Diocese of Gaylord Pastoral Letter

Pastoral Letter

Divine Providence… Every Moment in Time

Most Reverend Jeffrey J. Walsh Bishop of Gaylord

My Dear People,

Greetings to all in the Diocese of Gaylord.

It is customary for a bishop to write a pastoral letter addressed to the people whose souls are entrusted to his care. I consider myself blessed to be the sixth bishop of Gaylord and offer sincere gratitude to my predecessor Ordinaries: Bishops Szoka, Rose, Cooney, Hebda and Raica. Also, an honorary tribute to Bishop Hurley who served as Apostolic Administrator for 20 months.

This letter adds but one new chapter to the storybook of this diocese. There will be many more chapters to come. As the Church moves through time, we all participate in the life of grace which marks us a disciple of Christ.

The motto I chose as bishop is “Divine Providence.” The main thrust of this motto is meant to point us toward God’s ever abiding presence and governance of our lives. The theme of trusting in God’s Providence is found everywhere in sacred Scripture and the two thousand years of the Church. Most poignantly, it is demonstrated in the Gospel story of Jesus surrendering his will to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane: “let this cup pass from me…yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Lk. 22:42)

In imitation of Jesus, each disciple is required to surrender their will to the Father and accept everything as coming from the will of the Father. The disciple priest who taught me this lesson most profoundly is Father Walter Ciszek, S.J. He learned it in a moment of desperation in a Russian prison during World War II and wrote about it beautifully in a book entitled He Leadeth Me. Every true disciple of the Lord will discover the truth of Divine Providence in their own unique way. I hope this letter will be an impetus and challenge to be aware of God’s Providence always and everywhere.

By intention, this letter is not a long treatise. I do not fancy myself to be an accomplished author. For that reason, I would emphatically implore you to explore the writings of Scripture, Popes, theologians and regularly review solid Catholic journals, periodicals and internet resources. Stay informed. I treasure my seminary and post seminary academic studies and continue to enjoy learning and staying up on current events. We should all be committed to lifelong learning and sharpen our ability to think with the mind of the Church. I will limit direct quotes in this pastoral letter to four, all from Father Ciszek. And I would like to entrust this letter to our Blessed Mother.

In Christ our Life!

Most Reverend Jeffrey J. Walsh Bishop of Gaylord

“Every true disciple of the Lord will discover the truth of Divine Providence in their own unique way. I hope this letter will be an impetus and challenge to be aware of God’s Providence always and everywhere.”

-Most Reverend Jeffrey J. Walsh

I. Sign of our Times

As the cover of this pastoral letter indicates, the time of God’s Providence is always “now.” So, I begin with a reflection on what I consider the biggest challenge and biggest opportunity for us in our time of history…defending the gift of life.

Jesus pointed out how farmers could tell a storm was coming from looking at dark clouds approaching from the west and he admonished his followers to likewise read the signs of the times. I submit the most ominous sign of our times is abandonment of the child.

A Culture of Abandonment

Welcoming, nurturing and guarding new life has always been part of God’s plan, but now it is done selectively and on our own terms. We seem to have left God out of procreation which has relegated the child to the lowest place of consideration. Starkly put, I would say the child has been sacrificed on the altar of the sexual revolution.

For many, respect, let alone reverence for new life, has been replaced with self-gratification. Sins against God as Creator blind us from the beauty of his design of our human nature. Without a stable

understanding of the responsibilities that come with sexual activity, designed by God to be within the context of a permanent, faithful and exclusive covenant, the child can become a negotiable or innocent victim of neglect.

With the abandonment of the child, comes the abandonment of our common sense and the establishment of a culture of abandonment. If the fundamental moral decision to literally choose life or death for our children is negotiable, as it has been in the U.S. since 1973, every other moral decision down the line also becomes negotiable. Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta rightly identified abortion as the greatest destroyer of peace in the world. How can we have peace when such corruption is not only tolerated, but is now celebrated? Is it any wonder why there is so much violence, confusion, relativism and division in a world that prioritizes “me first” and worships a “God of my convenience.”

