From the Pastor's Desk

“Faith is confident assurance concerning what we hope for, and conviction about things we do not see.”Hebrews 11.1-2 [August 18, 2013]

Jesus is the living word of God and our faith lives in Him and the words of the Gospels. The local church or parish serves to bring together all who are searching for and living their lives with “things hoped for” and “experiences of things unseen”. Historically CCD classes, Catechism classes and Religious Education programs have been tasked to present the doctrines, dogmas and traditions of the Catholic faith to the next generation to keep them knowledgeable. Many young adult people have become “unchurched” or merely describe themselves as “spiritual” which in its superficiality lets them think everything is good. Today, the need to expand the catechesis of faith, that is: the explanation of the faith in an understandable manner for people to live and love and forgive and hope and reach out to others and make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others is called the “New Evangelization”. 

Our Lady of Good Counsel families are as needy as any other community anywhere in the world to seek to know Jesus. No mother or father can share with their children that which they do not know and worse yet that which they do not live and believe themselves. My task as priest and pastor is to open eyes to that need. Then to create an experience of want or need among adults especially those with young children to question themselves, motivate themselves and seek to begin a new faith journey or deepen where they are. I think the poem/prayer in the other column is worth putting in a place of importance and visibility to re-focus on the great mysteries of life that is your life, your marriage, your children, your friendships and work and careers and most especially your faith.

“Fall in Love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.”

Fr. Arrupe’s poem expresses the initiation and the goal of Catholic living. [Alpha & Omega – Jesus] Sr. Elaine and I are working to respond to needs that you do not even yet ask. Our work is not to add to your life demands but to support and develop and deepen the fundamentals of faith, hope and love in every adult and parent. Only with that personal understanding and comfort will any parent be able to give these gifts to their children. Then we can look at dogmas for decision making and living our Catholic Faith daily.

 Fr. Thirb