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Notes from Our Pastor
June 28, 2020
Dear Parishioners:
In a time when the wounds of racism have been opened wide in our country,
many of us struggle to know how to respond. I suggest that we access the
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website and search the topic,
"combating racism"! You will find recent statements from the Bishops of the United
States, and also some foundational teachings of the church on social justice and
exhortations of Pope Francis for our world to end racism and live justly. This may
not be enough, but it is a beginning. We can't avoid forming our own conscience and
responding to the pain and suffering of so many in our nation and world.
Since prayer is the beginning of examining and changing our heart, I offer you this prayer
from the bishops’ conference.
Prayer to Overcome Racism
Mary, Friend and Mother to all,
through your Son, God has found a way
to unite himself to every human being,
called to be one people,
sisters and brothers to each other.
We ask for your help in calling on your Son,
seeking forgiveness for the times when
we have failed to love and respect one another.
We ask for your help in obtaining from your Son
the grace we need to overcome the evil of racism
and to build a just society.
We ask for your help in following your Son,
so that prejudice and animosity will no longer infest
our minds and hearts but will be replaced with a love
that respects the human person, respects the dignity of
each person.
Mother of the Church,
the Spirit of your Son Jesus warms our hearts:
pray for us. Amen.
In Christ,
Fr. John
P.S. We will begin scheduling regular Saturday confessions
beginning Saturday, July 11th. They will be heard from 3:15 to 4:00PM.
June 21, 2020
Dear parishioners:
I invite you to a special opportunity to continue to grow and be “FORMED” in faith! Seven
Holy Founders members (and your friends) now have the opportunity to enjoy growing in our
faith at home.
We now have a parish subscription to FORMED.
If you go to our website you will find instructions to open an account on the “FORMED”
webpage. They are easy to follow. There you will find invitations to learn more about the Sacraments,
the Bible, Faith Formation and more.
In a time when we can’t easily gather for faith sharing and formation, we hope this is a gift!
Thanks to all those who have already made a pledge to the Annual Catholic Appeal. A reminder
that you can make a pledge this weekend in the Parish Hall. We have the ability to do proper
social distancing there.
Additionally, please pray for Archbishop Robert Carlson and our new Archbishop, Mitchell
Rozanski, in a time of transition. We have been blessed in the ministry of Archbishop Carlson
and trust we will be blessed with our new Archbishop!
In Christ,
Fr. John
P.S. Saturday morning Mass and Saturday afternoon confessions are cancelled until further
notice.
June 14, 2020
Dear parishioners:
“No justice . . . no peace!”
These words which echo in the streets of our nation are rooted in the words of the
prophet Isaiah. Eight centuries before Christ, Isaiah comforted the people of Israel! The
Northern Kingdom of Israel had collapsed, its people taken into exile. Jerusalem and the
Southern Kingdom was under threat. Amid uncertainty Isaiah prophesized “Justice will
bring about peace, right will produce calm and security!” (Isaiah 32:17)
On January 1st, 1972, Pope Paul VI comforted a world that longed for peace. He
declared January 1st a Day of Prayer for World Peace. He recalled the words of the
Prophet, “justice will bring about peace” and suggested that we repeat that hope “in a
more incisive and dynamic formula:” “If you want Peace, work for Justice!”
Pope Paul VI spoke with confidence that Justice and Peace could be attained.
“Perhaps more greatness of soul is needed for yielding to the ways of Justice and
Peace. We have such trust in the associated ideal of Justice and Peace to generate in
us the moral energy to actuate them, that we are confident of their gradual victory.”
May the hope that filled Isaiah’s heart that “justice will bring about peace” fill our hearts.
May the confidence that our nation may attain the “greatness of soul” which is needed
to yield to the ways of Justice and Peace, lead us to work to attain “liberty and justice for
all”!
May each of us face our need to root out prejudice and hatred so that we can build a
kingdom of Justice and peace!
Our Lady Queen of Peace,
Pray for us!
Fr. John
May 26, 2020
Dear Parishioners: It was a blessing to see some of your masked faces last weekend. It was also good to know that those who should be protecting your health stayed safely home and tuned into our live stream of Mass. Remember if you are live streaming Mass, you can come to the lower parking lot between the hall and church at 8:10am or 10:10am to receive Holy Communion. Over 50 parishioners took advantage of the opportunity last weekend. Like most of the parishes in the archdiocese, our gatherings at Mass were small last weekend. With social distancing we have space for about 120 people to gather at Seven Holy Founders. Our biggest attendance was at 9:00am Mass with about 50 people. I am sure the numbers will grow slightly as we adjust. I suggest that there is especially room for you to attend the 7:00am and 11:00am Masses. Since there is no Sunday Mass obligation at the present time, you might want to attend a daily 8:00am Mass. We will be live streaming each weekend Mass. You can go to our website at foundersaffton.org and click on the “live stream” link. We are also live streaming our daily 8:00am Mass. For the immediate future, confessions at 3:00pm on Saturdays are cancelled. I will post an alternative time next week. Don’t hesitate to call to set up a time to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation. The church has prepared a set of Mass prayers for a time of pandemic. I share with you the opening prayer of Mass with hopes that God hears and answers us! Almighty and eternal God, our refuge in every danger, to whom we turn in our distress; in faith we pray look with compassion on the afflicted, grant eternal rest to the dead, comfort to mourners, healing to the sick, peace to the dying, strength to healthcare workers, wisdom to our leaders and the courage to reach out to all in love so that together we may give glory to your holy name!
Come, Holy Spirit,
Renew the face of the earth!
Fr. John
