February 20, 2022

Dear Parishioners,

Being an avid reader of military history my ears always perk up when I read about a military engagement in the Old Testament. The "first" Jewish civil war is the topic of our first reading. David will defeat Saul in this war. David will then go on to defeat Absalom, his son, in the second civil war.

David has a chance to end this first war early. Saul is delivered into his grasp. But it will mean the ruin of David's principles, of his soul, if he takes the "gift" and kills Saul. It does not matter, for David, that Saul has become corrupt and evil. Saul is still the Lord's anointed. He cannot be touched. If David is to win the war, it will not be by David's own hand, but by the Lord's design. And, sure enough, God will provide for this when Saul is killed in a later battle. Yes, David would have to wait a few more months to win the war and take the crown, but better than having it on his conscience for his entire 40-year reign that he killed the Lord's anointed.

Short-cuts are not always of God's design in the spiritual or moral life. Say, for instance, we want to overcome a particular sin. If we think just doing this one prayer or novena, or going to Confession just that one time, will do the trick, almost like it's magic, then we are to be disappointed. We need to do our spiritual work, with God's grace, to win our moral battle: constant prayer, regular confession, regular participation at Mass, daily sacrifices, conversation with a spiritual director, and so forth.

Or helping a family member or friend love Christ the way you love Christ: you won't "win" them over with one argument or the perfect explanation. It will take a long process of you praying silently for the person, you continuing to witness to your own faith, and then waiting for them to ask you questions.

We don't win by dropping the atomic bomb. We win by trusting in the Lord.

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This weekend at all the Masses is the Annual Catholic Appeal "Commitment Weekend." We will listen to the Cardinal and then conduct the in-pew solicitation. Please note, all the Masses this weekend will be in the UC (there will be no HFC Saturday 4:30pm or Sunday 10:30am). Thank you to all who have contributed already online or through the mailing. Our parish's collection is very significant for the Archdiocese. Our funding allows the Archdiocese to support parishes and schools who are struggling financially, especially in poorer parts of the city. Your donation goes a long way. And, as always, anything we collect over our goal of $123,960 stays here in the parish. Thank you so much for your patience, your generosity, and your commitment to our local church.

I am pleased to welcome Mr. Nick Testa to our parish staff as our new "Parish Evangelization and Business Manager." Nick will be assisting me in the evangelization efforts of our parish, and assisting Sandy Labouvie, our Director of Operations, in management of the day-to-day business of the office. Nick brings a wealth of experience from his career with a desire to pray and share the love of God with you all. You can read more about him in the bulletin. Please keep Nick in your prayers as he transitions to working here at the parish and for the Kingdom of God.

On Tuesday the school board will meet. On Saturday at 9:30am and 1:30pm we welcome Bishop Bartosic to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for our school and catechesis 8th graders. Congratulations, confirmandi and sponsors.

Lent is just around the corner. Here is the schedule for Masses on Ash Wednesday (all in the UC): 6:25am, 8:30am, 10am (school), 12:05pm, 4pm (no Mass, prayer service & ash distribution only), and 7:30pm. During Lent we will still have the Monday Evening of Prayer with Eucharistic Adoration, Confession, and a talk on prayer. We will also have Stations of the Cross every Friday at 7:30pm in the UC.

I'm always hesitant to include COVID updates in my bulletin letter, as the policies can change rapidly and become outdated from when we are required to submit the bulletin in advance for publication. As I'm sure you have heard masks are optional both in church and school.

Yours in Christ,