Bulletin Article: June 27

I thank all of those who have served on our parish councils this past year and those who have agreed to become members in the upcoming year. Those leaving the Parish Pastoral Council are Larry Schmidt, Danute Cline, Demetrio Macariola, and Eileen Quesenberry. New members are Scott Perry, Diane Meylee, and Euridice Aguilar. There remains one opening on the Parish Pastoral Council that I hope to have filled by our next meeting in August. Those leaving the Parish Finance Council are Kathy Maile and Marie Wilson. New members are Jim Brady and John Goergen.

In August I was wanting to take a look at parish committees that need to exist under the oversight of the Parish Pastoral Council. One of these committees is the Social Committee. Thankfully Petra has already agreed to chair this committee again. This committee’s first project will be the meal which will be attached to our September 12th Parish Homecoming Celebration. Please contact the parish office or Petra if you would like to assist her on this committee.

I know that following the past year other parish organizations are in need of members. During the pandemic we have received many new parishioners who I would like to be involved in the life of the parish. Therefore, we will have a Newcomer Welcoming on August 1st following the 10am and 12pm Mass. We will also have a Ministry Fair on the weekend of August 14/15 following all Masses. If you are the head of a ministry I ask that you begin preparing for this weekend and make plans to have someone available to invite parishioners to be involved in your ministry.

In Christ,

Fr. Dustin Collins

5th Sunday After Pentecost Homily

There are some who are convinced that murder is the only sin that can be committed. Others are only aware of the reality of sin when it is something large in nature such as stealing or something else which is super apparent. These individuals often struggle with the sacrament of Confession because they believe that they have nothing to confess because they have not committed any sins even if a period of 10 or more years have passed since their last confession. As Christ came to state in our Gospel: “You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not kill and whosoever shall kill, shall be in danger of judgment.”

He then goes onto state something further: “But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgment and whosoever shall say to his brother: Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say: Thou fool, shalt be in danger of hell fire.” The continuation of this passage should make us see that sin is something that transcends killing another and other gravely apparent sins. We need to dare to look inwardly upon ourself and acknowledge the ways in which we have sinned even in what would seem to be the smallest of matters.

There are many sins when committed which will require us to atone for them in the here and now. If we were to kill another we would end up in prison. If we were to steal we would end up in jail. There are other matters which seem mild and will never require us to be imprisoned. In our ever changing culture there are even sins which are now found to be culturally acceptable even if they go against Christ and the Church. Breaking the civil law cannot be the basis for our understanding of sin.

We should have great concern for these grave sins, but at the same time we should desire to detach ourself from all sin no matter how mild it may seem to be. Christ desires that we enter into relationship with Him and if we truthfully desired to enter into relationship with Him there would be nothing that we would refuse to leave behind in order to pursue Him.

The reward to which we must strive is that of the Kingdom of Heaven. Everything that we do in the here and now from our fasting, prayer, and charity should lead up to that reality. We do not do these things in order to receive an earthly reward to which others can shower us with adoration. Instead we enter into these realities to better conform our life towards that of Christ and that requires that we not only have concern for the big sins, but also those little sins which are active in our life.

We must remember that the Lord is merciful and just and thus let us come to frequent His infinite mercy which sets us free from sin and death.

13th Sunday of OT Year B Homily

Our Gospel deals with two realities of our human condition, sickness and death.

This Gospel ties two accounts together to give us the healing of the woman with the hemorrhage and the raising of the girl who had died. Interestingly we are told that this woman with the hemorrhage had suffered for a period of 12 years while the girl whose life was restored was 12 years of age.

12 years can prove to be a large period of time especially when one is suffering. In the case of the woman with the hemorrhage her condition caused her not only suffering, but had also kept her from the community. It was forbidden for her to touch another until she was declared clean for she would defile them. Due to her flow of blood it would of been impossible for her to be declared clean until it had ceased. Yet she placed her faith in Christ and reached out to touch Him and she was healed.

Likewise, we can join in the anguish of Jairus who had lost his daughter at only 12 years of age. It had to be tough for him to receive the news of his daughter’s death especially considering that Christ made time to heal another along the way. It was not the faith of the daughter, but the faith of the father who brought life to this young girl. She who had died was restored to life.

To understand this Gospel in better context we must understand the reality of sin. It is sin which keeps us from Christ and yet through faith we dare to reach out and touch Him in order that we may be healed of this plight. Death is representative of absolute disconnect with God which is caused by sin, but through our Lord’s saving action from the cross we know that we have been freed from its grasp for a hope always shines forth.

