PARISH UPDATES
NEW EVENT: Apologetics Night
Have you ever been asked a question about Catholicism that you weren't able to answer? This winter and spring, come learn about the teachings of the Church and how to explain them to others at our Apologetics Night-- Monday nights every other week in the Costello Room of the Newman Center at 7pm. The first night (which is THIS MONDAY, THE 17TH,) will be on addressing atheism, given by Fr. Christopher Roberts. All are welcome!
Advent Giving Tree UpdateThank you so everyone who supported First Choice for Women and our twinning ministry at St. Michael Parish in Plaisance, Haiti. We raised over $2,100 for our brothers and sisters in Haiti and took over 10 boxes of diapers, wipes, food, and other baby supplies to First Choice for Women. Thank you for your generosity and supporting those in our community and beyond.
Retirement Fund for Religious Collection -- Thanks!
A religious sister wrote to us, "When we see the generous response of so many thousands of persons in order to help us religious men and women, we are left speechless." Senior sisters, brothers, and religious order priests across the country send heartfelt thanks and prayers for your donation to the Retirement Fund for Religious collection.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Thoughts for the Weekend:
The first reading for this Sunday (1 Samuel 3: 3B-10, 19) recounts the story of how the Lord calls for Eli several times:
Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the LORD
where the ark of God was.
The LORD called to Samuel, who answered, "Here I am."
Samuel ran to Eli and said, "Here I am. You called me."
"I did not call you, " Eli said. "Go back to sleep."
So he went back to sleep.
Again the LORD called Samuel, who rose and went to Eli.
"Here I am, " he said. "You called me."
But Eli answered, "I did not call you, my son. Go back to sleep."
At that time Samuel was not familiar with the LORD,
because the LORD had not revealed anything to him as yet.
The LORD called Samuel again, for the third time.
Getting up and going to Eli, he said, "Here I am. You called me."
Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the youth.
So he said to Samuel, "Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply,
Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening."
When Samuel went to sleep in his place,
the LORD came and revealed his presence,
calling out as before, "Samuel, Samuel!"
Samuel answered, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
Samuel grew up, and the LORD was with him,
not permitting any word of his to be without effect.
Oftentimes, God calls for us-- and many times, we do not realize it's Him who calls for us. We think it's our family, our friends, or even our jobs that call for our attention. They call for our attention and our energy; in reality, it was never any of those that truly wants our attention but God.
Have you responded to the Lord when He calls for you? When was the last time you answered Him? Listen for Him and wait to hear what He has to tell you.