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Over the last few months I have learned something ... I have A LOT to learn! It's not that I didn't know that I have a lot to learn but more recently with regard to my new position in vocations ministry I have realized how much there is to learn. No one person has all the answers or can fix all the problems... There is a lot to learn. One of the things I have learned in this new ministry is how much we need good, holy marriages and families!
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Just as a man is called to priesthood or a woman to religious life, so too men and women are called to be married. These are the 2 main vocations in life. To which God calls becomes our very identity. For example, my work may involve promoting vocations, managing finances, administration of the Sacraments ... but it is the priesthood that defines me. A person may be a doctor, lawyer, teacher, but that is secondary to one's "state in life" - married or single. Now, we often find meaning and purpose in the work we that aids in our identity but first and foremost a man is a priest, husband or father ... a woman is nun, a wife, a mother, and so on.
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Marriage is a blessing! It is a vocation! We tend to forget that religious vocations come from faithful families (not exclusively but it is an important factor). Further, marriage between a man and woman is essential in our world today that looks to redefine the Institution of Marriage in order to fit within the parameters of our selfish, self-centered tendencies. Marriage is completely ordered toward the other, toward life. It is a sacrifice of will that is a gift to the other. In this sacrifice-gift mentality, there is a complementarity of the sexes. Man and woman go together, fit together, each reveals to one another something of the nature of God. The fruitfulness of such self-gift is the begetting of children. As such, husband and wife, families, become a vestige, an image of God in and through their love, a witness of His love to the world. This is marriage!
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Don't get me wrong, I am not so naive as to think that everyday is a piece of cake. Of course not, but the graces of the Sacrament of Marriage are there to aid couples in the darkest, lowest points of their lives. This is why faith filled families are so important. And it is the example of this long-suffering that helps our young people choose to be priests and enter religious life. In that love they see the beauty of sacrifice, of offering oneself for the sake of another - this is what Christ did for us. We see it in marriages, priesthood and in religious life.
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As we contemplate the nature of marriage in the Gospel of Mark this weekend, I am grateful for the many faithful couples of this parish! Thank you for your witness to God's love in the world. May our young families persevere in their vocations and that God will raise up for His Church priests and religious sisters from among our own!
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Consider signing up for the Traveling Chalice program. Each month a chalice used for Mass goes to a family home to pray for vocations to priesthood. Sign up at the entrance to the church or call the office.
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An informational meeting will be held for anyone who wishes to become Catholic, any baptized Catholic who needs to receive the Sacraments of Holy Communion and/or Confirmation, and for any adults who want to know more about the beauty of the Catholic faith. The meeting will be on Sunday October 3rd at 12:30pm in the parish hall.
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Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament this Wednesday from 12pm-6pm. We are dedicating this time of prayer for the Afghan refugees. Adoration concludes with benediction at 6pm.
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CCD has begun! Classes are in full swing and there is still time to register your kids! Stop in the office or just show up Sunday morning! Grades 1-6 meet Sundays from 9am-10:15am. Grades 7-10 meet once/month Sunday evening.
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America Needs Fatima is sponsoring a Rosary Rally on Saturday October 16th. We will gather on the town common from 11am-1pm. The rosary will be prayed at 12pm. All are welcome!
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Join us for Coffee, Donuts, and Fellowship following the 10:30am Mass on Sunday October 3rd!
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Confessions are offered on Wednesdays at 5pm; Saturdays at 3pm and by appointment.
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There is no new Coffee with FJ, but if you didn't catch the last episode, see below:
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Support Holy Family
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when you shop at Amazon with Amazon Smile!
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Click the image below to set Holy Family as your charity!
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Holy Family Roman Catholic Church
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