Dealing with Distortions of Truth

I think our response to a culture of abandonment should be, as Pope Francis implores, to build a culture of encounter and accompaniment. Rooted in

the truth about the dignity of the human person and a consistent ethic of life divinely revealed and known by reason, we can refute attempts to manipulate our communion with God and each other.

There is an old saying that goes: “give the devil an inch and he will take a mile.” Well then, let us say together… “no inch, no mile.” Do not give the devil that inch, and he will not be able to take that mile. This applies to every moral situation. Do not give an inch on the dignity of the human person from the first moment of conception until natural death.

Do not give an inch on any contradiction to a fixed moral teaching that comes from our Lord through his Church.

We cannot rely on our own cleverness when dealing with lies and manipulations and distortions of truth. The devil is far more clever than us. In humility, we must turn everything over to Jesus who has already won the victory over powers and principalities. Ultimately, His truth will set us free. Much is at stake. Unless we become like children, we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.

Defending the Gift of Life

I also submit, the most promising sign of our times is the pro-life movement. Politics aside, but not negated for its legitimate and necessary exercise, I view the essence of a pro-life conviction as the one sure way to unite heaven and earth. It is a sharing of mind and heart with God to which nothing else compares and from which everything is possible.

With a pro-life conviction, chastity makes sense. Modesty makes sense. Discipline makes sense. Poverty of spirit makes sense. In fact, a prolife conviction makes all the Commandments, Beatitudes and Christian Creeds better understood. And so, the work of forming consciences is always part of the equation of evangelization. We sadly

“Do not give the devil that inch, and he will not be able to take that mile. This applies to every moral situation.”

- Most Reverend Jeffrey J. Walsh

Moment in Time

live in a polarized society in large part because of the divide between those with and those without a consistent ethic of life.

While a great victory for life was celebrated with the overturning of “Roe v. Wade” in June 2022, only five months later, Proposal 3 passed in the state of Michigan, enshrining an artificial “right” to abortion in our state constitution. This is evidence for how pro-life advocacy must adapt and continue to fight the good fight.

The witness of loving disciples willing to sacrifice, advocate and act in support of life will bring about an authentic renewal of culture. Anything less will be a counter sign and diminish our humanity. For years now, young people have brought new

strength and conviction to the movement. The science of ultrasound imaging has left no doubt about the humanity of the child in the womb. Pregnancy Centers and adoption agencies stand ready to walk with moms in need. People with a pro-life outlook are engaged in authentic evangelization that carries over to so many other issues and areas.

Defending life from the first moment of conception until natural death is a clear mandate of the Lord and his Church, from which many fruits of faith are born (ie. service to the poor, care for our common home, welcoming the stranger, opposition to euthanasia and the death penalty etc.). Like a child, we are called to be pure, simple and humble.

II. The Past

I turn now to a simple consideration of how Divine Providence can be understood as it is woven through the past, present, future and eternal life.

TheseVeryStonesCryOut is the official history book of the Diocese of Gaylord. Compiled in 1999, in pictures and prose it tells important and meaningful stories.

Reflecting on the past is perhaps the easiest way to reflect on Divine Providence. Looking back to concrete events and real people helps us to see the patterns of how God acted in time. For better or worse, whether we like it or not, the past is definitive. It is like we can put history under a microscope and examine it.

God’s Hand in the Past

A case in point would be the very creation of the Diocese of Gaylord in 1971. Carved out of the Diocese of Grand Rapids and the Diocese of Saginaw, parishes and schools in the 21 counties of the upper part of the lower peninsula of Michigan, fondly referred to as the “tip of the mitt,” began to exist as one in the body of Christ. One can argue the pros and cons of such a move by the Holy See, but the fact of the change remains. It happened…Divine Providence.

They say in the game of football, it is easy to be an “armchair quarterback.” It is easy, for example, after the fact, to say a team should have gone for a touchdown on fourth down instead of kicking a field goal. Hindsight is 20/20.

In a similar way, the game of life unfolds with varying degrees of success and failure, but the lesson we need to learn is that everything is part of the mysterious plan of God. Jesus was successful in changing the stubborn hearts of his two great Apostles Peter and Paul. Jesus was not successful in changing the heart of Judas. He was thus betrayed and crucified. It happened…Divine Providence.

