August 6, 2022

Dear Friends in Christ,

In the readings for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, we are reminded of several themes important in our Catholic faith, among them, the essence of how we define ‘faith’ itself and the role of the steward. These themes are intertwined in the practice of our rich faith and I’d like to reflect on one aspect of that here.

In the Second Reading from Hebrews, we are told that faith “is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” How one attains a deep faith will continue vexing parents, directors of religious education, and clergy members from here to Jesus Christ’s second coming. But it truly begins with parents exposing and living out their faith with their children. With the guidance and continued support from one’s clergy members, faith formation leaders, and parish, this seed of belief in a child will hopefully sprout into his or her lifelong desire to know God.

Then, in the Gospel reading from Luke, we are reminded that living as a good steward of one’s financial and spiritual gifts from God is necessary in being prepared for the Son of Man to come. Jesus enjoins his disciples to be like the faithful and prudent steward who is prepared for the master’s return from a wedding feast, having fed the servants for whom he or she is responsible. To be a person who is both ready for Jesus Christ’s second coming and responsible for the gifts with which he or she has been entrusted is to help prepare ourselves for our reward in Heaven.

This weekend, we will be given an opportunity to embrace both this definition of faith and this practice of stewardship when we welcome back Fr. Bill Ryan at all Masses, as he preaches about his mission work in Togo, West Africa. A missionary priest who has served this West African nation for the past 16 years, Fr. Bill has helped spread the Gospel message to people who, at one time, only saw a priest once a year. Through his well digging projects and schools, he has helped quench not only the spiritual and intellectual thirst of the villagers who call Togo home, but given them access to the clean, life-giving water they need to survive and the gift of an education that we know will open their worlds. Please be generous in supporting Fr. Bill's mission work! See an EWTN news report on Fr. Bill’s work.

As we prepare to attend Mass this weekend, I also wanted to point out that COVID cases in our county are once again on the rise, with the New York Times having reported 212,000 COVID cases in Montgomery County as of August 5. Although the archdiocese has not issued a return to a mask mandate, I do ask you to remain cautious in our current environment and consider taking those precautions that will keep those in our community as safe as possible.

I wish you all a blessed and wonderful week!

Yours in Christ,

Fr. John