May 4, 2023

Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. John’s,

  

In our first reading at Mass this weekend, we see that establishing the kingdom of God is a team effort as the deacons are called forth to assist the apostles in their ministry. In the Gospel, Jesus calls His apostles forth to follow Him, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We, too, are called forth on the Way as we navigate the ups and downs of our lives. What does the Way look like? Well, look to Christ and look at the Saints. Christ is the Way, as He leads us back to the Father. The Saints follow the Way to get to Heaven. Thus, we are invited to reflect upon the response of the Saints in order to see more clearly the Way to Heaven. 

It is a team effort to get to Heaven, as we need to support each other on the Way. It was important for Christ to have His team of 12 and it is important for us to have people around us to support our growth in holiness. Hence, I am excited for Archbishop Hebda’s priority of small groups for the upcoming year. I find that I need teammates around me to help me stay on the path and help me along in times of difficulty. I find that their commitment to stay on the Way, inspires me to stay the course as well. 

This weekend and next we celebrate the First Holy Communion of 53 students. It has been a team effort to help these students reach this spot along the Way. First, it was their parents and Godparents who brought them to the Church to be baptized. They have continued to nurture the faith of their children through participation in Sunday Mass. At SJB, we provide Sunday school, as well as our wonderful Catholic School, and our Family Faith Formation program which has helped the children continue to develop. It has taken a team to help get them to this spot. We need to a team to help them continue along the Way from this spot. Please pray for them and help us to continue to build support through our ministries. God is calling them forth along the Way, and He wants you to help them by witnessing your own faithfulness to the Way of Christ.   

As Catholics, we live differently. We live with selflessness as we follow Christ’s Way, rather than doing it our way. His Way is the path that leads to life in abundance. Think about today how the Lord desires you to be called forth along the Way and how He invites you to call others forth along the way as well!

As the Father loves me, so I also love you,