October 9, 2021
Dear Friends in Christ,
In Sunday’s Gospel reading, we hear the story in the Gospel of Mark of Jesus Christ’s disciple who asked him for the path to eternal life. By all accounts, this disciple had done all the right things. But when Jesus Christ told him to give all his possessions to the poor and follow him, we relate to the sadness and defeat this disciple must feel, as he walks away, knowing Christ has made a request he cannot fulfill. Jesus follows up by saying, “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
As they have often done throughout the Gospel of Mark, Christ’s apostles are perplexed: How then can anyone be saved? And it is in Jesus Christ’s answer, in which we hear some of his greatest wisdom:
“For human beings, it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”
In these words, I hear Jesus Christ giving us all-encompassing guidance for our lives. We may not be able to divest ourselves of all our possessions and follow Jesus. Like the dejected disciple, we are doing well when we live honorable, law-abiding lives and give of ourselves to the degree that we are not living uncomfortably. What Jesus Christ is telling us is to submit ourselves to the will of God. To believe that anything is possible when we pray, read Scripture, give alms, and strive to find what God calls us to do in this life.
He will show us the path, but only if we are willing to listen and heed his words.
Have a blessed and wonderful week!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. John
Saturday, October 9:
- Confession from 3:30-4:30 pm in the St. Clare Chapel of the Rectory. Heard by Fr. William Brailsford.
- Mass at 5 pm in the church. Celebrated by Fr. Tom Weinandy. Mass Readings.
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Hosted by parishioner Donna Ruffin.
Sunday, October 10:
- Morning Prayer at 7:30 am. Hosted by parishioner Donna Ruffin.
- Mass at 8 am in church. Celebrated by Fr. Ted Hegnauer. Mass Readings.
- Mass at 9:30 am in church. Celebrated by Fr. Ted Hegnauer. Mass Readings.
- Mass at 11:15 am in church. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon. Mass Readings.
- Mass at 5 pm in church. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon. Mass Readings.
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Hosted by parishioner Donna Ruffin.
Monday, October 11:
- Morning Prayer at 7:30 am. Hosted by parishioner Ruth Hutchins.
- Mass at 9 am in church. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon.
- Virtual parish Rosary at 4 pm. Led by Fr. John Dillon.
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Hosted by parishioner Ruth Hutchins.
Tuesday, October 12:
- Morning Prayer at 7:30 am. Hosted by parishioner Ruth Hutchins.
- Mass at 9 am in church. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon.
- Rosary in Spanish at 6:30 pm. Led by Deacon Will Garcia.
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Hosted by parishioner Ruth Hutchins.
Parish Resources:
Webinar Offering Church’s Teaching on the Death Penalty to Take Place October 19
During Respect Life Month, join a special webinar, “Dignity and the Death Penalty: A Conversation with Cardinal Wilton Gregory and Sister Helen Prejean” to be held at 4 pm Tuesday, October 19. The online dialogue brings together Cardinal Gregory, who has written extensively on life issues, with Sister Helen Prejean, an outspoken advocate for abolishing the death penalty; they will discuss the death penalty in the United States and what current Church teaching says about this topic.
Sr. Terry Rickard, president of RENEW International, and Genevieve Mougey, director of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington’s Office of life Issues and Social Concerns, will moderate the event, which will be hosted by their respective organizations. For background reading, please peruse Dignity and the Death Penalty: Evolution of Catholic Teaching, based on Sister Helen Prejean’s work and created in conjunction with the Catholic Mobilizing Network at https://www.renewintl.org/.
