RCIA SESSIONS IN THE PRESENTATION ROOM OF THE PARISH OFFICE FROM 7:00-8:30

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Beloved: Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear” (1 Peter 3:15-16).
Let’s all acknowledge this is a serious challenge, especially in times of stress, and that we always are in need of our Lord’s presence and help! We have had a serious opportunity to grow in this grace in recent weeks. It is an opportunity, if a painful one, to recognize more clearly our lingering fears, impatience, and selfishness, especially as we spend more time in the home together under stress.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows him. But you know him, because he remains with you, and will be in you” (John 14:15).
We have the opportunity to sacrificially love the Lord in the midst of the spirit of the world not concerned with truth, but more and more grasping in fear for illusive power, material things, and privilege. Jesus came not to condemn, but save the world. He gave us the Holy Spirit to enable us to be patient, loving, and understanding. Our fallen human nature and weakness complicate things for us.
Of course, our hope is nourished by the surprising generosity of so many and the little sacrifices of most. The Lord is able to forgive our less than honorable moments. We seek the forgiveness of others as well. We need more faith and beg the Lord for it. May He help us to persevere, not in seeking selfishly, but serving generously.

In Christ, son of Mary,
Fr. Russell