Dear Friends in Christ,
Our liturgy today returns to Ordinary Time for the first Sunday since Lent began back in February. The liturgical color during Ordinary Time is green to symbolize life and growth. Despite its name, there is nothing ordinary about this liturgical season. It is so named because the weeks are ‘ordered’ or numbered. We will remain in this season until the Solemnity of Christ the King in November which is the 34th Sunday in Ordinary Time (unless a solemnity occurs on a Sunday, but more about that next week!). Today is the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time… so we have a long way to go!
Fr. Stephen with his father and brothers.
Annunciation Catholic Church, November 2001
Today we also honor our fathers. It is an opportunity to give thanks to God for the vocation of fatherhood. In our society, many aspects of family life are under attack, so today really is a chance to ask for God’s grace to be showered upon our birth father and to those who have exhibited qualities of spiritual fatherhood as well. I remember my own Dad fondly today. He always enjoyed visiting our parish when I was assigned here as Parochial Vicar from 1998 until his passing in 2002. After his death my brother’s and I reminisced about one of his favorite scripture quotes from Micah 6:8:
You have been told, O mortal, what is good, and what the LORD requires of you:
Only to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.
My father lived these words as a personal goal to strive for. Perhaps they can provide inspiration for each of us today.
I hope that you will join us for our Community Celebration BBQ next Sunday, June 24 after the 12 noon Mass until 3pm. This will be an opportunity for great food, fun and fellowship! To purchase a ticket please look further into this bulletin for more information. I look forward to seeing you there!
When you come before the Lord, this week please whisper my name (and the names of other Priests that serve our parish) to the Almighty. Know that we will pray for you, your intentions and your loved ones. We may not see each other each day, but may we meet each day in our prayers!
In Christ,
Very Rev. Stephen D. Parkes, V.F.
Pastor