When possible, I encourage you to read or re-visit our diocesan history book and situate yourself within this proud past. With eyes of faith, see

“The fullest freedom I had ever known, the greatest sense of security, came from abandoning my will to do only the will of God.”

- Father Walter Ciszek

Every Moment in Time

the formative elements of God’s grace that made us who we are in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Parishes, schools, hospitals, organizations, councils, programs and special

places. They were there for a reason. They were all part of God’s plan.

Some stories from our past will make us smile, and some will make us cry. We rejoice when a parish grows and lament when a parish is closed. We give thanks for the virtue and devoted ministry of many priests, and painfully note those who have left behind victims of their abuse. We marvel at the missionary zeal of Bishop Baraga and the establishment of a boarding school for Native Americans, and yet acknowledge the pain of generations of Natives who felt stripped of their cultural traditions or experienced abuse. History is often bittersweet, as is God’s Providence.

As a deeper meditation of the role of Divine Providence in relation to the past, here is what Father Ciszek had to say about abandonment of the will to God:

“…truefreedommeantnothingelsethan lettingGodoperatewithinmysoulwithout interference,givingpreferencetoGod’s willasmanifestedinthepromptings, inspirations,andothermeanshechose tocommunicate,ratherthaninactingon myowninitiatives.Forthosewhodonot believeinGod,Isuppose,suchthoughts willseemsheernonsenseorunexplainable stupidity.Forme,however,therecouldbe nodoubt:thefullestfreedomIhadever known,thegreatestsenseofsecurity,came fromabandoningmywilltodoonlythewill ofGod.WhatwastheretofearsolongasI didhiswill?‘ForwhenGodiswithus,who canstandagainstus?’Choosingtodohis willandexperiencingthespiritualfreedom thatfollowedwasmygreatestjoyandthe sourceoftremendousinteriorstrength. Fortoknowthathedirectedmeinallmy actions,thathesustainedmewithhisgrace, gavemeasenseofpeaceandcourage beyonddescription.Eveninmomentsof humandiscouragement,theconsciousness happenedtomewouldservetodispelall doubtanddesolation.Whateverthetrials ofthemoment,whateverthehardshipsor sufferings,moreimportantthanallthese wastheknowledgethattheyhadbeensent byGodandservedhisdivineprovidence.I couldnotalwaysfathomthedepthsofhis providenceorpretendtounderstandhis wisdom,butIwassecureintheknowledge thatbyabandoningmyselftohiswillIwas doingasperfectlyasIcouldhiswillforme.” (HeLeadethMe,pg.158)

III. The Present

I know it sounds heady, but we must always live in the now. We must always live in the present.

Just as we can say with confidence that God has acted in the past, we can say he is acting in the present. The value of knowing the past is how it enlightens our current moment.

The hard part of discerning Divine Providence in real time is sifting through the fears, doubts and confusion that are part of human nature and often manipulated by the evil one. It takes prayer, study and discipline to be steadfast and true to God’s promptings.

Divine Providence Unfolding

In my limited time of being in the Diocese of Gaylord, I have clearly seen God’s Providence unfold before my eyes. In the first few hours of being consecrated bishop, I went from the elation of a magnificent liturgy to an emergency room gurney at Gaylord hospital. While it was not pleasant to have a kidney stone unexpectantly develop the day before ordination and last 18 days, I was grateful for the care I received and the prayers of so many.

In addition, I saw God’s Providence in real time when our diocesan staff and properties were spared a direct hit by the May 20, 2022 tornado, and subsequent rallying of our community to help with clean-up efforts and raise over $170,000 from a special second collection.

It is equally clear to me how God is at work in the following ways:

• when we celebrate sacramental moments;

• witness to the dignity of every human person regardless of color, class or creed;

• pray the Liturgy of the Hours and read the Scriptures;

“In response to challenges, I propose we turn to the one constant and pure source of grace – the Eucharist; the Most Holy Eucharist; the Blessed Sacrament; the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ.”

