In the last three bulletins, I have shared some personal reflections on my experience here at St Paul. I have already discussed two of the many things that I love about our parish. A third thing that really moves me about our community is the care and concern we have for the poor. Living in a rather well-to-do suburb, it is easy to forget the less fortunate. And yet, as Catholics, we are intensely aware of our needy brothers and sisters. If I had more time, I could write about many more things that I love about our parish. However, with this bulletin, my pastors’ columns now come to an end.
Last week I wrote about the first thing I love about our parish and it is the people of this great community. The second thing I love about St Paul of the Cross Parish is this: our parishioners’ commitment to their Catholic faith. There is nothing more heartwarming for a priest than to personally witness the vibrancy of the faith of his people. You, our parishioners, embrace your Catholic faith with enthusiasm.
What do I treasure the most from my SPC experience? What will I miss? What are the things I love about St Paul of the Cross? These are the questions that I am grappling with in the next three columns which will be my final ones. For starters, the first thing I will miss from our parish is this: our people. You, parishioners, are the one thing that I will miss the most and that I treasure the most.
As my time with you is coming to an end, I tend to get pensive. I often reflect on how I have led the parish and how I have carried myself in each and every situation. I wonder whether I treated all my parishioners with love and compassion. I examine myself to see if I gave my best to this community. More often I wonder about the future. Sometimes I get a little anxious, unable to wrap my mind around what awaits me in a month or so. I have to admit that I am tempted to worry about the future rather than enjoy the present or agonize over the past.
Over the last month or so I have been looking out of my living room windows admiring how the trees outside are coming back to life. Just a few weeks ago they were masses of dry, dead limbs with no sign of life. Suddenly green buds were raising their heads and in another few days the trees became fully adorned with bright green leaves. Every spring I am moved by this relentless cycle of life, this movement from death to life. The experience fills me with awe. Growing up in a big city in India where we have only three seasons – hot, hotter and hottest – I was not a witness to this amazing dance of death and life.
The life of the parish is just like the life of a family. We rejoice when babies are born and we grieve when someone passes on. Every milestone our children cross becomes an occasion to gather together and celebrate. For our parish community, the high points of our collective life are the celebrations of the sacraments. Over three weekends in May, more than 200 children are making their First Holy Communion and the family of the parish is coming together to celebrate our oneness. Every one of these liturgies is joyful and gives us hope that the Church of God will continue to flourish in this corner of the Lord’s garden.
Mission Statement: As children of God, living in a Catholic community of faith, we are united by the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. Aware that all we have is gift and grace from our Heavenly Father, we strive to give of our time, talent and treasure to build His kingdom on earth. We live this mission, challenged by the Word, nurtured by the Sacraments, and enlivened by the Spirit, to serve our brothers and sisters in peace, justice and dignity. All are welcome on this journey.
UC = Upper Church
HFC = Holy Family Chapel
Monday - Friday
6:25 am (UC)
8:30 am (UC)
Saturday
8:00 am (UC) - weekday Mass
4:30 pm (UC an HFC) - vigil
Sunday
7:30 am (UC)
9:00 am (UC and HFC)
10:30 am (UC and HFC)
12:00 pm (UC)
TBD
Monday - Friday
8:00-8:15 am
Saturday
3:00-4:00 pm
Phone: (847) 825-7605
UC = Upper Church
HFC = Holy Family Chapel
Monday - Friday
6:25 am (UC)
8:30 am (UC)
Saturday
8:00 am (UC) - weekday Mass
4:30 pm (UC and HFC) - vigil
Sunday
7:30 am (UC)
9:00 am (UC and HFC)
10:30 am (UC and HFC)
12:00 pm (UC)
