The fulfillment of God’s promise

Before His Ascension, Jesus promised to remain with us until the end of time.  How is this possible? First of all Jesus is God, and all things are possible with God. He has poured out the Holy Spirit on the Church and by the power and gift of the Holy Spirit, through the Church, especially the Sacraments we have access to God; to His love, Compassion and Mercy.
Each time we gather to celebrate the Eucharist we live out the experience of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. We listen to Him through the Word, Jesus is the Word and through His Word we once again learn the story of Salvation History, which culminates in the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus.  In the breaking of the Bread, the Eucharist, we are able to receive the true presence of Jesus:  His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.
The only variable as to whether Jesus is present to me is me.  Do I avail myself of Him; do I take the time to come to Mass, to listen to God’s Word and receive Him in the Eucharist.  Jesus wants to be present to me, to have a relationship with me, to be a part of my life.  Do I want this also?
Do I find excuses for not attending Sunday Mass, or let other activities take precedence over the invitation of Jesus to come and be with Him and celebrate with Him and His Body, the Church. We are all busy, but am I too busy to spend one hour each week with God and the parish family at Mass? Or do I only think of God when I am in a difficulty or find myself faced with a problem or sorrow? These are important questions to pray about and ponder. Important for each of us and our Eternal Salvation.
God Bless,
Fr. Dan

From Fr. Dan:  I was on retreat, and while praying for the parish it came to me that many are suffering from cancer.  Did you know that we have a Saint to whom we can pray specifically for intercession for cancer patients?  He is St. Peregrine, and here is his story.

The Rebel Who Became a Saint

I found a statue of St. Peregrine which I purchased and blessed along with a book of Catholic Novenas with the novena in honor of St. Peregrine in it.  If any one or any family would like to take the statue and Novena to their home and pray that novena for themselves, a loved one or a friend; please contact the rectory.  All that I ask is that you bring the statue and novena back to the rectory after your nine days so that others might have the opportunity to take part in this prayer.

God Bless, Fr. Dan