Pastor’s Weekly Letter & Bulletin

Pastor’s Weekly Letter & Bulletin

3 Jul 2020 | Posted by: chadmin

The July 5 bulletin is now available online. If you prefer a paper copy, we do now have paper copies available at church. They can be picked up at Mass in the vestibule. 

Reminder that parish office hours are 8am-12pm, Monday-Thursday weekly. The office is closed on Fridays. Scrip can be purchased in the office during regular hours or online.

Dear friend,

I hope you have a blessed 4^th of July weekend. Most of us likely won’t partake in the ordinary festivities for the 4^th but we can maintain our gratitude for the lives of those who paved the way for freedom. In the last several weeks we’ve seen many protests related to injustices to the application of our nation’s freedom. While there are so many aspects to the recent discussions, we certainly can see a similarity between failed inequality in laws or particular situations between the history of our country and the history of our Church. The United States of American exists under a Constitution, Amendments, and particular laws. The Catholic Church exists under Divine Scripture, the Magisterium of Universal Church teachings and laws, as well as particular laws. In both our country and in our Church, we see instances and situations where the written law is applied in error or requires change over time. For the Church, there are aspects of the law that are considered Divine Law, which are unchangeable. For example, we believe God revealed Himself as a Trinity of Three Divine Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is an unchangeable Law of the Church.  Within the Church, there are also particular laws or humans laws that can change and adapt over time. There are laws about what constitutes a particular church, like St. Philomena, or what constitutes a Diocese or how the sacraments are administered, all of which can change by the decree of a Church council. It is always important to discuss and consider the laws of government and Church that do have the opportunity to adapt, evolve or be stated more clearly to benefit the equality of all persons. 

Over the history of the Church, we have seen the need to change laws that affect church members in negative ways. Many of the important changes in Church history happened through the holiness of saints. We honor saints on particular feast days to celebrate his/her contribution to humanity. One only has to read the stories of our first pope, St. Peter, to realize none of the saints were perfect. As we contemplate our own lives, each of us is called to ponder how well we live the laws of the Church and the laws of our land. A little quiet time in church reminds us of our potential and the opportunity for growth. The challenge is to stay focused on the things I can change in me and those things that I can speak to or act on, that can result in positive change for others. As we celebrate July 4^th as Catholic Christians, may the Lord help us to pray honestly with Him about what we are thankful for and what we can change. No single person is bound to the mistakes of yesterday and none of us is bound to the mistakes of others. We are all free to choose a life worthy of heaven. The call to sainthood is one of proper perspective that challenges us to appropriate action. One of our parishioners quoted me the Serenity Prayer today. This prayer helps bring perspective to our own role in the Church, the community, our work environments, and our families.  “The Serenity Prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”

All real personal growth starts with a heart of thanksgiving.  The word “Eucharist” means giving thanks in Greek. We come to Mass to thank God for the gifts of our families, our country, our laws, the lives of those who went before us, the gift of faith, and our very lives. May we all choose to use our freedom to focus on our personal “yes” to the truth of Jesus Christ, His call to authentic lives of love, and the challenge to cooperate with any positive growth opportunity. May our prayers this 4^th of July be for the peace and unity of our country, all Americans, and peace between nations.

God bless,

Father David

?

?