Pastor’s Letter: August 14, 2022

Pastor’s Letter: August 14, 2022

12 Aug 2022 | Posted by: chadmin

The August 14 bulletin is now available online. 

Dear friend,

St. Philomena School begins the new year on Wednesday. It’s hard to believe the summer is over. Time goes so fast. Most of the kids I talk with seem to be ready for school and I am sure the parents are ready! A lot of work was done to ready the school for this year. Along with the normal building cleaning and waxing of floors, thanks to Maloney Services, we had a few campus improvements this summer. We try to keep modernizing the building each summer to increase its longevity and meet the needs of our parents and students. In the cafeteria kitchen we had a new walk-in freezer installed. The increase in size was one reason for this project, but also the renewal of a unit that is critical to our lunch program. We also completed a large scale renovation to the convent to serve as the new St. Elizabeth Ann Seton PreK. The renovation and cleanup of this building was needed for general health of the structure, but this new program allows us the opportunity to renew the electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and furnishings. So many were involved in this renovation the summer. Special thanks to Albert Tony for overseeing the project and the many companies involved including: Dewberry, Summit Masonry, Cover Electric, C.L. O’Brien Plumbing, DMI, Builders Warehouse, Chambers & Sons, McClanahan Painting, and a slew of super volunteers.

The Gospel this weekend has some interesting words from the Lord. “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” Many different images might come to mind when one thinks of fire. At first we might think Jesus is only talking about the warmth or the sometimes beauty of fire, however, Jesus also refers to division. The fire that Christ brings does have a destructive power. The truth of Jesus casts out lies and deception. The truth of Jesus creates division between people who won’t truly assent to Him. Of course, God is about unity and communion. The division that comes as a result of the Word of Jesus is the personal choice to accept or reject truth. The world of God can bring people together into one Body of Christ or it can illustrate the lies of the world that the Christian must reject. The only healthy division taught by Christ is that division that is necessary for one to separate from evil. It takes time, education, virtue, and forgiveness to realize the best people, relationships and situations for each of us, but it is a process of purification. Fire does in fact purify. The Lord wills that we be purified of evil and on fire with the true. May our “yes” to Christ continue to guide us to a holier tomorrow.

As a reminder, August 15, the Assumption of Mary is not a holy day of obligation this year as it falls on a Monday. We will have Mass on the 15^th at 7am and 8am as usual. The Assumption of Mary allows us to reflect on the perfection of Mary’s body and soul because of God’s creative act and her virtue.

God bless,

Father David