- Most Reverend Jeffrey J. Walsh

Every Moment in Time

• foster care of our natural environment;

• provide support for those in need through Catholic Human Services;

• realize the beauty of God through Word, Worship, Service and Community;

• teach our faith in Catholic schools, parish religious education programs and O.C.I.A.;

• suppor t the efforts of organizations such as the DCCW and K of C etc.

Responding to Challenges

The present moment of time is filled with many challenges to our faith. There will always be challenges. God often tests us as gold is tested in fire.

In response to challenges, I propose we turn to the one constant and pure source of grace – the Eucharist; the Most Holy Eucharist; the Blessed Sacrament; the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ.

In this time of Eucharistic Revival (2022-2024), it is providential to revive Eucharistic wonder and awe in a world dulled by hedonistic secularism. It is the Real Presence of Jesus that will keep us joyful, fulfilled and united. Regular Mass attendance plugs us into the rhythm of the liturgical seasons and feasts and opens us to receive what God gives in each present moment.

As a deeper meditation on the role of Divine Providence in the present, here is what Father Ciszek had to say about God’s will in the moment:

“Hiswillforuswasthetwenty-fourhours ofeachday:thepeople,theplaces,the circumstanceshesetbeforeusinthat time.ThosewerethethingsGodknewwere importanttohimandtousatthatmoment, andthosewerethethingsuponwhichhe wantedustoact,notoutofanyabstract principleoroutofanysubjectivedesireto ‘dothewillofGod.’No,thesethings,the twenty-fourhoursofthisday,werehiswill; wehadtolearntorecognizehiswillinthe realityofthesituationandtoactaccordingly. Wehadtolearntolookatourdailylives, ateverythingthatcrossedourpatheach day,withtheeyesofGod;learningtosee hisestimateofthings,places,andaboveall people,recognizingthathehadagoaland apurposeinbringingusintocontactwith thesethingsandthesepeople,andstriving alwaystodothatwill–hiswill–everyhour ofeverydayinthesituationsinwhichhehad placedus.Fortowhatotherpurposehadwe beencreated?Forwhatotherreasonhadhe soarrangeditthatweshouldbehere,now, thishour,amongthesepeople?Towhat otherendhadheordainedourbeinghere,if nottoseehiswillinthesesituationsandto strivetodoalwayswhathewanted,theway hewantedit,ashewouldhavedoneit,for hissake,thathemighthavethefruitandthe glory.”(HeLeadethMe,pg.38)

IV. The Future

No one knows what the future holds. The Covid-19 pandemic certainly taught this lesson to the whole world. Jesus, the master teacher, told us not to worry about what we are to eat or wear. God knows what we need. God provides. Yet, at a very practical level, we all do our share of worrying and planning for an unknown future, hopeful to create something good.

As I look to the future of the Diocese of Gaylord, I see great goodness coming from the ordinary, everyday life of faith played out in our parishes, schools and communities. I see each person nourished at the table of the Savior being capable of great things. As sinners, I see the need for sacramental reconciliation which frees us from the bonds of sin and restores our baptismal dignity. Taking the focus off ourselves, I see humble servant leaders who are charitable in thought, word and deed. Made holy by God’s sanctifying grace, I see every liturgy, social event fundraiser, devotion, service and work as a contribution toward building a kingdom of justice, love and peace.

Vision for the Future

People die without a vision. Jesus provides our vision. The Church nurtures and protects that vision.

As I mentioned in remarks at my episcopal ordination, I believe the Church has what the world needs. To ensure our local Church continues to thrive, I see the following as particular areas of future investment:

• enhancing diocesan offices (i.e. Youth and Young Adult, Marriage and Family Life) and programs;

• evangelizing through ongoing development of the National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods;

• fostering ongoing good will and friendship with Native American tribes and immigrants;

• growing outreach to Catholics in rural life;

• providing new resources for Hispanic Ministry;

• encouraging lay faithful to pray the Liturgy of the Hours;

• identifying candidates for priesthood, religious life, the deaconate and suppor ting a vocation culture that also celebrates Holy Matrimony and single life;

“People die without a vision. Jesus provides our vision. The Church nurtures and protects that vision.”

- Most Reverend Jeffrey J. Walsh

Every Moment in Time

• suppor ting various other pastoral priorities that will, no doubt, make themselves known in time.

