Dear Friends,   “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul,  with all your mind, and with all your strength.”

Construction updates:   Well, the parking lot is finally completed, including the stripes! A special thank you to the Kurt Shea family for striping at no cost to the parish!  As you may have noticed, we now have 9 Handicap places.

As October is Respect Life month, I think it’s important to bring your attention to the deception used in swaying public opinion about abortion.

Dear Friends,   See below for more from Dr. Brant Pitre on the Theology of the Body:   What does it mean when Genesis 2:25 says Adam and Eve were "naked and not ashamed"?  Shame involves fear of another person, when we're not sure we can trust that person.  We fear being used or being hurt, so we are afraid of being vulnerable in letting others see us as we really are.

This weekend’s readings cause us to reflect on the nature of marriage and the complementarity of man and woman. Understanding the Word of God on this topic is especially important today when so many proponents of various gender ideologies call our original nature into question. See below the reflection of Edward Sri on some points from St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body.

Besides the obvious relevance to our situation of today’s Gospel with regard to those who harm or scandalize little ones - “it would be better for him if a large millstone were put around his neck and thrown into the sea” - we can garner other important lessons.

The First Reading, unfortunately, could be a transcript of our thoughts sometimes:   The wicked say: Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings, reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges us with violations of our training. Let us see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him.

“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?”

Dear Friends, "Thus says the LORD: Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared.”

In the wake of the Pennsylvania abuse report, we are newly shocked at the allegations against our Holy Father Pope Francis, and a number of other bishops, regarding their alleged failure to act when they knew of Cardinal McCarrick’s depraved abuses. In the weeks and months that follow, we will hear much back and forth between bishops, lay faithful, popular speakers, etc. Much of this discussion has already devolved into the “liberal-versus-conservative” rhetoric that we should all despise. This is not the time for ideology. It is the time to desire the truth, and nothing less.

The start of a new school year is just around the corner and we are very excited about the inaugural year of Light of Christ Academy (LCA).  Students will look forward to a freshly painted school, an amazing, fun natural playscape and a beautiful grotto in which they can spend time in prayer. We are very grateful to all of the people who have contributed their time, talent and treasure to make our school an inviting, faith-centered learning space for our students. 

As we continue to reflect on our Lord’s Bread of Life Discourse in the sixth chapter of St John’s Gospel, what better way to help our meditation on this Sacrament of Sacraments than to hear what the saints had to say?

“Sir, give us this bread always” is the request of the crowds after they pursue Christ and are told about the “true bread from heaven.” However, Christ had already attempted to correct them because of their carnal and earthly desire for mere food. Their request seems sincere, but it is misguided, as they had followed him because of his multiplication of the loaves.

For the next few weekends, we will be focusing on the all-important sixth chapter of St. John’s Gospel. This is the chapter that contains the “Bread of Life Discourse” wherein Christ affirms again and again that the bread with which He will feed us - unlike the manna in the desert - really will satisfy our hunger eternally. He shockingly claims that His “flesh is true food” and His “blood is true drink”. 

Our Lord gives His Apostles advice that applies also to all of us: “Come away to a deserted place and rest for a while.” It has always been necessary for Christians to find time for silent meditation, both daily and on longer annual retreats. The argument could be made that it is more necessary in our day in age than it has ever been, due to the constant noise and chaos with which we are surrounded, and the frenetic pace at which most people live on a day to day basis.

In St Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, from which we hear in the Second Reading today, he uses the phrases “chosen before the foundation of the world” and “he destined us”. Does God know what we are going to choose before we choose it? Are we really free? Do we believe in destiny? 

Well-intentioned people will often tell you “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” However, the Scripture verse that they are presumably referencing actually states “God won’t let you be tempted beyond your abilities” (1 Cor 10:13). What’s the difference?

God made everything, right? Actually, today’s First Reading from the Book of Wisdom tells us explicitly “God did not make death.” This is an important truth to keep in mind since so many people react to the death of a loved one with the question “Why did God decide to take them now? Why did they have to die? How is this God’s plan?”

With humble gratitude, I thank the entire Parish Community for your prayerful support of my vocation. One year ago Msgr. Osborn accepted my discernment papers for a second time; the first being forty-five years earlier under the tutelage of Father Nadrach. The year passed quickly—I was commissioned here at Saint Ann last August and entered Sacred Heart Major Seminary later that month. One miracle after another has brought me to the conclusion of my first year of studies.

Greetings to the Church of Saint Ann,   With humble gratitude, I thank the entire Parish Community for your prayerful support of my vocation. One year ago Msgr. Osborn accepted my discernment papers for a second time; the first being forty-five years earlier under the tutelage of Father Nadrach. The year passed quickly—I was commissioned here at Saint Ann last August and entered Sacred Heart Major Seminary later that month. One miracle after another has brought me to the conclusion of my first year of studies.