Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 1, 2024

Dear Friends,

After journeying for the past 5 weeks with the spectacularly amazing Chapter 6 of the Gospel of our patron, St. John the Evangelist, which presents the “Bread of Life Discourse,” we now trace our way back to St. Mark’s Gospel. Do you remember? This is Year B in the Cycle of Sunday scripture readings, and the Gospel of Mark is the primary Gospel for this cycle.

The last time we were reading from the Gospel of Mark, it was the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (21st July 2024). Now, on the 22nd Sunday, we are reading from Mark, Chapter 7. This chapter gives us food for thought about disregarding what God has said and following human traditions instead. (Mk 7:8)

Later in the chapter, Jesus gives us some wonderful words to digest, words that are particularly appropriate for our times. He addresses harsh words to the Pharisees and Scribes of His day, saying, “From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.” (Mk 7: 21-23) Does this not make you think of what is happening these days? Of what has become of our country?

Why are we regressing so much regarding our morals and faith life? Why is it hard for people to be committed to their faith life and live what they profess? Why is it hard for us to joyfully celebrate the Eucharist? How can abortion be allowed and performed, without a shudder of conscience, on a child who could survive outside the womb on his/her own? Is this not murder? Since when have we become nation so depraved? Moses, in the first reading from Deuteronomy, says , “For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the Lord, our God, is to us? Or what great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today?” (Dt 4:7-8) Do we not live in a nation that was once proud of our inherited Judeo-Christian faith? Where are we heading now? Who is calling us to stand in the breach and be the beacon of light and hope?

Please continue to pray for our nation and our state, especially as we prepare for the elections.

There is great rejoicing this weekend in the Congregation of Holy Cross as five of our young men make their Final Vows on Saturday, August 31 at 1:30 pm EDT, professing perpetual vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. We thank the good Lord for calling them into service. We congratulate Richard Bevington, C.S.C.; Noah Junge, C.S.C.; Br. Bobby McFadden, C.S.C.; Aaron Morris, C.S.C.; and David Murray, C.S.C. Having discerned God’s call during their years in formation, these young men are now prepared to devote the rest of their lives to God as finally-professed members of the Congregation of Holy Cross.

I am very excited to announce two new ministries for our parish. These ministries are designed to further reveal the goodness of our hearts here at St. John’s. I have been praying about them for a long time, and I now have identified people who can lead these ministries.

The first of these two ministries is “You Cared For Me” (YCFM). The inspiration for this name comes from Chapter 7 the Gospel of Matthew, when Jesus describes how He will judge us on the Last Day. Among the five criteria for those who will be rewarded for following Him is this one: I was ill and you cared for me.

I am very grateful to Debbie Hogan and Elisabete Camedo, who have graciously accepted my invitation to lead this ministry. It is a ministry of presence. Our volunteers will visit, in a home, hospital, or nursing facility, those in need of attentive, listening ears (and hearts) or for someone to pray with them. It is meant to bring the comfort of support, love and prayers from all of us here at St. John’s. Our ministry volunteers will visit one person at a time, at a time mutually agreed upon. The visit may be short or may last for up to two hours or so. The volunteers will just listen, engage in pleasant conversation, and/or offer to pray with the person they are visiting.

The second new ministry is CarePortal: The CarePortal program is a privately founded service designed to help children and their families, foster children and their foster families, veterans, people with disabilities, and senior citizens. Supported by the State of Florida, CarePortal is a remarkable technology platform that allows a local parish to respond to families and individuals in the local community who are facing challenges. Typical among the needs requested through CarePortal are bedding, groceries, personal hygiene supplies, diapers, formula, and the like. I am very grateful to Bob and Leona Fenbers for graciously accepting my request to lead this ministry, which will work like this: a core team of our Care Portal volunteers will choose which of the requests we can respond to. They will then reach out to the members of our community for donations. Once these have been dropped off at the Church, another team of volunteers will deliver the items to the homes of those who requested them.

You will be able to learn more, and sign up to participate in either of these new ministries, at our Ministry Fair the weekend of 14/15 September, which happens after each Mass that weekend.

Our parish challenge of offering 2,000 hours of Adoration by 15 September is still on. I thank those who came on Tuesday for the Behold the Lamb of God adoration program. It was simply breathtaking. Thanks to Heidi and her team for creating such a reverent and beautiful experience.

Given the size of our parish, we should be able to easily complete a more challenging goal, such as 5,000 hours of Adoration! Where are you, beloved parishioners? Come, come and give Our Lord at least an hour of your precious time. He will not ignore such a gift. If only we could know what such a gift does for us! Remember what Pope Benedict XVI said: “The act of adoration outside Mass prolongs and intensifies all that takes place during the Mass.”

Have a Blessed Week,

With Love,

Fr. John