Time for Cluster picnic...Time to say goodbye...adios...arivederci
Time for Cluster picnic...Time to say goodbye...adios...arivederci
Cluster picnics is a great opportunity to celebrate our faith and deepen our relationship with God and one another This is the fourth year the Northwoods Catholic Communities evangelization team has organized a cluster picnic in collaboration with councils, organizations, and many others. Thank you to everyone who works hard to make this event happen every year.
It's time for me to say goodbye. This June I completed 14 years in Northwoods Catholic Community. Today, my heart is filled with gratitude, peace, and a quiet sadness. After 14 years of walking together in faith, prayer, and service, the time has come for me to bid you farewell in this role that has shaped my life so deeply. When I first arrived among you, I came as a servant of God, but I quickly learned that I also came as a student—you challenged me, it helped me to grow. Every parish's people live on so many little islands. When it is a cluster, you can multiply it. If you ever ask me which island I would like to stay on, my answer will be I would like to travel from one island to another and enjoy the goodness of the Lord. Together, we have celebrated joyful moments: Sunday Mass, baptisms, weddings, confirmations, and many other celebrations. We have also walked through valleys of sorrow, loss, and uncertainty, holding on to the promise that God never leaves His people. I want to thank you for allowing me to be part of your life. Priest not just a preacher, but also a companion on the journey of life. Over the years, so many of you invited me to your special occasions and allowed me to share in your joys. So many of you stepped up to various ministries, councils, evangelization teams, and more. Some of you might have simply stopped by to ask how our priest is doing. THANK YOU, EVERYONE!
Let us look at the reading. It reminds us of the qualifications to be a disciple and evangelize. The reading says that the one and only qualification is to have confidence in God. In the first reading, Jeremiah (20:10-13) says about the pain and misery he experienced for being faithful to the mission of speaking God’s Word. Jeremiah describes betrayal by his close friends, yet expresses confidence in God and offers thanks in advance for deliverance.
Last Sunday, we heard that Jesus called twelve by name and sent them to proclaim the coming of the kingdom. Today’s Gospel passage (Matthew 10:26-33) is part of the instruction and offers comfort to the disciples: though they will suffer rejection, their heavenly Father knows every hair of their head, and they are worth more than sparrows. In a nutshell, the message is “Do not be afraid” and have confidence in God.
Fear is part of our lives. But Jesus tells us not to be afraid. On the other hand, Jesus tells us to be afraid of the “one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.” Basically, Jesus is trying to tell us, “Fear the Lord and do not be afraid of anything.”
Fear affects people in different ways. It can even paralyze people. Leaving the comfort zone is not easy. Jesus' call challenged the disciples to leave the comfort of their nets and follow him. They started a new journey, built a new relationship with their master, and grew in discipleship.
We are Eucharistic people, Jesus nourishes us by giving his very life: Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. We come together to celebrate Eucharist, and we bring who we are as a gift to offer. We offer it with bread and wine and ask him to touch and transform our lives. Some day our life will be a joyful one, some other day, it may be a painful one filled with anxiety and worries. Whatever it may be, we offer it to the Lord. He can transform our lives, give us strength and grace to overcome whatever we face, and multiply our joy. Before the communion, we pray “Our Father…” priest says a beautiful prayer “Deliver us, Lord; we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.” Then everybody responds: For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever.
Fearing God is different from being afraid. Fear of God is fear out of love. It is born from the knowledge of who God is - He is love. He pours out that love for us in the Eucharist. At the end of Mass, we are sent out to share the Eucharistic experience – evangelization.
Saxony Goethlich: Please join me in welcoming our new Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE). The last three years, Saxony and her husband, Michael, have been teaching our Confirmation students. She started on August 17. Welcome Saxony!