Parish Update – Friday, July 1

Happy (first) Friday of the month, one and all, and can you believe it is July? The year is half over which seems a bit surreal to me. I’m not one to usually say, “Where did the time go?” but I’m going to make an exception this year. To quote my old – really old! – friend Virgil, “Tempus fugit!”

We celebrate the 14th week of Ordinary Time this Sunday, but in our country we also commemorate Independence Day weekend. As you might surmise, the Gospel from St. Luke – about the Lord sending the 72 in pairs ahead of him to announce his coming – has nothing to do with the American holiday. But we nonetheless can thank God for the gift of our freedom and all the men and women who have served our country to win that freedom (and those who continue to do so on our behalf throughout the world today). Many have fought and died to safeguard the way of life we enjoy. Let us not forget the great sacrifices that have been offered on our behalf, while all the while remembering the ultimate sacrifice and true freedom we have in God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

As Christians we must not equate the freedom we enjoy as citizens with a license to do whatever we want. True and lasting freedom comes only when we align ourselves with the vision and heart of Christ. Anything else is a false freedom. That’s why sin is so alluring and tempting. It looks like freedom (i.e., “I can do anything”), but ultimately it makes us slaves to our wants and desires. It becomes all about us, and not about Christ. When we resolve to live in accordance with the will of God, who is all good, then we will know what freedom really looks like.

As it is a holiday weekend, we’ll keep it short and sweet this week, but let’s see what is on tap at the parish:

• We invite you to please join us for Mass this weekend, either in person or via our livestream on Sunday at 9 a.m. on both our Facebook and YouTube pages. You can find the link to the livestream at www.ctrcc.com/live-stream, and in addition, you’ll find there both a worship aid and a link to the Scripture readings to follow along with Mass. And you can make your weekly offertory contribution online at www.ctrcc.com/donate. ... If you’d like to join us in person for Mass, we welcome you on Saturday at 5 p.m., or Sunday at 7, 9, and 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

• By the way, you might be interested to know that our closing hymn at Mass this weekend, “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory,” was written by Julia Ward Howe in late 1861/early 1862 after she met Abraham Lincoln in the White House. It is set to the tune of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and that’s what the song is often called, but Howe wrote the lyrics to fit the tune, which was already widely in use. She’s one of the great historical cultural figures of the 19th century, and a champion of the abolition of slavery and an early supporter of the women’s suffrage movement. … Her lasting legacy, however, is “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory.” It’s played just about everywhere on July 4, and even has crossed over to other countries. Winston Churchill loved it so much he requested it be played at his funeral. I particularly love the last line: “As he died to make us holy, let us die that all be free, while God is marching on.” May God bless America!

• Our parish office will be closed this Saturday and Sunday in advance of the Monday holiday on July 4. We will have confessions tomorrow as scheduled, however. ... And though not a holy day, we will have our regular daily Mass at 9 a.m. on Monday, July 4. Mass will be in the main church that day and not the chapel. We’ll have music and servers for the day’s liturgy, and we invite you to join us before you head out for your Independence Day celebrations to pray for God’s blessings upon our land.

• We recently wrapped up two popular summer programs for our children, Catholic Faith Camp and Vacation Bible School. After being on hiatus for the most part during the height of the pandemic, both were wildly successful this year and we are grateful for all who helped make them so. … For CFC, we had 126 children and 70 volunteers. On behalf of Linda Watso, our Director of Religious Education, we thank Adilene Huff, Coordinator of Religious Education, and Angela Borges, Religious Education Assistant, for all their hard work. Thank you as well to all the station leaders who always do such a great job of running the camp. A special thank you to Liliana Nanyes who stepped in at the last minute to make sure the kitchen ran smoothly during the camp.

For VBS, we welcomed 260 children and 160 volunteers, including a great number of teen volunteers who did a great job interacting with and leading the younger kids in the lessons. Thanks again to Adilene and Angela, along with Marisel Menendez from the Religious Education department for all of their hard work. Thank you to all the station leaders who always do such a great job of running the camp. A special thanks to all of the Core Team: Allyson Akins, Heather Duskie, and Karen Finke who always go above and beyond for VBS each year. … The decorations in the hallways and Parish Hall always add a special touch to the week and this year was no exception. A special thank you for our decorating crew – Stacie Johnson who came up with the plan and Heather Duskie and Kelsey Duskie who implemented it so smoothly.  Great job one and all. We are already looking forward to both CFC and VBS in 2023!

• Remember that Operation Backpack for school supplies is already underway. We invite you to again help us outfit those in need in our community and at Our Mother of Mercy, our twinned parish that we also assist. You can drop off new backpacks and assorted school supplies in the narthex at Mass or in the parish office for the next couple of weeks. Additional information and a list of needed items can be found at www.ctrcc.com/operation-backpack. There’s also a link to an Amazon Wish List on the website if you would like to have pre-selected items shipped directly to us. Thank you for your support.

• Lastly, the parish offices will reopen on Tuesday, July 5 following the holiday, but our CtR Catholic School offices will be closed all week. They always take off the week of July 4 for their annual summer break, and they’ll reopen the following week on July 11. ... By the way, we’re expecting an all-time record enrollment in the fall for our school, with upwards of 430 students. Praise be to God! There’s still room for others to join us, too, and I encourage all families to consider a Catholic education for their children. Check out www.ctrschool.com for information on registration for grades Pre-K 3 – 8^th.

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the U.S.A, pray for us!

Peace, Fr. Sean