God Has Chosen Me
Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born, I dedicated you,a prophet to the nations I appointed you. ~ Jeremiah 1: 5
Like the prophet Jeremiah before we were born, God had a plan for our lives. When I was much younger, I remember struggling with my purpose in life. Hindsight being 20/20, I knew what God wanted; I just needed to surrender to His will and carry it out, which is easier said than done. As Jeremiah continues, you can hear the doubt in his voice. Jeremiah is young and inexperienced. God reassures Jeremiah that He is with him and will give him what he will need to accomplish His mission. God is with us, Emmanuel, and supplies us with what we need to carry out His mission. Of course, this is easier said than done since most of what we should be about is countercultural. There are times in my current life when I doubt my purpose, but I have found those are times when I don't trust God to lead me. Prayer usually takes care of that problem.
Like the prophet Jeremiah before we were born, God had a plan for our lives. When I was much younger, I remember struggling with my purpose in life. Hindsight being 20/20, I knew what God wanted; I just needed to surrender to His will and carry it out, which is easier said than done. As Jeremiah continues, you can hear the doubt in his voice. Jeremiah is young and inexperienced. God reassures Jeremiah that He is with him and will give him what he will need to accomplish His mission. God is with us, Emmanuel, and supplies us with what we need to carry out His mission. Of course, this is easier said than done since most of what we should be about is countercultural. There are times in my current life when I doubt my purpose, but I have found those are times when I don't trust God to lead me. Prayer usually takes care of that problem.
God Has Chosen Me by Bernadette Farrell may be a familiar song to most of us. The lyrics of this song seem to capture the sentiment of today's first reading. God has chosen each one of us not by mistake but for a specific purpose in this life. I pray for each of us, especially our young people, that you take time to discern what God wants of you. You may want to take time at the beginning of each day to ask God what He wants of you today. He may just let you know, and as I have found, it may contain some surprises!
Back-to-School Store
Service League and the Back-to-School Store will celebrate its impactful event’s 30th anniversary serving the needs of students right here in Green Bay. More than 3,000 children in need access the store before returning to school in the fall. To help them, the Christian Action Committee is once again collecting new socks and underwear for kids in the following sizes:
·Athletic Socks: Girls and Boys size M & L in athletic sock 6 packs
·Underwear: Girls sizes 4-14 and Boys boxers or briefs sizes 6-20 or S-XL
Please place your donations in the marked box in the Gathering Space by July 29. Thank you for your support of this worthy project!
Christian Action Suggestion Box
When we see others in need, let’s evaluate whether we might have something to share. Our giving—however large or small—will never be a waste! For example, the greeting cards, note pads and calendars we get from charities that we don’t need go to residents in Assisted Living facilities who appreciate getting them. Just like the extra fabric lying around your houses helped two quilting groups make more quilts for those in need. Do you know of a group of individuals who could benefit from us sharing our surplus with them? Do you have ideas about items we might be able to share with others? Please let the Christian Action Committee know about it. We will see if it is something we can help with. Put your ideas in the suggestion box on the scrip desk in the Gathering Space, along with your name and phone number if you would like someone to follow up with you. Thank you.
Mass Intentions for 2023
Mass intentions for 2023 can now be scheduled. You are allowed to select one weekend Mass and one weekday Mass or two weekday Masses. Please stop at the Parish Office or call (920)336-4033 to schedule intentions.
Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Family
1307 Lourdes Avenue
De Pere, WI 54115
(920) 336-4033
Email: parish@lourdesdepere.org