Trusting in God’s Plan

Trust is obviously something essential to the nature of God’s Providence, especially in relation to the future. We have been given a simple yet powerful devotion through Saint Faustina Kowalska that will help strengthen our trust in God. The Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed with the image of Jesus in mind. Underneath the image of Jesus are the words: “Jesus, I trust in you.”

Let us entrust the future of the Diocese of Gaylord to our merciful Lord. The future is not something we can control with any certitude, and so we surrender it. Blessed Solanus Casey famously encouraged people to “thank God in advance.” In like manner, let us trust Divine Providence in advance.

As a deeper meditation on the role of Divine Providence in the future, here is what Father Ciszek had to say about the sole purpose of man’s life: “Thissimpletruth,thatthesolepurposeof man’slifeonearthistodothewillofGod, containsinitrichesandresourcesenough foralifetime.Onceyouhavelearnedto livewithituppermostinmind,toseeeach dayandeachday’sactivitiesinitslight,it becomesmorethanasourceofeternal salvation;itbecomesasourceofjoyand happinesshereonearth.Thenotionthatthe humanwill,whenunitedwiththedivinewill, canplayapartinChrist’sworkofredeeming allmankindisoverpowering.Thewonderof God’sgracetransformingworthlesshuman actionsintoefficientmeansforspreading thekingdomofGodhereonearthastounds themindandhumblesittotheutmost,yet bringsapeaceandjoyunknowntothose whohaveneverexperiencedit,unexplainable tothosewhowillnotbelieve.Inthissubtle insightofthesoultouchedbyGod’sdivine powerliestherootoftrueinteriorjoy.”(He LeadethMe,pg.117)

“The main thrust of our faith is toward heaven. The road to heaven is narrow. It will not be easy.”

V. The Eternal

At every Mass, we proclaim the mystery of faith as part of the Eucharistic prayer in these or similar words: “Christ has died, Christ is Risen, Christ will come again.” There is no doubt. Christ will come again.

The second coming of Christ was treated as immanent by early Christians. It should be treated as immanent by all generations of Christians.

We know not the day or the hour, but whether it is in our lifetime or at the end of our earthly existence, the Lord will come again in radiant glory and will separate the wheat from the chaff, the sheep from the goats. We must be ready at every moment. The motivation to be pleasing in God’s sight is ever urgent.

Eyes on Heaven

- Most Reverend Jeffrey J. Walsh

The main thrust of our faith is toward heaven. The road to heaven is narrow. It will not be easy. Like our divine master, we will suffer and be required to offer sacrifice. God willing, like Jesus, we will someday find ourselves in a garden of Gethsemane pleading to have our cup of suffering pass before uttering the words of surrender “into your hands Father, I commend my spirit.” In days to come, as in days of old, the consolation of eternal life with God in heaven may be the only consolation that remains but will be so powerful as to produce great saints and martyrs. It will happen…Divine Providence.

To God, a thousand years are like a day. It is a healthy spiritual exercise to ponder eternity. It awakens our sensibilities of God as Creator and our deepest desire to be with God. The greatest pain of hell will be the utter and complete absence of God.

I am convinced that since we were conceived in the mind of God before we were conceived in our mother’s womb, we have already been given a taste of heaven. We have already been there. It is our true home to which we long to return. We must keep our eyes on heaven – the goal and purpose of the Christian life.

As a deeper reflection on the role of Divine Providence in the eternal, here is what Father Ciszek had to say about how God brings us to our senses: “Somehow,then,Godmustcontriveto breakthroughthoseroutinesofoursand remindusonceagain,likeIsrael,thatweare ultimatelydependentonlyuponhim,thathe hasmadeusanddestinedusforlifewith himthroughalleternity,thatthethingsof thisworldandthisworlditselfarenotour lastingcity,thathisweareandthatwemust looktohimandturntohimineverything. Thenitis,perhapsthathemustallowour wholeworldtobeturnedupsidedownin ordertoremindusitisnotourpermanent abodeorfinaldestiny,tobringustoour sensesandrestoreoursenseofvalues,to turnourthoughtsoncemoretohim–evenif atfirstourthoughtsarequestioningandfull ofreproaches.Thenitisthathemustremind usagain,withterribleclarity,thathemeant exactlywhathesaidinthoseseemingly simplewordsoftheSermonontheMount: ‘donotbeanxiousaboutwhatyoushalleat, orwhatyoushallwear,orwhereyoushall sleep,butseekfirstthekingdomofGodand hisjustice.”(HeLeadethMe–pgs.21-22)

