PASTOR'S MESSAGE
April 24-25, 2021 - 4th Sunday of Easter
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Today in the Gospel reading from John 10, Jesus calls Himself the good shepherd, in that for His sheep He will lay down his life.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Today in the Gospel reading from John 10, Jesus calls Himself the good shepherd, in that for His sheep He will lay down his life.
What does it mean for us that we have a tradition that says that God loves us enough to die for us? Certainly, in our day to day life we don’t always experience a perfect life because of our God who loves us that much. People we treasure still suffer and die, we go through illness or financial distress or the loss of relationships. We might be hurt in our lives too because of being bullied in school or misrepresented by other people, etc. So, what is it that our God who loves us so much offering us?
To me we discover that assistance from God through practicing our faith….over time. Through trusting in God’s presence and love and doing what we can foster the spiritual life and good people in our lives. Through reading Scripture, learning about the saints, praying, going to Mass, going to confession AND THEN putting our faith into practice by helping and loving others.
We see the benefit in the long run in our lives, not sometimes in the short term.
So, let us trust in the Lord this week and practice our faith, knowing that our God loves us even to the point of dying for us and so He is certainly always with us working for our good, along with all of those in heaven.
A few things upcoming:
Peace to All,
Fr. Andy
To me we discover that assistance from God through practicing our faith….over time. Through trusting in God’s presence and love and doing what we can foster the spiritual life and good people in our lives. Through reading Scripture, learning about the saints, praying, going to Mass, going to confession AND THEN putting our faith into practice by helping and loving others.
We see the benefit in the long run in our lives, not sometimes in the short term.
So, let us trust in the Lord this week and practice our faith, knowing that our God loves us even to the point of dying for us and so He is certainly always with us working for our good, along with all of those in heaven.
A few things upcoming:
- We have a parish Men’s Retreat this Sat., Apr. 24. It will be from 9am – Noon and it will have Mass, adoration and a talk. Guest speaker will be Fr. Michael Heine, Provincial of the Conventual Franciscans. The theme will be ST. JOSEPH and the title of the retreat is “I am Third.” Please register at www.holyfamilychurch.com on the home page (look for the Men’s Retreat icon and click on it).
- We have Ms. Sarah Spaulding, LCPC, School Counselor at School of the Incarnation in Gambrills, here in the Church on Tues., Apr. 27 from 7pm-7:45pm followed by questions to a presentation entitled: "Helping Families to Navigate the Challenges Posed by Covid and Quarantine." It will offer strategies and advice, along with discussion.
- Finally, we are working on building up our in-person youth events for High School and Middle School, as well as still having a Zoom Bible study. Paint Night, this Sun., Apr. 25 from 7pm-8:30pm. Contact Lindsay at Lindsay.wilk@hfccmail.org and then for Middle School on Fri., Apr., 30 from 7:30pm-8:30pm water fights and SERVICE contact John at john.frieland@hfccmail.org.
Peace to All,
Fr. Andy