As I thought about this week's pastor's column, and my desire to promote our upcoming eight-week Scripture Study, "Walking Toward Eternity," I came across something that seemed to say well what I was going to communicate with my own words. I must tell you that this comes from "Prepare the Word" which I receive daily through my e-mail address, and I now give you what the writers had to say for Tuesday, September 1.
For many, this time of the year, when summer ends and school begins, feels more like the beginning of a new year than January 1. In fact, Jews and Muslims celebrate their new years in late Summer/Early Fall. But it's Ordinary Time in the Catholic liturgical calendar, and as summer fun winds down (except for some in Hot Springs Village), and you get back to ordinary life, remember to take time to reflect and seek spiritual renewal with the changing season. Cooler weather and shorter days are conducive to turning inward. Cultivate light and warmth in your heart.
I wholeheartedly agree with all this, and hope that you will consider joining your fellow parishioners, both in what you do in your home, and once a week when your small group gathers to grow in appreciation of our walk toward eternity with The Lord and with others.
We have three opportunities for you to participate in this experience on Tuesday mornings at 9:45 a.m. starting September 15, and Wednesdays at either 9:45 a.m. or 6:00 p.m. starting September 16. Even if for some reason, you can't make all the group sessions, you will grow in The Lord and be more and more comfortable and confident in your walk toward eternity.
Please sign-up in the narthex of the church the next time you are there.
For many, this time of the year, when summer ends and school begins, feels more like the beginning of a new year than January 1. In fact, Jews and Muslims celebrate their new years in late Summer/Early Fall. But it's Ordinary Time in the Catholic liturgical calendar, and as summer fun winds down (except for some in Hot Springs Village), and you get back to ordinary life, remember to take time to reflect and seek spiritual renewal with the changing season. Cooler weather and shorter days are conducive to turning inward. Cultivate light and warmth in your heart.
I wholeheartedly agree with all this, and hope that you will consider joining your fellow parishioners, both in what you do in your home, and once a week when your small group gathers to grow in appreciation of our walk toward eternity with The Lord and with others.
We have three opportunities for you to participate in this experience on Tuesday mornings at 9:45 a.m. starting September 15, and Wednesdays at either 9:45 a.m. or 6:00 p.m. starting September 16. Even if for some reason, you can't make all the group sessions, you will grow in The Lord and be more and more comfortable and confident in your walk toward eternity.
Please sign-up in the narthex of the church the next time you are there.
As I write this Pastor's Corner, we are preparing to erect the "Crosses for Life" again at our church as well as members of Village Bible Church and Faith Lutheran Church will also be doing so as a public witness to the tragedy of children being killed through abortions in our country and throughout the world. In this country alone, since the Roe versus Wade decision by our Supreme Court, legalizing abortions, 53 million babies have been killed by abortion. While we justly scream at the recent Supreme Court decision about the definition of marriage, our screams should have gotten louder and louder since 1972 when abortions were legalized in this country. Rightly so, many people were appalled recently when it was reported that Planned Parenthood people were responsible for sale of body parts from aborted babies. We MUST keep the struggle going to change the laws of our land that permit the atrocity of abortion and do what we can to create an environment that values the gift of human life from the moment of conception in the womb of the mother. We also must work harder to fight poverty in our country which contributes to women having abortions rather than taking their child to full term. One statistic I read indicated that 42% of all women obtaining an abortion have incomes below 100% of the poverty level.
Please join your fellow parishioners and those of the other two parishes I mentioned earlier at Sacred Heart Church (that is outside the front of the church) THIS Sunday, August 30, at 2:00 p.m. for a short ceremony to begin our "Crosses for Life" campaign here in the Village. Be prepared as well to answer any and all inquiries from your friends in the Village about the crosses in front of our church and that each one represnts a child who has been aborted and is one of more than 3,700 abortions that happen every day in our country. We are always called to be hopeful and ever vigilant in our efforts to stop the scourge of abortion in our lifetime through prayer and ongoing actions! Please participate in the effort in whatever way you can.
Please join your fellow parishioners and those of the other two parishes I mentioned earlier at Sacred Heart Church (that is outside the front of the church) THIS Sunday, August 30, at 2:00 p.m. for a short ceremony to begin our "Crosses for Life" campaign here in the Village. Be prepared as well to answer any and all inquiries from your friends in the Village about the crosses in front of our church and that each one represnts a child who has been aborted and is one of more than 3,700 abortions that happen every day in our country. We are always called to be hopeful and ever vigilant in our efforts to stop the scourge of abortion in our lifetime through prayer and ongoing actions! Please participate in the effort in whatever way you can.
When I ask for people to serve in a ministry that is "public" such as Lector or Extraordinary Minister of Communion, I sometimes get the response, "Father, I'm just not comfortable doing a ministry in front of people." That response is certainly understandable. There are, however, ministries that are "behind the scenes" that need the time and effort of faith-filled people to get them done. One of these is Assistant Sacristan, which generally involves helping set-up what is necessary for Mass and putting away sacred vessels afterward.
Recently our Head Sacristan, Carol Cruz, wrote a letter to me that spoke of how she was "called" by the Lord through Monsignor Malone to this sacristan ministry, and she thanked God for all the blessings that have come as a result of her saying yes. I personally appreciate and thank Carol for all of her hard work and dedication to this "behind the scenes, IMPORTANT ministry." At this time she needs some people to help her, either for daily Mass or for one of the weekend Masses. This requires a person to commit to coming to church early (about 20 or 30 minutes) to set up for Mass, and staying after Mass to clean up and put away the sacred vessels. Carol is ready to train all willing volunteers for this ministry. Please call her at 922-1428 for more information.
I realized that it might take some personal invitations from me for people to say yes to this ministry, but I hope and pray some of you will respoond on your own to this invitation, and give Carol some needed help. WE NEED YOU! Please consider stepping forward and at least calling Carol to find our more.
Recently our Head Sacristan, Carol Cruz, wrote a letter to me that spoke of how she was "called" by the Lord through Monsignor Malone to this sacristan ministry, and she thanked God for all the blessings that have come as a result of her saying yes. I personally appreciate and thank Carol for all of her hard work and dedication to this "behind the scenes, IMPORTANT ministry." At this time she needs some people to help her, either for daily Mass or for one of the weekend Masses. This requires a person to commit to coming to church early (about 20 or 30 minutes) to set up for Mass, and staying after Mass to clean up and put away the sacred vessels. Carol is ready to train all willing volunteers for this ministry. Please call her at 922-1428 for more information.
I realized that it might take some personal invitations from me for people to say yes to this ministry, but I hope and pray some of you will respoond on your own to this invitation, and give Carol some needed help. WE NEED YOU! Please consider stepping forward and at least calling Carol to find our more.