17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Dear Parishioners,

As we gather to celebrate the Lord’s Day we also commemorate the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time. In the second lection for today’s Holy Mass the Apostle Paul reminds us, as he wrote to the Colossians, that through baptism we died with Christ and rose with Him. Through this sacrament we have been united with our Savior. It is He who speaks to us in today’s Gospel passage, “ And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”  The Lord Jesus is telling us that prayer is powerful and that we shouldn’t underestimate its ability to do exactly what we ask.
 
In the Old Testament lection we hear the story of Abraham’s ability to have the Lord God do what he humbly asks. The sin of Sodom and Gomorrah is grave but not everyone who lives there are guilty of sin. Abraham barters with God, in good Middle Eastern fashion, because the Lord intends to wipe out all. God is attentive to Abraham. Abraham’s requests result in the salvation of the innocent.
 
These Scriptural texts speak to us of the importance of prayer within the lives of the faithful. Unfortunately when one ceases to pray privately (personally), one ceases to pray publicly at Holy Mass. We all know people who have ceased coming to church and the practice of their faith. This is something we hope to be addressing as early as this fall.
 
I am in need of about 15 volunteers who will come together with me to look at this issue. I need YOU to represent our parish in a deanery-wide effort entitled, RE BOOT ! LIVE!  Renown Catholic evangelist Christopher Stafanick will be speaking to us at Saint Mary Church in Wharton on April 19th, 2017. Let me direct your attention to a website which will give you more information regarding this event, www.reallifecatholic.com .
 
If you love the Lord, love our Church and love the people who have stopped practicing the faith, then join with me and others who are committed to the Gospel. Let me know if you are interested in representing our parish – call me or e mail me! I’m praying and waiting for YOU!
 
God bless you!
Father Zig