The Cross And The Altar
The cross and the altar have a very unique connection. The same Jesus who died on the cross is the same Jesus who is present at the Eucharistic altar during each Mass. On the cross He took away our sins; on the altar He provides us with the grace to overcome sin. God’s divine promises of love and mercy are beautiful gifts that provide us with everlasting happiness. We must use the gifts God has given us to build up His Kingdom.
After the Resurrection of Jesus, the Holy Spirit came to be our Sanctifier; guiding us to do the will of God. We clearly witness the love of Jesus through the actions of those who minister to others. Our newly elected Vicar of Christ, Pope Francis, brings God’s love and mercy to light by reaching out to the most challenged in society; much like the Prayer of St. Francis, “Lord, make me a channel of your peace.”
There are certain people who truly have a gift for ministering to others. My friend, Ron Shafer, is a perfect example of such kindness, always sharing his love of Christ and the Church. He has been married for 49 years to Jane Kahre Shafer; they have five children and 22 grandchildren. His strong faith in God is a blessing to many people.
Ron started the first Catholic Ministry program with Fr. Bob Nemergut, Chaplain at Wabash Valley Correctional Facility in Carlisle, Ind., after it opened in 1992. He has been an active member of St. Vincent de Paul Society for most of his adult life. For years he shared his love of music with the St. John Folk Group, who has recorded several CDs.
In 2004, after retiring from years in the banking business, Ron began ministering as a pastoral associate at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Vincennes. He completed many classes through the Diocesan Office of Adult Faith Formation with Sister Geraldine Hedinger and often thought about the possibility of applying for the Diaconate program. Ron’s greatest contribution has been in taking the Eucharist to people who were homebound or in nursing homes. His soft-spoken words of encouragement have brought several people into the Church and baptized late in life.
My husband Dick and I traveled to Carlisle for Prison Ministry every Tuesday evening for almost 15 years with Ron. In this ministry the real conversion of souls and a true call for God’s mercy and forgiveness are always visible. Regrettable things happen in life and sadness, which cannot be explained, must be healed. Ron’s friendship has been so important to the men at WVCF. He encouraged them with the same spirit of love that he did with those in the nursing home.
During our travel time to and from the prison on those Tuesday nights, we shared many stories of faith. We witnessed God’s miracles at work and enjoyed talking about them. We are so grateful for those God events.
As Ron has transformed others by his strong faith, there is now a change taking place in his own life. He faces a new challenge of his own with hope and trust in God; as he has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The greatest invitation we can give people in this world is in bringing them to Jesus, just as Ron has done all of his life. Now, I invite you to pray for all those with this diagnosis; as changes begin happening in their lives that are difficult to explain.
The cross and the altar continue to have a very special bond. I could not imagine carrying our crosses each day without the gift from the altar that nourishes and strengthens us. I have been blessed to witness Ron’s sensitivity in touching the lives of so many people, using his gifts, while building up the Kingdom. I feel that we have been working with God. Amen!
