Lift up the values of our Lord

Dear Parishioners,

The lack of leadership in our common, social life may be the most pressing need we face as members of the human community. It seems that everywhere we turn, we find those in positions of leadership mistaking their responsibility for authority.

Jesus calls us to a higher standard, but his summons is not that we charge into the public arena, waving the “Christian” banner as if we were self-appointed messiahs. To the contrary, he calls us to be a presence in society that lifts up the values he taught.

Here is a call to action, a summons to be persons of integrity, humility and grace. What He is teaching is not easy, but it is the hope that we will take up the challenge. For those who deeply believe that our Lord’s way of love is the way of life, there is no other option. More than ever before, we of faith must stand with Jesus in being the people of grace and truth that he calls us to be.

- Deacon Robert

In Heaven, God will place us as an architect
places the stones in a building – each in the
place fitted for it.
- The Saint Cure D’Ars

Chasing happiness

Dear Parishioners,

With the exception of the first and last Beatitudes, all of these sayings by Jesus are marked by a common stylistic feature. They promise a “blessing,” which means happiness and a profound sense of well-being. To be blessed, a person must learn to live with the patience of waiting; with hope for the “not yet.”

Want to be blessed, truly happy? Slow down, learn to listen. Learn to travel lighter. Focus on others. Simply open your heart, your hand, yourself, to our generous and gracious God. Perhaps happiness is more like a butterfly that flies away when chased by a grasping hand, but lands lightly upon the outstretched hand that is still and patient.

- Deacon Robert

He who, when tempted, makes the Sign
of the Cross with devotion, makes Hell
tremble and Heaven rejoice.
- The Saint Cure D’Ars

A Message from Our Deacon

Dear Parishioners,

Being Catholic is easy. Most of us were presented to the church by our parents as infants. Becoming Christian is another matter. Becoming Christian requires that we grow and mature in our Catholic beliefs. When Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John to leave their nets and become his disciples, He was inviting them to experience their lives and religious beliefs in a new and exciting way. We as disciples have received that same invitation. As we follow Jesus’ teaching and continue in His ministry, we become Christ-like, Christian-centered… Christian.

- Deacon Robert

This is real faith, when we speak to God
as we would converse with a man.
- The Saint Cure D’Ars

Blessings and Grace, at your service

Dear Parishioners,

The New Year brings many new opportunities for spiritual growth for individuals and families in our parish community as we continue support and care for God’s work at St. Jane Frances. I am confident that the support so many of you pledged in our Parish Care Campaign will continue throughout the year and into the future. It is already making a positive difference. Thank you for responding to the needs of our parish.

This spring we will be asking for support in our ministries and volunteer activities that are so vital to our day to day operations and weekly liturgical celebrations. Perhaps you are being called to join our music ministry, lectors, ushers, servers or some other volunteer activity. Please pray about how you can better serve God’s work or even lead some new ministry that you have been thinking about.

The reason for this letter is to let you know that I am very grateful for your support and to remind you of our upcoming ministry fair in the Spring. More than 550 people made a pledge of financial support with an average increase of $8.43 over previous support levels. If you have not made a pledge and would like to do so, simply fill out your name and weekly pledge amount on the form at the bottom of this letter and drop it in the basket. You will receive a confirmation from us as to your pledge amount.

What is most important is that members of our parish family understand that our Catholic Faith is full of opportunities to serve. Serving brings back blessings and graces that create joyful, fulfilled hearts.

I am very thankful that I have been called to serve you and this wonderful parish of St. Jane Frances. I pray that each of you will have a blessed New Year filled with opportunities to serve God and others. I also ask you to pray daily for our parish and for the Church throughout the world.

Yours in Christ,
Msgr. Carl F. Cummings

Calling all apostles

Dear Parishioners,

Today as we celebrate our Lord’s baptism, we might reflect on our baptism and its bearing on our current living situation. When most of us were baptized, our parents made promises to God that they would reject Satan, his works, and empty promises, and that they believed all that is taught in the Apostles Creed. As we grew, we took that faith and commitment for our own. We promised to be God’s apostles (those sent to proclaim the good news), disciples (followers of Jesus in thought, word, and deed), and stewards (responsible managers of God’s gifts on earth – time, talent, and treasure).

As we begin the New Year, let us be ever mindful of God’s blessings in this past year, hopeful for additional blessings and character building challenges for the coming year, and faithful in living out our call to be modern-day apostles, disciples, and stewards.

- Fr. Carl

Those who love riches or
pleasures offer God nothing but the
languid remains of a heart worn out in
the service of the world.
- The Saint Cure D’Ars

God has an anti-discrimination policy. So should we!

Dear Parishioners,

The Christmas services were beautiful, as always, thanks to the efforts of the Liturgy Committee, the Sanctuary Society, the volunteers who decorated the worship area, the Ushers, the Sacristans, the Altar Servers, the Lectors, the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, the Greeters, the Parish Choir, Cantors and our Music Director/Organist, Diane Kinsley.

At Christmas Jesus, the Messiah, was revealed to Israel through the witness of the shepherds. Today on the Epiphany (it means manifestation), Jesus is revealed to the gentiles (non Jews) through the witness of the Magi. That’s good news to those of us who aren’t Jews. In other words, Jesus came to save all peoples. He doesn’t discriminate. Perhaps that should be our challenge for the coming year. Most of us discriminate in one way or another. It could be by nationality, race, gender, intelligence, athletic ability, social status, etc. Let us, in the coming year, resolve to see each person we meet as one of Jesus’ special friends. It would be a gift to Our Lord more precious than gold, frankincense, or myrrh.

- Fr. Carl

All in the Family

Dear Parishioners,

As we hear about family life today, more and more we hear about dysfunctional families, whose members cannot get along with one another. There is spouse abuse, child abuse, drug abuse, and even parent abuse by children. In short, American families are having problems.

Today as we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, we need to examine ourselves and ask how we can better contribute to the peace and harmony of our own families. Then we need to pray for God’s grace to become better family members and imitate the Holy Family – Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

- Fr. Carl

Come, come, my dear, don’t be
frightened at your burden; our Lord
will help you to carry it.
- The Saint Cure D’Ars