To My Spiritual Family of Holy Redeemer and St. Anthony:
Thank you Fr. McElrath: We welcome Fr. Ian McElrath back to Holy Redeemer for a return engagement this Saturday, January 13. I have to offer a Mass for members of the American Legion in Pittsburgh, so I am most appreciative of Fr. McElrath and his willingness to fill in. Plus, he is a great preacher! Thanks, Father, we appreciate you!
In the Moment . . . but: I preach all the time – mostly to myself – that we must live in the moment. The past is gone and cannot be changed. The future is neither certain nor promised. Only in the present moment do we find God and encounter him. But oh boy, it’s going to be tough to live in the moment over the course of the next few months. There is a whole lot that’s going to be happening in a verycompressed time period! Here’s a preview: (1) Our confirmandi have their retreat on January 28; (2)I’m preaching the parish mission for St. Leo in Ridgway from February 11-13; (3) Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 14 (better schedule those Valentine dates with your sweetie on a different, non-fasting day); (4) Our own parish mission with Fr. Mike Polinek happens February 20-22; (5) Bishop Persico will be in town for the Sacrament of Confirmation on March 4; (6) Dr. Ray Guarendi will lead the parish mission at St. Joseph in nearby Lucinda the days of March 10-12; (7) The Warren Philharmonic offers their spring concert at Holy Redeemer on March 17; (8) Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, March 24; and (9) Easter is celebrated on March 31 (since it was balmy on Christmas, we can plan on snow for Easter). Mark your calendars. Buckle your seatbelts. Hold on to your hats. And most importantly... try to live in the moment!
God’s Multiplication: Most of us are not asked by God to do “big” things. You and I, for the most part, live out our call to holiness in the daily - often mundane - routines of life. Routine does not equal unimportant, though. Mundane does not infer meaninglessness. God works with the small. He transforms the everyday into the eternal. Our seemingly paltry offerings of self are a big deal in the divine plan. Remember how God ensured that the widow’s small jar of oil would not run dry. Think of how Jesus multiplied a few loaves into enough for all to eat. Reflect on the fact that Andrew and Peter were simple fishermen. God multiplies with a math that is absolutely astonishing! If we give him the little we have, our Lord will do amazing things!
Prayer After Mass: I want to remind you of the availability of our Prayer Teams after each of our Saturday/Sunday Masses. These folks – our fellow parishioners – so enjoy praying with you and for you. Praises, problems, people – you can bring all these to prayer. Please take advantage of this opportunity. Praying with and for each other is essential to our Christian journey. Stepping out of our own prayer experiences to pray with others can often open up a new and as of yet undiscovered door within our hearts!
God bless you and have a beautiful and holy week!
Mary, Mother of the Redeemer – Pray for us! Our Lady of Guadalupe – Pray for us! St. Anthony – Pray for us! St. Joseph – Pray for us!