News - October 2022 RSS Feed

“I will praise Your name, forever, my King and my God.”  Click on orange title for complete reflection.

click on orange title for complete article

Having just read of Paul’s humility and self-deprecation, we see in today’s Gospel message that Jesus confirms that it’s infinitely more honest, appropriate and necessary to approach God with a sense of our own unworthiness and dependence upon God’s mercy. We haven’t earned any rewards from God for our good works, as our very ability to perform them is a gift from God. Always remember that we’re totally dependent upon God and that we can accomplish nothing whatever without the help of His grace. Reflecting on that ought to humble us, so that heretofore, we approach God like the tax collector … humbly and with repentance. May we never approach God with the pride and arrogance of the Pharisee. Let’s always glorify and praise God for the good works He has accomplished in us, and in others around us.

“I am the Bread of Life . . .”  “I am the living Bread. . . “  John  6   “We were created as social beings who find fulfillment only in love – for God and for our neighbor.  If we are truly to gaze upon him who is the source of our joy, we need to do so as members of the people of God (cf. Spe Salvi no. 14).  If this seems counter-cultural, that is simply further evidence of the urgent need for a renewed evangelization of culture.”     (Benedict XVI – 16 April 2008 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception) Click on orange title for complete article

Our God is always and ever present to assist us and to love us!

“I am the Bread of Life . . .”    “I am the living Bread . . . “  John  6

Virtus Training: All adults 18+ working/volunteering in parishes who have regular access to minors or vulnerable persons need to attend the training. Archbishop Walsh Academy will be offering Virtus Certification on Wednesday, October 12th at 6:00 pm. Pre-registration is required and can be done at www.virtus.org. Contact Bonnie in the Parish Office if you need more information.

Updates – Activation Stage: Basilica, St. John’s and St. Bonaventure are presently in Phase I Road to Renewal Updates – Family Action Plan The goal of the six month Activation Stage for each Family is to collaborate on the creation of a Family Action Plan, which will define goals, strategies, expected outcomes, and creative solutions for reaching a vibrant future characterized by spiritual vitality and fiscal responsibility to attract new members of the Family. This Family Action Plan will guide each Family over the course of the next 3-5 years. As we continue down the Road to Renewal, please don’t forget to visit our website at www.RoadToRenewal.org and pray the Prayer for Renewal regularly. See you on the Road to Renewal!

The Samaritan recognizes Jesus, as God and goes to Him, confidently, for healing. Do we? Approaching Jesus, the Samaritan recognizes an open door to the mercy of God. Do we go there?  Don’t hesitate! (for complete reflection click on orange title)

O Mary, give us a heart as beautiful, pure, and spotless as yours. A heart like yours, so full of love and humility. May we be able to receive Jesus as bread of life, to love him as you loved him, to serve him under the mistreated face of the [vulnerable]. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. St. Teresa of Calcutta (click on orange title for complete article)

Prayer – Our Conversations With God Our God is a personal God who walks with us on our journey in our celebrations or in our sorrows. Our joy is His joy as we experience consolation and the calm and good times. The Lord is especially with us in our most difficult days. In the pain and the hurt, God shows us how great His strength and presence can be. He is Our Hope, He is Our Peace. Know that He is close to you no matter the situation or experience. Through prayer, you can invite Him in a variety of ways. The most precious prayer that we offer, we do so communally in the Holy Mass, the Eucharist. However, when you cannot attend a daily Mass or Liturgy of the Hours, or you cannot participate in a devotion like the Rosary or Divine Mercy Novena or Chaplet, or you cannot muster up the words to pray a formal prayer of thanksgiving or petition, follow the way of St. Therese, the Little Flower whose feast day we have celebrated this weekend. “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. It is a simple glance directed to heaven, it is something great, supernatural, which expands my soul and unites me to Jesus.” Jesus is ready to be invited in, to listen, and to comfort you, regardless of how bright the day is or how dark the night gets (Psalm 18:28). The Lord will give you Hope. Fr. John