Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The apostle Paul had great affection for the church he had founded at Philippi, a Roman town in the province of Macedonia. When he wrote to the Philippians, he spoke from his heart. I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you, praying always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership for the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:3-6)
I can echo Paul’s words and apply them to you. I do give thanks to God for all the people of his church here in the Archdiocese of Chicago. And although there are sometimes difficult and even painful elements in our life together as God’s church, I truly do pray with joy in my every prayer, because I am fully confident that God has begun a good work in us and God will bring it to completion.
Come to understand and feel this joy and confidence, as we gather for the Catholic Festival of Faith. In worship together, we will praise God. In talks and break-out sessions, we will appreciate in a new and fresh way our Catholic faith. In our social time, we will renew our connections as a diverse people of one faith who all share a holy purpose. We will rediscover how the love of Christ impels us, urges us, and presses us to go forward.
In a fragmented and wounded world, we are so blessed to be a part of the Body of Christ. Come to this joy. Share this confidence.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I.
Archbishop of Chicago