January 15, 2022
Dear Friends in Christ,
As we re-enter the liturgical season of Ordinary Time, we have a few weeks to quiet ourselves and lean into Scripture before we observe the Lenten season. As I bustled around the church grounds this morning on my way to recording the virtual Sunday Mass in the church and participating in the first parish listening session from my office, the words from Sunday’s Second Reading from 1 Cor 12:4-11 hit home:
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.
This passage from Corinthians reminds me anew of how every single person in our church is called to share his and her gifts. Through our Baptism, we are called to live as sons and daughters of God, but we must also use the gifts he has given us to serve our church and one another. In celebrating Mass, I appreciate the assistance of the deacons, who prepare all the vessels and ensure the altar table is set. The Mass does not get captured without the volunteer video producer behind the camera, filming the entire liturgy, rendering it on YouTube, and sending it to the parish staff to disseminate it to all of us. The parish listening sessions could not happen without ministry leaders, parishioners and clergy and staff members convening in Zoom breakout rooms and facilitating the heartfelt sharings of participants.
Our service to our church and one another is an expression of our faith. During these quiet weeks in Ordinary Time, please ask yourselves: What gifts has God given me? And how can I use those gifts to serve my church and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ?
I wish you all a blessed and wonderful week! This weekend, I will be speaking about our Parish Offertory Appeal, during which I will ask you to consider taking the next step in your financial support of our parish and its ministries. Thank you for your faithfulness in supporting our church so generously over the past year – we will continue using our parish gifts both wisely and prudently.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. John
Sunday, January 16:
- Morning Prayer at 7:30 am. Hosted by parishioner Donna Ruffin.
- Mass at 8 am in church. Celebrated by Fr. Tom Weinandy. Mass Readings.
- Mass at 9:30 am in church. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon. Mass Readings.
- Virtual Mass premiering at 10 am. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon. 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. Ted Hegnauer. Mass Readings.
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Hosted by parishioner Donna Ruffin.
Monday, January 17:
- Please note that the Parish Office is closed today, in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
- Morning Prayer at 7:30 am. Hosted by parishioner Lois James.
- 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 Donna Ruffin.
Tuesday, January 18:
- Morning Prayer at 7:30 am. Hosted by a parishioner Lois James.
- Mass at 9 am in church. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon.
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Hosted by parishioner Donna Ruffin.
Parish Resources:
Parish Listening Sessions Are Underway
On Saturday, January 15, 26 clergy members, parishioners, and parish staff members gathered on Zoom for the first parish listening session for the archdiocesan synod. Despite some connectivity hiccups, the inaugural session offered a prayerful time for participants to reflect on the following Fundamental Question: As God’s pilgrim people journeying together, how can we more effectively bring the life-giving power of the Gospel to a world so desperately in need of it? Convening in Zoom breakout rooms, participants shared honestly and authentically on how the church can better engage its members in their faith journeys.
On January 29 and February 5, parishioners will gather for the second and third listening sessions from 10-11:30 am on Zoom on both days. At the second listening sessions, we will reflect on Listening, Speaking Out, and Sharing Responsibility for Our Common Mission and Sharing Authority and Participation. At the third listening session, participants will reflect on Discerning and Deciding, Celebration, and Holy Spirit.
Please sign up for the listening sessions on Flocknote or participate by filling out an online survey. We have also placed copies of the questions that we will reflect on during the parish listening sessions in the Gathering Space for those of you who choose to participate this way. There is no need to sign your name. These forms can be returned to the Parish Office for inclusion to the Parish Report to the archdiocese.
