A Collection of Bulletin Letters and Reflections

Bulletin letter

Sun, 13 May 2012 15:25:50 -0600

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters,

“As the Father loves Me, so I also love you.” WOW! Did you hear that in the gospel today? I hope you didn’t miss that important sentence. “As the Father loves Me so I also love you.” That’s amazing. Often times I know we doubt our worth and value. I know we see ourselves as sinners (and rightfully so), questioning how God could love us. But there it is in black and white. Clear as day! “As the Father loves Me so I also love you.”
OK. So with this magnificent revelation of the love of Jesus for each and every one of us, we go on to hear that we must “live on” in His love. And how do we do that? By following His COMMAND to “love one another.” Now we have some work to do because you know as well as I do that we fail to follow this COMMAND to love one another. So what does it mean to love one another?
For this, we reflect back on the rest of this passage that tells us, if we keep Jesus’ commandments, we will live in His love, and therefore find it easier, since we are loved, to love others. I do believe this is key to our lives. We must first believe in the love of Jesus for us. We must be certain we are loveable. With this certainty of God’s love, we can better love ourselves and more appropriately love others. And the best way we can love others is by being affirming, caring, seeing ourselves as a resource for another’s wellbeing.
Our world, our nation, our lives, our parish can be better if we only keep His command and love one another.
Easter Blessings!
God’s peace and my love and prayers,
Father Michael

Bulletin letter

Sun, 6 May 2012 11:54:58 -0600

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters,

Congratulations to our First Communicants this weekend. Parents, please continue to bring them to Mass each weekend and make sure they have plenty of opportunity to go to reconciliation and continue learning in their faith through our Religious Education program. This is not graduation…this is just the beginning of their life of faith in communion with all of us.
Having spent some time in the wine country of California and the Tuscan vineyards in Italy, one of the most fascinating things is to see how the branches of the vine are formed in order to produce the best grapes for making the finest wine.
The vine grower painstakingly prunes and cleans each vine so that the branches that are not producing fruit are cut away. By doing this, the other branches are able to thrive and produce the best fruit.
In today’s gospel, the very first sentence becomes key to our relationship with the Lord and with one another as the community of faith. Jesus said to his disciples that He is the true vine and His Father is the vine grower. He is the one that gives life and He is the one that enables a vine to produce fruit. Without Him we can do nothing. Therefore it is imperative that we stay connected to the true vine. In this way we produce the best fruit.
To state it a little more clearly, Jesus is the Truth. Staying close to Him provides us the ability to succeed in our daily life and to live as a community of believers receiving God’s grace and providing our goodness, resources, talent and skills for the community so that all may thrive and produce abundantly the goodness of God. The alternative is we become withered and cut off. The choice is ours.
Easter Blessings!
God’s peace and my love and prayers,
Father Michael

Bulletin letter

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 11:01:43 -0600

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters,

Congratulations to our teens, now fully initiated into the Church through the Sacrament of Confirmation. Next weekend we will have 55 of our children making their First Holy Communion. Please keep them in your prayers.
Today we continue the celebration of Easter joy. The gospel speaks to us today about the Good Shepherd. So I began to ask the question, “What makes a shepherd a GOOD shepherd?” In other words, what qualifications must one have to be a good shepherd. Reading through this gospel, here’s what I discovered.
A good shepherd gives the sheep a sense of belonging.
He knows his sheep and he knows them by name.
The shepherd sees that the needs of the sheep are met.
He feeds the sheep and cares for them on every level.
The shepherd is not a slave driver, but one who provides rest for his sheep.
The shepherd leads his sheep, not drives them.
The shepherd brings healing.
He leads the sheep by example teaching the sheep what is the right path.
He is also willing to go after the lost sheep.
The shepherd provides security for the sheep providing a freedom from fear for the sheep.
The good shepherd must be willing to give his life for his sheep.
I believe Jesus is THE Good Shepherd and we are His flock. He knows us and we follow!
Easter Blessings!
God’s peace and my love and prayers,
Father Michael

Bulletin letter

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 14:52:57 -0600

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters,

First of all, I want to express my thanks to each of you for your kindness and generosity to me, the staff and to the parish during this Eastertime. It is a great blessing to us all. I am most grateful for your gentle care during my time of grief over the loss of my friend, Fr. Payo.
Secondly, I want to ask for your prayers for our 48 teens who will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and the fullness of the Holy Spirit this Thursday evening. Bishop Conley will be here to celebrate this sacrament with our young people and I invite all of you to come and show them your support.
Today we continue the celebration of Easter joy. The gospel recounts another story of the Risen Lord appearing to the disciples. Obviously frightened and confused Jesus presents to them a reality check. He says, “Why are you troubled, and why do such questions arise in your heart?” It is clear He has risen and that He stands, in the flesh, before them. Perhaps when our faith starts to falter it would be good for us to remember these questions from Jesus and once again, place our trust in Him. His promise has been kept!
Take special note of the last line of today’s gospel passage where Jesus informs His disciples, AND US, “You are witnesses of these things.” This is not just an acknowledgement but a commissioning. Let us give WITNESS this week to our faith!
Easter Blessings!
God’s peace and my love and prayers,
Father Michael

