A Letter from Fr. Paul - October 2, 2016

The combined collection for five very worthwhile causes (Catholic Home Missions, Catholic Relief Services, Church in Central and Eastern Europe, Peter’s Pence, and World Mission Sunday) takes place the second weekend in October. Envelopes to be returned directly to the diocese will arrive in the mail and there will be extras in the back of church if you don’t receive one. Please be as generous as possible. All of these causes help those who are not as blessed as we are.

I invite you to mark your calendars to attend a senior luncheon and presentation “Making Retirement an Enriching Experience” sponsored by St. Bernard and Hart Park Square on Friday, October 21, from 11 am to 1 pm at St. Bernard. The event will begin with a Mass at which I will preside, followed by a complimentary lunch and art exhibit. After lunch there will be a short program “What is your story?” given by Adele Lund of the Laureate Group. Why not take advantage of this free event?

Another adult formation opportunity is to join Bishop Donald Hying, Bishop of Gary, Indiana, and former auxiliary bishop here in our diocese, as he leads us through the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. Register now for ECHO and, once a week, you will receive an email with a new three to five minute film. Magnificent cinematography and inspired original music are wrapped around the essential truths of our faith in his powerful free series. To sign up, go to: ahavaproductions.com/echo.

When I read the selection from the prophet Habakkuk, our first reading this weekend, I thought, “he could be living today!” He cries to the Lord: How long, O LORD? I cry for help but you do not listen! I cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not intervene… Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and clamorous discord. The killings on our streets, including Milwaukee; the protest riots in our cities, including Milwaukee; the divisive rhetoric of the presidential campaign that indicates there will be no working together for the common good, no matter who wins the election; the threat of terrorism, even in sacred places: all of these could lead us to call out with Habakkuk: How long, O Lord…

The Lord’s answer is be patient, there is a plan, it is being worked out: for the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint… In other words, the Lord is in control and ultimately all will be OK. But, the Gospel adds another dimension we cannot overlook: we are to be faithful servants, we are to live our commitment to Gospel values in our daily life, and then we will be cooperating in God’s plan for bringing about His Kingdom. In other words, we have a part to play, as Paul says in our second reading: for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.

Let us pray for each other that we have the courage, self-control, and love to live Gospel values of peace and unity, so badly needed in our world.

-- Paul James Portland, SDS