To My Spiritual Family of Holy Redeemer and St. Anthony,
Rowing in the Same Direction: Unity of purpose is not something that is easy to achieve, but something that holds tremendous importance. This is true for families and corporations, sports teams and parishes. Only when everyone is rowing in the same direction are great things accomplished. Jesus himself longed for this unity, didn’t he? The Lord said on the night before he died: “I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us (John 17:20).” I keep placing our parish vision before you as a way of achieving authentic unity. I want each of us to know in the depths of our being that Holy Redeemer parish exists to turn lives upside down through an encounter with the redeeming love of Christ. If we are rowing together - toward one soul after another, in the direction of one hurting person after another, eager to heal one wound after another – the Lord will bless our efforts and set our parish on fire with his grace. Lives will truly be turned upside down!
The Paradox of the Cross: As folks drive by our Holy Redeemer campus on Pennsylvania Avenue, I wonder how many look up at the impressive crucifix on the outer wall and begin to contemplate the salvation of Christ? If they drive by often, maybe they cease to notice. Maybe they take the Lord and his gift of forgiveness for granted. Maybe you and I do the same. The cross is the great paradox of our faith. On the cross, shame was turned into glory, defeat was transformed into victory, and death was destroyed by new life. Jesus on the cross is the sign that so many are seeking: a certain symbol that I am loved by the God of the universe. That you are loved. That we each and all are loved. “We adore you oh Christ and we bless you . . . because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world!”
Come and See: On Thursday evening of this week, we welcome our Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) candidates as they begin a journey toward possible full communion with the Catholic Church. This is exciting! This is the very mission of the Church: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19)!” We have an awesome team of authentic witnesses to lead our candidates on this journey. I thank them all for their gift of self. We also have a wonderful and courageous group of candidates (some of them teenagers). Please pray for the team, for the candidates, and for the continued growth of our Warren County Catholic Community. God is doing a work! All praise and glory be his!
Autumn Church Hours: In a world filled with love and mutual respect, we would never have to lock the doors of our churches. How wonderful that would be! Unfortunately, we are not there yet, are we? Daylight is now beginning to wane, so we will begin again to lock up around 5:00 pm each day. Nonetheless, I encourage you to stop by often for a time of prayer before our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Those moments of communion with Christ our beautiful moments indeed. Remember, Jesus wants to spend time with you each and every day. He loves you! God bless you all. Go out there and be a saint!
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!