Fr. Tom's Blog

Although we have been back in Ordinary Time for a couple of weeks now, the last two Sundays have been special celebrations dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity and the Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ. This weekend we return to the “numbered” Sundays of Ordinary Time with the Twelfth Sunday. In the Gospel for this weekend, Jesus is preparing his disciple for their mission to proclaim the Kingdom and share the Good News with the world. Jesus instructs his disciples to fear no one and do not be afraid. Jesus calls the disciples to be bold even in the face of persecution. If they face opposition, and Jesus ensures them they will, they are to keep preaching anyway. With the power of God with them, there is nothing that can overcome them. This Gospel reminds us that God cares for each of us and sees us as a precious gift.   
 
Do you remember what happened in the life of our parish five years ago this week? We celebrated the Dedication of our new worship space. So Happy 5^th Anniversary! Our dedication was actually on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, which is this Thursday, June 29. Like Saints Peter and Paul, we are called to be living stones who build up the church through our worship and example. Please say a special prayer for our parish this week and ask God’s continued blessing upon our community.
 
We will once again this summer be using the contributions from the Future Projects Fund to address some needed projects. This year, instead of one or two larger projects, we will be focusing on a number of smaller projects that will benefit all areas of our parish life. These projects will include: upgrades to the sound system and technology in the Auditorium, which is used daily by the school and in the evenings for parish meetings, especially for larger groups; upgrades to the Early Childhood Center kitchen, which was not originally built to serve meals to the over 200 children who are now in our Center; a designated air conditioning unit for our parish/school cafeteria kitchen; and outdoor signage that directs people to the various buildings on our campus. Thank you for your contributions to the Future Projects Fund which allows these things to happen. 
In addition to these projects, we will also be resealing our parking lots this week. When we resurfaced the parking lots two years ago, part of our plan was to reseal every 2-3 years to get the maximum benefit from the resurfacing. The cost of the resealing will come from our operations budget. Thank you for your on-going financial stewardship which allows us to be good stewards of our facilities.
 
The priests of our diocese will be together for our summer retreat this week. Bishop Johnston has asked all of us to be present. Please pray for us as we gather at Conception Abbey.
Many Blessings!      
 
 

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, often referred to as Corpus Christi. As we hear Jesus say in the Gospel: I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever. This feast reminds us of the powerful gift of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist and the promise of eternal life that Christ offers us. Our participation in the Eucharist is essential to our faith and helps us recognize Jesus as the true Bread from Heaven and the source of our salvation. As we receive the Eucharist at Mass, do we truly believe it is Christ himself who becomes our nourishment and strength? As we receive the Real Presence of Christ, do we take seriously our call to be the real presence of Christ for others?  
 
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY to all the fathers in our community on this Father’s Day weekend. We honor the many ways our fathers share the gift of love and serve the needs of their families. We pray for the health and happiness of our fathers so that they may continue to be mentors, protectors, providers, and most importantly, examples of God’s love. May God give strength and courage to all fathers to face their duties and responsibilities with love. We also lift up in prayer our deceased fathers and trust that they share in the gift of heaven with our Eternal Father. There will be a special blessing of all fathers at the end of each Mass this weekend.
 
There was a time in the life of the Church when many of the faithful felt they were unworthy to receive the Body of Christ in Communion. During this time, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament became an important way to pray and grow closer to Christ. Although our reception of Communion has become more common, Adoration is still an important way to be in Christ’s presence. In honor of today’s feast, please consider spending some time in Adoration this week. Adoration is available in our Chapel from 9:00am to 8:00pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. You can sign up for a specific time or just show up when you are able. Take time this summer to make Adoration a regular part of your prayer life. It will change your life!
 
This week begins our annual Vacation Bible School. About 100 children and a number of youth and adult volunteers will spend the week exploring our faith in creative and meaningful ways. This is a great way for our children to grow in their faith during the summer months. We are grateful for those who give of their time and talent to help with VBS. A special thanks to Jo Engert and Diana Hennessey in our Children’s Faith Formation ministry for their leadership.
 
This week, our new Associate Pastor, Fr. Olvin Giron, will arrive. Please make him feel welcome as he begins his ministry at Presentation.
Many Blessings!
 

