From Our Pastor: 28th Sunday In Ordinary Time

This weekend’s readings we are summoned to the wedding feast of the Son of the Father. This wedding feast of the lamb is about the mass. Many are invited, few show, and even fewer who show are actually ready and prepared. We must make sure that we live our lives free of sin and run to confession when we sin to be prepared to receive the Eucharist. So many think they do not need this sacrament of confession. It is a powerful experience of God’s love and mercy. Brothers and sisters in all aspects of our faith, everything is supposed to be medicinal even when it means saying no, not yet, or you must change first. In the wedding feast of the lamb, if we have not taken the invitation by the Father seriously, when we show up to the eternal feast in heaven, we will be met with being cast out of the feast, eternally. We must remind ourselves then to live our lives in a manner of love, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, and all the Gospel values. Never should we be a people of hatred, foul language, threats, etc. no matter the cause. Even in righteous anger it is to speak words of truth, not hatred. So may we always seek to live as if we are preparing for the eternal wedding feast of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. Isaiah tells us of the glory of this feast! May we look to our God who has saved us! May we accept His gift of Salvation and feast eternally with Him.

We must pray for this awful situation in Israel. The horrific murder of so many innocent lives is just gut wrenching. We must pray for all people involved, but for Hamas terror organization to stop this evil and to stop the evil of using their women and children as shields of protection. Pray for Peace. Pray for conversions of hearts.

Next weekend at the 4:30 mass, Kenrick Seminary Propaedeutic program is coming to visit St. Francis and Fr. Tolton. YES, Thomas Marten will be here visiting with them! There should be 12-15 seminarians with him and Fr. Auro, their formation director. Propaedeutic is a term which means prestudies or an introduction to further study. This is a new conception in formation throughout the USA that allows men to learn to detach from the stuff of life and learn to embrace and experience the spiritual life and most especially the life of prayer. We are so excited to host them all next weekend. If you are not a 4:30 mass attendee, maybe try it out to come welcome this wonderful group studying for the priesthood throughout the nation.

-Rev. Steven Arisman