Next Sunday, we will have our Annual St. James Parish Picnic! The Men’s Club will be grilling hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken. Sides and deserts will be potluck and there will be activities that everyone can enjoy! It is a time to be together, get to know one another better, and simply have fellowship with each other!
All of our blood families do this – yearly gatherings, weekly dinners, etc…. Our Spiritual Family does the same thing – weekly gatherings at Mass, monthly Parish Dinners, annual Picnics, etc…. These are opportunities to grow closer to each other and build community. We are never alone in our journey of faith. Rather, we walk with one another, support one another, and encourage one another in our discipleship of Jesus Christ. Eating together forges bonds of community and family. When we eat together, we become part of the family, part of someone’s life. A Parish Picnic and our Parish Dinners are not just events on a calendar. They are opportunities to grow as a family of faith, as a community of disciples, and as St. James Parish.
I hope to see you all there!
THE MERCIFUL HEART OF THE FATHER
Each of the readings this weekend highlights the merciful heart of the Father and challenges us to develop that same heart. We can be a stiff-necked people. We can be a blasphemer and persecutor and sinner. We can be someone who runs away from God. No matter what we have done, no matter our attitude, no matter where we go, the Merciful Heart of the Father seeks us out, pines for us, loves us, and shows us mercy and forgiveness. That is who He is. Now, we have to become like Him. Our challenge is to love like He loves, show mercy like he shows mercy. Pray that our hearts might expand in love and mercy so that we have the heart of the Father.
MISSION APPEAL
The weekend of September 24-25, we will host a Pallottine Father who is a missionary bringing the Gospel and the Father’s love to people all over the world through different missionary endeavors. Just a head’s up so that we can be ready to open our hearts to our brothers and sisters in need.
May the Lord Jesus bless each of you and your families abundantly this week!
~ Fr. Daniel Firmin