In last Sunday's homily, Deacon John spoke of the importance of "caring for someone first, before teaching him." We do that here in the parish and in the community in a number of ways including our parish groups and the Knights of Columbus, as well as our Helping Hands Ministry, our Disaster Relief Team, and our Family Assistance Committee. Please look in the bulletin on the summary of what our fiscal year care for families in the community who were in need. I think you would agree with me that we can sometimes care for people and teach them at the same time.
We have set aside $15,000 this fiscal year from the stewardship you give to help people in a caring way when serious and/or emergency needs arise. If you wish to add to this fund, you can do so once - or throughout the year. Just indicate on an envelope or check that you wish your donation to go to the "Family Assistance Fund." The committee we have is diligent in making sure that we meet legitimate needs when we are made aware of them and can help. I invite you to read the following letter that was sent by a mother of three children who was cared for in a significant way through our efforts of our "Family Assistance" committee and the funds they had to spend. I hope you will agree with me that this woman was definitely cared for by our parish.
I want to say Thank you to each and every person who has come together to help me in my time of need. I know it took many people to make this possible. I have needed transportation for awhile now to get my children and me to appointments, etc. I am happy to say I have already been able to cross many worries off my long list of things to do. I hope each of you know just how much you have touched my heart with your kind hearts and helping hands. As I followed Mr. Ament back from the dealership, I must have cried for 30 minutes straight. Having people care about my needs told me that I was going to be alright and that things were going to get better. Soon I will begin several long dental appointments. From there, so many things will fall into place for me. Just your one gift of a vehicle to me is actually giving me a whole new start in life!
I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart, and a very special thank you to Tom, Cathy and Marvin who have gone out of their way to make sure I always had a way to my appointments in the last year!
- K.B.
We have set aside $15,000 this fiscal year from the stewardship you give to help people in a caring way when serious and/or emergency needs arise. If you wish to add to this fund, you can do so once - or throughout the year. Just indicate on an envelope or check that you wish your donation to go to the "Family Assistance Fund." The committee we have is diligent in making sure that we meet legitimate needs when we are made aware of them and can help. I invite you to read the following letter that was sent by a mother of three children who was cared for in a significant way through our efforts of our "Family Assistance" committee and the funds they had to spend. I hope you will agree with me that this woman was definitely cared for by our parish.
I want to say Thank you to each and every person who has come together to help me in my time of need. I know it took many people to make this possible. I have needed transportation for awhile now to get my children and me to appointments, etc. I am happy to say I have already been able to cross many worries off my long list of things to do. I hope each of you know just how much you have touched my heart with your kind hearts and helping hands. As I followed Mr. Ament back from the dealership, I must have cried for 30 minutes straight. Having people care about my needs told me that I was going to be alright and that things were going to get better. Soon I will begin several long dental appointments. From there, so many things will fall into place for me. Just your one gift of a vehicle to me is actually giving me a whole new start in life!
I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart, and a very special thank you to Tom, Cathy and Marvin who have gone out of their way to make sure I always had a way to my appointments in the last year!
- K.B.
There are times that every public speaker finishes what he has to say, and then a few minutes (or even more) later, he remembers something he wished he had said in his speech, his talk, or (in the instance of priests or deacons), his homily. Such was the case this last weekend for me. While stressing in the homily given Saturday evening and the 10:00 a.m. Mass, the importance of putting our trust in God and not in material possessions (and certainly not in accumulating possessions) and in continually giving "Praise" to the Lord, I read on Tuesday, a quote from St. Padre Pio from the daily reflections book (which is always available to read in our Eucharistic Adoration Chapel) which seems to add and/or confirm the two points I made in my homily. I pray you, too, will reflect on these words from St. Padre Pio and strive to act on them in your ongoing journey.
Do not distrust Divine Providence. Trust in God and abandon yourself to him; let him take care of you completely, and be calm so that you do not become confused. I understand and perceive how hard the trial is, how bitter the battle is. However, I also know that the fruit you will gather in time is very abundant. The crown being woven for you up above is far superior to any human concept of it.
. . . What I want from you is that as trials increase, your abandonment to God and trust in him may also increase. Always deepen your humility and your praises of the Lord who deigns in his goodness to visit you to prepare you to be part of the construction of the heavenly Zion.
Padre Pio's Spiritual Direction for Every Day, July 14
Do not distrust Divine Providence. Trust in God and abandon yourself to him; let him take care of you completely, and be calm so that you do not become confused. I understand and perceive how hard the trial is, how bitter the battle is. However, I also know that the fruit you will gather in time is very abundant. The crown being woven for you up above is far superior to any human concept of it.
. . . What I want from you is that as trials increase, your abandonment to God and trust in him may also increase. Always deepen your humility and your praises of the Lord who deigns in his goodness to visit you to prepare you to be part of the construction of the heavenly Zion.
Padre Pio's Spiritual Direction for Every Day, July 14
Someone recently sent to me a quote from Paul Harvey: "In times like these, it is good to remember that there have always been times like these." That is true, and is good for us to remember as we contemplate the recent Supreme Court decision on Marriage.
In the days of St. Paul's ministry, he encountered communities like in Corinth that he described as being "perverse" in more than a few ways. He did his best to steer the Christian Corinthian Community in the right direction and encourage them to have a "Christ-like" influence in the wider community in which they lived. So, too, we are blessed with good leadership from our bishops (and particularly our bishop, Anthony Taylor) on the issue of the ramifications and challenges facing us in light of the Supreme Court decision calling same sex unions, marriages.
I invite all of you to read carefully Bishop Taylor's statement dated June 30, 2015 and found in our bulletin this week. He makes some excellent and strong points worth reflecting on, and acting on as we all choose (hopefully) not to be silent on something that is bad for our country and the moral atmosphere - which we believe should ALWAYS reflect the mind, heart and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Prayers for our elected AND appointed officials are truly needed greatly at this time. Also, prayers for our fellow citizens is important, that we will all be led to ways of thinking and action that will strive to make and keep this nation "blessed by God" and a blessing to other nations in the world.
I hope we are all looking forward to Pope Francis' visit to our country in September. May his voice ring as loudly and clearly as Bishop Taylor's recent statement and echo loudly in the minds and hearts of people of faith and all other people across this land.
In the days of St. Paul's ministry, he encountered communities like in Corinth that he described as being "perverse" in more than a few ways. He did his best to steer the Christian Corinthian Community in the right direction and encourage them to have a "Christ-like" influence in the wider community in which they lived. So, too, we are blessed with good leadership from our bishops (and particularly our bishop, Anthony Taylor) on the issue of the ramifications and challenges facing us in light of the Supreme Court decision calling same sex unions, marriages.
I invite all of you to read carefully Bishop Taylor's statement dated June 30, 2015 and found in our bulletin this week. He makes some excellent and strong points worth reflecting on, and acting on as we all choose (hopefully) not to be silent on something that is bad for our country and the moral atmosphere - which we believe should ALWAYS reflect the mind, heart and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Prayers for our elected AND appointed officials are truly needed greatly at this time. Also, prayers for our fellow citizens is important, that we will all be led to ways of thinking and action that will strive to make and keep this nation "blessed by God" and a blessing to other nations in the world.
I hope we are all looking forward to Pope Francis' visit to our country in September. May his voice ring as loudly and clearly as Bishop Taylor's recent statement and echo loudly in the minds and hearts of people of faith and all other people across this land.