6/22/2024 When Storm Clouds GatherDear Parishioners, Today’s gospel reminds me of an often-painful truth: storms and the suffering that accompanies them are often unavoidable. Suffering is part of life. We get sick, we break our arm, we get stung by a bee. All this to say that God allows suffering. In the Psalm, God commands a storm to rise and rattle the sea and its waves. Yet when his people called to him in their distress, he quieted the storm and brought them to their haven. The same is true for us all. When I suffer, to what or whom do I turn? The world offers many remedies, some good and some ill. Yet neither we nor the world and all its powers are in control of nature, of history. For we are God’s story, we are his beloved sons and daughters. When we forget our place thinking the world rests on our shoulders let us remember as God said to Job in our first reading: “Who shut within doors the sea, when it burst forth from the womb; when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling bands?” God created the world and possesses supreme authority over it. Yet it is not the same with us. He has given us the freedom of will to choose (when we face storms, squalls, and any myriad of suffering) to run to him or to other things. We are his children not his slaves. We are new creations; from the waters of our baptism, we died with Christ and share in his life. For us, this is new life, where in the face of sin, suffering, doubt, and fear, we might hold our peace close to Jesus. Do we not yet have faith? In the gospel, Jesus was sleeping when the storm came. If we are close to him and seek always the good, we too might rest with him. We need only trust in Jesus and all will be well even in the midst of suffering, pain, disease. This world is not our true home. We must seek Jesus, seek heaven, seek goodness and all virtue so that when he calls us to our true home, we do not say “Who is this who the wind and sea obey?” But rather, “Here I am my Lord and God. I love you, please, have mercy on me and take me home.” Siempre Adelante, Riley Paolella Parishioner art above- Rembrandt’s With Jesus in the Storm 6/22/2024 Robert (Bob) Foster
6/14/2024 Shining Examples A life-sized sculpture titled ‘Adoption’ at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels captures the full essence of fatherhood. It depicts St. Joseph stepping away from his role as carpenter to give his undivided attention to 4- or 5-year-old Jesus. Looking intently at one another, Jesus and Joseph share mutual respect knowing full well that their growth is both in the giving and in the receiving. Embracing his fully human nature, Jesus looks to his adoptive parent as mentor, model and teacher. In his fully divine nature, Jesus’ gaze towards Joseph appears to represent what it means to live, love, and act as a child of the Father. What also strikes me about father and son in the work is the definitive bond that transcends all materials used. Joseph shares a connection with Jesus that cannot be ignored. You can clearly see that the seeds of God’s love have been laid in Joseph’s life and in the acceptance of his responsibility as a dad. The same can be said of us. Jesus’ role in our lives invites us to a deep reflection into a full relationship with the heavenly Father. In other words, the Son of God can bring to us hope and growth that far exceed any other event. This does require that we remain open and become active participants in the process. Spending time with God through prayer is a beautiful place to start. Additionally, looking to father figures whether biological dads, adoptive, foster parents, or otherwise can help as we strive to recognize and honor opportunities as they arise. Role models along with the fullness of the Holy Spirit sown into our hearts at baptism provide examples, witness, and grace for us as we choose how to take part in our calling as children of God. Infused by gifts of wisdom and understanding, right judgment and courage, knowledge and reverence, wonder and awe, we are provided the foundation necessary to live a life in Christ. Looking at my own father as well as Diana’s dad, I realize that living by example is not a bad thing at all. Both taught me that living life with God at the forefront can yield great fruit both within the family and with the stranger. Both remind me that being witness to and growing from others can bring about a fuller appreciation for all of God’s creation. On this Father’s Day, we recognize this is what great role models do every day. They put aside their own needs in favor of embracing their responsibilities as parents and mentors. They become shining examples in the world. They remind us of the One, the Father of all. Endless Blessings, Deacon Luc and Diana Papillon 6/7/2024 Summer and CovenantDear friends on the journey, Last week I had the great opportunity to cruise to Alaska. The sun’s illumination of the immense beauty of the Pacific Northwest for more than nineteen hours a day reminded me of God’s wisdom of the seasons. I’m not certain I can select a favorite season as they each bring their own colors, sights, wonders, and opportunities. Even though I am no longer a student, or a parent of students, and work year round, I still look to summer as a break. I love summer for so many reasons. Longer days and warmer weather allow us to enjoy simple things like dinners on the patio, swimming after a day’s work, and watching sunsets at the beach. Summer beckons us outdoors to enjoy concerts in the park, BBQ parties with friends and family, and vacations near and far. Summer offers a slower pace to garden, read, and do long-awaited projects around the house. I also find summer to be a season of Sabbath, a time to slow, rest, enjoy God’s creation and tend to our spiritual life. So, at this midpoint of the year, one way to do that is to revisit the covenantal promises we made in January: Sabbath I will plan for the full experience of the Mass and be mentally present. I will prepare before, arrive early, journey through the gardens as if on a pilgrimage from my car to the holy ground of the church sanctuary, and be wide open to what will happen at the table. Gratitude Each night before retiring, I will think of three things from the day for which to be grateful. Examine In an effort to grow as a child of God, I will review my day and recognize those moments when God was most present, acknowledge my failures, and ask forgiveness. Prayer I acknowledge that any place can be holy ground (laundry room, car line, red lights ...) and make it a habit to pray when I: pump gas, enter home/work/school, hear a siren, pass any church, cemetery, hospital, or school. Jesus As I grow in my relationship with Jesus, I will strive to choose faith over fear and encourage others to do the same. Discipleship I will focus on the difficult teachings of Jesus to forgive over and over again, to love enemies, to pray for those that persecute. Evangelization I will preach the “Good News” with family and friends by sharing what God has done in my life and by actively inviting them to join me at church. Love Neighbor Recognizing that everyone is made in God’s image and likeness, and that everyone has their own struggles, I will extend the dignity and respect to each person that I would hope to receive. Charity Over the course of the next year, I will choose a local and international mission to support with my time, talent, and treasure. Stewardship (support of parish) I will examine my heart, my budget, and my schedule to see how I can support the parish in service. I invite you over these next weeks and months to focus on the promises you identified. Pray, recommit, and act. I pray that you will rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit in this delightful season of summer. Siempre Adelante, Teresa Runyon Pastoral Associate |
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