Don't sweat the small stuff

Dear Parishioners,

When I was a young Navy Chaplain serving with the Marines at Camp Lejeune, a gruff, older priest who served a number of tours with the Marines, gave me some good advice. He said, “Just remember two things. First, don’t sweat the small stuff… Second, it’s all small stuff.” How often do we worry and worry about some problem or difficulty looming on the horizon only to discover afterwards that it wasn’t nearly as bad as we thought. Mark Twain once said, “I’ve had thousands of worries in my life, but just a few real problems.” In the gospel (Matthew 6:24-34), Jesus tells us not to worry so much. He’s with us, wants what is best for us, and will look out for our welfare. As long as we are with Him, everything will turn out just fine in the end, because heaven is the end. All the problems and difficulties, no matter how serious or worrisome, are just “small stuff” in comparison to the end.

- Fr. Carl

Are you a second miler?

Dear Parishioners,

Those people who go that second mile have within them a drive, a tenacity, a devotion to not only doing what is right, but what they believe is required. Second mile employees show up earlier in the morning and often work late. Second mile students put in those extra hours of study, not to curry the favor of a professor, but because learning is so rewarding. Second mile neighbors show up first to pick up tree limbs blown into the street from the storm or are quick to bring a meal when tragedy comes to a family down the street. Second mile church members have a deep and refreshing desire to serve the Lord and others. Who doesn’t admire the second milers among us?

- Deacon Robert

One is often carried away over the
sins and shortcomings of others. It
would be far better to talk less about
them and pray more.
- The Saint Cure D’Ars

Loving both God and neighbor

Dear Parishioners,

Jesus tells us not only to do good, but to think good. In short, he is telling us that to be good and to become perfect, which is our job description, we must not only avoid evil deeds, we must also reach down to the depths of our hearts and root out the evil thoughts of lust and hatred. Only by eliminating evil thoughts and desires, is it possible to love both God and neighbor.

- Fr. Carl

The sermons of saints are
their examples.
- The Saint Cure D’Ars

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