A PROVEN FOUNDATION FOR FRUITFUL MINISTRY
CONGRESS X PLAN OF ACTION
Most Reverend John H. Ricard, S.S.J.
President of the Board of Trustees
(Article: Page 4 of 19)
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SACRAMENTALITY AND COMMUNITY
 Christ established the sacraments
and entrusted them to the Church
for our benefit. The values
they uphold promote harmony within the household of faith and
in society. The sacraments are tangible encounters with the
living God, enriching our lives with divine grace. The very
life of God empowers us to live according to His Gospel.
A sacramental way of life is
liberating. We strive to love God above all people and in
our relationships. It is liberating to enjoy relationships
that are mutually enriching rather than exploitive. We strive
to love God above all things and in our use of things and so
our possessions do not own us, nor do they define our self-worth.
We are not lulled into a sense of complacency about any situation
but rather live with the conviction that life is fully experienced
when we practice what we proclaim. This is the good news about
who we are and to whom we belong.
There is a hunger among
Black Catholics to deepen our understanding of this
integral part of Catholic spirituality. The sacraments
are encounters with our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is
the Proven Foundation for fruitful ministry. We place
our hope in what He promises because the sacraments
will be fulfilled by His choice and with our cooperation.
The fruits of the holistic empowerment of people of
African descent are a richer Church and society to
the glory of God.
A PROVEN FOUNDATION
[Jesus said,] "Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.'" John 15:4-8
The sacraments are tangible encounters with Christ. Their celebration is an integral part of proclaiming the Gospel. The meaning of these sacramental signs and moments already influences our approach to the Core Principles. The vision of Congress X is to help Black Catholics to deepen our understanding of these vital connections.
Apart from the life and love of Christ, given to us through the ministry of His Church, we can do nothing! We are not ashamed to teach everything that Christ has commanded us to do (cf. Matthew 28:20a). As the dismissal at the end of our Eucharist celebration reminds us, worshipping Christ in our churches must be connected to witnessing to Christ in our communities.
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