Pastor’s Letter: October 16, 2022

Pastor’s Letter: October 16, 2022

14 Oct 2022 | Posted by: chadmin

Dear friend,

St. Paul wrote two letters to Timothy, a brother priest and bishop. The letters to Timothy encourage him to live the faith and be faithful to the Spirit of God given through the Rite of Ordination. Paul also encourages Timothy to remember the wisdom of the Old Testament Scriptures. The promise of a Messiah, the expectation for the coming of Jesus, was recorded in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament. Paul wants Timothy to understand that the Old Testament Scriptures are not to be dismissed because of the coming of Jesus; but, to be understood through the Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. For this reason, Paul writes, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent and equipped for every good work.” Paul challenged Timothy to believe these words in order to hand them on to others. The Bible is the Living Word of God. Part of the meaning that we are created in the Image and Likeness of God is that we are rational, thinking beings. We can know God. The Bible exists to inform the mind with the truth of God, in order to form our consciences to live a moral life in union with God. We are invited to read the Scriptures for answers. The path to the Kingdom of Heaven is set within the Scripture. God has no secrets from us. May we all have a renewed love for the Bible, as the inspired Word of God, that exists to teach and guide.

This week, all the priests of the Diocese of Peoria will take part in our annual Clergy Days. Tuesday, October 18 and Wednesday, October 19, the priests will gather at the Pastoral Center, with Bishop Lou, for conferences, prayer, and social time. These days also give us an opportunity for renewing communication with priests who live in the varying parts of the Diocese. Please keep us in prayer, that it is a time of learning and personal growth. The conferences this year will include the Growing Disciples Pastoral Planning Process initiated by Bishop Lou. The Diocese embarked on this planning process to renew discipleship and enhance our Church in the Peoria Diocese. The pastoral planning process will evaluate the current effectiveness of every ministry, agency and structure in our diocese in living out its mission to spread the Good News of the Gospel, amidst the challenges of today. This will involve ongoing prayer, listening, and feedback from the entire community, and will result in a renewed pastoral plan for the Diocese of Peoria.

We recently started the annual RCIA class. The class is held in the Parish Center on Tuesdays at 6:30pm. If you or someone you know would like to be baptized, confirmed or receive Eucharist, or simply to reflect on the Christian faith, feel most welcome to join us in the banquet room. You can email the parish office at parish@stphils.com for more information.

God bless,

Father David