The Annual Bishop’s Appeal starts next week end. Please read my letter about the appeal which you will find in the Bulletin. Our goal this year has gone up a little to $13,406.64. We may have trouble making it this year because some of our bigger donors have moved out of town to be closer to their families. Illness and death have also taken a toll on the parish this year. So, please pray over your sacrificial gift to the Bishop’s Appeal this week. And please note that the bishop has been exonerated and I will read another letter from the diocese about that.
 
Now that school has started in the entire area, please drive safely and watch out for the children. There is a clever sign on Diamond which reads: Drive like your kids lived here! That is good advice all the time.
 
I recently renewed our website for another year for $240.00. I hope parishioners are using it. Let me know.
 
Our readings today talk to us about suffering and death. In our first reading we have the first Song of the Suffering Servant from the Prophet Isaiah. Many Biblical scholars tell us that they are not sure about whom Isaiah is talking 500 years before the birth of Jesus. We as Christians easily see a reference to Christ, who was the Suffering Servant.
 
This is clear in the Gospel today. Here we have Jesus talking about his own suffering and death after he asks his disciples “Who do you say that I am?”  Peter as usual takes the lead and says: “You are the Christ.” But after Jesus explains he will suffer and die, Peter tries to talk him out of it and is told: “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” Then Jesus gives the disciples and us a stern command: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” This isn’t always easy, specially near the end of our lives when we are called upon to sperate soul from body. Jesus died on the cross to reach the resurrection. We must die to do the same. But his resurrection tells us that even though we have to leave the body behind, the resurrection will reunite us body and soul.
 
In our second reading, St. James talks about faith in action. It seems that many of the early Christian community were just sitting around saying they had faith and so would be saved by Jesus when they died. St. James tells us that in this life we have to put our faith into practice. He says at the end of the reading: “Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.” We have to put our faith into action by loving one another.
 
On Thursday, the Church celebrates the Korean Martyrs, Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gon, Paul Chong Ha-sing and companions. Given our relationship with Korea today. This would be a good day to pray for better relationships between us.
 
The Church celebrates St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist on Friday. Saint Matthew, pray for us. 
 
I ask you to be careful in the parking lot. We have developed a small sink hole in one of the parking spaces. I have put a cinder block over it to prevent people from stepping into and have called a couple of asphalt companies to fix it. One has agreed but it will take 3 – 4 weeks for them to fit us into their schedule. Please be careful. 
 
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. Let us also pray for those who are victims of sexual abuse.
 
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.
 

Peace, Father Len Collins, CSC