Hello everyone! Last week, I passed my one-year anniversary of being your pastor. And I forgot about it! It has been a joy to be your pastor and I look forward to many more years with you. Hopefully, that does not scare you! I feel like we are only getting started together because there are many good things ahead. Since we only recently started to attend Mass without masks, I also feel like I’m just starting to get to know many of you. And I’m sorry if I still keep asking you for your name. As small as we are in both parishes, there are still a lot of people for me to get to know! I am really glad that we are able to start opening up with more social events, especially the festival and picnic. I look forward to seeing you there, and to kissing a goat at the festival! There is no such thing as goat cooties, right!? Oh, the things I do for the parish! 😉 But, it’s worth it!
This weekend, we will hear the readings about Jesus feeding the 5,000. The Church hears in this passage the theme of the Eucharist. Jesus takes the bread, gives thanks to God, blesses it, and gives it to the people, like we hear at Mass. The little they received was more than enough to feed them. The Eucharist we receive at Mass feeds us spiritually and leads us to the abundance of eternal life.
Another theme is that we hear Jesus asking for a small offering to give to the multitudes. On a natural level, the little bit of food they have would not be enough. “Five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?” asks Andrew. With so many people, Philip says, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.”
The little bit that we have to offer God is good enough for Him. God doesn’t ask us to do great things. He just asks us to do something for Him. I have a stone on my back porch with a quote from Mother Teresa who said, “Do no great things, only small things with great love.” We may have to do many “small things,” but those are easier than doing one big thing. You may not have to be a missionary travelling the world, or enter a convent, or become a martyr. But, God does ask you to do the little daily small things that He will take and multiply: the acts of charity, a kind word, a forgiving heart, a prayerful spirit, reading the Scriptures for 15 minutes together, prayer before meals, giving to the church, loving your family. Jesus multiplies our offering after we have given. There is a saying, “You can’t outgive God.” It doesn’t mean that if you give $100, God will automatically give you $1,000 in return. It does mean that if you give something for God, such as offering a prayer for an enemy, He indeed will bless it and produce abundantly for what you need and for others. What you receive is often not what you expect, but is better. May your offering be an abundance for the people. “For thus says the LORD, ‘They shall eat and there shall be some left over.’”
Beginning in August, I will switch my day off from Thursday to Friday. That means the weekday Mass at OLL at the end of the week will be on Thursdays instead of Fridays. My Pastor’s Updates will also be sent out on Thursday afternoons. In August, Fr. Jeffrey will take a vacation (but will possibly make an appearance at the festival!), so I will say the Masses at OLL on Mondays and Tuesdays, then at ICC on Wednesdays and Thursdays. There will be no weekday Masses at either parish during the week of August 9th as I will be on a priest retreat.
Livestreaming the Masses
We will now livestream both Sunday Masses so those who cannot attend may choose to watch either Mass. Worship aids will be attached.
ICC parish festival
Do you feel the excitement? The festival is almost here! August 8th from 12-7pm. We still need volunteers for the food. Please sign-up on the green poster in the back of the church. If you did not get your raffle tickets, they are in an envelope in the back of the church. See more details in the bulletin.
OLL parish picnic
The big return! OLL’s parish picnic is back on August 15
th from noon until 3pm! It will take place at Ada’s War Memorial Park, shelter 7. We will provide the brats, hotdogs, and drinks. You provide the salad, a side, or dessert. Volunteers needed for set-up, tear-down, and everything in between. Please email the office at
office@lourdesada.org or speak to Lisa Ferguson to volunteer.
OLL Sunday coffee and rolls
The next Sunday social hour with coffee and desserts is this Sunday, July 25th after the 11am Mass at OLL. This is an opportunity for parishioners to socialize and get to know each other better. Please sign up on the sheet in the back of the church to help either with food or set up and clean up.
First Saturday Mass at ICC, Aug 7th
We will have a First Saturday Mass on Aug 7th, at Immaculate Conception. Mass is at 9am, followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and confessions from 9:30-10:30am ending with Benediction.
Confessions at ICC
Reminder that we do have confessions again at ICC 30 minutes before each weekend Mass. They are from 3:30-3:50pm on Saturdays and from 8:30-8:50am on Sundays.
Heroic Fatherhood Summit
There is a free 2 hour online event next Saturday, July 31
st on the Fatherhood of God, open to all. Go to
https://heroicmen.com/ to register.
Repeat info:
Real Presence, Real Future - Summer Q&A Sessions
Join CLI and Diocesan leaders to learn more about the Real Presence, Real Future initiative at Information Sessions throughout the summer. Each session will be similar consisting of an overview of the Real Presence, Real Future initiative, and the opportunity for your questions and comments. We want to hear from you! What are you hearing about RPRF? What is it? Why are we doing this?
Virtual Sessions from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 14
Monday, July 19
Wednesday, July 21
Wednesday, July 28
Wednesday, August 4
Wednesday, August 11
Attached are the bulletins, the worship aids, and Fr. Ferguson’s cat column.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, pray for us!
God bless!
Fr. Ed