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January 17, 2021
Work together to build
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2020 is behind us, and here we are January 2021! Unfortunately, the turning of the clock, the passing of the year has not changed the reality of the continuous battle between good and evil. The church begins this new year always remembering the dignity of human life from conception to natural death. Respect for human life is at the heart of a peaceful society. Why do we still see all this
unrest in our country? When the fundamental dignity of the human person is disregarded, there is always injustice and violence.
The Holy Scripture tells us that we will reap what we sow. Those individuals and organizations within our country who are constantly sowing seeds of unrest and violence will never achieve their ultimate goal of dominance and control. We are created by God to be a free people. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, came to set us free—free from sin which isvultimately the dominant slave-driver.
As we begin this year, let us do our own part to rid ourselves of personal sin and enslavement. May we work together to build a holier family, parish, community and country. This wonderful nation which was based on Judeo-Christian values has lost its way because it has abandoned, on many levels, those values which make us free and make us great. Let us work together to pray and encourage one another to re-embrace the commandments of God with our whole mind, our whole heart, our whole strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Thank you to so many of you who are a bright light shining in the darkness of a cold world. By your acts of charity and kindness, selfless service and volunteerism, you are warming the hearts of all in this community. Your donations to the less fortunate and volunteer service in distributing food from our food pantry every Saturday to over 100 families in need is not only an act of good will, it is an extension of Christ in our world.
Those of you who are part of our newly-formed phone ministry calling the lonely and homebound on a regular basis bring warmth and peace to so many in our parish. Our amazing parking lot ushers and greeters who, despite miserable weather, are still faithfully allowing us to celebrate holy Mass at the Sears parking lot each week are truly amazing!
A huge thank you to Marla Brown and her army of volunteers who decorated our churches for Christmas. They did a beautiful job and their efforts warmed the hearts of all who beheld the beauty of our sanctuaries. Unfortunately, only three of our seven church buildings were able to be used this past Christmas. We are very sensitive to that fact and hope and pray that our entire parish community knows that everything belongs to everyone. You are welcomed everywhere. We are working very hard to breakdown any barriers that separate any of our former parishes. We are one family, just like we are one Catholic community and one country under God. Please do not allow anything to stand in the way of our being one in Christ.
Sin divides and grace unites. Love desires union with the beloved. My hope and prayer for our new year is that we will all be able to rid ourselves of those things that divide us and embrace more
faithfully Jesus Christ who calls us to love and serve God and one another.
God love you,
