Bishop blesses community of sufferers

Last January, Bishop Edward J. Slattery invited Catholics in the Diocese of Tulsa to join the "Confraternity of the Holy Cross," a group united by sharing pain. On September 14, on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, he celebrated Mass at Holy Family Cathedral and blessed members of the Confraternity.

"I would like to speak today to the purpose of faith," Bishop Slattery said as he began his homily. He told the congregation that they must participate in the death of Jesus if they wish to be saved.

"He didn't have to die. We do," the bishop said.

The crucifix is the center of the Catholic faith because it testifies to how much God loves His people.

"Everybody dies alone," Bishop Slattery said. But by His own death, Jesus gave people a way to conquer death.

Bishop Slattery spoke of the burdens that weigh on people who suffer, not only their own pain but the knowledge that their loved ones suffer, too. But the remedy for all is to have faith.

"Humble people recognize they need the mercy of God," he said. "It is God's great desire to touch you."

Anointing of the sick is one of the sacraments, and while Jesus healed some people physically, "He will surely heal you spiritually."

Dozens of people lined up to be blessed by Bishop Slattery during the Mass.

Bishop Slattery wrote letters to the pastors of the Diocese asking for the names of parishioners who might be interested in the Confraternity and received nearly 400 referrals. He wrote to those individuals and offered them membership. About 50 members are active.

In writing about the Confraternity in January's Eastern Oklahoma Catholic, Bishop Slattery said "the heart of this Confraternity is to turn our suffering into prayer." He asked members to pray each day a special "Morning Offering" by which they can renew their initial consecration and in the evening "a special prayer of joyful surrender."

People interested in the Confraternity can write to Bishop Slattery at P O Box 690240, Tulsa, OK 74169-0240.