Bulletin letter

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 10:49:55 -0600

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters,

First of all, Congratulations to our 16 newest Catholics who came into full initiation at the Easter Vigil as well as those 25 adults and children who complete their initiation in the Church through the Sacrament of Confirmation today. Let us continue to keep them in prayer that their new enthusiasm may have deep roots to bear great fruit in the world.
Today is Divine Mercy Sunday! On this day we remember God loves us — all of us. He wants us to recognize that His mercy is greater than our sins, so that we will call upon Him with trust, receive His mercy, and let it flow through us to others. Thus, all will come to share His joy.
The Divine Mercy message is one we can call to mind simply by remembering ABC:
A - Ask for His Mercy. God wants us to approach Him in prayer constantly, repenting of our sins and asking Him to pour His mercy out upon us and upon the whole world.

B - Be merciful. God wants us to receive His mercy and let it flow through us to others. He wants us to extend love and forgiveness to others just as He does to us.

C - Completely trust in Jesus. God wants us to know that the graces of His mercy are dependent upon our trust. The more we trust in Jesus, the more we will receive.
Today is a wonderful opportunity for us to spend time learning more about the mercy of God, to trust in Jesus, and live our life with mercy and compassion, echoing the words of Thomas the Apostle, “My Lord and My God.”
Today, all of us, fully initiated into the faith, are given the instructions to live, believe and teach the faith. Moreover, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit given to us by Jesus to assist us to live boldly and faithfully the mercy of God.
Let this Easter Season be an affirmation of our life of faith and an opportunity to live that faith completely in the world, setting our hearts for heaven.
Easter Blessings!
God’s peace and my love and prayers,
Father Michael

Bulletin letter

Sun, 8 Apr 2012 09:24:01 -0600

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters,

      On behalf of our Deacons, the Parish Pastoral Staff, and the Leadership of our parish I wish you and your families a Blessed and Happy Easter! Each of you hold a special place in our hearts and we are very grateful for the numerous ways you give of yourself to our parish family.
      To those of you who join us as visitors today, I pray you feel welcome. Please know of our gratitude for your presence among us and know you are always welcome here.
To those who have been away from the Church or who have been away from the parish, we are delighted that you have found your way back and pray that this will be the first step in your recommitment to the Lord and our parish family.
To those who have worked so diligently and with such love to make the Lenten Season, the Sacred Triduum and this Easter Season such a tremendous opportunity for us to be rejuvenated and renewed in our commitment to the Lord and our whole parish family, I cannot thank you enough. You ARE truly disciples of Christ.
On this Easter Sunday, remembering and recalling our Lenten journey and the challenges that have led us to this day of glory, we know we are loved by God. Moreover we know that all the sacrifice and challenges on the journey show our desire to love Him in return. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which won for us salvation, today we glory in the blessings of “rising again,” from our failings, experiencing lasting joy and peace, knowing we have been saved!
    Let us cry out, “ALLELUIA, PRAISE THE LORD!” Let us go forth from this place glorifying the Lord with our lives and proclaiming to the whole world the joy of our salvation. Let us show our gratitude by once again committing to serve the Lord and our brothers and sisters in all we say and do faithful to the Lord’s call and our desire to follow Him.
   Know that I am grateful for all of you. Continue to be good stewards of our loving Lord.
Have a Blessed and Holy Easter!
God’s peace and my love and prayers,
Father Michael

