Notes from Our Pastor

November 28, 2021

“We proclaim your death O Lord, and profess your resurrection, until you come again!”

Dear Parishioners,

“Until you come again!”

We live between two comings. For Christians, that Christ will come again is as sure as His first coming in the Incarnation. We live between two advents. The first advent turns our eyes and hearts toward the mystery of Christ among us. We remember His coming as a baby at Bethlehem: angles heralding His birth, Magi coming with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The second advent commands us to turn our eyes and heart toward the Word of God that reveals the mystery of God’s plan for us in the world. It reminds us that we are just pilgrims here on earth and that our only true home is the kingdom of heaven.

May these coming weeks not just be for us a frenzied countdown to Christmas, the memorial of Christ’s first coming. May they also be a time of grace, where we find a few moments to contemplate the fact that Christ will most assuredly come again to bring us to the kingdom!

Since you may be planning for when you will gather for the Eucharist this Christmas, let me share our schedule:
Friday evening, December 24th, Masses will be at 4:00pm and 10:00pm. Masses on Saturday, Christmas Day, will be at 8:00am and 10:00am. Please note that Masses for Sunday, December 26th, the Feast of the Holy Family, will also be at 8:00am and 10:00am. There will be no 4:30pm Mass on Christmas Day!

From God who was, and is to come: Grace, Light and Peace!

Fr. John

November 21, 2021

“I saw one like the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven.” Daniel 7:13-14

Dear Parishioners,

As we gather at the end of this Church year on the feast of Christ the King, I share a reflection that I found recently, written years ago by Fr. Paul Turner.

“Every day we seek security, we fasten our safety belts in our cars. We set alarms to prevent theft. We help watch our neighbors’ homes. We take care of our health. We take what measures we can to help us feel secure.
There are few guarantees. Tragedy can befall even those who take precautions. The things of this world can provide supports for safety, but none can make us totally secure.
Security ultimately comes from God alone. The power of God is stronger than any theft, accident, or injury. It rules over illness and death. The power that created us will recreate us in love.
Jesus, our Savior, had a favorite image for himself. He called himself the Son of Man. He took that expression from the book of Daniel, where the prophet envisioned one like a Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven. He received dominion, glory, and kingship. All nations served him. His dominion extended over all lands and times.
In borrowing that image, Jesus gave his disciples a message of hope. He himself would lose security, suffering torment and death. But he himself would reign over all.
The Church year ends with a vision of hope for each of us who seek security: the coming of the Son of Man.”
-Paul Turner, 2002, Liturgy Training Publications

Men, there is still time to sign up for the ACTS retreat, December 2nd to the 5th! Details in the bulletin!

Hope you can join us at 9:00 a.m. Mass to start your Thanksgiving Day!
I am so grateful to God for all of you and your example of faithfulness!

In Christ,
Fr .John

November 14, 2021

Dear Parishioners:

Our St. Vincent DePaul Society is anticipating an even greater need for assistance with families in need as the Christmas Season draws near. Please look for details in this bulletin of how you may Adopt A Family. You may also call Patty Papke at the Rectory and she will assist you!

Men of the parish: there is still time to sign up for the coming Men’s Acts Retreat! The retreat begins Thursday evening December 2nd and will end at the Sunday 11:00am mass on December 5th! A great team of men have been preparing to lead the retreat and there are already a good number of retreatants preparing to join you.

The team of parishioners leading the effort to build a relationship with Our Lady of the Rosary School and St. Charles Lwanga Parish in Uganda, has begun to meet. The first project they want to undertake is assisting in building a well for the students at Our Lady of the Rosary. As you may remember, Fr. Joseph told us that in the dry time of the year the students walk two miles to get water. The money you donated on the Sunday Fr. Joseph was here will be used for this project. We will also be doing some fund raising in early 2022!

A few weeks ago, I shared that, for those of us who are certain age, you can make an IRA Rollover gift that will qualify for our required minimum distribution and not pay federal income tax on the amount you give to charity. I mention this as you consider year-end giving. Perhaps you’d like to make a gift to the Uganda Project or to the Parish by these means! Anything earmarked for Uganda will go to help support the building of a well for Our Lady of the Rosary School. Call the office if you need details!

In Christ,
Fr. John

November 7, 2021

Dear parishioners:

Congratulations to Stephanie True who will be honored at this year’s Holy Cross Academy Gala and Awards. Stephanie is a member of Seven Holy Founders Parish Council. Her work with our council and her extensive background in education led her to a year of service as Principal of the Our Lady of Providence Campus of HCA. She still serves as an advisory and resource person for HCA.

The Gala and Awards are on Saturday, November 20th! You may attend in person or virtually! Please consider participating. It will be a night full of fun that supports the mission of full time Catholic Education for the children of our parish. You can still register for the Gala and Awards at http://hcalegacy212.givesmart.com/.

Christlife: Discovering Christ resumes this Tuesday, November 9 th at 7:00pm. The remaining sessions will be on Tuesday evenings, November 9th, 16th and 23rd! For everyone’s safety we will gather for brief prayers, watch the presentation and then separate into small groups throughout the hall, cafeteria and school building for the discussion period. For those who wish, we will gather at the end in the hall for a treat and fellowship!

Please see the announcement in the bulletin about the St. Vincent de Paul Holiday Food Drive. Thank you for your constant support for those who are in need! Thanks to our St. Vincent de Paul members for your ministry and example of service.

Men of the parish, it’s not too late to plan to make the ACTS Retreat that begins on Thursday evening, December 2nd and ends Sunday, December 5th at our 11:00 a.m. Mass. What a wonderful opportunity to grow in faith and find support in your faith journey!

NOTE: I will be away on retreat from the night of Sunday, November 7, until Friday, November 12. I will remember you in prayer!