August 20, 2023

Dear Parishioners,

Do you like the scene we have for this Sunday’s Gospel? It’s the scene of the Canaanite woman begging Jesus for the miracle to heal her daughter. Jesus ignores her at first. When she persists, Jesus says, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” To which the woman responds, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Jesus then gives her the miracle.

So, do you like this scene? Those who would say, “yes,” I’d imagine like it because the woman is persistent. She doesn’t take no for an answer. Those who would say, “no,” I’d imagine don’t like it because Jesus doesn’t seem too friendly, and he calls a woman a dog, which isn’t good.

Me? Well, I like all the scenes in the Gospels, so you’re asking the wrong guy. But I do like this scene, and actually because of the being-called-a-dog part. No, not the woman being called a dog, but me being called a dog. Because I imagine myself as the woman going to Jesus asking for a favor. I don’t get my answer right away, Jesus calls me a dog, and I get the scrap from the table (the favor).

I’ve been over to many of your houses over these years, and many of you have dogs. I see how much you love your dogs. You speak gently to them and show them affection. Your dogs are well groomed, they eat healthy foods, you take them to the doctor, and they have great names (Kalua was one of my favorites). Even when they attack your visiting pastor you don’t yell at them. Yes, here in Park Ridge and Chicago, at least, dogs don’t get treated all too badly. So, I see myself as the “Park Ridge dog” for our Lord. When I bark he pats my head and throws me a treat.

Now, if you’re not a dog person, don’t worry. The Lord doesn’t always treat us like dogs. He treats us like friends, as he says later on in the Gospel. In fact,  he called the disciples “friends” when he was eating with them at the Last Supper. There, they weren’t eating the scraps off the floor.

Sometimes we’re dogs with Jesus, sometimes we’re friends. Either one isn’t all that bad. That’s how good our God is.

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This week we return to school. This Sunday, August 20th we will have a welcome back Mass at 4pm, followed by a social in the parking lot. SPC School begins on Tuesday, August 22nd. Best of luck to students in other schools returning. Our prayers are with you. May it be a fruitful academic year.

All are once again invited to the Wednesday Scripture Seminar this Wednesday, August 23rd at 9am in the Holy Family Chapel. Attendance at previous sessions in not required.

Next Sunday, August 27th, we will celebrate Adrienne Timm’s retirement from the Social Services Ministry at the 10:30am Mass in the Upper Church. We are pleased to welcome Bishop Robert Lombardo as the main celebrant for that Mass and Fr. Carl Morello as the homilist. Under Adrienne’s leadership, SSM assisted Bishop Lombardo’s mission at Our Lady of the Angels on the west side. And Adrienne and Fr. Carl share a special relationship, as Fr. Carl hired Adrienne for this position thirty years ago. Following Mass all are invited to a reception in the gymnasium.

I am pleased to welcome Mrs. Leonora Duffy as our new Director of Social Services Ministry. Leni is a parishioner here at Saint Paul, recently retired from a career in the corporate world, and is eager to serve our Lord. Leni will be a great blessing to our parish as she fills Adrienne’s position, so please join me in welcoming her and praying for her. And a special thank you to the search committee who helped bring all this about.

You’ve probably by now noticed the TV monitor in the vestibule of the upper church, simulcasting the live Mass occurring in the upper church. This is meant to facilitate your worship experience, especially those who need to step away for a moment from the main congregation. We have also installed a large projector screen in the HFC that will also be simulcasting the Mass for overflow. This projector can also be used for other videos and events.

Yours in Christ,