for: the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
This morning I am preparing for a wedding this afternoon – an old fashioned June wedding – these are two young people that I knew when they were in high school – they are both doing very well – the whole scene has been so enjoyable – because they were not local they did their marriage preparation on the internet – a program from Colorado – and they were very faithful to the whole process – and last night the rehearsal was excellent also. Sometimes weddings can be such a pain – speaking as the priest – but this looks to be a very comfortable and enjoyable time – this is especially true because the bride and groom are such great people – their approach to marriage is mature and comfortable – however, join me in praying for them – that this may continue to be true of their lives together.
By the way – did I tell you – during the week – I went with the 8th grade group – kids, teachers, parents – on a whale watch to Gloucester – it was a good time – a comfortable trip for me – I was only a spectator – the kids were great – and it was a great time to spend some time with the adults on the trip – and the whales cooperated – and we did see a few of them. And the other plus – some great seafood –
This Sunday will be unique – in that at one of the Churches – Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Crown Point – I will extend the Feast of the Sacred Heart – that feast day was on Friday – however, since the parish is dedicated to the Sacred Heart – I will use that Mass this weekend – and celebrate our patronal feast. At St. Mary’s – I will use the Mass for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time – but in both Churches we will honor the fathers of the parish on Father’s Day. So, lots of stuff for one Sunday.
I consider Father’s Day an important opportunity – first of all because fathers deserve a great deal of respect – and at the same time, I find it important to renew the challenge to all fathers – the challenge to truly be a good, even profound influence on their children. I have seen many wonderful fathers – fathers who are first of all magnificent husbands – and then truly fathers to their children – giving them an example that is and there is no better word than to say – powerful – I know fathers who have dedicated themselves to making their families the best – the most loving and peaceful families possible – I know fathers that are close to their children – but more than friends – they are truly fathers –
So – all of you fathers out there – I respect you – I recognize the immense challenge you have accepted by being fathers – I pray for you – we need you – our world needs you – to be the best – the best fathers on the face of the earth. What a special calling – what a vocation – to be a father – never forget how important – how sacred is your calling. I tell you often of the evening I spent with my niece and nephew at the birth of their second child – and the time I spent after with my nephew as we stopped for a little breakfast afterwards – I was truly awestruck – it was an evening I will never forget – but I will also remember – recognizing for both of these parents – the readiness for the challenge of raising this child – the huge responsibilities that they accepted but realized were immense.
Now – a moment on the Sacred Heart of Jesus – once a more popular devotion in our Church – but still important – the vision to St. Margaret Mary – when she saw Jesus with His heart visible and above it a flame – the flame of love – the wonderful image of the love of God – and God’s longing that we become as loving and as caring as the Savior, himself. I encourage you to remember and turn often to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
One last comment on the Sunday Gospel for this Sunday – Jesus calms the storm – he is with the apostles in a boat (they were good sized boats) – and a storm comes up – like the storms on Lake Champlain and Lake Ontario – and the apostles are frightened – but Jesus is asleep – they wake him up in anxiety – and he calms the storm. There is a spiritual root to the story – we are all on that boat that is our Church – and the storms that this Church of ours has faced over the years have been numerous – and immense – each time the Church (that is all of the People of God) have had to wake up Jesus – and the miracles have been numerous – and the ship that is this Church of ours has not only stayed afloat but has continued on its journey of bringing us all closer to the Lord.
LET US PRAY
Almighty God, my Father – I turn to you this day – bless all the fathers – support them – help them to be great fathers – as a priest, I am often called Father – so help me that I may be a good priest and carry out my responsibilities and duties as a good father – we all need you, Lord – with you we will not fail. This is my prayer. Amen.
Please join me as we say together the Lord’s Prayer.
Have you had the opportunity of checking out the parish website – http://www.smsh.org/
This morning I am preparing for a wedding this afternoon – an old fashioned June wedding – these are two young people that I knew when they were in high school – they are both doing very well – the whole scene has been so enjoyable – because they were not local they did their marriage preparation on the internet – a program from Colorado – and they were very faithful to the whole process – and last night the rehearsal was excellent also. Sometimes weddings can be such a pain – speaking as the priest – but this looks to be a very comfortable and enjoyable time – this is especially true because the bride and groom are such great people – their approach to marriage is mature and comfortable – however, join me in praying for them – that this may continue to be true of their lives together.
By the way – did I tell you – during the week – I went with the 8th grade group – kids, teachers, parents – on a whale watch to Gloucester – it was a good time – a comfortable trip for me – I was only a spectator – the kids were great – and it was a great time to spend some time with the adults on the trip – and the whales cooperated – and we did see a few of them. And the other plus – some great seafood –
This Sunday will be unique – in that at one of the Churches – Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Crown Point – I will extend the Feast of the Sacred Heart – that feast day was on Friday – however, since the parish is dedicated to the Sacred Heart – I will use that Mass this weekend – and celebrate our patronal feast. At St. Mary’s – I will use the Mass for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time – but in both Churches we will honor the fathers of the parish on Father’s Day. So, lots of stuff for one Sunday.
I consider Father’s Day an important opportunity – first of all because fathers deserve a great deal of respect – and at the same time, I find it important to renew the challenge to all fathers – the challenge to truly be a good, even profound influence on their children. I have seen many wonderful fathers – fathers who are first of all magnificent husbands – and then truly fathers to their children – giving them an example that is and there is no better word than to say – powerful – I know fathers who have dedicated themselves to making their families the best – the most loving and peaceful families possible – I know fathers that are close to their children – but more than friends – they are truly fathers –
So – all of you fathers out there – I respect you – I recognize the immense challenge you have accepted by being fathers – I pray for you – we need you – our world needs you – to be the best – the best fathers on the face of the earth. What a special calling – what a vocation – to be a father – never forget how important – how sacred is your calling. I tell you often of the evening I spent with my niece and nephew at the birth of their second child – and the time I spent after with my nephew as we stopped for a little breakfast afterwards – I was truly awestruck – it was an evening I will never forget – but I will also remember – recognizing for both of these parents – the readiness for the challenge of raising this child – the huge responsibilities that they accepted but realized were immense.
Now – a moment on the Sacred Heart of Jesus – once a more popular devotion in our Church – but still important – the vision to St. Margaret Mary – when she saw Jesus with His heart visible and above it a flame – the flame of love – the wonderful image of the love of God – and God’s longing that we become as loving and as caring as the Savior, himself. I encourage you to remember and turn often to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
One last comment on the Sunday Gospel for this Sunday – Jesus calms the storm – he is with the apostles in a boat (they were good sized boats) – and a storm comes up – like the storms on Lake Champlain and Lake Ontario – and the apostles are frightened – but Jesus is asleep – they wake him up in anxiety – and he calms the storm. There is a spiritual root to the story – we are all on that boat that is our Church – and the storms that this Church of ours has faced over the years have been numerous – and immense – each time the Church (that is all of the People of God) have had to wake up Jesus – and the miracles have been numerous – and the ship that is this Church of ours has not only stayed afloat but has continued on its journey of bringing us all closer to the Lord.
LET US PRAY
Almighty God, my Father – I turn to you this day – bless all the fathers – support them – help them to be great fathers – as a priest, I am often called Father – so help me that I may be a good priest and carry out my responsibilities and duties as a good father – we all need you, Lord – with you we will not fail. This is my prayer. Amen.
Please join me as we say together the Lord’s Prayer.
Have you had the opportunity of checking out the parish website – http://www.smsh.org/
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