Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

Entomologists (bug scientists) will tell us about the average life span of some insects. For some insects, their life span could be a year, for others four weeks, or for some only a day from the moment of hatching. Just think of it: in the morning you’re an adolescent, in the mid-morning you’re a young adult, by the late afternoon you’re into midlife, and by the evening you’re a senior. Certainly time is relative, and to experience a lifetime in a day is crazy. That poor insect doesn’t even get a chance to review his accomplishments before he’s planning his funeral. But, life does flash by quickly; we blink and find ourselves as parents, or seniors.
 
This past Memorial Day weekend, I experienced a lifetime of celebrations in the span of 24 hours. On Sunday morning, I celebrated a baptismal Mass for Elliot Marie Tendick, who was baptized in the name of Lord as her parents (Kyle and Abigail), godparents, grandparents, family and friends participated in the sacrament, welcoming her into the Church. What will God have in store for this little one? What challenges will she face? No one knows, but she will have the love of her family and the faith in God and the Church to support her.
 
After the Baptism, I traveled to Catholic Memorial High School (CMHS) to preside at the baccalaureate Mass. Here were graduates looking forward to their college years and establishing a path for their lives. Parents and families beamed with pride at the accomplishments of their sons and/or daughters, and whispered prayers for their future well-being. Hopes and aspirations embodied their thoughts as they completed this moment of transition. When they return, they will now be part of CMHS history.
 
I quickly packed my vestments and made my way to Our Lady of the Woods Parish in Palos Park, Illinois to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of my dear friends, Mary Lee and Jerry Noonan. I have known them for 44 years. They were the first family that I came to know in my first parish, St. Margaret Mary Parish in Chicago. I have witnessed the fruits of the sacraments, as seen in their children and grandchildren. After a multitude of prayers in thanksgiving for the Lord’s providence in their lives and the blessings they have experienced, I again jumped into the car and made my way back to Milwaukee.
 
In the morning, I celebrated a Memorial Day Mass at Calvary Cemetery, thanking God for the ultimate sacrifice paid by the men and women of our armed forces in defense of our country. All those who were present at the Mass were reminded that the freedoms we enjoy today are a gift from those who served our country in the past.
 
I couldn’t help but think that – in a little over a day – I celebrated significant moments of life: from the beginning of life to a moment of successful transition, from a celebration of vocational faithfulness to the remembrance of the finality, which we all must face. There was one factor that was present in every celebration, as it is in every moment of our lives, and that was the love of God and the person of Christ. This is the heart and soul of who we are and what we do. As the celebrant, I could point out that the Lord is present in every stage and in every way. It is our obligation to acknowledge His presence and proclaim our dedication to Him and His Church. In a little over 24 hours, I spanned the celebrations of a lifetime. The ultimate destiny for all is union with God, and the surest way to achieve our Lifetime Achievement Award (be it 24 hours or 100 years) is to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
 

Note: This blog originally appeared as the May 28, 2019 "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.