Most Holy Trinity Welcomes You

One in Faith/Uno en la Fe
August 01, 2022

My friends, I began this blog in order to share with you an experience that some of you may never have a chance to. I have to say, that my time here in Guatemala has born nothing but good fruits- both academically, spiritually, humanly, and pastorally. As St. John wrote at the end of his Gospel, “There are also many other things Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.” This in a way is true for all of us who experience something, and only share a small amount- that is in a way what this blog has done- given you a taste, just a taste, of what another culture is like. 

However, let me remind ourselves as to why the blog is titled ‘One in Faith/Un en la Fe’- “I titled this blog ‘One in Faith’ in order to express that no matter the race, ethnicity, culture, diversity, color of skin, or wherever one may be in the world- we are the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. We are united in our Faith and belief in Jesus Christ, and we are a part of His Body, the Church- called by Him at our own Baptism to be disciples and help others to have the loving and personal encounter with Him.”(Pre-Game Travel). 

Being in Guatemala has helped me to understand more of what it means to be ‘One in Faith’. Yes, the people of Guatemala are a part of a different culture; yes, the people of Guatemala speak a different language; yes, the people of Guatemala have different traditions and practices; yes, the people of Guatemala may have a different view on the world; and yes, the people of Guatemala are ‘different’ than people in the United States- but honestly, who cares! Who cares that they have a different culture, or speak a different language, or have different traditions and practices, or have different opinions, or are just ‘different’- the truth of the matter is- we all practice the One Faith, we all have hope in the One True God, and we all experience the same love (in different ways and at different times) from the One Father, who sent his Son into the world in order to die for all, yes for all of humanity, in order for us to be united with him as One Family. 

It is our Faith in the one God- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit- that should bring us together, not divide us. God is not a division. Each person of the Trinity, though exercises a different ‘role’, does so in order for us to understand the intimate unity that exists between them. It is the same thing for us. We each have different traditions and practices, we each come from a different ‘culture’ or background, each of us has our own opinion of how things are done, each of us knows the phrase ‘we have always done it this way’. However, we need to remember that everything we do needs to be done and exercised in order to build of the ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, and APOSTOLIC CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST. It’s not ‘my Church’, its not ‘Father Matthew’s Church’, its not ‘Pope Francis’s Church’- it is Christ’s Church. 

What he is asking us to do, with the meaning of the ‘Great Commission’ outlined at the end of Matthew’s Gospel, is to go out into the world, and to be One in Faith. To acknowledge and accept the practices of another culture, to learn from what other people have to offer, to actually experience the traditions and practices of another people, and to see the richness of the One Faith, though practiced differently, but to accept it and incorporate it into our own lives. Yes, incorporation is key because it shows that we are not sticking to what we are ‘comfortable with’. We need to be comfortable with being ‘uncomfortable’- meaning that in order to be ‘One in Faith’ we need to step out of our own comfort zone- hey, if the Apostles and Saints did it, why can’t we in the 21st century.

The people of Guatemala have a lot to offer us, much more than what I have written; but now it becomes our turn. What I have learned and experienced in this great nation, with these humble, prideful, and faithful people- a people who has accepted me into their home nation with absolute and total respect and love- I hope to God, that I will practice and exercise in my own Priesthood and share it with all of you. But I also hope, that we, my brothers and sisters, can learn to accept, grow, and practice other cultures, languages, ethnicities, practices and traditions, etc… and not just see them or ‘it’(the practices and traditions, etc…) as ‘another’ or ‘something else’. Rather we need to be ONE IN FAITH, and actually practice and preach what it truly means to be ONE IN FAITH- looking at each other, no matter who we are, where we are from, etc… and actually showing them LOVE. Remember, Christ died for all of humanity, with the same love that he has for all people- Saints and sinners alike. We need to express- through thought, word, and deed- that same love for all people.

Well, I will stop for now. If I have not set off a few fireworks with this post (or a volcano- Guatemalan reference), then I guess I may not have done my job!

I will hopefully publish one more post before I return to the United States (again, and emphasis on UNITED). I do plan to continue this blog regularly(at least once or twice a week, hopefully). Please continue to read this blog and please share it with your friends.

You can read more at: https://1infaith.blogspot.com

On January 1, 2022, Most Holy Trinity Parish in Wallingford, will merge with Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Yalesville, in accordance with canons 121 & 515 §2 of the Code of Canon Law. On September 28, 2021, Archbishop Leonard P. Blair issued a decree effecting the merger of the two parishes in Wallingford/Yalesville, Connecticut.

During the weekend of October 9/10, 2021, the decree will be read at all Masses, and its substance will be communicated to all parishioners by means of a notice in the weekend bulletins at the churches, so that parishioners can read it as they enter or exit the churches. It will also be available on the Archdiocese of Hartford website, under the News/Public Notices Section, [https://archdioceseofhartford.org/public-notices/]. Canonical recourse may be made within the peremptory time limit of ten (10) days from the legitimate notification of the decree and in accordance with the norm of law (c. 1734 §2 ).

Reverend Ryan M. Lerner, Chancellor

The Roman Catholic Bishops of Connecticut have issued a letter to the Faithful regarding the Covid-19 pandemic.  Click on the link below.

The Archdiocese of Hartford continues to monitor the severity of the situation surrounding the pandemic and will provide updates regarding decisions reached for the archdiocese as they are made. 

For updates from Archdiocese of Hartford, click on the link below. 

1. On the page that appears input our site's address https:// mhtwallingford.org 
2. In the 'To' box select the language you want to translate to
3. Click the Translate button