From Our Pastor: Ordinary Time Is Not Ordinary

We begin Ordinary Time again in the liturgical calendar. Ordinary Time is not ordinary. It means ordinal, which references to the counting of weeks of Ordinary Time as we count towards the end of the liturgical and the end of time, as in we are in the second week of Ordinary Time this weekend. It also references ordinal as in directional. Ordinal directions are north, south, east, and west, which means that during this time we are called to redirect ourselves to the Lord. Don’t become complacent and ordinary during this time, but use this time to redirect and count the weeks that prepare us for our end, both to redirect to union with God and prepare for union with God in this time and at the end of our time. Don’t be ordinary during this time, but use this time to become extraordinary.

During the next few weeks, I will be writing to talk about and understand the corporal works of mercy. Corporal literally means “body.” They are what Jesus and His teachings model; an example teaching us how we should treat others, as if Christ were in disguise in those we encounter throughout life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “The corporal works of mercy are the charitable actions by which we help our neighbors in their bodily needs.” The seven-corporal works of mercy are: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned, bury the dead, and give alms to the poor.

Make sure you take note of the event coming up for the Franciscan Farewell. PLEASE, I am begging you to make sure you get your picture taken for the pictorial directory. I have heard all kinds of things over the years: I don’t like my picture taken, I don’t want to pose for a picture alone, this is a waste of my time or money, etc., etc. These directories not only help parishioners come to know each other, but they give the priests and staff the ability to reference a picture; when they hear a name for one reason or another to be able to place the name and face. And they help us learn names and faces better. There are so many reasons for these directories, and they are immensely helpful. I hate to put it this way, but if you wait for me to see your photo in your obituary to help me finally learn your name and face, then it’s a little too late to get to know you for your funeral Mass. Please take the time to get your picture. The last directory didn’t have very many photos, and that cannot be the case this time. Please do your part in helping build this parish community by getting your photo taken.

- Please go to www.ucdir.com to sign up, use Church Code of il198 (lower case) and password of photos (lower case). -

Lastly, on a personal note, thank you for your prayers for my mom and dad. Mom is doing so much better from her fall and head injury, although still some healing to go as it takes time. Dad was up and down last week and it was pretty terrible and scary, but finally seems to have turned a corner and is showing great improvement this week. He still has some healing to go, but at least we are out of the weeds and making improvements. Thank you for your prayers and your continued prayers!

-Rev. Steven Arisman