A Word From The Pastor
His Mercy Endures Forever: A woman in hell was complaining that she should not be there because she must have done some good deeds in her life. God was merciful. He lowered a rope for her to grab on to. She did. But as she was being pulled up, others in hell grabbed on to the same rope. In her desperation she began to kick and push each one off the rope. It was hers. All of a sudden the rope broke and she fell back into hell. God said: “The reason you are in hell is because when mercy was shown you, you refused mercy to others in your lifetime. The readings for this Sunday speak to us of the need and importance of Mercy and Forgiveness. We are commanded to forgive the sins of others, so that our own sins may be forgiven. When we pray the prayer of Our Father, we ask God to forgive us as we promise to forgive others. But in action, many times, we do the opposite. Refusal to forgive another tells God not to forgive us in the end. Forgiveness is not an option. It is an absolute necessity. Jesus says “My Father will do to you the same, unless each of you forgives your brothers from your heart.” If God’s forgiveness of us is total, unmerited, out of love then that is the same measure we are to use in our relationship to others.
Congratulations to Chris Gutierrez: In the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, we have the Pope at the top (well, after Jesus), cardinals, bishops, priests, and then deacons. Catholics recognize two types of deacons: Permanent deacons and Transitional deacons. Permanent deacons are men ordained to an office in the Catholic Church who normally have no intention or desire of becoming priests. He can be single or married. If the latter, he must be married before being ordained a deacon. If his wife dies before him, he may be ordained a priest if he wills, the bishop permits and approves. Permanent deacons, mostly are married,
have secular jobs to support their families and also help the local pastor by visiting the sick, teaching the faith, counseling couples and individuals, working on parish committees and councils, and giving advice to the pastor. Transitional deacons are seminarians, students in the last phase of training for the Catholic priesthood. After being a deacon for a year, they’re ordained a priest by the bishop. Deacons can baptize, witness marriages, perform funeral and burial services outside of Mass, distribute Holy Communion, and preach the homily. On this 16th of September Bishop Medley ordained 16 married men to the order of
Permanent Diaconate. How proud we are to say that one of them, Chris Gutierrez is our own parishioner. Our congrats and blessings to Chris. Chris will serve here at Precious Blood whenever he can. His primary parish to minister will be St Michael’s Catholic Church in Sebree among the Hispanic Catholics. Chris and Patti have three children Gabriel, Isaac and Isabelle.
Attitude to Life: There was a hunter who bought an amazing bird dog. This one-of-a kind dog could walk on water. The hunter was looking forward to showing off his new acquisition to his friends. He invited a friend to go duck hunting. After some time, they shot a few ducks and the man ordered his dog to be fetched, the dog ran on water where there were birds. The owner was expecting his friend to comment or compliment him about this amazing dog, but never got one. As they were returning home, he asked his friend if he had noticed anything unusual about his dog. The friend replied, "Yes, in fact, I did notice
something unusual. Your dog can't swim." Some people always look at the negative side or find some fault in things done . Some people always criticize no matter what. It does not matter how well something is done, they will always find fault with it. Let us always appreciate the good done even it is done by your spouses or children or co-workers. Even when sad things happen in our lives let us look positively and optimistically. Our attitude is very important in all circumstances.
Naughty Daughter: John and Judy took their two year old daughter Madison to the home improvement store. Eventually, she got tired of walking and John let her ride on his shoulders. As he walked, Madison began pulling his hair. Although he asked her to stop several times, she kept on. Getting annoyed, he scolded, Madison! Stop that! :But daddy” she replied, “I am just trying to get my gum back”.
God’s blessings,
Fr. Suneesh Mathew
|
