By Zoe Cannon, Gratitude for the Gift of Faith
The Apostle Paul endured hardship in his mission to share the teachings of Jesus to first century Christians. He asked God to remove his suffering and God responded by saying, “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Do you understand the need for grace and how we obtain it? Paragraph 1987 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church reads: The grace of the Holy Spirit has the power to justify us, that is, to cleanse us from our sins and to communicate to us “the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ” and through Baptism.
Sacramental graces are gifts proper to different sacraments. There are also special graces called charisms . . . meaning favor . . . a gratuitous gift. The supernatural gift of grace is not known through experience but realized by faith. “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:20). We discern the true nature of a person by observing their actions. Reflecting on God’s blessings in our life is an offering of grace at work in us. By this grace our faith is strengthened, and we are united with Christ.
On June 21, 2025, we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. We were married at Sacred Heart of Jesus in Vincennes at 4:30 p.m. June 21, 1975. We told our children the only thing we wanted for this milestone in life was to celebrate the Eucharist with our family in the place where it all began. Then we realized there is not a scheduled Saturday evening Mass at Sacred Heart in Vincennes.
Our daughter emailed the pastor, Father Tony Ernst. She explained our desire to celebrate our anniversary with Mass and wondered if it would be possible. Providentially, he responded with an offer to celebrate Mass at 4:30 p.m. on this special Saturday, unaware that it was the time of our wedding fifty years earlier. The Solemnity of Corpus Christi was observed on this weekend in 2025. It was a blessing to celebrate the Body of Christ, the gift of the priesthood and marriage on this Saturday afternoon with our loved ones.
My memories of Sacred Heart span over six decades. The continuity of blessings from the same church are unique, especially today! My parents were married at Sacred Heart in 1955, after my Dad was initiated into the Church. All my sacraments from Baptism to the Sacrament of Matrimony, and the sacraments received by our four children were all witnessed in this holy place. When I enter this property, a floodgate of memories come alive. My eight years of education at the grade school, and the numerous times I sat in the pews for prayer and sacrament enhanced my faith.
The real Presence of the Eucharist, and our physical presence in a church unite us to the Body of Christ, but it’s not about the building. I feel at home in every Catholic church, and I am grateful for every priest who provides the opportunity for sacramental grace.
Scripture begins with the creation of man and woman made in the image and likeness of God. Jesus’ first earthly miracle was performed at the wedding feast at Cana, emphasizing sacramental marriage. God himself is the author of marriage, and the covenant a couple makes with God in marriage is sacred.
Our anniversary and the celebration of the Eucharist in the church where our journey began was appreciated. Thank you, Father Tony, Deacon Earl Ruppel, Deacon Ron Cardinal, Deacon Pat Herman and Deacon Cletus Yocum for the gift! In good times and bad, the grace of God is always sufficient for us! Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Amen!
Zoe Cannon lives in Morgantown, Indiana, and is a member of Sts. Francis and Clare Parish in Greenwood, Indiana.