Faith

Maureen Crowley
Heil

It's hard to believe that in a few short weeks I will be attending the beatification of a personal hero to me and to many -- Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. When our National Office of the Pontifical Mission Societies announced that they had a block of tickets available, I jumped at the opportunity to use one.
Without a doubt, Archbishop Sheen was one of the most prominent Catholics of the twentieth century in the United States. Besides being our Pontifical Mission Societies National Director, he was a media phenomenon. It's amazing what he accomplished through the media of his time; imagine him using today's platforms!
How would he be different from today's "influencers?"
First, I think he would be aware, as he was in his time, of the danger of developing a "cult of personality." Sheen used media effectively to point others to one goal -- loving Jesus and following His teachings; he was not about self-aggrandizement. Although incredibly famous, he was also known for his humility. He would walk down the streets of Manhattan where he lived and stop to speak to anyone who approached him. No bodyguards, no entourage. His niece would tell stories about how many overcoats he bought, because he would give the one he was wearing to someone on the street who needed it.
He knew how to evangelize one-to-one and one to millions without losing sight of the goal -- faith in Christ.
Next, I think Sheen would use today's media to remind us to look outside ourselves. He would warn against the tendency to look inwards and think only of our own problems. In his book "The Mystical Body of Christ," Sheen taught that true human unity cannot be found in allegiance to a parish, a locality, or even our country. He warned against the spiritual isolationism of caring only for one's specific parish; true Catholic charity (love) must have a global outlook as well.
Lastly, we'd hear Sheen's talk about his belief that we are all called to live a shared mission from our baptism. He really had his eyes on both sides of the spread of the Gospel; while he was National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies -- then known as the Society for the Propagation of the Faith -- he helped focus Catholics on their duty to proclaim the Good News to those who had yet to hear it around the world. As he did this, he also spent countless hours instructing individuals in the faith, bringing them, one by one, into the Church. His reach was global and personal, all at once.
May we follow his evangelizing example and be "influencers" in faith!

- Maureen Crowley Heil is Director of Programs and Development for the Pontifical Mission Societies, Boston.

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