In the account of both of those who were healed something more came to be required of them. They were required to have faith. The woman with the hemorrhage needed to make this faith known and the girl who was raised from the dead came to meet mercy itself. Whenever we enter into relationship with Christ we are given everything that we will ever need to get through the difficult moments of this life and to be sent forth as true witnesses to Him and His mercy.

Difficult moments are seen within our life through these same plights of sickness and death. That plight of 12 years or more can be difficult to embrace, but yet we are given all that we will need to endure with our sight set upon the cross and the hope of the Resurrection. When the reality of our death and that of a loved one comes our way we must not loose sight of this same hope. These two women are connected together through Christ Jesus for all eternity as we are connected to Him through our baptism, through our encounter with Him in confession, and in the Most Holy Eucharist.

Let us always come to place our faith in Christ Jesus and His healing mercy that always requires something more of us.

Bulletin Article: June 20

Happy Father’s Day. This is especially an important celebration this year as we find ourself in the midst of the Year of Saint Joseph. May Saint Joseph intercede for all fathers that they may come to seek holiness in everyday life and model their self after Christ. The father’s role in the family is very important and Saint Joseph leads the way in giving an example of how to be a good husband and father. Saint Joseph, pray for all fathers.

Andrew Cooper will begin his role as Director of Development for our parish and school beginning tomorrow, June 21. I welcome him to our staff and look forward to working with him to further develop this position for our parish and school.

I thank the members of the Knights of Columbus who assisted with our parish cookout this past weekend. Our Knights council has been very active as of late and I cannot thank them enough for all that they do for our parish community. If you are are male Catholic in good standing with the Church who is at least 18 years of age I ask that you prayerfully consider joining the Knights of Columbus and become active with our council. The more men that we have who are involved the lighter the work will be for all. You can currently fill our a membership form on kofc.org in order to join our council.

Finally, I remind all of exposition, rosary, and benediction that we have on the 13th of each month from May-October. Therefore, the remaining schedule is July 13, August 13, September 13, and October 13 at 6pm. The reason why these dates were chosen was because these are the dates that the apparitions at Fatima happened. As was stated by Our Lady of Fatima: “Pray the rosary every day in order to obtain peace for the world and the end of the war.” We offer monthly rosary entrusting our parish to Our Lady of Fatima specifically for those effected by COVID-19, that people may return to Mass, and that our parish community may continue to grow in preparation of our parish celebration on September 12th. I ask that everyone put these dates on their calendar and make the sacrifice necessary to attend. If attendance is truly impossible please join us in prayer from wherever you may be. What great works could be achieved by this parish community if we trust in the power of prayer?

In Christ,

Fr. Dustin Collins

4th Sunday After Pentecost Homily

From the Gospel of Saint Luke we are instructed: “And sitting He taught the multitudes out of the ship.” This ship has been seen as being an image of the Church. When it pertains to a boat it sets sale to a destination and at times must face turbulent waters. The same holds true for the Church for she brings us to the destination of the Kingdom of Heaven and along the way assists us in overcoming the turbulent waters that come our way.

We must never loose sight of the Church. There are many who would lead us to believe that her teaching authority should not be taken seriously, but we cannot allow these voices to overcome us and to lead us astray. No matter how much some would like us to believe that we have become changed by the passing of time and therefore have no need for the Church, we cannot cater to these voices. It is the voice of Christ that speaks to us from the teaching authority of the Church, who always knows what is best for us, if we are to overcome these turbulent waters.

Without Christ and the Church we will continue to work on our own. We will continue to cast our net into the sea and there will be nothing that we will catch. We will always end up longing for something more then what we have received. This is evident in our society because we attempt to do everything exempt from Christ and Divine Law. We as Catholics are often so confused when it pertains to the teachings of the Church and how they are important for us in this day and age.

We have no further to look for this answer, but our Gospel. It was from the boat that Christ commanded the apostles to lower their nets and from their obedience onto Him they caught a great catch which was so great that their net broke. Likewise, Christ continues to speak to us and instruct us from the teaching authority of the Church. We do not have to fear this voice, but enter into relationship with Him and heed His voice. To think of the abundant catch which would be made if we so cared.

Therefore, let each of us lead the way by entering more fully into the life of the Church. Let us take sin seriously and thus be moved to the sacrament of confession. Let us heed the moral teachings of the Church because by doing so we make a drastic change to a society which speaks a different voice. Let us come to know Christ and His Church for to do so is to strive for the Kingdom of Heaven. Let us always come to strive for this Heavenly Kingdom which lies in wait for those who dare to love and serve the Lord our God.

