I am writing this ahead of time as I will be in Kansas for the week visiting classmates who are celebrating their Silver Jubilee. So things were in good hands with Fr. Todd and Fr. Joseph who took care of all that needed to be done this past week. I am grateful that it worked out and I could get away for a bit.
Many will be getting away for Labor Day weekend. It is often known as the official end of summer. Most of the students are back in school, ready or not. I hope the end of summer is a good one and the extra day is a time to spend with family and friends. This is a good day to reflect on the work that God gives us in our daily lives. Yes work is often seen as a burden nonetheless it also allows us to use the gifts and talents our Lord has blessed us with. That is the sense of vocation that the Lord offers us to respond to. A job pays the bills and can be overwhelming when the Lord’s grace is not a part of what we are doing. A true calling involves God’s grace and direction. Living out our vocation does not mean it won’t be hard work but with it will come a greater sense of satisfaction.
September brings with it a real sense of the academic calendar and school year beginning and many sports kicking off their season. It also means some meetings for me at Pacelli with the start of the academic year. As Dean I get the chance to be more closely involved in education than some of the other pastors in the area. For our students it is not just school that has started but we begin the year for our Religious Education/CCD program. Confirmation will also start for the Confirmation 1 group and later in November those who have been preparing will celebrate that sacrament with Bishop Battersby.
Perhaps this too is a good time to challenge ourselves about how we are growing in faith? One thought is to simply look at our phone since it seems that everyone has one. What do we have on our phone that helps us grow in the faith? To deepen our prayer time? Or is it all about distraction? One opportunity in September will be a two day Mission (Sept. 23-24) here at St. Peter with the Marian Messengers. They are just beginning their work in our diocese and we will be one of the first parishes to host their talks that will focus on Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe. Mary always helps us come to know her Son more deeply. — Please watch for coming details and mark your calendars.
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