Pastor's Column
Dear Friends in Christ,
Welcome to August 2020. There are five Sundays in August this year. I don’t know if this means that the dog days of summer are barking extra loud or keeping quiet. I suppose it depends on how you are doing in these challenging times of the delay to the start of school, the MLB Season without fans, the closings of the movie theaters, etc. (you pick the oddity) Some have found a way to cope by seeking the LORD in the Sacred Scriptures. This weekend we are encouraged with consoling words from Isaiah 55. “Come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk!”
While there is great consolation in the first reading; in the gospel, Jesus is presented to us under a cloud of grief after hearing of his cousin’s beheading and premature death. His attempt to get away from it all is thwarted by the crowd who came after Him. His response was to serve them and use the opportunity to miraculously feed them. Oftentimes in God’s Word, it’s in the presence of the most dire circumstances that miracles happen. The encouragement that St. Paul gives to the church in Rome we can certainly take to heart today. Nothing can separate us from the love of God that comes to us in Christ Jesus Our Lord!
Virtues that come to my mind during these challenging times include Faith, Hope and Courage. We need our Faith ever more in these days as many of us are separated from one another and even from the Eucharistic table but are united via Facebook or our parish website or YouTube page. Hope springs eternal even as we recognize that the bad news seems to overwhelm us at times. Hope gives us reason to push forward and be renewed for a better tomorrow. Courage is a virtue that is so familiar to us in our current “Courageously Living the Gospel” mode of being.
Taking the steps to reach out in ministry for families that are hurting has taken a great deal of courage. May all of you reading this be blessed with these virtues of Faith, Hope and Courage.
Peace in Christ,
Fr. Tom J. Anastasia
As you can see from our attendance numbers, we still have plenty of space to socially distance by sitting at least 6-feet apart during Mass. We'd love to see you if you're able to come! If you still need to stay home, know that you are missed!
MASS ATTENDANCE JULY 26th WEEKEND
- 4 pm Mass - 62
- 7:30 am Mass - 40
- 9 am Mass - 62
- 11 am Mass - 121
- TOTAL - 285
MASS ATTENDANCE LAST JULY
- 4 pm Mass - 173
- 7:30 am Mass - 82
- 9 am Mass - 117
- 11 am Mass - 259
- TOTAL - 631
MASS ATTENDANCE PEAK SEASON
- 4 pm Mass - 256
- 7:30 am Mass - 116
- 9 am Mass - 241
- 11 am Mass - 310
- TOTAL - 923
Riding Mower Needed
Do you have a new or good condition riding mower gathering dust? We need a replacement for our 30 years old John Deere that recently stopped working. Call the parish office at (727) 393-1288.
Due to the delay in the start of the school year, we will still be collecting school supplies through Sunday, August 2nd. Supplies are still needed! See our list of most-needed items listed on our parish website by clicking the button below.
Join us Sundays at 10:15 am in the church sanctuary to pray the Rosary. We will be praying for our country, the pandemic, the election, and the violent times we're living in. The Rosary is a powerful prayer! Pray from home if you can't join us in person. Our prayers can make a difference in the world.
Adult Faith meets in person and online. For more information, email FaithFormation@StMat.org.
Let's choose joy today!
Here's a song to get you started...