There is no Pastor's Corner this week as Fr. Bill is attending the Knights of Columbus Supreme Convention in Toronto, Canada.
In more than a few settings, I hear from people who express their anger and frustration about the situation of our world and the many bad things that are happening in our country and all over. It is difficult in the times we are living in, with its 24/7 media coverage, not to get drawn into the daily trials of so many, and allow ourselves to get down, depressed and/or angry about it.
When we don't give our attention firstly to the Lord, in praise and thanks for His many blessings, especially His teachings, His example, and the life He won then we can find ourselves moving in directions that lead us to believe that the devil is winning, and maybe even come to believe that the battle belongs to the devil and his way. That's why I like to let songs like "The Battle Belongs to the Lord" echo in my mind and heart and help me to stay positive, not about everything going on in the world, but instead, on everything that is going on in the hearts and lives of believers in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Through the grace of God, the refrain from a song we recently learned and started singing at Mass comes into my mind and heart often, and keeps me on track with and toward the Lord. It is something that is, with saying or singing at any time of the day. "The God of all grace has blessed us this day, all of creation joins us in praise; lifting our voices, lifting our hearts to the glory of God forever." Amen.
When we don't give our attention firstly to the Lord, in praise and thanks for His many blessings, especially His teachings, His example, and the life He won then we can find ourselves moving in directions that lead us to believe that the devil is winning, and maybe even come to believe that the battle belongs to the devil and his way. That's why I like to let songs like "The Battle Belongs to the Lord" echo in my mind and heart and help me to stay positive, not about everything going on in the world, but instead, on everything that is going on in the hearts and lives of believers in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Through the grace of God, the refrain from a song we recently learned and started singing at Mass comes into my mind and heart often, and keeps me on track with and toward the Lord. It is something that is, with saying or singing at any time of the day. "The God of all grace has blessed us this day, all of creation joins us in praise; lifting our voices, lifting our hearts to the glory of God forever." Amen.
I hope someone noticed that my homily last weekend was shorter than normal. I'm sure I would get an "Amen" from some about that reality. One reason it was shorter was the fact that I didn't know until almost noon on Saturday that I was going to preach at all last Saturday. This was because of the power failure we had that threatened to last into Sunday. We would still have celebrated Mass at the usual times, but given the potentially hot conditions, I would not have given a homily and would have had a short Mass. Because of my "shortened" homily this last weekend in which I stressed the fact that Jesus went against the practice of His time to teach Martha and Mary whom we could therefore call disciples, I did not take the time to speak of some of the blessings we have of countless female disciples of the Lord.
I think, firstly, of women who have dedicated themselves to the Lord in Religious Life, and the witness they have given and still give to the Lord. Then, we have countless "lay" women disciples of the Lord who continue to learn from the Master Teacher, Jesus, and put that teaching into daily action in their families, in society in general, and certainly, in their parishes. I would like to point out Paula Doyle of our parish who has achieved a degree in spiritual direction, and who makes herself available in this area to parishioners who desire direction in ther spiritual lives. Please feel free to call Paula at 922-5771 to make an appointment. We also have competent women disciples who teach our children and young people the ways of the Lord in our religious education program. I thank them for sharing their faith with our young people. Lastly, (but certainly not lastly, because there are so many), we are blessed to not only have a wonderful "Ladies of the Sacred Heart" group here at the parish who do so much good in the name of the Lord, we also, within that group, have some ladies who are focused on enhancing the spiritual life of our ladies through "Days of Recollection." They are planning in the near future to have Cackie Upchurch from our Scripture Study Office of the diocese come to give a day of recollection here to our ladies. Believe me, it will be well worth attending.
I say "THANK YOU LORD" for many things each day, and one of those is the many disciples, male and female, who continue to grow in the Lord and give credible witness to His teachings and ways in thought, word and deed.
I think, firstly, of women who have dedicated themselves to the Lord in Religious Life, and the witness they have given and still give to the Lord. Then, we have countless "lay" women disciples of the Lord who continue to learn from the Master Teacher, Jesus, and put that teaching into daily action in their families, in society in general, and certainly, in their parishes. I would like to point out Paula Doyle of our parish who has achieved a degree in spiritual direction, and who makes herself available in this area to parishioners who desire direction in ther spiritual lives. Please feel free to call Paula at 922-5771 to make an appointment. We also have competent women disciples who teach our children and young people the ways of the Lord in our religious education program. I thank them for sharing their faith with our young people. Lastly, (but certainly not lastly, because there are so many), we are blessed to not only have a wonderful "Ladies of the Sacred Heart" group here at the parish who do so much good in the name of the Lord, we also, within that group, have some ladies who are focused on enhancing the spiritual life of our ladies through "Days of Recollection." They are planning in the near future to have Cackie Upchurch from our Scripture Study Office of the diocese come to give a day of recollection here to our ladies. Believe me, it will be well worth attending.
I say "THANK YOU LORD" for many things each day, and one of those is the many disciples, male and female, who continue to grow in the Lord and give credible witness to His teachings and ways in thought, word and deed.