Today we celebrate the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. In today's Gospel: "Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick - no food, no sack, no money in their belts." In other words he told them to travel light. He wanted nothing to get in the way of the message of repentance. He was getting them ready for when he would no longer be physically with them. He was building his church. "The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them." They performed miracles as signs of the presence of God in the church. This encouraged them and announced to the people that Jesus was for real. Today Jesus asks us to do the same; to preach his message and to bring hope to those in need.
In our first reading we have the Prophet Amos explaining his vocation. He says: "I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. The Lord took me from following the flock, and said to me, Go, prophesy to my people Israel." Each of us is called to bring Jesus' message to the people in our lives. How will you do that today? In our second reading, St. Paul tells us we need to show Christ to the world because: "In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised holy Spirit." Showing Jesus to the world by the way we live is our calling today!
On Wednesday we celebrate Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. She was the first Native American to be declared "Blessed" (1980) and then canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012. She was called "Lily of the Mohawks." Saint Kateri, pray for us.
On July 9, we concluded the Novena for Father Tolton's beatification. This Zoom Novena was celebrated throughout the country. Please continue to pray for his canonization.
As the summer rolls on, so do we. We have Sunday Masses at 8:15 and 10:30 AM. The Soup Kitchen runs MWF at 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM. Our St. Vincent de Paul Society visits the needy with food almost daily. Faith in St. Joe County has been hard at work as well. Many people have returned to church for our Sunday Masses and there is still room for more. We will continue to put the 10:30 Mass on the internet for those that are shut in. It is usually online by late afternoon.
Thank you all for continuing to support our parish.