A Letter from Fr. Paul - June 10, 2018

The “Combined Collection for the Church in the United States” was held this weekend. This very
important collection supports the following ministries: Black and Indian Missions, the Catholic
Campaign for Human Development, the Catholic Communication Campaign, the Catholic University of America, and the Fund for Retired Religious. You should have received an envelope in the mail. If you have not yet contributed, please mail in your donation ASAP or place the envelope in our regular collection this coming weekend. There are extra envelopes on the small table in the lobby of the church near the middle doors. Please be as generous as possible in supporting these worthwhile ministries.

Reminder: the open house to thank Barb Abler for her 18 years as director of Tosa Trio Youth Ministry will be held in our cafeteria on Sunday, June 24, from 11:15 to 1 pm. Please put this in your calendar and plan to stop by and congratulate Barb on her retirement and enjoy light refreshments with parishioners from our three parishes.

This weekend we return to Ordinary time, celebrating the 10th of 34 Sundays. The readings of Ordinary time are to help us understand how we are to live our commitment to bring Christ’s love to the world.

The theme of our readings this weekend is right relationships. Our first reading presents the story of the fall of Adam and Eve. It is interesting to note the close relationship God had with them before the fall: he strolled in the garden with them, he talked with them. Adam and Eve were at peace with each other and nature. After the fall, all of these relationships are damaged. Then in the Gospel we hear Jesus proclaim, “whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” A right relationship with God is not simply calling God Father, but DOING his will. And what is the will of God? That we have right relationships with others, that we live the commandment of love.

Let us reflect this week on our relationships, picking one that needs to be improved, and strategizing on how that can be accomplished. And let us support each other in this effort with our prayers.

-- Paul James Portland, SDS