Charity and Sacrifice

Dear Parishioners,

This past weekend, as we remembered our service men and women who sacrificed their lives to preserve our freedoms, we gave thanks for their noble service. Of course the greatest sacrifice, by far, was that of our Lord on Mount Calvary which is why we don’t thank him just one Memorial Day a year, but every weekend when we celebrate the Eucharist (thanksgiving). Because of Jesus and Good Friday, we are able to have an intimate and personal relationship with God as well as a corporate or community connection to Him. Part of our thanksgiving is expressed through prayer; but charity is also important through service to the church, our neighbors, and the wider community.

Finally, in Tuesday’s reading from the Book of Sirach (Sir 35:1-12), we heard, “In generous spirit pay homage to the Lord. With each contribution show a cheerful countenance and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy. Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously, according to your means. For the Lord is one who always repays, and he will give back to you sevenfold.”

- Father Carl

“With a humble person, whether he is laughed at or esteemed,
praised or blamed, honored or despised, whether people pay
attention to him or pass him by, it is all the same to him.”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars

Pentecost

Dear Parishioners,

Christian witness is not just a memorized speech, or a set of secret words and rituals to recite. When the Church is filled with the Spirit of God, the witness is persuasive without resorting to bullying or manipulation. It is inspired without having to be loud or coerced. When the Spirit comes upon the Church, our tongues are set on fire, released to tell the Good News in a way that actually sounds good and we are inspired to spread the Good News to the world. (Acts 2:1-11)

- Deacon Robert

“You can pray by putting yourself quite simply in touch
with God. When one finds nothing more to say to Him
but just knows He is there—that in itself is the best of prayers.”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars

Heaven on Earth

Dear Parishioners,

This weekend, as we celebrate the Ascension, our thoughts are raised to heaven (Acts 1:15-17, 20c-26, 20a). Where Jesus lives now, we hope to be. We might wonder what it will be like, but it will be beyond our wildest dreams. And if things aren’t going so well in our lives, we might hope to get there sooner rather than later. However, we don’t have to wait until death to experience heaven. Through faith, hope, and love (the three theological virtues), we are united with Jesus now, and if our hearts are open, we can find peace and joy amidst the trials of life.

Let us seek a closer relationship with Jesus through prayer, the sacraments, and charitable works. Jesus will not be outdone in generosity.

- Fr. Carl

“When we are before the Blessed Sacrament,
let us open our heart; our good God will open His.
We shall go to Him; He will come to us;
the one to ask, the other to receive.
It will be like a breath from one to the other.”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars

Window of Wonder and Humility

Dear Parishioners,

Peter opens the window of wonder and humility and reminds us that connecting with friends, neighbors, co-workers and even strangers in caring, compassionate ways begins when we admit we do not have all the answers (Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48).

Why is it that we who guard the faith, hold in our hands the Holy Scriptures and genuinely love the Lord have such a problem with wonder? “While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The Jewish believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.”

Our own story can open a window of wonder for us to stare through for a long, long time. What we may see if we look through wonder’s window, is God working in so many way in our lives and in the world surpasses even our own understanding.

So be a faithful loving Christian presence to all with whom you live, work, play and serve. Wear the Christian faith with a humility that knows God is always at work and loves all persons everywhere.

- Deacon Robert

“Although Mary knew that God had raised her to the
most supreme of all honors—that of being the
Mother of God—nevertheless she regarded herself
as the least of all creatures.”
~ Notre-Dame d’Ars

Sour Grapes

Dear Parishioners,

In the past year, I have taken to eating fruit at least three times a day. I feel healthier and have even lost a little weight. One of my favorites is grapes. Every day at lunch, I will eat a dozen or two. But I always pull the clusters from out of the bag to see if any have fallen off, and eat them first. I do that because they are more likely to spoil than those attached to the stalk or little branch. Those grapes still clinging to the vine are healthy and juicy. In today’s gospel (John 15:1-8), Jesus says, “I am the true vine.” He means that as long as we are connected to Him, we will be healthy and fully alive. Other attractions in life may seem tempting and desirable, but they don’t deliver what Jesus promises—life to the full.

May you find peace, joy, and happiness in your connection to the Lord.

- Father Carl

“I often think that when we come to adore our Lord in the
Blessed Sacrament, we should obtain everything we
want, if we would ask for it with a very lively faith
and a very pure heart.”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars

The Good Shepherd

Dear Parishioners,

Jesus tells us, “I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me.” God’s gift to us to be able to recognize God’s presence in our lives empowers us to make decisions aware that choosing mercy over judgment, love over selfishness, grace over punishment, others over self, and reconciliation over hatred all bear witness to God who loves us into loving others. No other creature on this planet has the choosing capacity God has given us.

- Deacon Robert

“The person who gossips is a terrorist
who drops a bomb… They destroy others.”
~ Words of Wisdom from Pope Francis

Still Talking About Sin?

Dear Parishioners,

Here we are in early spring and early Easter. We are celebrating new life in nature and risen life in Jesus. To get here, we underwent a harsh winter and 40 days of penance. Yet, here we are again talking about penance for the forgiveness of sin (Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; 1 John 2:1-5a; Luke 24:35-48). Why? The answer is simple. Penance is not just a 40 day retreat during Lent. It’s a continual way of life for the committed Christian. We never reach perfection in this life. As the bible tells us, “Even the just man falls seven times a day.” (Proverbs 24:16) So there is a constant need for us to do penance. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, knows that which is why he goes to confession every other week. And his two predecessors, Pope Benedict and Pope St. John Paul II, went every week. If we are wise, we will learn from these holy men and receive the Sacrament of Confession on a frequent and regular basis.

- Father Carl

“Work for Peace. We are living in a time of
many wars, and the call for peace must be shouted.
Peace sometimes gives the impression of being quiet,
but it is never quiet, peace is always proactive
and dynamic.”
~ Pope Francis’ “Secrets to Happiness” (#10 of 10)