Ordinary Time 22

Well, it's "Back To School" Weekend. Best wishes to all who are returning to school this week. These words from Psalm 25 may be your prayer for the school year: "Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me."

As we listen and reflect on our readings this weekend, I think we are being called to "Be a Fool for God." Prophets sometimes complain that their job description is too demanding. But one of the strangest of these laments is that of Jeremiah who claimed that God had tricked him into his vocation! “You duped me, O Lord, and I let myself be duped!” or as another translation says – perhaps even more poignantly - “You seduced me!” And when the prophet tries to ignore his calling, it burns inside him until it succeeds in bursting forth to do the work for which it was sent. While we may not rank with a biblical prophet, each of us does have a vocation to speak and act with compassion, justice and tolerance when anyone is deprived of these basic dignities.

Monday is the Feast of the Martyrdom of John the Baptist. It is a feast to remind us that we are to prepare the way for peace in our lives. The Palestinian city of Nablus is an important hub of urban life in the West Bank. If ancient tradition is to be believed, it is also the burial place of John the Baptist. Mention of his relics being honored there dates to the fourth century. Today the revered tomb is housed in the Nabi Yahya Mosque, or "John the Baptist Mosque." So it is that one of Christianity’s most revered prophets and saints occupies a special place of respect in the Islamic world. Perhaps John has not stopped proclaiming a prophetic message. If he has earned the respect of Muslims as well as Christians, surely we can follow his example today in these troubled times for interfaith relations. Be a voice for peace and toleration!

Faith formation classes will begin on Sunday, September 25. Registration forms are available at the church entrances and online. Parents are reminded of their responsibility of making sure your child is trained in the practice of the faith. New to Faith Formation this year will be Sunday Morning Chat for youth in grades 7-12. More information to follow!

Ordinary Time 21

Certain questions change lives, depending on our answer: “Do you take this person to be your husband/wife?” ... “Do you want this job?” ... “Can you forgive me?” The question Jesus asks today, “Who do you say that I am?”, is one that certainly changes lives. Our response is not simply an academic exercise, a matter of knowing the right answer we learned from a book. Our answer must lead to a commitment that is to be lived out each day of our lives. His question asks for a response of mind, heart and spirit. It may well be the most important question in our lives.

The Ministry of Care will meet on Monday, August 22 at 6:30 PM in the Church Hall. All current members of this ministry and anyone who has an interest in joining this ministry is invited to attend. The Ministry of Care is involved in a wide variety of issues: visiting homebound and nursing home residents, welcoming new members to our parish, All Souls Day Liturgy, Christmas Angel Tree Project, etc. If you have in interest in joining the Ministry of Care, please attend the meeting this coming Monday.

Back-to-school shopping is in full gear as classes will begin next week. So, we will extend a Back-To-School Blessing upon all who are returning to school next weekend.

Next weekend we will celebrate the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick following the 8:00 AM Mass.

This Tuesday is the memorial of Saint Rose of Lima. St. Rose Parish in Derry Township is my home parish. Born to Spanish immigrants in Lima, Peru, while still young Rose began a rigorous life of prayer and penance, subjecting her body to austerities as well as deprivation of food and sleep. She joined the Third Order of St. Dominic and lived in a hut in her parents garden, working to help support them and helping the poor and the sick in a makeshift infirmary. While ill for the last three years of her life, she was cared for in the house of a government official and his wife. She was the first canonized saint for the “New World” (1671). Like her, let us pray, “Lord, increase your love in my heart.”

Ordinary Time 20

As mentioned at Mass last weekend, Bishop Brandt named me Chaplain and Instructor of Religion at Greensburg Central Catholic Junior High and High School while remaining Pastor of Holy Cross Church. The assignment took effect this past Wednesday, August 10. Please pray for me as I balance being Pastor and Chaplain.

This coming Thursday, August 18, will mark my one-year anniversary as Pastor of Holy Cross Church. It has been an incredible year, that included reception of the Precious Blood during Holy Communion, the First Annual Fr. Straub Service Award celebration, New Year's Blessing over the local communities, the Tree of Hope, Lenten Family Day, Youth Group Activities, installation of the stained glass windows, and renovation of the interior of the church. There are many to thank, you know who you are. Thanks! There are many I befriended, you know who you are. I love you! And yes, there are some who think I have failed, you know who you are. Peace! May year 2 be filled with many prayerful experiences.

Monday, August 15 is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the patroness of the Diocese of Greensburg. Because it falls on a Monday it is not a holy day of obligation, but we do pray as people of the Diocese of Greensburg to realize, as Mary did, the great blessings we receive from the Lord. May we see in Mary’s assumption into heaven a sign of our promised glory!

Jesus had a weak spot for the downtrodden, as we hear in this weekend's Gospel. He was always on the lookout to bring a word of hope and healing to persons who were struggling. We continue Jesus’ mission by opening our doors too and seeking out people who could use a helping hand. Consider ways that you can help extend a word of hope and healing to a stranger.

Things to look forward to:

• Back to School Blessing, weekend of August 27/28
• Youth ministry (grades 7-12) kickoff, TBA
• Parish Festival, September 17 & 18
• First Day of Religious Faith Formation for Children, Teens and Adults, September 25.

Ordinary Time 19

Three men are sinking in today’s readings: the discouraged Elijah is sinking into a cave on Mount Horeb, Paul is sinking into "great sorrow and constant anguish" as he grieves over his own people’s rejection of Jesus, and Peter is sinking into the sea as fear overtakes faith. In all three cases, God raises them up! We all have sinking moments when we are feeling "down": times of loss, fear, anxiety, discouragement, depression, (fill in the blank). By being one with Jesus, God will raise us up!

Here is a prayer you can use when you feel like you are sinking: Save me, God, for the waters have reached my neck. I have sunk into the mire of the deep where there is no foothold. Do not let the floodwaters overwhelm me, nor the deep swallow me, nor the mouth of the pit close over me. Answer me, Lord, in your generous love; in your great mercy turn to me. Amen.

Monday, August 15 is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is not a Holy Day of Obligation this year. I invite you to bring flowers, preferably from your garden, and place them in the Shrine to Mary in the Church next weekend. Vases will be provided.

Monday, August 8 is the Memorial of Saint Dominic, founder of the Dominicans. May we follow his advice to "practice charity in common, remain humble, and stay poor willingly."

Tuesday, August 9, is the Memorial of St. Theresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein). Even before the rise of Nazism, Theresa Benedicta, a Jewish convert to Catholicism who was gassed at Auschwitz in 1942, saw the cross as central in her own life. She said, "I understand the cross as the destiny of God’s people ... I felt that those who understood the cross of Christ would take it upon themselves on everybody’s behalf." My friends, how willing are we to take up the cross on behalf of others? What would we risk for the sake of what is right and just?

If you are interested in becoming a Lector, Minister of Holy Communion, Cantor or would like to join the Choir, please see me or contact me.