Yesterday, Martin Luther King Day, I attended Mass at Seattle University sponsored by the Black Catholic Advisory Circle. Bishop Eusabio offered the homily with a wonderful story of a man who asked a priest if he could confirm that the man was growing in holiness. The priest responded with no, I can’t do that for you. The man asked several times, and yet he received the same answer. Finally, the priest gave in to the request. The priest asked the man one question to determine his holiness, “When do you know that dawn has arrived?” The man responded to this curious question with many answers – when I see the horizon line, when I know what kind of animal based on the silhouette, when I can determine if the person is a man or a woman…to which the priest said, “No, you are wrong on all accounts. It is when you can look in another’s eyes and see Jesus, and when someone can look in my eyes and see Jesus…only then will dawn break through.” A beautiful story to illustrate the power of the day set aside to honor Dr. Marin Luther King. “Let us build bridges rather than barriers, openness rather than walls. Rather than borders, let us look at distant horizons together in a spirit of acceptance, helpfulness, cooperation, peace, kindness and especially love.” May this week be one where dawn breaks through and is shaped by the vision that Dr. King illustrated through his life and words.

We, in the OCS, continue to keep you and your communities in our prayers.

KRISTIN DIXON |  Superintendent