Baptism and Welcoming Arms

Dear Sisters and Brothers – 

Several weeks after his words dominated a news cycle, Pope Francis’s enthusiastic – and very clear – declaration that the Church is for todos, todos, todos continues to give me joy and hope. I also feel it as an affirmation; it is a message of confirmation and support of our own identity as a faith community, that in fact all are indeed welcome here, especially those who feel themselves standing on the outside or at the periphery. Sadly, in too many parts of the U.S. Catholic Church, this vision of Church is opposed, as is Francis. By too many people in the U.S. Catholic Church – especially young people – the message received is one of exclusion. 

This is why our parish’s Antiracism Committee and Solidarity Committee are so important. It’s why seeing more differently-gendered families attending St. Ignatius is encouraging. It’s why our four Commissions, a strong model of lay leadership, is essential. These are signs that we are becoming the Church we long for and the Church of Pope Francis. Nearly two weeks ago, Cesar and Daniella Lopez brought their two daughters, Alahia and Angelita, to the 10:00 a.m. Mass at St. Ignatius for baptism. 

The Lopezes are the family we are sponsoring as they navigate the legal system for seeking asylum in the U.S. They have a very strong case. 

Watching our community embrace them from the pews with their smiles and tears as we welcomed them into the Body of Christ, I was struck deeply with the insight that in bringing their little ones to St. Ignatius to be baptized, Cesar and Daniella were giving us a great gift: we are becoming more deeply a Church that welcomes everyone, that welcomes “the widow, the orphan, and the stranger/foreigner,” the classes of people in the Hebrew Scriptures deserving special care and protection; what we might term the “marginalized.” 

Thank you for your commitment and your participation in being the Body of Christ into which we welcomed those girls, a faith community that is the tender face, the welcoming arms, and the loving heart of Jesus. 

To give you a quick update on the Lopezes, this week they moved into a studio apartment near City College in the Ingleside neighborhood of San Francisco. Additionally, both girls have been accepted by Holy Family Day Home, which provides affordable, high-quality early childhood education and family support services. Cesar has quickly become a valued employee, one of his company’s best painters, according to his new boss, who is now Angelita’s new godfather! Cesar and Daniella are working hard to learn English –and keep up with Alahia! 

Oremus pro invicem,
Fr. Greg

P.S. Cesar and Daniella are not yet able to cover their rent in its entirety. For any who are interested in helping them, please send a check made out to the Sanctuary Fund, and mail it to St. Ignatius Parish, 650 Parker Avenue, SF, CA. 94118. Thank you.