Celebrating the Memorials of Two Great Saints

08-25-2019Weekly ReflectionFr. James Aboyi

Dear Parishioners,

This past week, a number of you have asked me to clarify why I commissioned the Campaign Cabinet members during the 9am Mass last weekend, and what the difference was between our St. Benedict “Living Our Faith, Building Our Home” Campaign and the Diocesan “Together Let us Go Forth” (Juntos Sigamos Adelante) Campaign. I am sure we all know what the “Living Our Faith, Building Our Home” Campaign is all about. As for the Diocesan Campaign, I cannot say much about it at this time because we are currently within the fi rst phase of the Campaign, called the Silent Phase. I will give you more information about it when we move to the next stage of the Campaign in September-October. The goal of the commissioning ceremony last weekend was to give a special blessing to the selected Campaign Cabinet members who will be helping to coordinate this first phase of the Diocesan Campaign.

Regarding the progress of our “Living Our Faith, Building Our Home” Campaign, we continue to be in the process of receiving pledge payments which will continue for the next two years. As I said in the month of May, I will give you the Parish Annual Finance Report in October, as well as an update on the timeline for the new church. Just a quick reminder, especially for the sake of our new parishioners, that our current timeline for the new church is to break ground in 2021, and move into the church in 2022. I encourage you to check the weekly bulletin report on the progress of pledge payment collection which currently stands at $ 1.6M, representing 46% of the total goal of $ 3.5M.

This week, the Church celebrates the Memorials of two great Saints: St. Monica and St. Augustine, on August 27 and 28, respectively. I believe most parents can easily identify with St. Monica, especially if you have children, grandchildren or family members who have abandoned their Catholic faith. We learn from the life of St. Monica, how to cultivate the virtue of waiting patiently for answers to our prayers, no matter how long it takes. St. Monica prayed unceasingly for more than 30 years for the conversion of her son, Augustine, and her husband. At the end, God answered her prayers in a big and unexpected way. Augustine was not only converted but became a priest, bishop and an arch bishop. He was one of the Fathers of the Church and was instrumental to the compilation of the Cannon of the Scripture.

Sts. Monica and Augusঞ ne exemplified Jesus’ command in the Gospel today to strive to enter into heaven through the narrow gate. Entering through the narrow gate in this sense is to strive to go against any force, any temptation or obstacle, that tries to block or prevent us from living truly holy lives.

Thank you and Remain Blessed.

Fr. James