Fr. Tom's Blog

In the Gospel today, Jesus says: All that you see here – the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down. Jesus is speaking about the end times and the passing nature of all the material things in this world. Of course, his comments get the interest of the crowd and they wonder when all these things will happen. Life has not changed that much, as there is often speculation even today about the end times. But even amidst all the division and discord in the world, we are called to persevere and have hope that the redeeming love of Jesus Christ will win out. As Jesus says, See that you not be deceived…for I myself will give you a wisdom…that others will be powerless to refute or resist.
 
Today our parish launched the beginning of an exciting new initiative called Dynamic Parish. This is an initiative to help Catholic parishes thrive and truly be dynamic faith communities. We are privileged to be one of only 40 parishes across the country selected this year. Our participation in Dynamic Parish will allow us to access an extensive array of resources at no cost to the parish and to help build best-practices so that other parishes can benefit. If you missed the information shared at Mass today, please visit our parish website to view the video message from Dynamic Catholic’s Matthew Kelly and access the link which describes the program. Be sure to be here next weekend and don’t forget to bring your Cell Phone or mobile device!
  
This weekend is also our annual Stewardship Renewal Commitment weekend. The life of our parish depends on the on-going stewardship of our parishioners, so please take seriously the call to share of your time and talent in our ministries and to practice the regular giving of your financial resources. If you did not have a chance to return your Commitment forms this weekend, please return them to the Parish Office or place them in the collection basket next weekend. Thank you for your on-going stewardship. And a special thanks to everyone who participated in the Gift of Warmth coat drive as the service component of our Stewardship Renewal.
 
This weekend we will also celebrate our Parish Feast Day, which is November 21 each year. Join us after Mass for Divine Donuts as we give thanks for our parish community and all that makes it great – especially each of you! As a parish dedicated to our Blessed Mother, take time this week to pray a Rosary asking for Mary’s intercession and protection for our parish.
 
Please remember that all contributions in the Thanksgiving envelope will be used to assist those in need during the holidays. You may place your contribution in the regular collection anytime during November or bring it with you at the special Mass at 9:00am on Thanksgiving Day. Thank you for helping us serve those in need.
Many Blessings! 
 
 

The Gospel today addresses the topic of the resurrection of the dead. Those who deny the resurrection ask Jesus a rather absurd question to try to prove their point, but Jesus turns the tables on them to reveal a God who desires all to share in risen life. Jesus says: he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive. Belief in the resurrection of the dead is one of the core beliefs of our Christian faith. The readings today reinforce our faith that beyond death there is life with God forever. Every time we recite the Creed, we also profess our belief in Christ’s Resurrection and the resurrection of all the faithful. This month of November is a special time when we recall those who have gone before us and now share in the heavenly kingdom. As we unite with them in prayer, may our lives always reflect the promise of eternity.
 
Next weekend, November 16-17, our parish will begin an exciting new initiative called Dynamic Parish. This initiative will last five years and will provide great resources and events for our parish community to grow together in faith and share our faith with others. Our parish Implementation team has been working behind the scenes for the past month and we look forward to sharing the details of Dynamic Parish and what it means for our parish. Please be sure to attend one of our Masses next weekend and encourage those in your circle to also be here. This is an exciting time in our faith community and we are blessed by all the good things God is doing among us.
 
Please join us for the annual Wine & Jesus Trivia Night this Friday, November 15, beginning at 7:00pm in the Auditorium. This is a fun, adult event so get your team together or sign up as an individual and we will put you on a team. Please sign up by the beginning of this week so we can plan for numbers. You can sign up on-line or contact Mary Pat Storms at the Parish Office.
 
As we continue our annual Stewardship Renewal, we ask you to prayerfully reflect on how God is calling you to share your time, talent, and financial treasure in our parish. We ask that you complete your Stewardship Renewal forms and bring them to Mass with you next weekend, November 16-17. This year our theme is Living Generously in response to God’s many blessings. We encourage you to find ways to be generous with your gifts in our faith community. We are a large parish with many ministries and programs, and we need everyone’s involvement and support to make things happen. As part of our Stewardship Renewal this year, we hope you will also participate in the Coat Drive for our service partner, Bishop Sullivan Center. This will help supply new coats to their clients for the winter months.
Many Blessings!  
 
 

In today’s Gospel, we hear about Zacchaeus who climbs a sycamore tree so that he can see Jesus. Jesus calls Zacchaeus down from the tree and says: today I must stay at your house. Zacchaeus wants to physically see Jesus but begins to see in a new way when he recognizes the salvation Jesus offers him. Zacchaeus now begins to see with the eyes of faith and experiences a conversion of heart that leads him to change his ways. We may not be able to climb a tree and physically see Jesus, but through our baptism we have entered into life with him and are called to see with the eyes of faith. As he did with Zacchaeus, Jesus also wants to stay with us and dwell in our hearts. How are we being invited to see differently?
 
We welcome all the family members and visitors who are joining us for our Remembrance Masses at the 8:30 & 10:00am Masses this Sunday. We are grateful for your presence as we continue the beautiful tradition of remembering and lifting up in prayer our loved ones who have died this past year. May all those we remember today and all our deceased loved ones rest in the eternal peace of heaven.
 
November is designated as a special time in the Church to remember the deceased. Our parish Book of Remembrance will be displayed throughout the month by the baptismal font. You are invited to place the names of your deceased loved ones in the book. As you come and go from church each week, make a point to pass by the Book of Remembrance and say a special prayer for the names listed on the pages.
 
November is also the month of Thanksgiving. As people of faith, we are called to give thanks by sharing our blessings and helping others in need. One way to do this is by making a contribution in the Thanksgiving envelope provided in your November packet. All contributions will go to support our Parish Emergency Assistance Fund. We regularly receive requests for assistance, and your generosity allows us to provide utility, rent, food, and other assistance to those experiencing difficulties throughout the year. Please make a contribution in your Thanksgiving envelope or any envelope marked “Thanksgiving” and place it in the regular collection at weekend Masses anytime during November. You may also make your contribution at the Thanksgiving Day Mass. Thank you for sharing your blessings with others.
 
As we continue our annual Stewardship Renewal, we ask you to prayerfully reflect on how God is calling you to share your time, talent, and financial treasure in our parish. We ask that you complete your Stewardship Renewal forms and bring them to Mass with you the weekend of November 16-17.
 
The annual Turkey Trot to support our school and local charities is next Saturday, November 9, at 9:00am at Unity Village. Are you registered? Please support this important community event.
Many Blessings!