A word from Pope Francis ~ “The whole journey of life is a journey of preparation…to see, to feel, to understand the beauty of what lies ahead, of the homeland toward which we walk.”
Now that our observance of Lent and our celebrations of the Easter season are concluded and we have celebrated the major Solemnities of Trinity Sunday and the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, we now return to the cycle of Sundays in Ordinary Time, the “green Sundays.” We re-enter this season at the 13th week where we left the season at the beginning of Lent. We will continue reading from Luke’s Gospel, section by section, until we begin the season of Advent on November 27. Ordinary Time reminds us that we are called to steady and regular growth as we meditate on the events of Jesus’ life. It is good to be back in this regular cycle of our Church Year.
During this final week of the month, we have another major feast day coming up on our church calendar. This Wednesday, June 29, we celebrate the feast of Sts. Peter & Paul. Peter was one of the original twelve apostles and along with James and John, was with Jesus at the most significant moments in his ministry. Paul, originally a Pharisee, was called by the Lord to be the apostle to the Gentiles. Paul led the early missionary efforts of the church beyond the borders of Israel into Asia, Europe and ultimately Rome. These two apostles are among the “giants” of the early church. As we celebrate their feast day on Wednesday, it is important for us to remember the struggles and the failures they each faced in the early days of the church. We look to them as examples of Christian living, as we follow the same path in being disciples of the Lord. On Wednesday, we celebrate this feast in honor of two passionate, human examples of Christian life.
This Friday, July 1, is the actual transfer and moving date for priests serving in our diocese. We are blessed this year since we are not experiencing any changes to our parish priest staff. I am very happy that Father Rey Treyes and Father Asirvadam Dandu will continue to serve our parish for another year. Let us remember in our prayers all those priests who will be moving to a new parish assignment on Friday.
This weekend we have the opportunity to participate in the annual “Peter’s Pence” appeal. This collection helps to fund the Holy Father’s personal efforts in caring for the needy and suffering of our world. Envelopes for this appeal were included in the pack received in the mail, or you may use one of the white envelopes in the pew racks or give on our website at stisidoreparish.org/giving. As always, thank you for your generosity.
As we end our fiscal year this weekend, I want to thank you for your regular and faithful support of our parish through your Sunday offerings. The Sunday collection is the primary source of income for our parish. Your generosity makes it possible for us to do all the things that we do here.
Happy summer season! May God continue to bless us with everything that we need, and more.
Father Jim Murphy