7/21/24

Hi everyone! I will be out of town July 21-31st for a summer vacation. Fr. Pat will be here to cover Masses and calls. I hope and pray you have a very blessed week!

This whole theme of summer vacation, rest, and getting away fits in well with this weekend’s Gospel. After the Apostles returned to Jesus from their mission Jesus tells them, ““Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place (Mark 6:30-31).”

It is interesting to reflect and pray with these few verses from chapter 6 in Mark’s Gospel. After the Apostles were out evangelizing and serving, Jesus specifically invites them to get away and rest. It is also clear that the crowds want more from them and Jesus takes them to a deserted place.

As followers of Jesus, we desire to do God’s will in our lives and do the things God is asking of us. Sometimes this involves going the extra mile, going above and beyond, pushing ourselves etc. You might feel this way in providing for your family, dealing with work, and trying to manage many things in your life at once.

It is clear that Jesus not only calls us to actively serve but also to rest. The Sabbath day rest is one of the ten commandments originally revealed by God. God commands us to rest not just because He is “nice” to us but more importantly because we need to rest. We are made to work but also to rest.

Quality rest does not mean we just “do nothing” all day. Even though there are things we try to avoid on a rest day like work, chores etc., there are also ways to actively rest. First and foremost, we find rest in God and in people we love and enjoy time with. God always sees us and loves us. When we give ourselves the chance to be loved by God, to be open and receptive to His love, we can find deep peace in our hearts and a deep sense of rest. This inner rest can be much more beneficial to our day and week than sleeping more, watching more television, or more time on our phones.

Jesus and His Apostles went away to a deserted place so they could “get away” from work but even more importantly so they could spend quality time together, share a meal together, catch up on their work together, and delight in life together. When you take some time to rest this summer try to find rest in God. As the psalm 23 says: “In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.” Try going to a place away like maybe a chapel, place in nature, or for a drive. Give yourself a chance to allow God’s love to come into your life. This is also why Sunday Mass is so important. We encounter God’s love for us at every Mass. Try to rest in the Eucharist, in God’s word, and in His love for you every time you go to Mass. Then take the time to find rest with people you love. Maybe it is going on a vacation, or sharing a meal together, or doing an activity together.

Taking the time to rest in God and people we love is not us giving up on what we need to get done. Rather it is honoring the way God designed us. He designed us to work hard but also to rest. Try resting in God this week!

Fr. James

PSR/Confirmation 2024

PSR for 2024-2025 will begin on September 15 and 16, 2024. Kindergarten-2^nd grade will be on Sunday mornings from 9:30am-10:30am. 3^rd grade-7^th grade will be on Monday evenings from 6:30-7:45pm.

Confirmation classes for those in grades 8-9 will be on Sunday evenings again this year.