The Last one in: In this weekend’s Gospel Jesus tells the parable of the landowner who pays the same amount of wages to a person who worked only one hour as he did with the ones who worked eight hours. He asked the question, “Are you envious because I am generous?” The basic message of the parable is that God is equally welcoming to all who respond to his invitation, whenever they decide to do so, and that no one should object to God’s generosity to others or make jealous comparisons with their own situation. A great example of this is the repentant thief on the cross. Jesus welcomed him to his kingdom at the last minute of this convicted criminal’s life. We hope everyone chooses to be in God’s Kingdom.
40 days: This Sunday, September 24, I w ill be heading out to lead the 2 pm opening prayer for the beginning of the Flint 40 days for Life at the Planned Parenthood located at 3371 Beecher Road. You are welcome to join me. The actual campaign runs from September 27 – November 5. Our Holy Family Parish is sponsoring Saturday, October 28, as the day to pray at the clinic. Thanks for your prayers for this endeavor and we pray that people may choose life and those who haven’t in the past may experience God’s healing mercy.
Improvement Plan: At our Finance Council meeting last Monday we discussed the need for a detailed capital improvement plan. This was seconded when I attended a meeting of priests and finance council chairs at the diocese. A finance council member, who has been off and on the council for more than nine years, said that we really haven’t had a capital improvement plan since he’s been here. Now is the time. This will help us better prepare for our future. For example, our roofs on our school and parish hall need some repairing soon.
Building: People want to know what is next for our Church renovation. Our building committee is still talking about plans and hopefully within a month or two we will be able to show you those plans.
5th grade: This Monday, September 25, I am hoping to join our 5th graders for Mass at the Cathedral in Lansing with Bishop Boyea and other schools from our diocese. The Cathedral will be packed with students, which is always a good witness to our own students.
Victory…finally!!!: Speaking of our school, our junior high football team won its first game in many, many years—and in resounding fashion nonetheless with a 40 – 0 victory last Sunday. So happy for them. They’ve been getting better every game, even from last year. Our 5th – 6th graders also played and won as well. I’ve been enjoying watching our sports teams play, including our girls basketball teams. They are playing really well too!
Homecoming: Really looking forward to attending the Powers Catholic homecoming game this Friday evening, September 29. Go Chargers! Looking forward to seeing many of our alumni at the game.
Famous: Three of our youth are featured in the most recent FAITH magazine. They discuss how serving others has made a difference in their lives. See page 21 of FAITH magazine.
Seniors: This Tuesday I will be attending the Senior Appreciation Mass at St. John’s in Davison. This is an annual event that recognizes the incredible importance of our seniors who lead us by their faithfulness and generosity.
Review: Right after the Senior Appreciation Mass on Tuesday I have a meeting with a representative of the Michigan Catholic Conference. This is an annual visit to make sure that our grounds and buildings are safe and in order.
Prayer: Many of our parishioners have enjoyed making a Christ Renews His Parish Retreat (CRHP). We are offering the women’s retreat on October 14-15 and the men’s retreat on November 14-15. This Thursday, September 28, we are having a Eucharistic Holy Hour beginning at 6:15 pm to pray for the success of CRHP.
500 Years: This afternoon I hope to attend the Interfaith Service at St. Matthew’s in Flint as we pray together for unity. It’s 500 years since the Reformation.
ALPHA: Nearly 40 people are signed up for the ALPHA program. That’s a nice start. As a pastoral staff, we really hope that every adult will make either a CRHP retreat or go through the ALPHA program at some point in their life.
Trash: Thanks to all of you w ho ordered trash bags so that we can purchase a new sound system in our parish hall. You can pick up the bags this weekend. We still have a long way to go, but God will provide.
Bonjour: This week Fr. Dan is hosting a priest friend, Fr. Alex. They met each other in Rome. He is originally from France.
Have a blessed week. And be assured of my prayers and love.
Msgr. Jerry
Saint quote:
Charity is the cement which binds communities to God and persons to one another. We should spend as much time in thanking God for his benefits as we do asking for them.”
St. Vincent DePaul, whose feast day is September 27.