12th Sunday of OT Year B Homily

Storms are something which are out of our control. We can pay attention to the weather and make plans based upon what we read, but that does not always mean that things will go accordingly. Sometimes what is made out to be a bad day is the complete opposite while what should be a good day ends up being something far different. There will never come a time when we will be able to turn storms off in order that they do not bother us and our plans.

The same holds true for the storms of this life. There are some who wish to ignore the reality of them and thus choose to live within a false reality where nothing will ever harm them. No matter how much we attempt to escape or ignore these storms there will come a point in time where they will catch up with us. It is for this reason that we must have faith. We must be willing to embrace the cross while looking outward towards the hope which will come in the form our the Resurrection.

Our first reading taken from the Book of Job mentions the reality of this storm for “the Lord addressed Job out of the storm.” Likewise, the Lord addresses us in the midst of each storm which comes out way just as He came to address His apostles, “Do you not yet have faith?” You see the Lord is present in our life and always comes to command these storms, “Quiet! Be still!” There is nothing that we must endure which is impossible for us to endure if we do it with the help of the Lord.

Just like the apostles we need to be reminded of this reality for these storms have, are, and will be a part of our life. These storms come to us in many forms from anything stretching to a death of a loved one, to a bad bill of health, to the loss of a job, and this list goes on and on. We do not have to live in fear, we do not have to live as if we were left all alone for the Lord is always present with us. So often in the midst of these storms people are tempted to believe that they have been left all alone, but that is not the case with us.

Therefore, let us come to cultivate this virtue of faith and this relationship with the Lord. In doing so we give ourself the proper foundation to give us strength in the midst of all trouble. In the midst of all that befalls us in this life good or bad, pleasant or unpleasant, it doesn’t matter for we should embrace it with faith. Let us come to trust in the Lord and find our rest in Him no matter the storm that lies in wait.

As Saint Augustine said: “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until it finds its rest in thee.”

Bulletin Article: June 13

Holy Water and hymnals have now returned to the church. We are slowly getting back to normal. Now it is important for us to rebuild some of our liturgical ministries. We are especially in need of children to serve at Mass. This need is most seen at our Saturday 5pm Mass and Sunday 8am Mass. If your child in the fourth grade and up would like to assist in these Masses or be trained to serve at Mass please contact the parish office and your information will be passed onto those who oversee this ministry. 

In Christ,

Fr. Dustin Collins

Feast of Sacred Heart Homily

Today we celebrate the transferred Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Concerning the Sacred Heart, Saint Margaret Mary Alacque stated: “This divine Heart is an abyss filled with all blessings, and into the poor should submerge all their needs. It is an abyss of joy in which all of us can immerse our sorrows. It is an abyss of loveliness to counteract our foolishness, an abyss of mercy for the wretched, an abyss of love to meet our every need.”

It is the heart which stands for love. In the heart of Jesus we see a twofold love displayed to us, the love for humanity as well as the love of God. Through every minute of His life His Heart constantly poured out with compassion upon us and the whole world. This is reflected in His miracles, sermons, and kindness which constantly poured forth His love.

It is thus through the heart of Jesus that the love of God for all humanity burns without ever being extinguished. Upon the cross the Lord died and we came to be redeemed. Thanks to the cross we are not kept at a distance nor excluded from the Heart of God, but are always invited in, in order that we may live.

There are those who have yet to be converted to this truth and thus do not know about the merciful love of the Lord. They see no problem when it pertains to sin and being converted unto the truth. To these individuals we must offer reparation against the sins made against the Lord. The pierced heart of Christ pours out with compassion upon them for “the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by our sins and for our salvation, “is quite rightly considered the chief sign and symbol of that… love which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings” without exception.”

Let us come to foster devotion to this Sacred Heart and lead others into relationship with it. Through the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus may we come to know the boldness of His love, the rest He offers unto us when we are oppressed, and the joy that He brings into our life. To this may we come to acknowledge and rest in the love of Christ’s Sacred Heart. It was Saint John the Evangelist who leaned upon the bosom of the Redeemer and came to know the pulse of His mercy. May we too come to frequent the sacraments of the Church especially the Eucharist and confession in order that we may know and form ourself after the Heart of Christ.

 

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

Bulletin Article: June 6

There will be a Parish Cookout next Saturday, June 12, following the 5pm Mass. The Knights of Columbus will be grilling hotdogs and hamburgers, there will be music, and we invite you to bring any field games that you might like to share. In case of rain we will use the lower level of the Church.

