Seek the Face of the Lord
For the last year we have been discerning our potential patron. It began with discerning a list of possible patrons. There were almost twenty five potential patrons in the bulletin throughout spring and summer of 2022. Then in September, our staff and pastoral council narrowed the list down to nine. In November we had wax museums to learn about the nine different saints. We had over 300 people learn about the saints.
Finally this past weekend parishioners gathered to pray before the Blessed Sacrament to discern the name of our family of parishes. It was amazing to have the Holy Spirit guide us in this decision. After the Holy Hours, multiple parishioners said that they came in thinking that they would vote one way, but after spending an hour in prayer, the Lord changed their mind.
This is even true for me personally. As I was praying, I realized that the Lord was asking me not to vote. I didn’t vote at any holy hours. I understood my role to be organizing the process, praying for God’s guidance, and offering reflections about the potential patrons. I realized the Lord wanted me to surrender this decision into His hands.
The results have been counted and maybe you saw the announcement on Couch Chat. Our parishes will be known as the “Holy Face of Jesus Family of Parishes.” Praise God for this decision. Looking back over the last few months, I am surprised by this movement of God. If you would have told me six months ago that we would be dedicated to the Holy Face of Jesus, I wouldn’t have believed you. I guess it goes to show that God was really involved in this decision.
In the Old Testament, there are over 100 references to the “Face of God.” The people of the Old Testament desire to see God face to face. They long to be in a deep relationship with God. To see someone face to face is to be in a relationship with them. The desire to see God’s face continues in the life of Jesus. During the Last Supper, Phillip says, “Show us the Father and that will be enough for us” (John 14:8). Phillip has a desire to see the Father face to face. Jesus responds, “He who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Jesus reveals to us the face of God.
If we are to be known as the Holy Face of Jesus Family of Parishes, we are called to be obsessed with the face of Jesus. His face, His gaze, and His love are our sole desire. What a huge calling we have! We are to be preoccupied with Jesus’ face. Being face to face with someone means that we are called to be in a relationship with Him. All of us put our relationship with Jesus Christ above everything else.
Not only do our parishioners desire to see the face of God, but the whole world longs to see the Father. Everyone who struggles with loneliness, despair, meaninglessness and every other issue longs to see Jesus. Our call is to be the face of Jesus to the world! We are supposed to be His face, His love to a world that is desperately in need of Jesus. What an incredible responsibility that we have.
This feels like both an end and a beginning. In one sense we are completing the process to discern the name of our parishes, yet this is a new beginning. We begin with this new identity to seek the face of God and to reveal His face to the world. May the Lord continue to guide us on this incredible journey.
One final reflection. Archbishop Dennis Schnurr initiated this Beacons of Light process a couple of years ago. Each Bishop has a coat of arms with a motto at the bottom (see below). The motto Archbishop Schnurr chose when he was made a bishop in 2001 is “Quarite Faciem Dominin.” In Latin this means “Seek the Face of the Lord.” It seems that Divine Providence continues to guide us. May we be people who are obsessed with the Face of Jesus.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Sean Wilson
Pastor of the Holy Face of Jesus Family of Parishes
