Episode 1: Sinking Our Roots Deeper: From Portier to Rodi

Synopsis:

In his latest encyclical Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis challenged us with these words— “We need to sink our roots deeper into the fertile soil and history of our native place, which is a gift of God” (145). In this series, we intend to do just that! And the roots here on our Native Soil go deep! Studying our local church history, we will better understand how Christ and his Church came to our Native Soil. Then we will better understand how we are called to carry-on that same mission today. Today we sit down with our shepherd archbishop Thomas Rodi and learn about our very first Bishop Michael Portier. Amazingly these two men have been called to lead the Church through so many of the same challenges. Let’s dig in!

Dig In Further:

How does the example of Bishop Portier speak to us today? How are you being called to help bring the life of the church into the “frontiers” of our Native Soil today?

Who are your spiritual forefathers? In your family? In your parish? In ministries you belong to? What can you learn from their experience? How can the Holy Spirit use you to build upon the foundation they laid?

What obstacles, discomfort or even danger are you willing to face the build up the kingdom of God here on our Native Soil? Bishop Portier faced alligators, diseases, foreign culture, foreign landscapes, a poverty of resources and help. He faced them all with great courage and an even greater faith. How do your courage and faith need to deepen so the Holy Spirit may use you too to advance the life of Christ here in our Archdiocese?