From Our Pastor: 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

This weekend the gospel is the negative reaction to the announcement of Jesus as Messiah. Sometimes we too can have negative reactions to what Jesus is saying to us in our lives about what He calls us to. We can act like the people in the gospel today and like the world and reject and want to deride Christ or His message or His Church, and want to toss Him off the cliff like they tried to do. Or we can open our hearts and see Christ for who He is in the challenges He gives to each of us directly.

So many get angry at God when He calls us to change and to something new, but it is always something better. Even if it is less comfortable, it is always better and always more powerful in this world. God knew you before He formed you in the womb as Jeremiah says, so don’t you think the One who formed you and knew you and made you also knows the greatest way for you to live and love? Let’s choose today not to close ourselves off but to open our hearts to Christ the Messiah to be made new and to be transformed.

One of the biggest things I am wanting to make sure I do as a pastor is communicate what all is going on in the parish and what all the needs truly are. I think so often many in the parish don’t even scratch the surface of the many endeavors, especially physically and financially that take place in the parish in keeping up this amazing place and keeping this amazing community alive and active.

So, to better communication, especially be even more transparent financially, I want you to hear from one of you. I want you to hear it from a fellow parishioner where we are. I plan for this to be an annual “State of the Parish” type address. I ask that you give your full attention to this great opportunity to show you the better and better ways that we will continue to manage the resources God has given us here at St. Francis Solanus. It truly is an exciting time to be a part of this parish.

-Rev. Steven Arisman