us and beyond.
Think about that whenever you say, what difference can I make?
So many kings valued their wives solely for giving them heirs.
He and his wife Saint Cunegunda did not conceive any children.
Other kings would abandon their wives; Henry remained true.
Henry’s family complained to him that he was squandering his fortune;
not on palaces and politics, but on the poor.
As king, Henry commanded armies and faced wars;
but he was notable for seeking paths of peace and reconciliation.
Where did Henry learn these things?
Was it when he got together with other kings and dukes?
Or was it when he attended Mass,
or in the habit of prayer that he learned as a youth?
Perhaps as he and his beloved wife contemplated
how to make a difference for eternity?
Again, it’s all about what you and I make a priority.
We always find time for what matters most.
As St. Henry Parish comes together with Our Lady of Good Hope
and St. Mary, as we work together, as we build together,
you and I can be just like Henry, as we:
- Share our gifts with our community, not hesitantly, but confidently;
- Make our churches and all our facilities welcoming,
which is some of what you’re seeing happen this summer;
- Don’t be discouraged as we plant seeds of faith;
they will sprout, even if takes a thousand years!
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