Father Tom's Blog &  Video Message

 @FatherTomHolder

In the Gospel this weekend, the apostles say to Jesus: Increase our faith. How many times have we thought to ourselves that if only we had more faith our problems would be lessened and our burdens would be lighter? But, Jesus’ response to the apostles reminds us of one of the important mysteries of our faith: even faith the size of a mustard seed, one of the smallest of seeds, can cause great things to happen. So, the lesson we learn is that it is not always a matter of having more faith, but using the faith we have already been given. Our faith is ultimately about our relationship with the person of Christ. When we recognize the powerful gift that has been given to us, we understand the message of the Gospel and see ourselves as being obliged to share what we have been given. May we always seek to strengthen our relationship with Christ by trusting in the gift of faith and living as humble servants.

This weekend begins Respect Life Month in the Catholic Church. Our faith calls us to recognize the dignity and sacredness of all life. Our prayers and advocacy for the protection of the unborn, an end to the death penalty, the needs of children, the elderly, the disabled, and the poor, as well as the needs of immigrants, those who are persecuted because of race, religion, or ethnicity, and all those displaced by war and violence, should lead us to a deeper appreciation for the gift of life. During October, we will be including prayers at Mass that reflect our concern for life issues. We also invite you to check out our website under Adult Faith Formation where you can find information and resources around these issues.
As a parish, we are also forming a new Life & Justice group to help us focus our efforts throughout the year. An initial group of parishioners has begun meeting, but if you are interested in being a part of the group, please contact Mary Pat Storms.

The month of October is also one of the months we dedicate to our Blessed Mother especially through the praying of the Rosary. We will be praying the Rosary before our weekend Masses during October, so please try to arrive a little early to participate. Most weekdays the Rosary is also prayed in the Chapel after the 8:15 a.m. daily Mass. On Saturday, October 15, at 10:00 a.m., you are also welcome to gather on the north side by the outdoor statue of Mary for the praying of the Rosary in honor of Our Lady of Fatima. Let us call upon Mary’s powerful intercession as we seek to follow her Son.

Thanks to all those who attended our Just Disciple parish retreat last Tuesday. You will be hearing more about ways we can live as disciples in the coming weeks and months.
Please keep in prayer the women and men attending our Christ Renews His Parish retreats the next two weekends.
Many Blessings!      

 

Today’s Gospel is the familiar story of Lazarus and the rich man. The story begins with the image of Lazarus lying at the door of the rich man but not being cared for in his need. The lack of awareness by the rich man has consequences in the afterlife. While Lazarus is carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham, the rich man seeks pity and says: send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames. The rich man has sealed his own fate by the way he treated Lazarus in this world. Indifference to the needs of others is still a big problem in our world today. We are fortunate to have the example of the saints and other people in our lives, but especially the example of Jesus, to remind us of our responsibility to care for others. This Gospel also invites us to reflect on who the Lazarus’ are in our lives and in our world. Are there people we may be passing by who need us to notice and acknowledge them? There is no time like the present to respond to the needs of others.

This weekend we offer the Sacrament of Anointing after the 4:30 p.m., 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Masses. As we trust in the powerful healing Christ offers to us through our faith, let us keep in prayer all those receiving the sacrament this weekend and entrust them to God’s healing mercy.
 
Next weekend begins the month of October. In the Catholic Church, October is traditionally dedicated to our Blessed Mother. We will be praying the Rosary before each weekend Mass during October in honor of our Blessed Mother. Please try to arrive earlier to Mass so you can join in the prayer. In praying the Rosary, we unite with our Blessed Mother in contemplating the mysteries of Christ’s life and our call to be faithful disciples. The Rosary is a great prayer to say each day individually, with others, or as a family.

October is also designated Respect Life Month in the Catholic Church and next weekend, the first Sunday of the month, is Respect Life Sunday. This is an opportunity for us to focus on our call to recognize the sacredness and dignity of all human life. As we pray for an end to abortion and all the other destructive ways life is threatened, please keep in your prayers the unborn, poor, elderly, sick, imprisoned, immigrants, persecuted Christians and other religious or ethnic groups, and those affected by war and violence. In the coming weeks, we will be focusing on ways we can become advocates for life issues.

In celebration of St. Francis, we invite you and your pets to join us for our annual Pet Blessing next Saturday, October 1, at 3:00 p.m. We will gather in the field next to the Gym entrance. You are welcome to invite family and friends to bring their pets.
Many Blessings!   

 

At first glance in today’s Gospel, it seems as if Jesus is praising the efforts of a dishonest steward. But Jesus is not using him as an example because of his dishonesty, but rather for the creativity he uses in dealing with his situation. The Gospel ends with the words: You cannot serve both God and mammon, which is a warning to those whose sole focus is to secure gain for themselves. Jesus speaks about the children of this world using the wealth entrusted to them in more prudent ways than the children of light who have been entrusted with eternal wealth. Our focus should not be on the passing things of this world, but on the things that last forever. As Christians, we are called to be creative and prudent and trustworthy in the ways we use our gifts. Jesus reminds us that we cannot serve two masters but should be focused on using our gifts so that others know we are children of light. How can we let the light of our faith shine today?

