July 9, 2023 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time To My Spiritual Family of Holy Redeemer and St. Anthony, Tithing Our Blessings: We are following up our Mother’s Day baby bottle collection by also offering our July Parish tithe to the Women’s Care Center of Warren. By offering our support to mothers with unexpected or unwanted pregnancies, we make a statement for life, and in opposition to the culture of death. Abortion, of course, is one of the great evils of our times. It is also cause for great sadness. Don’t lose hope, though. Please keep praying and fasting for the conversion of hearts and for an end to the killing of unborn children. The amazing folks at the Women’s Care Center are filled with hope and joy. They provide incredible support to moms and families, unborn babies and infants. I am proud that we can support this fine organization. Our Core Purpose: We exist as a parish to turn lives upside down through an encounter with the redeeming love of Christ. It sounds crazy, I know, but make no mistake, to live for Christ is a radically countercultural proposition! Maybe we ourselves need to have our lives flipped right side up. Maybe there are family members or friends who we long to see turned around by an encounter with the Risen Lord. Inviting others to know and love Christ is at the very heart of who we are as a parish family. This is our assigned task. This is our work. Maybe such talk of evangelizing makes us uncomfortable. Maybe the conversion of hearts seems a task beyond our ability. Do not be afraid! Christ is the one who does the actual heart-changing labor. Jesus is the one who turns lives upside down, but he asks us to share in his mission. You and I are called to give witness. You and I are called to introduce another to Jesus. Christ then takes up the work of transforming that life. Our role is to take a sister or brother by the hand and say: “Come! Follow me! Let me introduce you to my greatest love.” Jesus indeed loves us and he redeems us from our sins. We can’t keep this good news to ourselves. Just as the very first Christians were on a mission to make Jesus known, you and I continue that mission today. And no less than those early Christians, we have access to the grace and the power and the love of Jesus. He sends his Holy Spirit to enliven our actions and to give impact to our words. I say again: Do not be afraid! The Christian life is the greatest of adventures! Whose life will you turn upside down this week? Who will you lead to an encounter with the redeeming mercy of Christ? Holy Spirit, make this happen - please! A Return to the Chalice: Bishop Persico has decided to allow parishes to make both species of the Blessed Sacrament available once again. Beginning with Masses for the Feast of the Transfiguration (August 5-6), the Precious Blood will be offered at Communion time. Given that we are in a period of intense Eucharistic Revival, this is a welcome return. Brother Francisco: There will be no Mass on Tuesday, as I will be on my way (early in the day) to a Mass with Profession of Religious Vows at St. Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe. Brother Francisco Whittaker will be making his solemn profession as a member of the Order of St. Benedict. I am friends with the Whittaker family and have known Brother Francisco since he was quite young. God willing, he will be ordained as a priest when his studies are completed. Please keep Brother Francisco and the community of monks at St. Vincent in your prayers! God continues to move hearts and to call young people into his service! 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! Fr. Steve