October 26, 2014
30th Sunday Ordinary Time
After hearing the great commandment from Jesus, we ask: “How can we love God with all our heart, soul and mind and then love our neighbor as our self?†The answer is found in the first reading, the Book of Exodus. Love of God is expressed in our love for neighbor especially immigrants, widows, orphans and the poor. We are called to be compassionate as God is compassionate. In our second reading, St. Paul writes to the Church at Thessalonica urging the community to be imitators of Christ, receiving the word during great affliction with the joy of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit has sustained and strengthened us during a difficult year when our Catholic school was closed. The Spirit has helped us to accept the Bishop’s decision and to adjust to the new reality. I have visited 4 of the 6 Catholic grade schools where our children are presently attending. When I ask: “How are you doing?†They reply: “Good.†The Holy Spirit has enabled us to re-image ourselves as a church without a school, to plan and to transition. We are discovering new possibilities in our reconfigured facilities. There is more available space. On Wednesday Oct 15 we had to post signs to direct people where to go: Annulment Workshop, 7 PM, School Community Room; Book Club, 7 PM, School Room 104; Confirmation Practice, 7 PM Church; Cub Scouts Pack 325, 6 PM, School Gym; Pre-K Parents Meeting, 5:30 PM, the Pre-K room; RCIA, 6:30 PM, Selbert Hall Meeting room!
But it is much more than utilization of space. It is a matter of discovering who we are as a faith community. Our Pastoral Council is reading and reflecting on Pope Francis’ exhortation: “The Joy of the Gospel.†He urges us to enter to friendship with Jesus. When we do not only will we experience joy but others will be drawn to be with us in the faith. We are blessed to have Taylor, a catechumen, and Yvonne, a candidate, in our R.C.I.A. As we share our faith, our own faith is deepened and our lives are transformed.
Wonderful things are happening at Annunciation. Consider this weekend. On Friday, children and their parents met at Bippert’s Farm and Market for a hay ride, a corn maze and pumpkin decorating. We are realizing our Youth Faith Formation programs are for all our children – in public and Catholic schools and children schooled at home! On Saturday the Holy Name Society and Boy Scout Troop 325 hosted a delicious pork chop dinner. Their close cooperation benefits the Society, the troop and our community. On Sunday evening our teens and their parents are meeting in the Old Church – Langley Hall. Our St. Joseph Workers have installed a new furnace and have scaffolding in place for a ceiling fan and new lighting. Our St. Joseph Workers and our teens are sharing space!
Once a year I give this “state of the union†talk at weekend Masses. As pastor, I am grateful that we are deepening our faith and friendship in Jesus Christ; that we are receiving and living the Word with the joy of the Holy Spirit. Although our school has been closed, the vision and mission of Annunciation remain true: “With Mary, we joyfully announce: ‘God with us’ in Jesus Christ. Moved by the Holy Spirit, we strive to create a faith community of love and hope; of prayer, welcome and service where others will discover in and with us that Christ Is Life!â€
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28th Sunday Ordinary Time
