This past week we had a wonderful experience of Vacation Bible School. I would like to thank the children who participated and the following volunteers: Dawn Tedrow, Kathie Brown, John Zombar, Sandy Ferrari, Jane Mondock, Lisa, Julie, Shelby, Hannah, Makayla Kimmick, Sarah, Megan Powell, Angeleena Raimondo, Maria Foschia, Heather Umbel, Jason, Emily Lohr, Janine Petersen, Tyler Tubbs, Vickie Hickle, Carolyn Loucks, and Elizabeth Echard.
A number of years ago, all the talk in the business world was about leadership and the qualities of a good leader. God’s recipe for good leadership of God’s people is straightforward enough: wisdom, justice, caring for people, overcoming division, and bringing peace. You may not be the head of a large organization, but you exercise leadership in one way or another every day. Are you ready to follow God’s management model?
Wednesday is the feast of St. James the Apostle. In 42 A.D. he became the first Apostle to be martyred. The patron saint of Spain and for pilgrims, he is venerated at Santiago de Compostela, a famous medieval pilgrimage destination in Spain. May we imitate his eagerness to follow Jesus and change our lives in order to make this happen.
Thursday is the Memorial of Saints Anne and Joachim, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Grandparents of Jesus. Though not mentioned in the New Testament, their story, found in an early Christian document, sounds a lot like some people who do appear in scripture. Joachim, like Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, had a crucial encounter with God in the Temple. Like John’s mother, Elizabeth, Anne was childless and prayed for a child. Mary was God’s answer to their request. These two saints and their predecessors and descendants asked for what looked to be unlikely or even impossible, and God provided. Don’t be afraid to ask God for what you need to help follow God’s will for you.
Our Responsorial Psalm this week, "The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want," brings us courage and comfort as we face life’s challenges.
