The Rev. Kevin Fazio

Dear Fellow Butlerites,

When I was asked to contribute a brief reflection for this newspaper, I was humbled and honored.

I love Butler, and I love the good people of Butler.

And I am confident that, by the grace of God, and in cooperation with the graces that God gives us, we will persevere through all of the challenges that the coronavirus has thrown into our lives.

It is said that adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it.

In addition to our personal character, growth in our spiritual life is oftentimes revealed by our lives becoming increasingly centered, and the things in life that truly matter become fewer and fewer.

Suffering and sacrifice have the ability to draw people together, and to create oneness amongst many different cultures, races, religions, and any differences that exist in our relationships.

Great love and great suffering are the two major paths that the human soul finds its way to God. When we choose to love, we become vulnerable to great suffering that follows.

And when there is suffering, the chance to respond with great love is abundant.

Jesus replies to the scribe who asks him about which commandment is the first: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12: 29-31).

We need to love each other through this crisis, however that looks depending upon however we can love…. in our words, actions, and prayers.

May God keep you safe and healthy!

I pray for you daily.

Yours in Christ.

The Rev. Kevin Fazio is administrator of Butler Area Catholic Parishes (St. Andrew, St. Fidelis, St. Michael the Archangel, St. Paul, St. Peter).