VI. The Conclusion

Believing in the Lord and belonging to his Church is a supernatural experience. Our Catholic faith is truly the “pearl of great price.” It is a precious treasure that demands careful stewardship. Why put limits on it? Why be lukewarm about it? Why diminish the effect it can have in our life and on our world? Jesus said we are either for him or against him. In God’s Providence, we are living in a time of great potential for spiritual renewal.

Five hundred years ago, in his “Spiritual Exercises,” St. Ignatius of Loyola wrote a meditation called “The Two Standards” which I think is very helpful for us today. In sum, we are invited to use our imagination to envision two armies facing each other on opposing hillsides. One army will march under the banner of God. The other army will march under the banner of “the world.” We must decide under which banner we will march. The battle lines are clear.

Consider these words of Saint Peter concerning the way of salvation: “…thatdivinepowerofhishasfreelybestowedonuseverything necessaryforalifeofgenuinepiety,throughknowledgeofhim whocalledusbyhisowngloryandpower.Byvirtueofthemhehas bestowedonusthegreatandpreciousthingshepromised,sothat throughtheseyouwhohavefledaworldcorruptedbylustmight becomesharersofthedivinenature.Thisisreasonenoughforyouto makeeveryefforttoundergirdyourvirtuewithfaith,yourdiscernment withvirtue,andyourself-controlwithdiscernment;thisself-control, inturn,shouldleadtoperseverance,andperseverancetopiety,and pietytocareforyourbrothersandsisters,andcareforyourbrothers andsisters,tolove.Qualitieslikethese,madeincreasinglyyourown, arebynomeansineffectual;theybearfruitintrueknowledgeofour LordJesusChrist.Anyonewholacksthesequalitiesisshortsightedto thepointofblindness.Heforgetsthecleansingofhislong-pastsins. Besolicitoustomakeyourcallandelectionpermanent,brothersand sisters;surelythosewhodosowillneverbelost.Onthecontrary,your entryintotheeverlastingkingdomofourLordandSaviorJesusChrist willberichlyprovidedfor”(2Peter1:1-11).

“The moment of God’s Providence is always NOW!”

- Most Reverend Jeffrey J. Walsh

Every Moment in Time

As I conclude these reflections in my pastoral letter, I pray we continue to pray, read, discern and celebrate everything related to God, and be mission-minded. You may have heard me mention my love for mission trips. Being mission-minded is the most important way I see the Diocese of Gaylord flourishing. I have done over 20 mission trips to places from Alaska to Thailand. It was Saint John Paul II who ignited my missionary zeal.

God has given me my greatest mission as bishop of Gaylord. It is my joy to be inspired by your witness of faith, and my hope to excite your missionary impulses as we journey together along the 45th parallel in the great adventure of faith. Simply remember:

The moment of God’s Providence is always NOW!

Cut to keep as a bookmark

DIVINE PROVIDENCE PRAYER FOR THE DIOCESE OF GAYLORD

Father, Your Will be Done. From the past, may I learn. In the present, help me discern. For a grace-filled future, make me yearn.

With the vision of eternal life, let my heart burn.

As you govern the work of your Church in the Diocese of Gaylord, Help us see your hand crafting a people zealous for love of your Son, And healed by His Mercy.

May the sacraments we receive fill us with your life.

May the service we do benefit our neighbor and give you glory. In the wilds of Northern Michigan, Allow the beauty of your creation to tame us in humility. Let our appreciation and care of nature, point us toward a deeper care…

For human nature, From conception until natural death.

All is yours. You are over all and in all and work through all things. The time for your Divine Providence is always NOW.

Amen.

6 11 West North Street Gaylord, MI 49735-8349