Dear Friends,
Deacon Kevin Carges’ favorite prophet, Jeremiah, offers us our first reading this weekend. Jeremiah was one never to hold back on exactly what he was feeling before God. His life was not easy and he expressed every thought and experience he had and/or was going through to God. His honesty created a great trust and relationship between the two of them.
The Lord God also desires that we might have a similar relaitinship with one another. God is present to all our thoughts and listens to everything we call out in prayer and conversation. Whatever is present in our lives, the Lord God is with us. God wants to be in relationship with us at all times, even if we might not want to be in relationship with Him.
Kevin, like many of us, may identify with Jeremiah. Whether we do or not identify with these two, do we not all desire a rich relationship with the Lord, as we read in today’s first scripture passage? Are we able to echo the words of Jeremiah, “…for to you I have entrusted my cause.”?
And our Gospel echoes, like our first scripture today, the close presence Jesus desires to make known to all who follow Him and His father, our father. I laugh, so to speak at what Jesus shares from Matthew today, God so knows and loves us that “even all the hairs on your head are counted.” I get it and I am grateful. I would just like to hold onto what I stlil have left.
“Strengthening the Vine” is our theme for our faith communities to regroup our selves in a more vital, sustainable and invigorating church. Response from yourselves has been positive but we have much more to address. Each parish has similar and distitnct issues to address. As you may know, videos have been shared addressing each community and it is the Parish Staffs, Parish Pastoral Councils, and Finance Ministries desire to keep communication open and as current as possible.
I am not one who likes to see good people move on from our Parish Staffs. With a heavy heart, I would like to share with everyone the following that went out to the Parish Council, Finance, and Staff Ministries and to the folks arrending mass at Saint Catherine of Siena last week. “You may not be surprised as you have been following our financial situation and necessary direction for the future of our beloved parish.”
Recently, we said goodbye to Crawford Butler our facilities manager. Finances. Crawford saw with heartfelt gratitude his time here and moved on with a hopeful journey.
Now, again, we face another transition with our Pastoral Associate, Ruth Maier. Ruth has ministered here at Saint Catherine’s for 27 years. She will be with us until the end of summer. And I am grateful for that. We will celebrate her in August. More details will be coming forth.
The future is in discussion and your staff members will be taking on new responsibilities. We are also looking to how we will continue the fullness and richness of faith community in serving one another.
We thank Ruth for all the years she has been here. And I thank all of you who have been good stewards in supporting Ruth, our Staffs, and parish mission. Treasure is one of the three aspects of stewardship. It is key to supporting our livelihood along with Time and Talent.”
So, my friends, we will go forward “Strengthening the Vine” and following where Jesus is leading us in this present time.
Blessings,
Father Rob