A Message from Dee Bernhardt, Director of Campus Ministry
This week, we celebrate the solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. The Trinity is both a dogma (something Catholics need to believe) and a mystery that no one has ever quite found the words to explain. In Scripture, Jesus clearly refers to Himself, the Father, and the Spirit as three separate persons, yet He also calls us to understand these three persons as one God. Various teachers have used the three-leaf clover or, for you, STEM students, a triangle prism, but these metaphors fail to capture the dynamism of the Love that God is, manifested in these three persons.
The Church gives us a visual of a triangle with two solid sides representing the Father and the Son, and a pulsing, dynamic third side (like an electric charge between two poles) representing the force of the Holy Spirit emanating from them.
Our three readings today give us some insight into our Trinitarian God, who exhibits endless patience, kindness, and forgiveness. Just before the first reading, Moses had brought the Ten Commandments to the people and found them worshiping a golden calf. He had broken the tablets in his frustration and hurt, but our loving, merciful, and gracious God allowed him to create a new set of tablets, rewriting the words to establish His Covenant with His chosen people through them.
The responsorial psalm from the Book of Daniel expresses exuberant praise for God, reflecting great gratitude and reverence for considering our smallness in His amazing greatness. We acknowledge that God will always and forever be praiseworthy and exalted.
In the second reading from 2 Corinthians, we hear an ancient Trinitarian greeting: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.” Our priests use this familiar phrase as one of the most frequently used greetings at Mass. This reading also recommends how we might live this way: “…rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace… greet one another with a holy kiss.”
In the gospel, John 3:16-18, we hear how God, who is Love, expressed that love through the gift of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Understanding the limitations of human nature, recognizing our propensity to competition, jealousy, and inappropriate righteousness, Jesus, the second Person of the Trinity, lived as one of us, at our level, so that we could learn how to become more God-like, more able to achieve eternal life.
We can hear in all these readings the gentle greatness of God, who approaches us from every possible angle so that we can join Him for all eternity. In the Spiritual Exercises, St. Ignatius encourages us to pray with the Trinity by using a triple colloquy or conversation. Perhaps you can take a moment this week to try it. Imagine yourself in a calm, quiet setting – wherever you would have a deep conversation with a good friend. Take time to consider all your senses – sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Then, slowly bring each person of the Trinity into the setting – in chairs around a table, at a lake, or hiking on a trail – and consider something or someone you have been meaning to pray for/about. Casually bring up this concern to each Person of the Trinity; do you approach them all the same? I know my approach to the Father tends to be more concise and formal; to Jesus, more colloquial; and to the Spirit, more action-oriented. Make sure to leave silence within the conversation for a response from each participant, and remember to close with a prayer of gratitude and praise.
Our God understands the complex nature of our human relationships and has provided us with an understanding of His very Self as a community of three that allows us to know Him intimately and be known by Him, never abandoned or alone. As a God of surprises, He delights in entering into our world every minute of every day, immersing us in His three-sided embrace of Love. Can we accept His gentle, terrible presence and respond with praise and thanksgiving to His Trinitarian presence.
The Church gives us a visual of a triangle with two solid sides representing the Father and the Son, and a pulsing, dynamic third side (like an electric charge between two poles) representing the force of the Holy Spirit emanating from them.
Our three readings today give us some insight into our Trinitarian God, who exhibits endless patience, kindness, and forgiveness. Just before the first reading, Moses had brought the Ten Commandments to the people and found them worshiping a golden calf. He had broken the tablets in his frustration and hurt, but our loving, merciful, and gracious God allowed him to create a new set of tablets, rewriting the words to establish His Covenant with His chosen people through them.
The responsorial psalm from the Book of Daniel expresses exuberant praise for God, reflecting great gratitude and reverence for considering our smallness in His amazing greatness. We acknowledge that God will always and forever be praiseworthy and exalted.
In the second reading from 2 Corinthians, we hear an ancient Trinitarian greeting: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.” Our priests use this familiar phrase as one of the most frequently used greetings at Mass. This reading also recommends how we might live this way: “…rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace… greet one another with a holy kiss.”
In the gospel, John 3:16-18, we hear how God, who is Love, expressed that love through the gift of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Understanding the limitations of human nature, recognizing our propensity to competition, jealousy, and inappropriate righteousness, Jesus, the second Person of the Trinity, lived as one of us, at our level, so that we could learn how to become more God-like, more able to achieve eternal life.
We can hear in all these readings the gentle greatness of God, who approaches us from every possible angle so that we can join Him for all eternity. In the Spiritual Exercises, St. Ignatius encourages us to pray with the Trinity by using a triple colloquy or conversation. Perhaps you can take a moment this week to try it. Imagine yourself in a calm, quiet setting – wherever you would have a deep conversation with a good friend. Take time to consider all your senses – sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Then, slowly bring each person of the Trinity into the setting – in chairs around a table, at a lake, or hiking on a trail – and consider something or someone you have been meaning to pray for/about. Casually bring up this concern to each Person of the Trinity; do you approach them all the same? I know my approach to the Father tends to be more concise and formal; to Jesus, more colloquial; and to the Spirit, more action-oriented. Make sure to leave silence within the conversation for a response from each participant, and remember to close with a prayer of gratitude and praise.