Bulletin letter

Sun, 1 Apr 2012 17:11:16 -0600

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters,
Today we begin the holiest week in our Liturgical year of grace. HOLY WEEK is a moment in time when we move from the triumphant entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem to the salvific experience of His passion, death and glorious resurrection.
The reason this week is so profoundly solemn and holy is because we see so clearly the incredible and supremely profound act of love God has for us sinners. Brothers and sisters, this is love at its most selfless and its most perfect.
Every time I reflect on the passion of the Lord Jesus, I am made aware of how unworthy I am to be shown such love. Through all the turmoil, through all the chaos, through all the evil cast upon Jesus, He is more concerned about those whom He has come to save. Every word He utters, every gesture He makes, including His willingness to take upon the sins of all humankind and suffer on the cross, is for “others,” not Himself. Oh that we could be so selfless!
He never focuses on the glory for Himself. He never contemplates the adoration and credit of the years to come. He is only, in that moment, seeking to care for us, love us, save us, by His total surrender to the will of the Father. We are so holy blest!
Participate fully in these sacred days. Pay close attention to every movement, word and gesture. See how much the Lord loves you and desires your salvation. Let not one moment this week be without care for your Savior. Let not one thought, word or deed be without His incredible love guiding you. Let this week be truly holy because we desire to be holy as He is holy, by our desire to mirror His selfless love for “others.”
Know that I love you and I am proud of the challenges you have accepted this Lenten Season. May you be bathed in the shadow of the cross and weep with joy at His empty tomb.
 God’s peace and my love and prayers,
Father Michael

Bulletin letter

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 14:34:00 -0600

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters,

“Where I am, there also will my servant be.” These words from the gospel today give me the opportunity to share with you some great news. Rarely have I used this space for anything more than to connect with you about the sacred scriptures and to give you a challenge, encouragement or affirmation in your spiritual journey. Today, however, I would like to use it to talk about being a servant in light of our Capital Campaign.
Many of our faithful parishioners, who are convicted in the values of the gospel and the mission of our parish family to “intentionally change hearts for God,” have given to this Campaign. Many have really sacrificed a great deal to allow this new church to become a reality.
I have been humbled by the generosity of the “widow’s mite” from some of our Senior Citizens on fixed income who have pledged to this Campaign. They knew their giving the amount they gave would impact them a great deal, but they were willing to make the sacrifice. One woman said, “I just hope you have it built in time for my funeral.”
I have even been blessed to receive gifts from our little children who want to support their future and contribute to the Capital Campaign for their future church. One child came up and said, “Here Jesus, this is for the new church,” when bringing their offering up at Mass.
Be the servant of the Lord you have been called to be. Follow the example of Jesus, our seniors and even our youngest family members. Make your pledge today! Your donation will greatly help the long awaited church for our parish family become a reality.

God’s peace and my love and prayers,
Father Michael

Bulletin letter

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 10:59:13 -0600

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters,

“For God so loved the world…” The famous John 3:16 appears in the gospel today. Often we see this reference on billboards, signs at sporting events and even quoted on the back of the pewter-like crosses we received at the beginning of Lent. Unfortunately people often see this as a slogan or a phrase when, in truth, it is a way of loving in action.
This time of Lent is a wonderful opportunity to recognize that God REALLY does love us. He is not just saying it. He’s showing it. He sent His Son into the world not to condemn us but rather to save us from ourselves and to give us eternal life. This is not just about saying “I love you,” but SHOWING or DOING, “I love you.”
One of our former teens posted this message on his Facebook page:
I'm really proud of everyone who re-shares all those inspirational
‘if you love God you'll do this’ posts. Because THAT’S the best way
to show that you truly do love Him...........he said sarcastically”
Lent is a magnificent time to SHOW our love for God by fasting, praying and giving of our resources to aid a brother or sister. How have you “taken up” something this Lenten season to show your love for the Lord? In other words, “What have you done for HIM lately?”

God’s peace and my love and prayers,
Father Michael

Bulletin letter

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 16:18:06 -0600

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters,

Do you have a “junk drawer” in your home? You know the kind I mean. It’s that drawer in a convenient place that seems to be a “catch-all” for every little bit of clutter. It has batteries, string, paper clips, paper, receipts, rubber bands, a hammer, corkscrew, pens, tape…well you get the idea. It’s the drawer we use when we have that thing that seems to have no other place and we refuse to deal with it and find its proper place and so it ends up in the junk drawer, often with the intent that “one day I’ll take care of it.” Never happens. Moreover, it’s one of the most disordered places in our home.
In the gospel today, Jesus is trying to “clean up” the mess the merchants have made of the temple area. This sacred house of worship to His Father is being used as a place for everything that doesn’t belong in this sacred house.
Our bodies too are the dwelling place of God, the temple of the Holy Spirit. Often times our body and our lives get filled with all kinds of clutter. Our minds, our hearts, our words and even our actions seem to reflect the debris of sin and the rejection of God-like thoughts, words and deeds. Our Lenten journey is a perfect moment in time to clean out the junk drawer of our mind, soul and body. It’s time to rebuild our dwelling place for God, the temple of the Holy Spirit and once again allow our self to be consumed by God and the values of our faith. Keep going!

God’s peace and my love and prayers,
Father Michael

P.S. This is a great gospel for our reflection too as we “re-build” our place of worship with our new church