Bulletin Article: August 16

I thank Deacon John for his service to our parish as deacon. He will retire from active ministry effective August 30, 2020. Despite this retirement being accepted by Bishop Stika he still plans on serving our parish in any way that he is able.

Let us continue to pray for the faculty, staff, and students of our parish school. This weekend we finally held the graduation of our 8th grade class. This was a huge graduation class of roughly 33. Despite so many of our students graduating enrollment currently sits at 161 students which is only down 10 from last year. With the distancing guidelines given from the diocese many of our classes are considered full. If you desire to enroll your children in our school please call the school office and check availability and if necessary be put on a waiting list. One class that has 2 open spots is our new Pre-3 program.

In Christ,

Fr. Dustin Collins

11th Sunday After Pentecost Homily

The Lord touches the ears and tongue of this man who was found to be death and dumb. The ears represent our ability to hear while the tongue represents our ability to speak. From a position of faith it is important that we do both of these elements. Therefore, during a baptism in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite the priest touches the ears and lips of the child who is to be baptized. Through baptism the child enters into the life of the church and through these life giving waters they are sent forth to hear and speak the words of truth which come from our Lord Jesus Christ.

If we cannot hear we will not be able to speak the truths which are contained within the faith. We live in the midst of a culture of noise which is constantly bombarding each of us. We pride ourself on how busy that we are in our daily life. More important then all of this is prayer. Through prayer we enter into relationship with God and begin to hear His voice be made manifest in our daily life. When we enter into sin we push Christ off to the side and through these actions the voice begins to become muffled; maybe even to the point where it is completely blotted out.

Hopefully what we hear is something which is intergraded into who we are as a human person. The words which we speak with our lips should line up accordingly to what we hear and ponder in our heart. Sadly, there are those who live out their faith as if what happens inside of the Church on Sunday is independent of what is encountered in the rest of our daily life. If we are people of faith this cannot be the case. Rather we should fill our mind and heart with things of faith. We should pray especially the rosary, we should do spiritual reading, we should assist at the Holy Mass, and participate in the sacraments in a state of grace. To do such acts would open our our ears to not only hear the Word of God, but to speak the Word of God with our lips.

We cannot allow ourself to become so hardened of heart that we fail to ponder these things of faith. Some therefore fill there life with the noise of immorality in what is viewed on television, on the internet, or in the music that one listens too. If our ears become so attuned to such voices they in return will tune out that which important, God. Likewise with our ears closed off to these truths, our voices become objects which do not give glory to God, but instead detract from Him. As people of faith we cannot allow this to be so concerning us.

Therefore as we head into the world following this Mass let us find ways to give proper glory and praise to God. The more the we align our life to His Divine will the more our ears will come to hear His voice and our lips will come to give glory to His Most Holy Name. In our Gospel Christ brought healing to this man restoring his ears and mouth to it’s original purpose. Likewise, the Lord desires to do the same for each of us. Let us not impede His mercy and forgiveness in this life, but always remain open to His healing rays of mercy and forgiveness.

20th Sunday of OT Year A Homily

The words of Christ seem to be harsh: “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to dogs.” I would say that these words are not harsh, but instead these words are pastoral. To understand this statement made by our Lord we need to first understand the meaning of three words: children, food, and dogs.

Therefore, the children which are spoken of are representative of those of the Jewish faith. These are the chosen people which God had entered into covenant with. Concerning them it is said in Psalm 89: “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: I will establish your descendants for ever, and built your throne for all generations.” What is being referenced here is the fact that the Jewish people are the chosen people of God. These were the people who were freed from their slavery in Egypt and God entered into covenant with them.

Next we have the food which is representative of the Good News of salvation. This Good News of salvation was preached by Christ. It is Christ who fulfills what was instructed by the Prophet Daniel: “to him was given dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” We know of Christ that He worked great miracles which caused others to flock to Him. This food is the food of salvation which He brings into the world.

Finally, the dogs are the Gentiles. When we think of dogs we think of the furry companions which live in our homes and are known to us as man’s best friend. To the ancient Hebrew mind this is not the case. To them the dog is something which is repulsive. The dog would eat caracasses and vermin making it an unclean animal which should be avoided. In other words we can conclude from Christ’s words that the Good News given by Christ is not only for the Jewish people, but is also for the Gentiles. This response acknowledges the reality that the Jewish people are the chosen people of God, but points towards the fact that the Gentiles will also have the opportunity to share in this saving reality.

This woman shows her faith and trust placed in the words of the Lord. Likewise, we should model ourself after this Canaanite woman. When all in the world is not going as we would wish we should remember the humility and faith that this woman displays. Let us realize that the Lord loves each of us dearly. Let us realize that we are extended the grace which is necessary for us to be good and faithful servants of the Lord despite all the hardships that may come our way. The Lord clearly desired to extend salvation unto her even though others would of wanted her excluded from it. Likewise, the Lord desires that each of us may be saved. Upon the cross He has done the work for us, but in return what do we do with this great gift that has been extended unto us?

20th Sunday of OT Year A (Graduation) Homily

2020 has been an odd year and so I welcome the students of the Saint Mary School class of 2020 who finally have their 8th grade graduation today as well as their families and friends who are able to join us. When it became apparent that holding graduation at the normally scheduled time was impossible the decision was made to hold this graduation on August 15th with the hope that we could be past our hardships. Despite that hope we must still practice social distancing and our graduation has been pushed outside due to the size of this class, but thankfully your graduation ceremony will still be able to take place.

August 15th was chosen for it is on August 15th that the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven. This is a fitting day for we are a Marian parish and school and this is a Marian celebration. It is also fitting because our Blessed Mother is assumed into Heaven as each of you move on from this stage in your life to the next. Hopefully, as you move on from this school each of you will continue to foster devotion to the Blessed Mother. Devotion to her always leads us back to her Son, Jesus Christ.

Our reading from the Prophet Isaiah reminded that “my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” Thus I must remind that each of you have a home in the Church. At your baptism you where greeted by the priest at the doors of the church and brought into the church. This serves as a reminder that through the waters of baptism you who were once outside of the church were received into the church. So too the church is a place a refuge for each of you, but sadly many allow themself to become too busy to enter into these hallowed walls.

We must realize that our life its full of transition. One day you are pre-k and before you know it you are in 8th grade. From here you move onto high school and before you know it you will be making the transition to college. Your parents may be filled with fear at this thought of your eventual growing up and independence, but it will indeed come. No matter the transition and change that we are to make let us never leave behind the church and all that she teaches us. Each of you have been provided an education in not just any school, but in a Catholic school. You have been taught not only run of the mill things such as mathematics and science, but about morality and thus to the pursuit of virtue in your daily life.

As you leave behind this school please remember the importance that God plays in our life. It is my hope that each of you will continue to learn which includes investing yourself in the Catholic faith. Make sure to never become too busy to enter into prayer and please make sure to attend Mass each and every week. As you depart from here your life will be filled with many joys, but there will also be struggles. In the midst of these joys and hardships again remember the words of the Prophet Isaiah: “my house shall be called a house of prayer.”

Bulletin Article: August 9

 I would like to thank Elizabeth Acosta for her time as parish nurse. She has decided to step aside from her role as parish nurse. Until further notice she will continue to organize Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the homebound. Hopefully once we can get back to life as normal we will be able to have a reception to thank her for her service to our parish.

The Saint Mary School class of 2020 will hold their graduation on August 15th following the 5pm Mass. Graduates are invited to attend the 5pm Mass and the graduation will be held outside if weather permits. Congratulations to the class of 2020.

In Christ,

Fr. Dustin Collins