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Archives Bishop Coyne says ‘build relationships’

Oct. 5, 2016

By Andrew Lauria
Staff writer

Lake Placid - What is the experience of being inspired?  It is an encounter with others that draws us out of ourselves in the direction toward God.  To be inspired is to be lifted up together and therefore live in communion with each other in Christ.  And the natural gift of being inspired is the desire to love and to give that joy to others.

In his anecdotal, presentation-style talk titled “The Vocational Call to Community and Communion” Bishop Christopher Coyne offered a practical and light-hearted reflection of our call to love.  He began by reminding us that we know God through our relationships with others and that our Church is based on communion.  We are all called to contribute to the church community and he offered us tangible ways to better love in an effort to live out our communion and strengthen our parish communities.

First, we need to be welcoming.  Bishop stressed the importance of individually acknowledging people in church and of reaching outside our comfort zones to get to know others who we see but may not know at Mass.  He reminded us that no matter how true our faith is, people will not want to come to our churches if they do not feel personally welcomed.

Second, we need to be encouraging of one another.  Bishop stated that “we need to say the things that men and women need to hear”.  Everyone needs to be encouraged along the journey of life so we need to make a conscious effort to reach outside of ourselves and do this in our faith communities.

Third, Bishop Coyne deeply stressed the need for our parishes to become places of intentional discipleship.  He said that we must live the faith by praying at home, taking care of others, going to Mass, and doing the things that Christ asks us to do for others.  And this, Bishop said “makes us attractive”.

People who follow Christ and live an intentional life naturally evangelize because their life has purpose and joy.  People are longing for purpose and joy!  And when people live this way, they want to give their love to others and this brings us to the call to charity.

Bishop Coyne rightfully stated that we as Catholics do a very good job at helping others.  Charity is “the virtue by which we love”.  Living a welcoming, encouraging life as a disciple allows us to give in charity the great love that we share together in our community of faith but also naturally draw others into communion with our church.
“It is a terrifying gift to step out of isolation and into community.” This was the quote on the screen that hung in the conference room before Bishop Coyne’s presentation.  This is a very real experience, even in our own churches, and although it may seem challenging at times, it is the inspirational love of Christ that overcomes our own obstacles and allows us the grace to live in community.  And our community is Christ-led and Christ-fed, a people that is inspired and called to love.

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