This weekend is our second collection for our sister community in El Salvador. All contributions help us provide scholarships for young people in the community to attend high school and university. We currently sponsor 32 student scholarships. The high school amount is $300 and the university amount is $1050. Education is a major way for these young people to move out of poverty, find meaningful jobs, and provide for their families. Please support this collection. If you were unable to contribute today, please do so in the coming weeks by clearly marking your donation for El Salvador. You can also give On-Line through our website by choosing the appropriate drop-down contribution tab. Thank you for your generous support.

This weekend we also celebrate Catechetical Sunday. We give thanks for all those in our parish community who use their gifts to pass on the faith to others. This includes teachers in our various education programs, volunteers in our many ministries, coaches, and especially parents. We will offer a special blessing of all catechists at our Masses.

Next weekend, September 24-25, we will offer the Sacrament of Anointing after the 4:30pm Saturday Mass and the 8 & 10am Sunday Masses. Anyone wishing to receive this sacrament of healing is welcome to stay after Mass. The sacrament is especially recommended for those experiencing illness of any kind – body, mind, or soul and those who are in the advanced years of life.

As announced recently, this month we made our last payment on the remaining debt from our Capital Campaign projects. We did this only 8 months after the formal end of the Campaign. That is truly AMAZING! Thanks to everyone who completed their Capital Campaign pledge, donated to the Capital Campaign second collection, and supported the Truck Raffle. We are blessed by the generosity of so many. Beginning in October, the Capital Campaign second collection will go toward the Future Projects Fund. Please continue to be generous.
Many Blessings! 

 

This man welcomes sinners and eats with them. These are words of complaint from the Pharisees and scribes concerning Jesus. which we hear in the Gospel today. But these words also point out exactly what the ministry of Jesus is about. He seeks out the lost and those who are in need of God’s mercy and forgiveness. Those considered outcasts by the religious authorities experienced a welcome reception from Jesus. How do we welcome others, especially those different than us, in the name of Jesus? Jesus goes on to share the parables about the lost sheep and the lost coin. These stories highlight the extent Jesus will go in order to bring back what is lost. We should all rejoice in knowing that God never stops caring about the lost. Each of us matters and we are invited to share in the heavenly banquet prepared for us by Christ.

This weekend one of the scholarship students from our sister community of San Rafael Cedros, El Salvador spoke at Mass in gratitude for our commitment to provide scholarships for high school and college age members of the community. 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 17-18. There is a designated envelope in the September packet of contribution envelopes or you can give OnLine. Please help make this collection successful. We appreciate any support you can give. Your support transforms lives.

Next weekend is 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 also more opportunity to meet and greet people as you come and go. Strive to be a welcoming presence.
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 and fellowship with others.

Tickets for the Parish Fiesta next Saturday, September 17, 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 4:30pm Mass next week  and enjoy some great food and entertainment or you can take your food to go. Please join us.

As our diocese participates in Safe Haven Sunday this weekend, I encourage you to take advantage of the resources provided on our parish website that address the harmfulness of pornography especially in marriages and in families. Healing can happen, but the first step is asking for help.
Many Blessings!

 

Jesus speaks about the cost of discipleship in today’s Gospel. He reminds the great crowds who are following him that the path will not be easy. Jesus speaks of turning away from family members, carrying our own cross, and renouncing all our possessions. What are we to make of these words from Jesus that seem harsh and direct? Jesus is clear that he is not looking to be a popular attraction who people can follow casually. To follow the way of Jesus, one must be willing to give up relationships, possessions, and life itself. There is a depth of commitment required of those who choose to follow. We are called to turn away from our former ways and invest ourselves fully in the new life Christ promises us. With the parables Jesus uses in the Gospel, he encourages those who wish to follow him to calculate the cost and reflect on whether they are up for the challenge. But while the road may be demanding, the journey always leads to fullness of life with Christ.

Next weekend, our diocese will celebrate Safe Haven Sunday. This is the third year of the program, which addresses the harmfulness of pornography in our families and society, while also providing helpful resources. The theme this year is “Equipping the Family: Safety through Connection.” There is a Connected booklet available digitally as well as other resources that can be found under Safe Haven Sunday on the Adult Faith tab of our website. Take advantage of these helpful resources.

Get your tickets after Mass today to our annual Parish Fiesta being held Saturday, September 17. Hispanic members of our community prepare a variety of delicious food from different countries and provide some fun entertainment for everyone to enjoy. This event gets bigger every year, so you won’t want to miss it. We are grateful for all the ways our Hispanic members share their culture and contribute to the life of our parish.   

The OLP Golf Tournament is Friday, September 23. 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, golfing on a team, or donating an item for the raffle/auction. Consider sponsoring a hole in the name of your family or business. See our website for all the information.

Next weekend, a couple of the scholarship students from our sister community in El Salvador will arrive for a 10 day visit to our parish. They will be speaking at the end of all the Masses. The following weekend, September 17-18, there will be a second collection to support the scholarship students we sponsor. Please be generous.

Have a blessed Labor Day weekend. Don’t forget that we have a special Mass for the Labor Day holiday this Monday, September 5, at 9:00am. Please join us as we give God thanks for the blessing of labor and pray that all workers will be treated with dignity.
Many Blessings!