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<p class="Default"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="Default"><b><span style="font-size:30.0pt"><img width="144" height="161" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01D1DB4E.CE88F830"></span></b><b><span style="font-size:30.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="Default"><b><span style="font-size:30.0pt">OUR </span></b><span style="font-size:30.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default"><b><span style="font-size:30.0pt">SHEPHERD’S </span></b><span style="font-size:30.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default"><b><span style="font-size:30.0pt">TIDINGS </span></b><span style="font-size:30.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="color:windowtext"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="color:windowtext"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext">Dear Friends in Christ,
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext">Recently I offered a homily which touched many of you deeply, and I thank you for your kind words and sentiments of thanks. As part of that homily I introduced
a “Discipleship Creed,” inspired by the <i>Army Ranger Creed</i>. I composed it as a convenient and practical way of thinking about our lives as disciples more deeply. Since so many of you have asked for a copy of this creed, I have included here. It is meant
to inspire, and remind, all those who have chosen to follow Christ, that our faith is more than a club, hobby or pastime. Our Catholic faith is rooted in Christ’s mission, and our identity flows from it. As any creed that an American service man or woman recites
as a statement of conviction and purpose, may this “Discipleship Creed,” through the work of the Holy Spirit, motivate us in our mission as Disciples of Christ. –
<i>Fr. Kirk </i></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;color:windowtext"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default"><b><span style="font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="Default"><b><span style="font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext">Discipleship Creed
</span></b><span style="font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default"><b><i><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext">Rev. Kirk J. Slattery
<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
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<p class="Default"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext">Recognizing that I am a Disciple of Christ, fully knowing the challenges and hazards of this chosen path, I will always endeavor to uphold the truths of my
Catholic faith. </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;color:windowtext"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext">Acknowledging the fact that a Disciple is in many ways a soldier, engaged on the field of battle between good and evil, I accept that my Church, and therefore
my God, expects me to move further, faster and to fight harder than the enemy…in order to win souls for Jesus Christ, and build God’s Kingdom on Earth.
</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;color:windowtext"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext">Never shall I fail my brothers and sisters in faith. I will always keep myself knowledgeable of the faith, morally straight, and I will shoulder more than
my share of the task, whatever it may be. </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;color:windowtext"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext">Gallantly will I show the world that I am a Christian in my words and in my deeds, setting the example for others to follow, and witnessing to the joy and
hope of the Gospel. </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;color:windowtext"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext">Rooted firmly in that hope, and accompanied by the Holy Spirit, I will energetically engage the enemies of faith, the distorters of truth who prey upon the
weak and the ignorant. </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;color:windowtext"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext">With the Angels, Saints, and my brothers and sisters in faith at my side, I will fight with all my might…for surrender is not an option. And, I will never
leave a brother or sister in faith to fall into the hands of the enemy. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;color:windowtext"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Through a life of prayer, frequent confession, self-sacrifice and worship, I will cultivate the intestinal fortitude required to complete the mission entrusted to me by
Christ…for I am his Disciple.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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