The Sower and the Seed: This Sunday, the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we hear of the well-known Gospel of the sower who casts seed onto different parts of the earth—some along the path, some on rocky ground, some among thorns, and finally, some on rich soil. Jesus states that the seed sown on rich soil is the “one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirty-fold.” We humbly acknowledge that at times the seed sown in our lives is along the path where the “evil one comes and steals away what was sown in our hearts” or amongst the rocky ground when “we hear the word with joy, but when tribulation comes we immediately fall away” or amongst thorns and the “anxiety and lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit.”
Pope Francis said in Evangelium Gaudium (3), “I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since ‘no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord.’ The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk; whenever we take a step towards Jesus, we come to realize that he is already there, waiting for us with open arms. Now is the time to say to Jesus: ‘Lord, I have let myself be deceived; in a thousand ways I have shunned your love, yet here I am once more, to renew my covenant with you. I need you. Save me once again, Lord, take me once more into your redeeming embrace’.”
Mission Makeover: Thank you to the 65 young people and the countless volunteers who served during Mission Makeover. They helped in a variety of places. And, if you get a chance, please check out the flower/plant garden near the lower parking lot (near the school cafeteria). Thank you especially to Ethan Freel, who designed this particular endeavor as part of a Scout project.
Cincy: Speaking of our youth, eleven of our high school youth are going to Cincinnati this week to do some charity work. They are staying on the site of the Franciscans for the Poor. This is a powerful week for them; please keep them in your prayers. I plan on spending a day or so with them. I am staying at Mt. Saint Mary’s Seminary, a place I studied at for three years. It’s also the home of a good friend, Fr. Tony Brausch, who is on the faculty there.
Invited: Are you interested in joining the Catholic faith? Are you Catholic, but yet to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation? The Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) will begin in the fall. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn about the Catholic faith in a no-pressure setting. If you are interested, please contact Maddie White at mwhite@holyfamilygrandblanc.org or 810.694.4891, ext. 154.
“A”: Really excited about the ALPHA program that we are beginning this fall. A lot of parishes have run ALPHA with the hopes of people learning more about the faith and encountering Jesus. If you know of someone who isn’t practicing any faith or wants to learn more about Jesus, please invite them. More information to follow.
City Council: This Monday evening, July 17, a group of us are meeting with the Grand Blanc City Planning Commission to have some preliminary discussions about our renovations to the Church and campus.
Vocations: I’ve asked Fr. Dan to head up the area of vocations, particularly vocations to the priesthood and religious life. He is excited about this endeavor. There are some vocation events coming up in our diocese (contact Fr. Dan for further info).
• Lugnuts Vocations Night – Friday, August 11
• Bishop’s Priesthood Discernment Dinner – Sunday, August 20
• Overnight Discernment Retreat – Sunday, August 20 –Monday, August 21
• Nun Run to the East Coast – August 17-20. Unique opportunity to visit five great Orders, some active & some contemplative ones.
Quest: Runs sports camps that combine coaching from college level players combined with high school and college students who love their faith. Holy Family is hosting a volleyball camp from July 24 – 27, and a girls/boys basketball camp from July 31 – August 3. The camps are for those entering anywhere from the 3rd – 8th grade.
Hope you are enjoying the beautiful weather! Be assured of my prayers and love,
Msgr. Jerry
Reflection for the week: “Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord.’” John 20:18. St. Mary Magdalene’s feast day is July 22.
The call to announce the good news to others, that we have “seen the Lord,” is what every one of us is called to do. Pope Francis said in Evangelium Gaudium, “The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ joy is constantly born anew.” (1) Furthermore, he writes, “Lastly, we cannot forget that evangelization is first and foremost about preaching the Gospel to those who do not know Jesus Christ or who have always rejected him. Many of these are quietly seeking God, led by a yearning to see his face, even in countries of ancient Christian tradition. All of them have a right to receive the Gospel. Christians have the duty to proclaim the Gospel without excluding anyone. Instead of seeming to impose new obligations, they should appear as people who wish to share their joy, who point to a horizon of beauty and who invite others to a delicious banquet.
It is not by proselytizing that the Church grows, but “by attraction.” John Paul II asked us to recognize that “there must be no lessening of the impetus to preach the Gospel” to those who are far from Christ, “because this is the first task of the Church.” Indeed, “today missionary activity still represents the greatest challenge for the Church” and “the missionary task must remain foremost.” What would happen if we were to take these words seriously? We would realize that missionary outreach is paradigmatic for all the Church’s activity. Along these lines the Latin American bishops stated that we “cannot passively and calmly wait in our church buildings;” we need to move “from a pastoral ministry of mere conservation to a decidedly missionary pastoral ministry.” This task continues to be a source of immense joy for the Church: “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (Lk 15:7).” (14-15)