It is really good to welcome our bishop here for the 10:30 AM Mass today. I hope he remembers from the last time that we usually start a little late. Nevertheless, let’s all show him a great St. A’s welcome, both at Mass and at Coffee and in the hall.
It was good to have Mary and Steve Filbert visit us last week and celebrate their 50 years of marriage. May God continue to bless them, even in Arizona.
I will be going on vacation on Tuesday morning, flying to Boston to visit my family. If all goes according to plan, I’ll be back August 4. Deacon Mel will be gone most of that time, too. Father Pete Logsdon, CSC, will be filling in for me. Father Pete lives at Holy Cross House and can be reached at 574-631-6191 in case of emergency. If a funeral happens to come up, please call the Bereavement Committee 574-277-4918 or 574-234-3502.
In today’s first reading we have the Prophet Amos being chastised by Amaziah, the priest, and being told to get out of town. The priest and the king did not like Amos’ message. Amos is one of the social justice prophets who preached when things were good for the rich people. He was not a prophet, which seems to have been a job people sought when times were good but was called by God to tell the wealthy they had a responsibility toward the poor. The Book of Amos is a good one to read for insights on social justice.
In today’s Gospel, we have Jesus sending out the Twelve, two by two, to preach his message. He gives them an almost impossible task “to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick – no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.” But it worked! “The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.”
In today’s second reading St. Paul tells the Ephesians and us why this works. “In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.”
The diocese is upgrading the computer program that all the parishes use here in Fort Wayne-South Bend. This includes our computer list of parishioners as well as our recording of contributions to the parish and diocesan collections. For us to keep track of your contributions, you must be registered. We know and appreciate the many visitors we have each Sunday. Many seem to come very often but have not signed up in the parish. We are not pressuring anyone to sign up, but if you want or need a tax statement at the end of the year, we need you in our computer.
Let us continue to pray for peace in the world. Let us also pray for vocations to the church. Let us pray for the sick of the parish. Let us pray that all will come to respect life. Let us pray for one another and for the canonization of Father Tolton.
A Father Tolton Prayer:Father in Heaven, Father Tolton’s suffering service sheds light upon our sorrows; we see them through the prism of your Son’s passion and death. If it be your Will, O God, glorify your servant Father Tolton, by granting the favor I now request through his intercession (mention your request) so that all may know the goodness of this priest whose memory looms large in the Church he loved. Complete what you have begun in us that we might work for the fulfillment of your kingdom. Not to us the glory, but glory to you O God, through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are our God, living and reigning forever and ever. Amen.