Dear friends,
Today, we celebrate the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time. This week’s rather lengthy Gospel reading from Luke contains three parables that Jesus uses to describe his love for us. Each of us means so much to him that it is almost absurd to consider the lengths to which God would go to have us be with him. The parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son (the prodigal son) serve as reminders that each and every one of us is uniquely important to him. Jesus shared these parables with the Pharisees and scribes who accused him of welcoming sinners and eating with them. He tells us that “there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15: 10), and “now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again, he was lost and has been found” (Luke 15: 32). What a gracious shepherd we have who is ready and willing to leave everything for just one of us. That person could be you or me. What a joy to be embraced by a Father who longs for us to return.
This week, I will be presenting one very particular way in which Jesus Christ ensures that we abide with him, dissuading us from wandering away or becoming lost in the distractions of the world – the singularly unique gift of himself in the Eucharist. The USCCB has recently launched the National Eucharistic Revival, a three-year program designed to “renew the Church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist,” to show everyone what wonders the True Presence of Jesus can do to heal the soul, and to encourage us to reflect on the importance of this gift and how we might cherish the grandeur of the mystery of Christ’s love for us.
I invite everyone to attend the funeral Mass of Fr. Donald Mainardi who delighted in serving the community of St. John’s during his retirement. Please mark your calendars and join us in celebrating this gentle soul. The funeral Mass will be held on Friday, September 16, 2022 at 10 a.m., and we heartily welcome Bishop John Noonan, our brother priests and deacons, and Fr. Donald’s family and friends.
The viewing will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. and, following the Mass, there will be a reception in the Holy Cross Hall. Fr. Don will then be interred at Priests of the Lord Cemetery, San Pedro Spiritual Development Center, 2400 Dike Road, Winter Park. Thank you for honoring Fr. Donald and his priestly ministry. May his soul rest in the peace of Christ.
Please see the bulletin for details of the many events taking place this month.
Have a blessed week!
With love,
Fr. John