Our scripture readings today are centered on our call to a total commitment to discipleship. Jesus warns His followers that following Him would require a total commitment that involves sacrificing everything else and putting God first as the highest priority in our lives.

Growing up, one of the traditions I found very interesting in the Catholic Church, which I believe is true for most converts to the Church, is the use of different symbols to represent Christ, the Church, and the Eucharist. Symbols such as grapes, wheat, fish, Chi Rho, etc., may be found mostly on stained glass windows, vestments, and sacred vessels. One of the oldest symbols for Jesus Christ in Christian art is the pelican. It may not be a pretty bird, but it’s known as a symbol of self-sacrifice. Pelicans feed on fish but when a mother pelican cannot find fish to feed her broods, it bites deep into its own flesh and feeds its brood with her blood until the next food can be found. This is precisely what Christ does for us. Jesus did not wait for an emergency like the pelican. Rather, He gives Himself to us every day in the Eucharist. Jesus promised He would not leave us orphans (John 14:18). He has kept His word by giving himself to us as the Bread of Life.

Demolition clean-up continues, while the grading begins. Some of the current plumbing that is underground needs to be removed as it is in the way of the building extension. This work has begun, impacting the current restrooms which has forced us to shut down the restrooms in the building. The ground is being compacted at the northeast side of the building for the new restrooms and elevator. Next week, the southeast corner will be compacted for the bell tower.

Central to Catholic Theology is the Doctrine of the Most Holy Trinity: the union of God the Father (Creator), God the Son (the Redeemer) and God the Holy Spirit (the Sanctifier), three persons in One God. The Father pre-existed everything and created all things out of love, the Son is begotten and not made, and the Holy Spirit proceeds from the love of the Father and the Son. In the Most Holy Trinity, God the Father is what God the Son is and what God the Holy Spirit is; yet, God the Father is neither God the Son nor is He God the Holy Spirit. The same is true of the Son and the Holy Spirit, they are three distinct persons united in love as one God.

First, I would like to acknowledge the support this project is receiving from our Priests and the staff. They were requested to move to the Annex building with little notice. They all handled this challenge with extreme professionalism, while continuing to conduct the day to day business of our Parish.

The demo continues with significant movement this week: The trees and bushes around the building have been removed. The roof and interior walls have been fortified in preparation for the west wall removal The west wall was removed.

Before He ascended into heaven, Jesus had directed His Apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit. He assured them that His going to the Father would produce a pleasant consequence as He would send to them the Advocate, who would reveal to them the mysteries of the kingdom, empower them and guide His nascent Church to witness faithfully to the reign of God on earth. This promise was fully fulfilled on Pentecost, fifty days after Easter and ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven. We celebrate this outpouring of the Spirit on the Apostles on Pentecost Sunday this weekend.

Here is a quick construction update for the week. Demolition started last week on the inside of the building. The first photo below is the front of the building. The canopy has been removed. The old Sanctuary has been removed. The Sacristy and conference room areas have been demoed. The west exterior wall has a temporary opening to allow demo material to be removed. The interior ceiling will be supported before the west wall is entirely removed. The plant, tree removal and grading will begin shortly.

This weekend, we have some printed materials with construction information for you at the doors during all the weekend Masses. Beginning this weekend, we will also resume our prayer for the success of the building during our weekend Masses. You will also notice that we now have big banners on 48th Street to direct visitors to our Weekend Mass location in the St. John Bosco School multipurpose room.

The contractors and our Building Committee meet every Thursday to review the construction plan for the week. I will be giving you more construction updates in the next few weeks.