Dear Friends
This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the Canonization of Saint Brother Andre Bessette. We have had the joy of being anointed and reinvigorated by the Oil of St. Joseph and the relics of Saint Brother Andre on the occasion of the 2nd Anniversary of the Dedication of our beautiful house of worship. We are grateful to Fr. Jomon C.S.C. for his presentation and presence. I was deeply touched by the number of people who came for the Adoration and the Healing Mass and the Wine and Cheese Party on Monday.
I am so very grateful to Misty Huff, the Family of the Month awardee, for all that she has been to SJE in the past many years of challenges and growth. Her unstinting commitment and untiring dedication to St. John’s parish is unparallel. She has no one but SJE that she could really call her family. Her parents and husband and her beloved dog have all died. Her only brother lives in Bradenton, FL. Her entire life has revolved around the parish. We have been so blessed with her complete and unquestionable dedication to our Parish. We thank you Misty for being such a lovely parishioner and Congratulations on being awarded the family of the month by the knights. We hope and pray that the Lord will shower his abundant blessings on you and watch over you for as long as you shall live.
The 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Times will henceforth be celebrated by the entire Church, in unity of purpose, as the Sunday of the Word per the direction given by Pope Francis. In his apostolic letter, “Aperuit illis,” pope Francis has revealed his intention of instituting a Sunday given over entirely to the word of God, so as to appreciate the inexhaustible riches contained in that constant dialogue between the Lord and his people” (Misericordia et Misera 7). This Sunday is to be “devoted to the celebration, study and dissemination of the word of God” (Aperuit illis 3). Pope Francis is inviting us to mark this Sunday with a certain solemnity. At our parish we plan to make it really special by celebrating a Commissioning Ceremony for the Lectors and the Enthronement of the Bible. It is that time of year when we can recognize how blessed we have been through total dedication of our committed Lectors who proclaim the Word of God so eloquently to the gathered assembly. Thank you, Lectors, for proclaiming the Word. We will also mark this Sunday with the Enthronement of the Bible. In view of this initiative, we will henceforth have a scripture placed on its stand as you enter the church reminding us that Scripture lies at the very heart of our Christian life.
It is also fitting that we first examine our relationship with the Scripture by first of all possessing a Catholic Bible. Possessing or owning a Bible is not certainly enough. That is only the first step in growing in love of God and his Words. Most importantly we need to read, appreciate and pray daily with Sacred Scripture and thus delve deep into the mystery of God’s love for us. So, seize the opportunity to make a resolution to get a Catholic Bible first. To make it easy for all of us to own a Bible we will distribute Bibles to those who need after every one of our Masses.
Have a Blessed Week!
With Love,
Fr. John