Pastor Notes from September 18, 2022
-
September 19, 2022
Each household received a letter from Bishop Nickless this past week, asking for your support of the 2022/23 “Together as One,” our Diocesan Annual Appeal. Please prayerfully consider making a gift and know that your offering will help fund ministries that benefit the more than 25,000 Catholic households and especially our own parish. As St. Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans: “so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."(2 Corinthians 9:7)
As individual members of the Body of Christ, we each possess different gifts and talents for furthering the ministry of Christ and our Catholic faith. God’s generous gifts—the blessings we have received—can be shared, offering the hope and guidance of our faith with others, be it our youth, immigrants trying to establish a foundation for their family, religious material for our parish education programs, supporting our ministries, vocations awareness and helping individuals recognize their calling to the priesthood, adult and youth retreats, Sacramental preparation material for our local churches. What we are able to share and sacrifice toward our annual Diocesan Annual Appeal, (Together As One), support the efforts of the Vocation Office, Hispanic Ministry & Outreach, Adult and Student Religious Education Office, and Spirituality & Marriage Prep Office. These offices support our local parish efforts to provide for the ministries, outreach and hospitality within our communities. Opportunities for each of us to be Disciples of Christ and Stewards of His Gifts.
Our goals as set by the diocese for Together as One: Sacred Heart, $31,400, and St. Malachy, $13,500. Once the goals are reached, all funds raised above and beyond will be returned to our respective parishes, (with Sacred Heart’s shared with the school). Though the past couple years have been a challenge with the COVID restrictions and now the change within our Catholic parishes in Boone County, our support is crucial for the ongoing viability and hope of our Catholic faith and shared Eucharist. Thank you for your prayerful consideration; most importantly for your faith and presence shared within our parish communities.
Next week we move into Autumn and shortly the ensuing chill of winter. We thank Marv for clearing our sidewalks last year around Sacred Heart church, school and offices. We are looking for an individual to take up the responsibilities for this paid part time position. If interested or have questions please contact me at the parish office. Likewise, Ron is stepping back from his part time duties cleaning our parish hall and lobby. He kept our facilities clean and welcoming. If interested or know of someone please contact me. Hours can vary for this work. Or one person can fulfill both. We are grateful for Ron and Marv’s work and responsibility. Thank you.
With the diocese’ mandate and guidance our parishes in Boone County are to become one, so to speak. Yet, each church will maintain a presence and community; such identity is so important. To facilitate the communication, ministries, activities, religious education and outreach at St. Malachy, we are considering a part time position to coordinate such parish life. St. Malachy welcomes individuals and families from the growing population of the surrounding area, and the vitality of the church and the Eucharist will hopefully continue to be a source of our Catholic faith and presence for them. As such, this part time position will ensure the ministries and activities of St. Malachy will coordinate with those at Sacred Heart, and continue to nurture those who share in the Eucharist and Sacramental life within the church. If you have questions or concerns please contact me. With the plans for additional classroom space and upkeep of our present facilities, this position would benefit the ongoing ministries so crucial to St. Malachy.
As for the “unjust steward” in today’s gospel passage, a seemingly turnabout in what our Christian faith asks of us, the following may bring a better understanding of this perplexing parable. Jesus is actually trying to convey the principle of the honor of an just steward rather than an unjust one. As a means for his own advancement and personal greed the unjust steward viewed the master’s resources as a means to selfishly attain such. Jesus, however, leads His followers to be just and gracious stewards. Everything we own is a gift from God, and we are the His stewards. With this principle in mind, we as stewards can graciously receive, nurture and in turn, share such resources for the hope and presence of Creator before and within all He has brought forth. We are to be generous with those gifts. (Got Questions resource)
On Thursday we step into the season of Autumn. In a new way our senses are awakened through this season God intends and provides. Hal Borland, the esteemed journalist and naturalist, points to just such encounters this season of Autumn: “Two sounds of autumn are unmistakable...the hurrying rustle of crisp leaves blown along the street...by a gusty wind, and the gabble of a flock of migrating geese.” And the old saying, “the Autumn of our lives?”! Can it be a time to honestly examine what will truly nurture our souls? With an openness, the harvest season of Fall “can be a bounty of self-forgiveness, self-compassion, authenticity and joyful meaning.”
God Bless, Fr. Tim
FYI: “If a man watches three football games in a row, he should be declared legally dead.” (Erma Bombeck)