"The Kingdom (of God) is like a mustard seed that springs up and becomes the largest of plants. This is God’s work, of which we are given a part. Whatever we do in God’s name, God multiplies. Yet in planning for most of our ministries, we seldom actively incorporate the power of the Holy Spirit. We too often focus on what we can do, rather than what we should do. The latter invokes God’s desire and invites the Holy Spirit, who inspires us and leads us toward creativity and growth. As the Maryknoll Sisters foundress Mother Mary Joseph wrote, ‘And as happens so often when we stop to regard God’s work, there is nothing to do but wonder and thank him, realizing how little we planned, how little we achieved, and yet how much has been done."

Carolyn Woo | Retired CEO of Catholic Relief Services