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. This scripture passage we hear in today’s Gospel, John 3:16, is well known for being publicized at sporting events and other public gatherings. This passage is so popular because it reveals the heart of the Christian message – that God’s love for us has been poured out through the gift of Jesus. The revelation of God’s love is also at the heart of the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity we celebrate today. The mystery of the Trinity is revealed as a relationship of love between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. While we may never fully understand this mystery, it is expressed simply through love. Our journey of faith is an invitation to be drawn ever more closely into this circle of love. May we experience the power of the Trinity at work in our lives by the ways we love one another.
 
Next weekend is Father’s Day weekend. We will offer a special blessing for fathers at all the Masses June 17-18. As a way of honoring your living or deceased father, please be sure to include their name on the Father’s Day envelope included in your June packet or fill out your own envelope marked Father’s Day. We will include these envelopes in our entrance processions and our prayers at Mass. Please be sure to return your envelope by the end of the week. May God give strength and courage to all fathers to face their duties and responsibilities with love.
 
Thank you to all those who attended our annual Spaghetti Dinner & Variety Show. There was some amazing talent on display and we even had a surprise visit from the Beatles! A special thanks to Jane Krawczyk and all the volunteers who help make this a fun, community event. Start planning your act and join us next year.
 
This weekend is the Diaper & Detergent Drive for Operation Breakthrough. Thanks to all those who brought items to donate. If you did not have a chance to bring items or would prefer to give a monetary donation, cash or checks are also welcome. Operation Breakthrough transforms the lives of children and families living in poverty with a focus on education. Our parish service project is an opportunity for us to be part of their incredible work. Thank you for your generous support of this effort.   
 
We will host farewell receptions for Fr. Andres after the 8:30am & Noon Masses this weekend. Fr. Andres will also be around next weekend for Masses before he reports to his new assignment at St. Anthony Parish on Wednesday, June 21. I have enjoyed sharing ministry with Fr. Andres and I know he has been a blessing for our parish. While we will miss him, we are sending him forth to be a blessing for others.
Many Blessings!  
 
 

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. Today we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost and this prayer reminds us of the power of the Holy Spirit who fills us with God’s love and renews all things in God’s name. Pentecost means “Fiftieth Day” and brings our celebration of the Easter season to a close. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, Christ is present to his followers in a new way and the life of the Church takes shape. So this ending also marks a beginning as we call upon the Spirit to strengthen us to use our gifts to spread the good news of Jesus. As we hear in the Gospel today, like the first disciples we have all received the gift of the Holy Spirit through Christ. How might the Spirit be calling you to use your gifts?
 
This past year we have focused on ways to support some of our parish service partners through special projects. This weekend we kick-off our next project with our service partner, Operation Breakthrough. Many people in Kansas City know about this organization through its co-founders, Sr. Berta and Sr. Corita. Some of our parish families and the students in our parish school have been involved with helping Operation Breakthrough over the years. Operation Breakthrough has grown to serve the needs of hundreds of children every day who live in poverty. Our parish is working with them to host a Detergent & Diaper Drive so that the families coming to Operation Breakthrough can have these essential items throughout the summer months. Working together as a parish, we can make a tremendous difference in the lives of others. We invite you to participate in the Detergent & Diaper Drive by bringing these items next weekend when you come to Mass. The details of what to bring are in the bulletin. We appreciate your support of this parish service project.
 
Next Sunday, June 11, there will be special receptions after the 8:30am & 10:00am Masses to honor Fr. Andres and his service to our parish these past 2 years. We are grateful for the life, love, energy, and witness of faith he has shared with our community. The official moves happen on June 21, so please keep Fr. Andres and all the priests in transition in your prayers.
 
Although the summer months in the parish have a different pace, we do continue providing opportunities for faith formation for children, teens, and adults. From Vacation Bible School for the children, a variety of Youth Ministry activities, and the Young Adult, Young Families and Adult Faith Formation offerings throughout the summer, there is plenty going on. Please be sure to check the bulletin regularly for upcoming events and don’t forget the importance of regular Mass attendance.
Many Blessings!