A Note From Fr. Bob

April 18, 2021

Dear Friends,

Grace and peace to you!

Many know from the email and Facebook post, that last weekend there was a disturbance during the Saturday 8:00 am Mass and then a break-in at our church Gathering Area on Sunday afternoon.  The individual involved in this is an Iraqi War Veteran who is suffering from PTSD due to his experiences in the war.  He is receiving the help he needs but needs our support of prayers. 

When I mentioned the Saturday morning incident in my homily, I stated, that as I considered the situation, he was likely Jesus in disguise.  He truly is, and he presented himself as a person in need.  How often do we encounter Jesus in our daily lives and just fail to recognize him?  Do you remember the passage from Matthew 25:37-40?

    “Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed  you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’”

There are many people among us who need our help.  They are veterans; they are homeless; they are the unemployed and the under employed; they are the homebound; they are…people in need; they are the least among us. Many are anonymous or invisible because they are so many.  How can each of us help them?  PRAY.  Pray daily for those in need.  When we encounter someone in need, help. May all in need receive the help they need from people like you and me.

Annual Catholic Appeal

This weekend the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA)l begins in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.  We begin the Appeal by welcoming a guest speaker, Ms. Teresa Martinez, Communications and Development Officer of the Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation (TTEF). She will highlight the assistance provided to families in our school.  Currently 64 families receive $127.500 in grants to assist with tuition.  We have 129 families in our school.

As we did last year, we will mail pledge cards to families in the next two weeks.  Our parish challenge goal for this year is $160,420 which equals what our parish pledged last year.  The TTEF is just one way that our support of the ACA helps so many people. Thank you for your generosity and support. 

Let’s pray for each other this week.

Peace,

Father Bob