In November 1965 towards the end of the fourth session of the Second Vatican Council, a decree on the Apostolate of the Laity was promulgated.  In that decree, we read about the special and indispensable role that lay people have in the mission of the Church.  Every activity of the Mystical Body of Christ is an apostolate which the Church exercises through all her members though in various ways.  Although there is a diversity of ministry, there is a unity of mission.

I carried these thoughts with me during the past weekend. It began with Confirmation on Thursday evening at Holy Family in Fairmount when I confirmed members of our special religious education program. There were also Confirmations this weekend at St. Patrick’s in Chittenango and St. Vincent de Paul in Syracuse where a number of eager young men and women indicated their readiness to complete the sacraments of Christian initiation and assume adult responsibilities in the Church.

On Saturday, Oct. 16, approximately 950 women gathered for the first annual Women’s Conference at the OnCenter.  Below is the homily which I prepared for that occasion.

What a wonderful sight it is to see so many of you here!  Let me begin by reading the words of Jesus in the Gospel today: “I tell you, everyone who acknowledges Me before others, the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God.” (Lk.12:8)  Today more than 900 disciples of the Lord hear those words as you acknowledge Jesus before the world.  In time, you too will experience the approval of the Lord “before the angels of God.”

The theme of your gathering, “Through the Heart,” is summed up succinctly in the Epistle to the Ephesians: “May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to His call, what are the riches of glory in His inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power for us who believe ...” (Eph. 1:18-19)