August 8-9 (19^th Sunday of Ordinary Time)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Today’s Gospel concludes with Our Lord entering the storm-tossed boat of His disciples.  And when He did, miraculously, the wind and sea calmed down.  Though there is much to glean from the entirety of this passage, the concluding statement certainly has much to offer us today.  We may very well feel like we are being tossed and turned in many directions because of the prevailing pandemic and indeed there is confusing unrest and violence scouring our land.  It is for many unnerving.  We long for calm and peace, but where is it?

True peace only comes when we invite and welcome Jesus into our personal little boats.  An old adage goes like this:  “O Lord, your sea is so fast, and my ship is so small….”  The vastness of Our Lord‘s sea is not something to frighten or overwhelm us; rather, we understand it as His Mercy and comfort for which we long.  Every time then we find ourselves distressed and disordered by the prevailing circumstances it’s time to re-invite the Lord into our humble vessels that we may be courageous in navigating uncertain waters.

God’s little lambs have patiently been waiting to receive Our Lord in their First Holy Communion.  The next two weekends the class will be divided up so that we will have four First Communion Masses:  Saturday, August 15^th at 10 AM; Sunday, August 16^th at 9:30 AM, and Saturday, August 22^nd at 10 AM, Sunday, August 23^rd at 9:30 AM.  All Masses for First Holy Communion will take place at St. John’s and we wish to accommodate family members ONLY for these special occasions.  Kindly plan on attending another Lord’s Day Mass other than Sunday, 9:30 over the next 2 weekends.  The children and their families greatly appreciate your understanding.

Also, our candidates for Confirmation will be receiving the Sacrament on August 30^th at 1:00 PM in St. John’s.  Again, we ask your consideration in not attending unless you are immediate family.  For those who wish to participate virtually, all these Masses will be livestreamed in the usual manner.  Please keep all our children and youth in your prayers for these special days.

With Blessings,

Father Langan