Within the Saint Therese Little Flower faith community, parishioners sometimes refer to common Catholics as “pips” or “people in pews.”  Many pips are interested in what lies ahead for parishes, worldwide and local, since the election of Pope Leo XIV.  There is much speculation based on descriptors of the new pontiff: unifier, multi-cultural, missionary-minded, Christ-centered, synodal, courageous, humble, pastoral, good listener, polyglot, savvy, smart, spiritual…

Pips ponder whether he will continue Francis’ emphasis on care for the poor as influenced by the Latin American Church and as Saint Francis of Assisi’s favorite disciple, Brother Leo, did in the thirteenth century.  We wonder if he wants to imitate Leo the Great (fifth century pope who stood up to Attila the Hun) by staring down modern-day megalomaniac politicians or bullies.  We contemplate whether he wants to emphasize the Saint Michael Prayer (written by Pope Leo XII) to combat evil in our modern times or highlight the famous Rerum Novarum encyclical on labor, dignity, and social justice (written by the same Leo in 1891).  We also want to discuss whether we put too much emphasis on name, motto, historical characters, or first impressions.

Pips are still shocked that a United States citizen was even seriously considered to occupy the Chair of Peter as Vicar of Christ.  We are eager to share with and listen to one another about how his Midwest upbringing in Chicago and Creole roots in New Orleans might influence his attitudes and actions.  We are anxious to learn more about his Peruvian citizenship and how he has been impacted by serving as a bishop there.  Some of us also are interested in how he is affected by that nation’s Catholic history, including the first American saint, Rose of Lima, and mulatto saint, Martin de Porres, especially their solidarity with poor and marginalized citizens.  Many in our urban churches are fascinated by his roots in black American history and learning more about the history of black popes, including three from Africa.  We are intrigued by how the first Augustinian pope followed the first Jesuit pope and even why popes today wear white in honor of the first Dominican pope, or why no pope of the twentieth century (or most centuries) was from a religious order.

Mostly, however, I think pips are excited to discuss how our new pope is calling us to oneness in Christ Jesus, how we each have a role to play in advancing this mission, and how we can let go of some of our biases for the sake of the common good and greater glory of God.  I invite you to join me for a mini-retreat next month focused on these topics that span issues from “Papacy to Pips;” at that time we will discuss and discern our place in the church today.  There are four options for a retreat if you want to sign up:

Thursday afternoon, June 12, 1-3:00,  https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/ruce8nt

Friday morning, June 13, 9-11:00, https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/xqe4w93 

Thursday evening, June 19, 5-7:00, https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/wtf69kj   

Friday afternoon, June 20, 1-3:00, https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/kw2xebz            

You can also go to the Farnan Spirituality Center website or contact me at dfarnan17@gmail.com.  If your prayer group wants to search for another date, we can find one that will work for you.  I look forward to serving alongside you during this exciting time as we build upon our church’s past by creating a more blessed and meaningful future.