A word from Pope Francis ~ “Christ’s cross, embraced with love, never leads to sadness, but to joy, to the joy of having been saved and of doing a little of what he did on the day of his death.”
As we celebrate the 20th Sunday in the Ordinary Time of the Year this weekend, our Scripture readings remind us that being a disciple of Jesus comes at a cost. The road on which Jesus leads us won’t be easy. Divisions will come, even among our closest relationships. Division and controversy accompanies the proclamation of God’s Kingdom; they go hand in hand. The good news is that living within the community of Jesus’ disciples assures us that we are not alone in our struggles and provides us the support of other disciples – each other.
Monday, August 15 is the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, the mother of Jesus. It is a major feast day of our church and normally a Holy Day of Obligation. But when the feast of the Assumption falls on a Saturday or on a Monday (like this year), the obligation to attend Mass is suspended. We still celebrate the feast day, but without the obligation for all to participate in Mass. Masses for the feast of the Assumption will be celebrated on Monday in the main church at 7:00 am and at 12:05 pm.
Thank you to all who have pledged to the 2022 Joliet Diocesan Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal. Our pledges support the work and charities of the diocese, our larger church. Thank you to the 655 households who have already paid $129,543 towards our parish goal of $154,900. Your generosity is deeply appreciated. Please continue to make your monthly payments on your pledge. The Diocesan Development Office recently sent a letter under my name to families who have supported the Appeal in the past, but have yet to respond this year. If you haven’t had a chance to respond to the 2022 Joliet Diocesan Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal, please do so as soon as possible. Every contribution counts toward our parish goal. We have additional commitment envelopes at the Parish Office and in the pamphlet slots on the wall in the Narthex. Again, thank you for your support of our larger diocesan church.
Monday’s Feast of the Assumption usually signals the end of summer for me. Parish life dramatically picks up after this feast as we prepare for the beginning of the school year. Our Parish Pastoral Council will meet this Tuesday evening. Local High School fall sports programs officially began last week. Our Grade School begins classes on Wednesday, and we will celebrate the school’s Opening Mass at 10:00 am (all are welcome to join us). For many of us, we are in the final days of summer vacation. Most of our college students are returning to campus this week. We are moving into a time of transition. We ask God’s continued blessings on all of our parish’s education ministries.
There really are a few more days of summer. Let’s take advantage of them. And let us remember in prayer all those who are traveling at this time of year. May God continue to bless us with all that we need, and more.
Father Jim Murphy