News - September 2020 RSS Feed

For the next three weeks, our Scripture readings share some commonality: The Gospels contain parables as well as the continuous reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. Today, in the Gospel, we hear the parable of the two sons sent out to work in the vineyard. One son goes to work, while the other son says he will, but he does not. The message: we will be judged not on our words, but on our actions.

Each year, the Catholic Church in the United States designates the third Sunday in September as Catechetical Sunday—a day on which to celebrate and pray for the Church’s mission to teach the Gospel to all people. This year’s theme is “I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you.” I am thankful for the dedicated catechists who devote their time to help with the religious formation of our youth in our religious education programs. I am grateful for the administration, faculty, and staff of St. Peter School who continues to foster in the children entrusted to their care the love of Jesus and the Church with a Catholic education.

Life offers us choices— will we hold onto anger or choose to forgive? Will we live with a spirit of compassion or withhold mercy? Will we hold onto hurts and grievances or extend a hand in peace? Today’s readings from Sacred Scripture draws our attention to the mercy of God. Do we take time to examine our lives? How can we show mercy to others? Living out the commands of God is not an easy task, but if we show mercy and forgiveness to others, we are assured of the same from our heavenly Father.

Monday is Labor Day. It will be quite different this year because of COVID-19. Let us pray for the men and women whose jobs have been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. We pray for their continued perseverance and determination as they continue to seek ways in which to participate in God’s creative work.

The Diocese of Lake Charles, Louisiana has been devasted by Hurricane Laura.  To quote Bishop Provost of Lake Charles: “The city is a disaster.  No house, no business is left untouched.  The Chancery will be unusable for the foreseeable future.  The 39 parishes and 7 missions suffered damage to their facilities.  Some were completely destroyed.”