Message from our Pastor
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 25, 2022
Happy Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time! Did you know that Advent begins in only eight weeks? Christmas will land on a Sunday this year which means we will have four full weeks of Advent. I guess you can easily say that time is flying by us. Is that not always the case when life is full and many activities are taking place. I hope these next eight weeks give you time to reflect and ask yourself “Have I giving as much as I can to the Lord this year?” A better question could be, “What more can I give to the Lord in these last few months?”
One more change is coming our way in the sanctuary (the altar area). After the many threats to churches throughout the United States since the Dodds decision on the Right to Life, we will be locking all the church doors in preparation for the mid- term elections. I just do not like the divisiveness in our country and world, but above all, I want to protect the Eucharist as best as I can and still allow people to pray during our time of Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays and give them an opportunity to pray before the tabernacle. I, for one, enjoy our Eucharistic Chapel which is off to the side away from the altar area. I try at some time during each day to pray before the tabernacle, often in the early morning. It is a peaceful place surrounded by the peaceful surrounding of our parish church.
So here is the plan. We will be placing the tabernacle in the middle of the sanctuary directly behind the altar. We will raise the crucifix up several feet without obstructing the view of the stained glass window. We will be locking every door of the church at night including the door on the east side of the church building that leads to the small chapel. In the past people have had access throughout the night. I am hoping that people will recognize the prominence of the tabernacle and the Eucharist by having a prominent position in the sanctuary. The presider, deacon, and con-celebrant chairs will be placed off to the right of the sanctuary. When we have larger celebrations or need to move the chairs because of decorations, we will seat the priests and deacons right behind the altar. If you have any concern about the moving of the tabernacle into the sanctuary let me know. The chapel will remain a chapel and a place to pray, but it will be a major adjustment not having the tabernacle present.
As we move further into the sixteenth chapter of Luke’s Gospel, we are confronted with those who have much in this life and those who have little. Those who have much if they do not offer some of what they possess to those who have little or ignore them completely will have a reckoning at the at end of life. Those who have little and have endured much suffering will find themselves carried away to the bosom of Abraham. Luke describes a chasm between the rich man and Lazarus. This area could not be crossed in any way. If this story offers any advice, it would be to have us bridge the chasm before the end of this life. Jesus seems to be adamant that those who have much need to share what they have with those less fortunate and make their lives better. How can we do that today? Here are some suggestions: personal generosity, ethical business
investments, outreach to the poor, comfort and support to the dying and ill, prayers for the sick, advocacy for those who cannot speak for themselves, etc…
Next Saturday, October 1st, we will have our annual Clambake after the 4:30PM Mass in Hanson Hall. If you want to attend, call the parish office, and make reservations. Looking forward to a few clams and lots of chicken. Hope to see you there.
Next Sunday, October 2nd after the 11AM Mass, around 12:30PM, we will have the annual Blessing of the Animals just outside the front doors of the church. Bring your animal(s) for a quick but powerful blessing. I hope to see you there!
Next weekend we will have a special sign-up for the Kirtland Service Day which will take place on Saturday, October 22nd. We are asking as many people as possible to offer this day or part of this day to help some of the needy in the Kirtland area. I know there will be older people who need their yards cleaned and grass cut. There will be other opportunities to help throughout the community and we hope to utilize as many people as we can to participate in this day. I hope you will join us and make a difference in another’s life.
The Reverse Raffle is Saturday, November 5th at LaMalfa Party Center. I hope you will consider attending this year. This is a great time for our parish family. It gives us the opportunity to gather away from parish grounds and to raise money for our parish community. Once again, we will have great food, door prizes, live music, and the best raffle in the land. I always look forward to this day. I hope to see you there.
Please keep these items in mind as we approach the month of October. The church celebrates October as the month of the rosary. This prayer form is easy and powerful in many ways. The rosary is prayed in the church Monday through Friday at 8am (before 8:30AM Mass). October is also the month we remember the Right to Life. This is a hot button political issue this year. I hope we can all see the need to respect life and uphold the dignity of every human being. Please pray that life will always be cherished and preserved. It is God’s greatest gift to all of us.
Have a great Week in Ordinary Time. Keep the Faith. My prayers to your family.
