The sanctuary crucifix at Immaculate Parish in Owensboro is seen on Sept. 15, 2024. ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD | WKC
Pilgrims of Hope: Signs of Hope
Editor’s note: In celebration of the Jubilee of Hope, The Western Kentucky Catholic has launched Pilgrims of Hope, a yearlong blog series inspired by Pope Francis’ Bull of Indiction of the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025: “My thoughts turn to all those pilgrims of hope who will travel to Rome in order to experience the Holy Year and to all those others who, though unable to visit the City of the Apostles Peter and Paul, will celebrate it in their local Churches.” Blog reflections will be written by individuals from across the Diocese of Owensboro, sharing their unique perspectives on the virtue of hope in a world that so greatly needs it.
BY LINDA ROCCO
Hope is based upon faith—belief in God. When I give myself over to hope, I am free to see what He sees, hear what He hears, and love what He loves. Since God’s love has a hold on me, He gifts me with signs of hope as I journey day after day.
Just recently, I experienced a mother’s son lift his 97-year-old mother from her wheelchair into his SUV. That was beautiful unselfish love to the core.
A young adult high school boy walked to 7 a.m. Mass several times during the summer because he loved the Eucharist. That was sacrificial love.
At a bereavement meal, I witnessed the pastor at Immaculate Parish, who had just celebrated a funeral Mass and burial ceremony, hurry back to help serve the bereavement meal. He was served last and then helped with the clean-up and helped washed dishes. Sacrificial love!
At the Heartford House where I volunteer, many patients and family members share their belief in God through their care and love for one another and a number of times they shared prayer with me.
I experience tremendous hope when at our Immaculate daily Masses there is hope and love in the air as there is a sense of oneness within the gathering as each and every person shows warmth and love. This happens at the weekend Masses as well.
Jesus calls us to become one with Him and one another and this brings hope into this broken world. So hope is here if we have the heart to see it and learn from it. Living a life of unselfish love is what we are all called to. Hope gives light in a world when there is much darkness, selfishness, hatred and disrespect.
May Jesus Christ fill each of us with hope as we answer the call to be beacons of love and caring for one another. Hope can then carry us. Going into dangerous territory out of unselfish love can be a dangerous undertaking, but it is the only safe way to live a life full of faith, hope and love.
Linda Rocco belongs to Immaculate Parish in Owensboro.
To learn more about the Diocese of Owensboro’s celebration of the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025 visit https://owensborodiocese.org/jubilee-year-pilgrims-of-hope/.