Next Sunday, June 13, we will have the second of our six rosaries which correspond to the apparitions at Fatima at 6pm. During this time there will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the praying of the rosary, and Benediction. We gather on the 13th of each month in preparation for our parish homecoming on September 12th. During these rosaries we pray for all those effected by COVID-19, that people will return to Mass, and that our parish will continue to grow.

In Christ,

Fr. Dustin Collins

Corpus Christi Homily

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Corpus Christi which is the celebration of the Body and Blood of Christ. The Eucharist is central to who we are as a people of faith for in the words of the Second Vatican Council the Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.”

This past Tuesday we celebrated the Memorial of Saint Justin Martyr who wrote heavily concerning the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Most Holy Eucharist in roughly the year 125. Concerning the Eucharist he wrote: “And this food is called among us the Eucharist, of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is so living as Christ has enjoyed. For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Savior.”

Here Saint Justin points out that the Eucharist is not common bread. This is a truth that is professed by the Church and yet how many do not fathom what it is that they behold and have the opportunity to receive? You see the Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ our Lord. I do not state this as if it were some symbol, but rather the Lord is truly present with us. If we were about to behold Christ how would we act and in what desposition would we desire to be? To this Gandhi stated: “I would like to believe what you Catholics believe about Jesus in the Eucharist. But I am unable to do so, because I don’t think you Catholics really believe what you say you believe; because if I really believed that my Lord and my God were truly present in the tabernacle as you say He is, I would crawl on my belly to the church every day to worship and adore Him.”

This is an interesting opinion concerning the Eucharist which should make us reflect on how much we take to heart that what we receive in Holy Communion is not common bread, but is the Body and Blood of Christ.

Seeing that this sacrament is so serious the Church must continue to protect and defend this sacrament. This was reflected in the words of Saint Justin Martyr when he referenced who could receive Holy Communion. Therefore, only those who have been baptized, those who believe what the Church believes, and those who are free from serious sin. Instead of taking the reception of the Blessed Sacrament so seriously we are often found careless when it pertains to sin and what it requires of us as a believer. Through reception of such a wondrous sacrament we ought to dare to take Christ into the world and live the message contained within the Gospels.

On this Solemnity of Corpus Christi it is my hope that we will foster devotion and love for Christ present with us in the Eucharist. Through such devotion and love we allow ourself to enter into relationship with Him. May we always allow this sacrament to be our source of unity. Let us frequent the sacrament of confession which prepares us to commune with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. Let us promote Eucharistic devotion including doing what is necessary for us as a parish to reopen our perpetual adoration chapel which has been closed since COVID-19. Truly let us, as a parish community, foster those words of the Second Vatican Council and thus make the Eucharist “the source and the summit of the Christian life.”

St. Mary’s Men Evening of recollection XVII: Sacred Heart of Jesus

The month of June is devoted to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. As a Church we turn our attention towards the Sacred Heart each first Friday of the month as well as celebrate its solemnity on the second Sunday following Pentecost which this year would be the following Friday, June 11th.

Saint Josemaria Escriva exclaimed concerning this devotion: “Let us realize all the richness hidden in the words “the sacred heart of Jesus.” When we speak of a person’s heart, we refer not just to his sentiments, but to the whole person in his loving dealings with others. In order to help us understand divine things, Scripture uses the expression “heart” in its full human meaning, as the summary and source, expression and ultimate basis, of one’s thoughts, words and actions. A man is worth what his heart is worth.”

It is through this devotion to the Sacred Heart that we are able to look upon the endless passionate love that God has for humanity. This heart has been pierced and crucified and thus pours forth for each of us salvation and mercy. The heart of our Lord desires that all may turn towards Him and thus stop committing sin against His Sacred Heart. In our world we can see so many who care not as the sin against the Lord, but His Sacred Heart still burns with the desire that they may be converted and live.

Devotion to the Sacred Heart should be fostered within our homes. Through such devotion we begin to allow our heart to turn towards God and to dwell with Him. The more that we remain with Christ the more our heart will be transformed to more like Him.

Devotion to the Sacred Heart consists of consecration, a daily offering, celebration of the Eucharist and reconciliation of consecutive first Fridays, and displaying and honoring an image of the Sacred Heart. Many homes have the priest come and enthrone the Sacred Heart within their home which gives the individual or family a place to pray and be reminded that their life should always dwell with Christ.

Saint Josemaria Escriva remarked of such devotion: “So when we talk about the heart of Jesus, we stress the certainty of God’s love and the truth of his commitment to us. When we recommend devotion to the sacred heart, we are recommending that we should give our whole self to Jesus, to the whole Jesus- our soul, our feelings and thoughts, our words and actions, our joys.”

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.