St. Gabriel Mission To Focus On Gospel Response To Evil

Published: November 18, 2004

FAYETTEVILLE—St. Gabriel Church will host a three-night parish mission on Nov. 29-Dec. 1, to address the concerns of violence and evil in the world and how they fit into the Gospel message.

Father John Anglin, OFM, who has presented over 250 parish missions since 1987, will conduct the mission. Born and raised in Boston, Father Anglin entered the friars after graduating from high school and was ordained in 1971. He later obtained a master’s degree in religious education from Catholic University of America.

The mission will have various themes centered around Christ’s answer to stopping the violence and evil in participants’ lives, as well as how they as individuals find healing for their pain. It will also address how to live the Gospel message of love and reconciliation while seeking justice.

A children’s mission will also be held nightly and will be conducted by the St. Gabriel director of religious education, Carol Guillory. She will use the theme “We Are Kingdom Kids” to teach the youngsters in kindergarten through fifth grade using crafts and games to deliver her message. Pre-registration is encouraged for the children’s mission, and there will be registration on opening night.

Each night of the mission will begin at 7 p.m. and will end with a short social in the parish gathering area after the lesson.

“Living in the Embrace of God’s Love” will be the topic of the adult mission on Nov. 29.

“In the face of violence and injustice it is indeed tempting to abandon our belief in a God of love,” Father Anglin said. “We proclaim that God does indeed hold us in a loving embrace which gives us the strength to carry on as well as the ability to reach out to those in need.”

“Forgiveness as the Path to Peace” will be the talk on Nov. 30, during which Father Anglin will reflect on resolving conflict by asking Christ to be the peacemaker and asking Him to forgive those who have caused participants hurt.

“We do this by accepting His gift of mercy for ourselves,” he said.

“Healing the Human Heart” will be the final topic of the mission on Dec. 1.

“In spite of the advances made in medicine and technology, suffering and sorrow still afflict the human heart, be it due to sickness, injustice or the violence that is so rampant in today’s world,” Father Anglin said. “We proclaim that through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, people of today will find healing and restoration. We ourselves are called to be healers, to bring the good news of Jesus into the world around us.”

Since his ordination Father Anglin has served in various ministries including high school teaching, parish ministry, and Marriage Encounter and has been a missionary in Bolivia. He has also trained in alcoholism and addiction counseling.

The community of St. Gabriel invites Catholics and others in the community to attend the entire mission or any part of special interest to individuals. There is no charge.

For more information, call the church at (770) 461-0492.

St. Gabriel is located at 152 Antioch Road just south of the intersection of Highway 92 and Antioch Road.