September 5 & 6

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Gospel today presents us with a beautiful Aramaic word “Ephphatha” which should guide our contemplation throughout the coming week.  This word spoken by our Lord is from the language of His and His disciples daily speech.  It is distinct from but related to Hebrew which was used mainly for religious worship.  But it is a word that is familiar to us since it is invoked at our and all Baptisms.  Near the conclusion of the Rite the priest or deacon makes the Sign of the Cross over the lips and the ears of the newly Baptized praying that they receive the Word of God and joyfully proclaim Good News throughout the course of their lives. Yes indeed: “Be opened” , the meaning of this precious word.  But to what we might ask?  The cacophony of the world or the Truth that comes from He Who is the source of our existence?  We need always to  be open to the words of our Savior and to act upon them with a humble and generous heart.

     Sometimes those divine words can be very challenging and there may be the tendency to close or even shut down the Words of eternal life.  By God’s grace, which we receive especially through the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist,  the worldly “wax” may be removed and the tongue untied to proclaim the goodness of the Lord.

    Now that the academic year has resumed, we pray that teachers and students alike will “be open” to the Truth of God’s beautiful world and take what they have learned to better themselves and those they encounter through life. 

       I would like to offer thanks to Kathy And Augie Stile who prepared for and brought about the excellent Golf Tournament this past Saturday.  They did a tremendous job for which we offer our utmost thanks.  The Lord blessed us with a perfect day and we’re grateful to Cricket Hill and all   those who participated in this important fundraiser.

     And have you ever been in the swarm of bees?   That’s what it has been like around the parish center.   There is an incredible cluster of women and men who have prepared for and are working the Annual Flea Market.  We have been blessed with a super abundance of donations for which we are grateful and extraordinary volunteers who have given so much time and effort to pull off another successful event.  We thank them and pray that they get a good rest for all they have done.

With Blessings,

Father Langan