A Church for the future

St Francis De Sales Cathedral at Baker City in the spring

For a world at its worse, we need a Church at its best.
For a world full of sadness, we need a Church full of gladness.
For a world that’s going down, we need a Church that’s going up.
For a world that complains, we need a Church that cares and comforts.
For a world full of war, we need a Church full of peace.
For a world that cries vengeance and hate, we need a Church that forgives and forgets.
For a world full of impatience, we need a Church full of tolerance.
For a world full of heartache, we need a Church that’s full of good news.
For a world that believes in “playing”, we need a Church that’s committed to praying.
For a world full of defeat, we need a Church full of victory.
For a world that’s pessimistic, we need a Church that’s optimistic.
For a world that is crying, we need a Church that smiles.
For a world that’s out of tune, we need a Church that’s filled with harmony.
For a world that’s falling apart, we need a Church that keeps us all together.
For a discouraged world, we need an encouraging Church.
For a world that is full of compromise, we need a Church that stresses commitment.
For a world that is going through a period of darkness, we need an enlightening Church.
For a world that’s rebellious and vindictive, we need a Church that is truly compassionate.
For a world that is creating stumbling blocks, we need a Church that is placing stepping stones of hope.
For a world that is stressful or tense, we need a Church that is calm and peaceful
This is the kind of Church we all have to strive for.
This is the kind of Church we at St. Francis De Sales Cathedral are working together to be, one big, happy, faith-filled and united family.
And my prayer is that every church in the world will strive to reach these ideals. With God's help, everything is possible.