The Times of Venerable Father Michael McGivney

The Times of Venerable Father Michael McGivney
In pursuit of the truth – www.cinopsbegone.com – Thursday, September 15, 2011

Ref. Father Michael J. McGivney Newsletters, Jan. –Feb. 2010 and Sep.-Oct. 2010

Father Michael McGivney is the founder of the Knights of Columbus. “If we follow the Father McGivney’s program for spiritual vitality, reflection on our lives must begin on a note of hope and gratitude. The precious gift of life and the power to direct one’s own life under the influence of the Holy Spirit is the true source of hope and optimism.

“Father McGivney knew this well as he faced the brokenness of Catholic families and the social ills of his day. Weighed down with the sufferings of his flock, faced with uncertain financial conditions of the parish and hostility from outside the Church. He was ever a man of steady encouragement and hope.

“In fact, his faith in God’s providence was contagious. It was hard to be around Father McGivney and not to be hopeful. He was energized by the difficulties that confronted him and was always creative in devising ways to face problems and work towards solutions. The venerable parish priest loved his parishioners with a great intensity. In return, they followed his example of optimism undertaking all manner of projects to relieve the sufferings and burden of others.

“Today, hard economic times bring plenty of suffering. Besides the usual tensions and problems typical of family life, the possible loss of a job, the need to cut back on the “extras” that enrich the formation of children or the threat of not making the mortgage put extra strain on parents and children.

“Part of Father McGivney’s pastoral genius was his ability to find ways of bringing people together to enjoy one another and have plenty of fun. It could be a picnic or dance in the parish hall, but this man of God wanted his people to enjoy life in spite of their poverty. For him, as for all the saints, the need to depend upon God in hard times was a blessing.

“The scriptures speak often and eloquently of God’s particular love for the poor, the outcasts, the widows and the orphans. These were the “clients” of Father McGivney’s remarkable priestly ministry. The life and work of Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney is a witness to the truth that one can be happy and enjoy a rich life of union with God even when deprived of material necessities.

“Father McGivney is a great patron for us as we face the struggles of the 21st century. He teaches us how to find meaning in all of the moral relativism and materialism of our time.

Fraternally yours,
Respect Life Chairman,
George H. Kubeck