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This week...

So muc

July 5 - July 11, 2020

St. Patrick Church

Mass times:

Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:30 PM

Sunday Mass: 8:00 AM, in the Church

10:00 AM In the Church and Streamed on facebook,

5:30 PM in the Church

Mon. - Sat.: 8:00 AM In the Church and streamed on facebook

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Wed. 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Mon. 7:00 PM: Virtual Prayer Meeting

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88297747376?pwd=NWtOZVByaEt2aldtSmkyZ1FIOGU1Zz09
Meeting ID: 882 9774 7376
Password: 33770

Sat. 11:00 AM: Rosary for the end of Covid 19 virus Conference call number: 717-275-8940 PIN Number 369 8340#

Saturday: Confessions 3:30-4:30 PM

PASTOR’S WEEKLY MESSAGE 12

“Come to me… and you will find rest”

Newspapers, radio and television come with lots of advertising. They make promises and more promises. Promises that say too much and give too little. The advertisements call to us and they promise us often too much more than they can give. But there is one who invites us and promises something to us. And when He invites and promises, He always and ever keeps to His word. He will not fall short of what He has given us hope for. This is JESUS. In today’s Gospel His invitation is simple and direct. His words come to us personally. His promise is indeed welcome to our weary and troubled spirits.

“ Come to me, all you who labor and are overburdened, and I will give you rest.

Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.”

“Come to me”. These words invite us gently. Softly and they encourage us. All who labor and are overburdened are invited. And there are many such people among us. People who find life hard and difficult. People who live life feeling at times, that the weight is just too much. People who have worries, fears, regrets, feeling of guilt, of failure etc. We worry and we wonder where to turn to, or where help can be found. The people around us who are ready to come to our aid are so few, and the help they can give is never as great as our needs. The words Jesus speaks to us are an answer to our wanderings and searching. Jesus promises us rest. When we feel we just cannot go on anymore, when our burden is too heavy to carry, the burden of our problems and difficulties, He will help us. This is what today’s psalm says; “The Lord raises those who are bowed down.”

And who is the one who invites us? He calls Himself gentle. Jesus is gentle. He is the one who cares for me and is concerned about me. The one who uses His power to heal and comfort. He also says He is ‘humble of heart.” He tells us He came “not to be served, but to serve.” (Matt. 20:28) It is He who invites us today. He does not order us to come, He gently calls to us. He sends not a general invitation but a personal one to you and to me. Let us listen again to what He says and let us try to find the hidden meaning behind His words.

“Come to me.” Come to me in the Church to praise me and thank me. Come to me also in your home. Come to me on the road as you travel sometimes or when you sit by yourself. Come to me often, come nearer to me.

“Shoulder my yoke.” Work with courage and generosity at what I ask you to do. Follow the path I show you. Keep my words. Do not get discouraged when things do not go well. I am there to help you. I will not leave you alone. I will carry your burdens with you if you allow me….

“Learn from me.” Listen to me as I speak to you in the Gospel and in your own heart. Look at me and watch how I am with people, how I treat them, especially those who suffer. Take on my ways. I am willing to teach you if you are ready to learn.

We have heard the words of Jesus inviting us to Him. He invites us to receive from Him what we are in need of: rest, comfort, consolation, new strength in facing life’s difficulties. Perhaps we hesitate to go to Him because we may never receive what we are expecting. But remember that Jesus is the only one who never fails to carry out His promises. Why not take Him at His word today?