A Note from Deacon Weldon  

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As you read this, I am already back in St. Louis to begin my last year in seminary; but know my heart and my prayers are with you. How about a recap of the summer?

First, I must give thanks where it is due. In 1 Corinthians 3 St. Paul says, “Therefore, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters in anything, but only God, who causes the growth.” So I thank God for his guidance and for his nourishment of us all this summer.

Secondly, St. Paul continues, “The one who plants and the one who waters are equal, and each will receive wages in proportion to his labor. For we are God’s co-workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” Though I am not a brother priest yet, Fr. Kevin and Fr. Dale have treated me as such, and I thank them for their friendship, their trust, and their brotherhood. Together we have served you, planting and watering and building, praying for you and for each other along the way.

Thirdly, St. Paul again, “When I came to you, brothers, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ crucified [although I did learn quite a bit more about NASCAR]. I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling….” But I also came to you trusting that God would walk with me and that he would send his Spirit to strengthen me. St. Maria Goretti has prayed with and for me as well, and for you, that together we would grow in our faith. Week after week you showed me un-diminishing kindness and hospitality. Whether it was the dinners, lunches, or even breakfasts we ate together, or the encouraging words after Mass, or the “secret, special collection” that was taken up, know that I am grateful to God for your generosity and will continue to pray that his blessings come upon you and those you love. Again, from the heart I am grateful to God for you.

Brothers and Sisters, I am still young, idealistic, and a little naïve. But with faith and wisdom, I hope to use this not to my disadvantage, but to our advantage. In his letter to the Philippians, St. Paul says, “Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world….” (2:14-15). Indeed, there has not been a generation that has been like our own. I will not list the negatives, for you know them well enough. My message is as it has been: Let us be those lights in the darkness, lights in the world. There has been no deeper divider of our faith than hypocrisy. Hypocrisy got me within inches of leaving seminary. Hypocrisy has caused division since the early Church. It will always be around, but let us not be the ones who others point their fingers to saying, “See. Look at how he/she lives. And they call themselves a Catholic. Huh! Forget it. Hypocrites!”

We must try, and try, and try, and try to live faithful lives. When you invest, you learn all you can about the companies/stocks beforehand. When you have your first child, you read all you can to learn how to be a good parent. And when you apply for a job or make a big purchase, it’s the same thing. We learn about what it is we are investing in. Is there any greater investment than eternity? “Actions speak louder than words.” They do here, and they will there. Please, help us raise up not only one, but many generations of faithful Catholics. Learn more about your Catholic faith. For under $10, buy the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and The Catholic Source Book. Read online, for free, documents from the Vatican website. Check out dynamic, fired-up defenders of the faith talk about gritty issues on the Catholiclinks website. Buy reliable tapes, cd’s, videos that will help you inform yourself. There are no more excuses, brothers and sisters- Not even lack of time, as the resources are now available for you in many different forms of media. Eternal life is based on our earthly life. Let us no longer be seen by the world as hypocrites, but as lights in the world, bringing life, peace, and happiness to ourselves and others.

Be steadfast, then. Persevere. “Only, conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear news of you, that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind struggling together for the faith of the gospel, not intimidated in any way by your opponents… For to you has been granted, for the sake of Christ, not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him.” (Phil 1:27-29) “Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

I thank you for the opportunity to begin my public ministry in Christ with you. I thank you for nourishing me and supporting me. I thank you for the gift of you. May God bless and keep you always.

Yours In Christ, Deacon Weldon