Our God understands the complex nature of our human relationships and has provided us with an understanding of His very Self as a community of three that allows us to know Him intimately and be known by Him, never abandoned or alone. As a God of surprises, He delights in entering into our world every minute of every day, immersing us in His three-sided embrace of Love. Can we accept His gentle, terrible presence and respond with praise and thanksgiving to His Trinitarian presence.
Dee Bernhardt
Resources:
Prayer Intentions
To submit names for prayer intentions in the Bulletin, use this link or call the Parish Office at (765) 743-4652.
Announcements
"No Regrets" Part 2: Preparing Yourself and Loved Ones for Survivorship
Death is a certainty. Make your preparations NOW to leave this life with no regrets. It's never too early or too late. Hosted by the Men of St. Tom's (MoST), this workshop series will prepare you and help your loved ones with the worldly implications of your departure. The sixth of seven weekly sessions will take place this Thursday, June 8, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in Newman Hall and will cover "The Upside to Rightsizing" as we age. For questions, email most@boilercatholics.org.
For session details and to register, visit www.boilercatholics.org/no-regrets
Second Collection & Food Pantry Collection THIS Weekend
This weekend (June 3-4) is the first weekend of the month when St. Tom's second collection benefits our Mother Teresa Fund, providing rent and utility assistance for members of the Greater Lafayette community. It’s also the weekend to bring items in for the campus food pantry. Among the items most needed by ACE Food Pantry are hygiene products (toothpaste, toothbrushes, menstrual pads, face wash, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, dish soap, and toilet paper). Some needed food items include peanut butter, jelly, canned tuna, canned chicken, condiments, and spices. Thank you for your generosity!
Spiritual Restorative Yoga starts June 5
All are welcome (both men and women) to Spiritual Restorative Yoga on Mondays, June 5, July 10, and August 7, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Siena Rooms (downstairs). Integrate prayer with core strengthening, stretching, and functional movements to nourish your body and soul. Bring your mat and a $5 donation. Sessions are being led by Amy Strasburger. For questions, email Monica Waters at monica@watersfamily.com.
Theology on Tap is slated for June 6
Since the Enlightenment, man has made himself the center of his own isolated reality. We have cut ourselves off from nature, each other, God, and even our own selves. This isolation and ego-centrism have become the default setting for the modern man. So, what is the cure? Join us this Tuesday, June 6, in the upstairs meeting room at Harry's Chocolate Shop at 7:00 p.m. to find out. Our presenter is John Storey. Everyone, 21 and older, is welcome to attend!
Planting Day at St. Tom's on June 10
The finishing touch for the new planting bed on the west side of the church (Marsteller St.) will be 30 new plants. Parishioners are invited to come and assist with the planting next Saturday, June 10, starting at 8:00 a.m. For questions, email Gary@boilercatholics.org.
New Parishioner Welcome on June 11
All new resident and student parishioners to St. Tom's are invited to join the New Parishioner Welcome reception next Sunday, June 11, after 11:15 a.m. Mass (about 12:30 p.m.) in Room 3. Meet the priests and staff of St. Tom's and other new parishioners. Learn more about the parish, including a building tour and the many programs and ministries to support your faith. Babysitting is available for families (with snacks for the children), and heavy appetizers will be served during the reception. Please RSVP to Georgana Finn at dfinn98798@gmail.com or by text at (240) 393-8182. We can't wait to meet you! Note: If you have been attending St. Tom's but haven't registered yet, we encourage you to do so on the parish website.
Coffee & Donut Volunteers
Volunteers are needed to continue Coffee and Donuts after 9:00 a.m. Mass during the summer months. Please sign up on the sheet outside the kitchen door downstairs or email Judy@boilercatholics.org if you can assist.
Volunteer Receptionists at St. Tom’s
Do you have two or three hours twice a month you’d like to donate to St. Tom’s as a volunteer receptionist? There are openings to fill, especially morning and Friday afternoon timeslots. For more information, please contact Mary Riehle by calling the parish office on weekday afternoons or by emailing Mary@boilercatholics.org.
St. Tom's Parking Policy
Thank you for everyone’s patience with our newly enforced parking policy. If you are a resident parishioner who visits the church on weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and have not picked up a St. Tom’s parking permit from the Parish Office, please do so to avoid receiving a Purdue parking ticket. For details, visit www.boilercatholics.org/news/parking.
St. Tom’s Employment Opportunities
St. Tom’s is seeking applicants for the following positions:
Director of Operations and Facilities
Director of Evangelization
To apply for either of these positions or for more information, visit https://dol-in.org/employment-opportunities
Attention: Gardeners!
St. Tom's is seeking a volunteer to help care for the flower beds at the priests' residence. Please email Fr. Brent if you can assist.
Eucharistic Procession
St. Tom's will celebrate the Church’s Three-Yar Eucharistic Revival coming to the parish level with a Eucharistic Procession following the 5:30 p.m. Vigil Mass next Saturday, June 10. All are welcome to walk the full route or a portion of it or wait in the church for the conclusion of the procession.
Also, the reintroduction of the Sacred Blood will take place at 9:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday, June 11. Note: A group of student and resident parishioners have formed a committee and are planning events and activities to strengthen our parish’s love for the Eucharist over the next year. If you would like to help, too, please email Jenny Bay at jbay@purdue.edu.
Eucharistic Procession Map
