Father Tom's Blog

 @FatherTomHolder

While Jesus is teaching his disciples about his suffering and death and that three days later he would rise, we hear in the Gospel today that the disciples were more focused on who was the greatest. In response to this, Jesus clarifies that things will have to be different for those who choose to follow him. The greatest                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              among them will be the one who chooses to be the servant of all. And then Jesus places a child in their midst and says: Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives the One who sent me. The child represents those with no power or status in society and those totally dependent on the goodness of others. To serve one of these is to serve Jesus himself. As disciples, we are called to remember that true greatness comes from being a servant of God. Who are we being called to serve in Christ’s name? How are we placing ourselves before Christ and recognizing our total dependence on Him?

This weekend we celebrate Catechetical Sunday. This is an opportunity to recognize and bless all those who share in the ministry of passing on the faith to our children and youth, especially parents, teachers, catechists, coaches and caregivers. We are blessed with a large number of programs that serve the faith formation of our young people. This requires many volunteers to assist in the programs. We are grateful to all those who share their gifts and talents in these ministries and we ask God’s special blessing upon them. We are always in need of more people to serve in these areas, so please consider how God might be calling you to share your gifts with our youth, And be sure to thank those you see teaching and mentoring our young people.

This weekend we had a second collection for our sister community in San Rafael Cedros, El Salvador. Your contributions help provide scholarships to young people so they can receive an education and better their lives. This helps them and their families get out of the cycle of poverty. If you did not have a chance to contribute this weekend, please consider doing so in the near future. You can also go to our website and give OnLine. This is an important outreach ministry of our parish and a way for us to be in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world.

This weekend we celebrate Nametag Sunday . I hope you took the time to meet some new people and help build community in our parish. As an extension of this weekend, take some time this week to include a special prayer for any new people you may have met and say a prayer that our parish may always be welcoming and vibrant in faith.

Mark your calendars to join us for our Just Pray event on Thursday, September 30, at 6:30pm in the church. We need you there!
Many Blessings!

 

The Gospel passage for this weekend contains several important revelations about Jesus. After he asks the disciples: Who do people say that I am?, he gets more personal by asking them: But who do you say that I am? Peter responds with: You are the Christ. As the disciples recognize the true identity of Jesus, he goes on to tell them that he must suffer greatly…and be rejected…and be killed, and rise after three days. This does not sit well with the disciples and Peter objects to the words of Jesus because suffering and death is not the path they envisioned for the Messiah. Jesus then rebukes Peter by saying: Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do. Is Jesus really calling Peter the devil? A more accurate interpretation is that he is calling Peter a tempter, which is what Satan does. And with the words, get behind me, Jesus is reminding Peter to be a follower and trust that Jesus will lead him.
Do we trust where Jesus is leading us? Do others know who Jesus is in our lives through our words and actions?  

This weekend a member of our El Salvador Committee spoke at Mass about our commitment to provide high school and college scholarships to some of the youth in our sister community of San Rafael Cedros, El Salvador. This is an important ministry of our parish and a way for us to participate in the missionary activity of the church. The scholarships are funded solely from the contributions of our parishioners. We will be taking up a second collection at all the Masses next weekend, September 18-19. There is a designated envelope in the September packet of contribution envelopes or you can give OnLine. Please help make this collection successful. Our contributions were down last year as not as many people were attending Mass. We appreciate any support you can give. Your support transforms lives.

Next weekend is also Nametag Sunday. Please come a little early and join in the fun by filling out a nametag as you come to Mass next weekend. Please make an effort to learn the names of at least a couple of people that you may either see every week or who may be new to you. The key is to have a smile on your face and just have fun with it! With our large Gathering Space, there is more opportunity to meet and greet people as you come and go.
Nametag Sunday coincides with our September Celebrating Stewardship weekend. Please be sure to check out the ministry tables after Masses next weekend and enjoy some refreshments

Tickets for the Parish Fiesta next Saturday, September 18, can still be purchased after Mass this weekend or at the Parish Office this week. We will gather in the north parking lot after the Saturday, 4:30 Mass and enjoy some great food and entertainment or you can take your food to go. Please join us.
Many Blessings!
 

In the story we hear from Mark’s Gospel this week, Jesus continues to be on the move as he makes his way into the district of the Decapolis. This location is significant because Jesus is moving out of Jewish territory into Gentile territory. This signals that Jesus’ ministry is being extended to Gentiles as well as Jews. All are in need of God’s healing so Jesus shows this in a very real way as he cures the deaf man with the speech impediment in Gentile land. As Jesus brings healing to the man, he utters the word Ephphatha!, which means, Be opened!. Jesus is providing the man an opening to return to the community through the healing. Jesus is also inviting the crowd to be open to the healing that comes through following him. As we hear these words, we are called to be open to all that Christ shares with us through our faith. In what ways do we need to be more open?

This coming Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11. As we take time to remember the events of that tragic day and pray for those whose lives were lost or changed, we also continue to pray for peace and an end to the violence and evil that still persists. The recent events in Afghanistan are a reminder that there is still a lot of work to be done. Let’s be instruments for peace and take time to pray on this day of remembrance.
    
Please note some important events happening in September. The Parish Fiesta is being held Saturday, September 18, after the 4:30 p.m. Mass in the north parking lot. This event is a wonderful opportunity for our parish to come together and celebrate our diversity. There will be amazing food, music and dancing. You can bring a chair or blanket and sit in the parking lot or field. There will also be a drive-thru option for picking up meals to go. Tickets are on sale after Mass this weekend and next weekend. Please join us and invite your family and friends.

The OLP Golf Tournament is Friday, September 24. This tournament is hosted by the PTO of our school and supports many student needs throughout the year. Please help make the tournament successful by sponsoring a hole, signing up to golf with a team or as an individual, or donating an item for the raffle/auction. Consider sponsoring a hole in the name of your family or business. Any help you can give is greatly appreciated. Information to register online is in the bulletin. You can also call the School Office if you have questions – 251-1150.

Have a blessed Labor Day weekend. Don’t forget that we have a Mass for the Labor Day holiday this Monday, September 6, at 9:00 a.m. Please join us as we give God thanks for the blessing of labor and pray that all workers will be treated with dignity and use their gifts to build up God’s kingdom.
Many Blessings!