Pastor’s Letter: February 4, 2024

Pastor’s Letter: February 4, 2024

2 Feb 2024 | Posted by: chadmin

Dear friend,

Catholic Schools Week was a great success. We kicked off the week last Sunday at the 9 am Mass. We had so many present that Fr. Daniel had to get some extra chairs so parishioners could sit in the vestibule. It’s always a joy to have more people than our seats could accommodate. After Mass we held a school open house to display the excellence of our Catholic education. From the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Center and Z-Space 3D Lab, to the Robotics, to the Arts and Music, to every classroom, we truly have great teachers who focus on the education of the whole child. The celebration of our Catholic Schools gives us the opportunity to celebrate the students, the teachers, and the families.

Mr. Dippold and the faculty planning committee then started the week Monday morning with an Opening Ceremony, like the Olympics. Each classroom picked a country to study, learn their culture, taste their food, and learn the saints that come from different countries. The week was an opportunity to celebrate all the different aspects of our Catholic school. We prayed together before the Eucharist in Church. Parents thanked the teachers by feeding them a great meal. The week ended with the tradition of the parents vs. 8^th grade volleyball game.

The reading from St. Paul to the Corinthians for this weekend is one of my favorites. His words about the importance of preaching are powerful for meditation. However, Paul’s words about attention to the needs of others and meeting those needs are of utmost importance. Paul says, “I have become all things to all, to save at least some.” With these words, St. Paul is reflecting on his years of ministry and the efforts of his evangelization. Paul wrote about his efforts to identify with people in order to proclaim the truth of Jesus in a way that would strike the heart of his listener. This is an invitation for all of us. To be so in love with Jesus that we will search for the ways to make His truth known to all. Paul acknowledges that not all will listen, but if you want to save some, you have to be willing to become what the other needs of you. I think this applies to every marriage, every relationship, and every human encounter in this world. In humility, we all have to be willing to become what the other needs in order to invite the other into truth. Becoming what the other needs means communicating things like, “I am sorry,” or “I am wrong,” or “how can I help you,” or “you can do better.” Humility is taking the first step and inviting the other to come along for the ride. May the words of Paul challenge us to be present to each other in a way that saves us all.

God bless,

Father David