Our Lady Undoer of Knots – Feast Day: September 28
Our parish trustees recently attended a Mass for Renewal at the Fatima Shrine and returned with a rope with five knots, blessed by Bishop Fischer. The knotted rope symbolizes the struggles our Diocese is enduring. The knotted rope was brought back to Saint John Kanty for placement in an area of significance and can be seen at the Mary Altar (left altar).
From Bishop Fischer: The need for Renewal means that we must acknowledge the challenges and knots of imperfection that plague our Diocese. As we admit our most grievous faults, we ask the Blessed Mary ever virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, our brothers and sisters throughout our Diocese, to pray for us to the Lord our God. As we move through the Renewal, at various points a knot will be undone to symbolize the renewed life and hope of our Diocesan Renewal. Fr Bob Stolinski will talk further on the five knots during his homily.
Knot of Abuse: Jesus said, Let the children come to me!’ I am a young disciple and just received my first reconciliation. My life as a follower of Jesus is being formed and developed. I trust the leadership of the church, her Priests and Bishops to help me love Jesus. Unfortunately, some priests and leaders have broken the innocent trust of children like me. This abuse of innocence has created a knot of mistrust and hurt in our church. This knot is an obstacle to the love
Jesus desires children like me to find in the church. ~ Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for us.
Knot of Indifference: In the book of Revelation we hear; “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.’”
The indifference and complacency found in our church, the lack of fire and zeal for the Gospel, the lack of interest in what young people can offer or are concerned about has caused many young people to walk away from their faith. Our response to this has been minimal, inadequate, at times critical, and we often times show disinterest in the real concerns of the young church. The knot of indifference represents a lukewarm church that is timid in its mission and
proclamation of the Gospel. ~ Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for us.
Knot of Mistrust: In the Letter of James we read, ‘So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.’ The inability to do the right thing and the lack of transparency in the midst of scandal and great upheaval has caused mistrust in our church. This mistrust and lack of transparency has fractured relationships between shepherds and sheep, between the faithful and those who were tasked with the responsibility to lead the faithful closer to Jesus.
The knot of mistrust represents the lack of truth, transparency and integrity that Jesus expects of his church. ~ Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for us!
Knot of Lack of Faith: In the book of Proverbs we hear Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. The difficulties within our Diocese have caused many to question or even lose their faith. This questioning or loss of faith does not demonstrate the faithfulness God has with us through his Son Jesus, and through the gift of the Holy Spirit. God continues to work through all adversity. The Lord is always with us, and failing to acknowledge God’s providence in all situations is a knot. ~ Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for us!
Knot of Isolation/Individualism: In the Gospel of John we hear; ‘May all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.’ Our struggle with isolation from the COVID pandemic has caused much separation, anxiety and stress. The disconnect from family, friends and community have brought a strain upon relationships and understanding our common bond as human beings. The focus upon individualism and a postmodern culture have exacerbated the isolation that has been felt. The individualism of our culture has resulted in a failure to recognize our striving for the common good, and our connection to the human race. Our lack of recognizing all as part of the Body of Christ has become a knot in our church. ~ Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for us!
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