February 13, 2022

Dear Parishioners,

I was fortunate the first week of February to celebrate Mass at Saint Pat's high school and then, of course, our own SPC school Mass. As I often do in my homilies, I ask the students questions. One of the teachers calls it "Family Feud with Father James." For the questions are usually, 'what's my favorite fast food?' I know, deep stuff. Our pastor is really giving the students a solid Catholic education, I'm sure you're remarking to yourself.

The first question I asked the high school and grade school students was, "what do you want to be when you grow up?" Here were some of the answers: orthodontist, lawyer, historian, ComEd worker with my dad, NBA player, musician, cop.

Then I asked, "if you could ask for one thing, what would it be?" It was the Gospel reading where King Herod tells the little girl to ask for anything she wants and, at the behest of her mother, she asks for the head of John the Baptist. Some of the students' answers (and I'm not making these up): to be immortal, for everyone to pray more, to own a White Castle.

These things are all good, especially the White Castle desire, but there is something better. To love God. To be a lover of God is what we want to be 'when we grow up' and what we want. 

We will eventually retire from being an orthodontist or lawyer. Or even if we make it to be a professional athlete and are the best ever, our career will end. See Tom Brady. White Castles are good, but we can only take so much and eventually can get tired of them.

But not with God. The love of God can never grow old. Loving God can give us a new joy in every season of our life. Loving God can fulfill us in the way that no career or possession can. That is why we hear, "Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. He is like a tree planted beside the waters..." (Jeremiah 17:7-8).

Our Lord's beatitudes are meant to put us in relationship with God. When we are poor, we have to look to God. When we are hungry and weeping and hated, we reach out to God. The beatitudes are means to union with the Lord. The rich, the full, the laughing, the honored are in trouble because they have no need of God. Regardless of our career or our possession, if we have God we are blessed. 

I always joke with students, "the answer is always Jesus." When in doubt, be it on a math or religion test, just answer, "Jesus."

For you who are grown up and in your careers and maybe have everything you need, may you grow in your love for Jesus and become his saint.

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As I referenced above, we had a wonderful Catholic Schools Week. The students in particular did a wonderful job with our food pantry as their service work. We were also fortunate to have television news crews from FoxNews and WGN at the Friday school Mass and later that evening to cover the exciting news about our group of 6th graders who had their science project selected and funded by NASA. If you missed the story, please check our school website and the bulletin from January 30th. Dr. Karl Ochsner, our wonderful new STEAM teacher, did an amazing job helping the students achieve this honor. Maybe these young ladies will one day design something to send their pastor up into space (though some say he already is a space cadet).

This week I look forward to holding Confirmation interviews with our school 8th graders, who will be receiving the sacrament from Bishop Bartosic on February 26th. I also look forward to meeting with the Faith, Hope & Charity women's guild Wednesday evening.

Just a reminder to look on page 2 for our weekly stewardship report. And as I've mentioned, we are in the midst of the Annual Catholic Appeal. Next weekend we will listen to the Cardinal's homily and conduct the in-pew solicitation. Thank you so much for helping us reach our goal of $123,960.00. These funds allow the Archdiocese to support struggling parishes and provide ministries that help evangelize the Chicagoland area.

Yours in Christ,