21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Dear Parishioners,
 
The 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time is commemorated as we gather to celebrate the Lord’s Day. The Responsorial Psalm verse we sing today is taken from Psalm 117, “Go out to all  the world and tell the Good News.”  This verse sums up what the Old Testament reading and the Gospel reading addresses, the universal invitation made by God so that all may be saved. All peoples, and not just some, are called by the Lord to enter into a covenantal relationship of love and fidelity. These faithful are witnesses to the Lord’s glory and who strive daily to live the rigors of holiness as God’s sons and daughters. The second reading from the Letter to the Hebrews speaks to us of the discipline God’s faithful must endure in their lives as they shine forth in a world darkened by sin. Living in this world as God’s sons and daughters will guarantee us a place in the Kingdom of God along with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But this will only occur after a faith-filled life and not “lip service” which may be only occasionally offered.
 
Striving to live as God’s faithful sons and daughters is indeed not an easy task. In today’s Gospel Jesus says that only the strong will be able to enter through the narrow gate leading to the Kingdom of God. Parents have the special duty to help fortify their sons and daughters in the faith. This is especially facilitated by providing a Catholic education for children. Here in Rockaway we have made a commitment to continue Catholic education for our children from preschool to Grade 8 at the new DIVINE MERCY ACADEMY.
 
Over these many weeks construction has taken place in the former Saint Cecilia School to transform it into our new academy. Classrooms have been enlarged and renovated; the multipurpose room has been changed to accommodate the aftercare program. The sign in front of the building now proudly reads DIVINE MERCY ACADEMY. Painting and cleaning is taking place to ready the building for the dedication ceremony which will take place on Wednesday evening, September 7th at 6:30. The building is showing forth its new “personality” and there is a great deal of excitement building for the opening of the new school on Thursday, September 8th.
 
God has provided us with a great deal of strength to make our new Catholic school in Rockaway a reality. What is needed now is the strength of our parents to make the commitment to enroll their children in our academy. Providing our children with a solid Catholic education in their formative years is among the greatest gifts a parent can give to their children. Catholic school students not only excel in academics but they are among the most faithful members of the Church. So as we begin looking at the “Back to School” items, let’s look once again at our Catholic school in Rockaway – DIVINE MERCY ACADEMY. The strength of your support helps proclaim the Gospel throughout the world.
 
God bless you,
Father Zig