From Opus Bono Sacerdotii: Unless the Grain of Wheat dies!

Opus Bono Sacerdotii Work for the Good of the Priesthood Dear Friends   At the Last Supper, Jesus Christ the High Priest instituted the Holy Catholic priesthood.  This Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday, the Church will remember the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ the High Priest. These high holy days celebrate the Paschal Mystery—God’s plan for all humankind.   English: The Last Supper of Jesus Christ (Photo credit: Wikipedia) In his life, death and resurrection, Jesus Christ the High Priest proclaims the reign of God – the powerful presence of God’s love in human history. He still invites us to live God’s plan of love in our own lives. This week’s memorial of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection challenges us to take up our crosses each day as we serve our Catholic priests — sacrificing ourselves in love especially for our priests who are the most trouble, discouraged and suffering. The mystery is that if we die to ourselves and give ourselves in service to others, especially our Catholic priests, we will find true freedom and life everlasting. As Jesus proclaimed: “Unless the grain of wheat dies, it remains just a grain of wheat, but if it dies, it brings forth much fruit” (Jn 12:24). The need is so desperately urgent now, in this most Holy of weeks!  Every day our work touches the lives of many Catholic priests.  Pope Francis keeps asking all of us to live the Gospel, especially by reaching out to those priests who are experiencing serious difficulties and caring for them in their most dire circumstances. We started living the Gospel years ago by caring for just one priest in 2002. Today our loving response to priests in trouble cares for hundreds of Catholic priest each month through our facilitation services in its multiple forms – providing spiritual directors, moral support, psychological counseling, vocation crisis intervention, civil and canonical legal defense, grants for food, clothing and housing, arbitration between priests and their superiors, and so forth. Help us to continue our vital mission to the Church and her bishops and religious superiors in finding solutions to the proper care and treatment of their priests. Your tax-deductible contribution to our ministry is literally saving the lives of countless Catholic priests who depend on our support daily.  You are already a Partner in Mission and a cherished member of the Opus Bono family! That is why I appeal to you. Please help us with your prayers and your most generous Easter contribution in thanksgiving for the institution of the Holy Catholic priesthood. Along with the thousands of priests who will be offering their prayers, sufferings and Holy Masses for you this Holy Week, I pray that you will be truly blessed with an increase in the virtues of faith, hope and love. May the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ the High Priest strengthen you, and grace our broken priests with peace.   The need is so desperately urgent at this time.  Please take moment to click on the link below to make an on-line donation.   http://www.opusbono.org/donate.html   Or send your Easter donation to:   Opus Bono Sacerdotii, PO Box 663, Oxford, MI 48371 Gratefully yours,   Pete   Pete Ferrara Cofounder and Treasurer Opus Bono Sacerdotii Peteferrara@opusbono.org Office (313) 937-6305 www.opusbono.org     Opus Boon Sacerdotii P.O. Box 663, Oxford, MI 48371-0663   P 313.937.6305