Father Randy Writes . . .
“They have no wine.” John 2:4
Mary revealed what was lacking and Jesus responded to what she noticed. What do you notice about your grief over past or present hurts, wounds, and disappointments? In your prayer offer what you notice . . . do not ask for anything; just show Him what you notice. Jesus will do the rest. In doing so, your wounds become fountains of life, places of gratitude as Christ redeems the losses you notice and present to Him.
Our friendship and intimacy with God grows deeper, not only in good times but also through the sorrows and wounds of life. We encounter the mercy of God and this mercy changes the past and creates a new memory of hope. Too often we spend long periods of time looking at the wounds and hurts without finding any relief.
We are not called to look at our wounds but rather to show Christ our wounds.
Another Gospel Thought
A little boy sat through a Sunday school class and learned about the time Jesus went to a wedding and made water into wine. And what did you learn from the story?” asked his father afterward. The boy thought for a moment and then answered, “If you’re having a wedding, make sure Jesus is there.”
Lenten Faith Sharing Small Groups
Give some prayerful thought to participating in an eight week faith sharing group as a Lenten discipline. Faith sharing groups are a growing priority for us here at Saint Dennis. They provide an opportunity for groups of five – eight people to meet weekly, often in individual’s homes with a facilitator and a Lenten study material that each group will use. Faith sharing groups are neither doctrine driven nor bible classes. The only pre-requisite is that one has a desire to grow in one’s faith. We are coming to trust the adage of “when faith is shared, faith is strengthened.”
In pew sign-up opportunities will be available the weekend of January 23/24.
Institute for Priestly Formation
This week I will be at Mundelein Seminary as part of an adjunct faculty for a group of 75 priests from throughout the country. The Institute for Priestly Formation, based in Omaha, NE provides a three year renewal in priestly formation initiative and I have been associated with them for over ten years. I am grateful for the opportunity to come together with brother priests in a spirit of renewal and enriching my own interior prayer life.
Father Jim Kuhn and Father Ray Dischler, both retired priests are readily available if needed and can be reached by calling the Parish Office.
National Calamities Emergency Collection
The bishops of the United States appeal to all parishes for a special appeal (collection) for the ongoing domestic (national) disasters which began in December 2015 (storms, tornados, and floods in the South and Midwest regions of the USA) and for those to come in 2016. These funds collected will support the efforts of Catholic Charities USA, the official domestic relief agency of the U. S. Catholic Church. Thank you in advance for your participation in this effort.