Excerpts from the homily of Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.
August 4, 2025 at 9:05 a.m.
Following are some statements from Bishop O'Connell's homily at the Jubilee For Parish Personnel celebration on July 30.
“Through your individual gifts – administration, music, volunteering, hospitality, catechesis, works of maintenance, serving on parish councils – you build up the Body of Christ. Not just by what you do, but by how you do it.”
“True greatness is found not in authority, but in availability. Jesus doesn’t dismiss ambition, he sanctifies it by linking to self-giving love. In the face of long hours, low resources and sometimes little thanks, you have chosen the towel over the throne, service over status.”
“So today, we celebrate you. Not because you’ve made things perfect but because you’ve made them possible.”
“May this Jubilee Year and today’s celebration renew your joy, deepen your peace and remind you that your labor in the Lord is never in vain. That gives us hope, fans its flames, never disappoints, makes us hope’s pilgrims!”
Jubilee event was time to lift up parish personnel, celebrate Bishop’s anniversary
Saturday, December 13, 2025
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Following are some statements from Bishop O'Connell's homily at the Jubilee For Parish Personnel celebration on July 30.
“Through your individual gifts – administration, music, volunteering, hospitality, catechesis, works of maintenance, serving on parish councils – you build up the Body of Christ. Not just by what you do, but by how you do it.”
“True greatness is found not in authority, but in availability. Jesus doesn’t dismiss ambition, he sanctifies it by linking to self-giving love. In the face of long hours, low resources and sometimes little thanks, you have chosen the towel over the throne, service over status.”
“So today, we celebrate you. Not because you’ve made things perfect but because you’ve made them possible.”
“May this Jubilee Year and today’s celebration renew your joy, deepen your peace and remind you that your labor in the Lord is never in vain. That gives us hope, fans its flames, never disappoints, makes us hope’s pilgrims!”