When Times are Tough, the Tough Get Going!

When Times are Tough, the Tough Get Going!

Unless you have been on a deserted island – for the past year or so – you are well aware of all the gloom that envelops any discussion of our economy. Newspapers, magazines, books, blogs and “hot” media such as TV and radio are flush with tales of woe outlining how poor the job market is, how sluggish the economy is, how fragile the stock market is and how miniaturized our retirement accounts have become.

While there is certainly some truth in these statements the endless news cycle does cluster around bad news at the expense of good, so one of the unfortunate by-product of all this is the indecision it spawns. We become afraid to do what we know needs done, deciding to wait for the “proper” moment to act. This malaise affects parishes in the same way. Countless parishes with real needs are postponing necessary repairs, restorations and construction awaiting this “magic moment” when, like the all-clear horns after a tornado warning, we'll know that it's time to move forward.

Of course, there are no such horns to sound for people or for parishes. Economic fortunes will ebb and flow for as long as we occupy this world we know as the church militant. We can share with you some good news, however! Several parishes have indeed launched successful capital campaigns into the face of this recession dragon, and have won the battle! Yes, parishes as disparate as large, affluent suburban parishes in Pittsburgh, to small, rural parishes in upstate New York to older, center-city parishes facing demographic turmoil have all conducted wide-reaching campaigns this past year -successfully!

How is that possible, you say? Was there a special situation involving each parish? No. However the one element linking all of these parishes was a commitment to follow in the Gospel-based advice of the late Pope John Paul II -”be not afraid!” Despite the uncertainty, these parishes realized that their existing, very real needs were greater than their nebulous, ephemeral fears. They stepped forward boldly with faith that God would be with them in their endeavors to build and sustain his church on earth. They are all very happy they did so now.

Many of you are live in or have roots in the industrial cities of the East and Midwest where the enormously successful Catholic school systems were built in the middle of the 20th century; during these times that saw the Great Depression and World War II, two cataclysmic events that dwarf any of our tribulations and conflicts of today, Catholic parishes built churches and schools that educated many of us and still stand proudly today. Our forebears knew that faith conquers fear. We should learn from their example and act with prudence, planning and prayer and not be held captive by anxiety, pessimism and frustration.