Letters from a Pastor to His People- August 25, 2019

Dear Parishioners,

You've all seen action movies.  I have in my mind this image, from so many movies, of the heroes trying to enter a sealed and guarded building.  They take a car or truck and bust through the gates. 

Our Lord says, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate" (Luke 13:22-30). Sometimes we have to "bust through" the narrow gate.  That is, we don't enter the narrow gate to heaven by squeezing through or taking the long route or by some trickery.  We take action and plow through. 

Jesus then says the following: "And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.' Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where you are from. Depart from me you evildoers.'"

The Men's Club Golf Outing is next Saturday, August 24th. 

Golf is followed by an after-party in the parish courtyard. 

Thanks to all who organized the event!  

Letters from a Pastor to His People- August 18, 2019

Dear Parishioners,

Christ set the world on fire 2,000 years ago and it has been burning ever since.  The fire has been kept alive by the holy women and women who have lived the faith, in particular the saints.  And so it is the communion of saints that I want to focus on in this letter.

"Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses," says the Letter to the Hebrews, "let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus" (Hebrews 12:10). 

Fr. James speaking to young adults at Theology on Tap

Letters from a Pastor to His People- August 11, 2019

Dear Parishioners,

In response to Peter's question our Lord asks, "Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time?" (Luke 12:32-48). Jesus doesn't give an answer, but continues on with his exhortation to be vigilant. 

So, who has been put in charge?  Each one of us!  We have been put in charge.  We know this because of what Jesus says at the beginning of the Gospel: "Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the Kingdom." We have been given the kingdom.  We are kings and queens. 

Fr. James just married this couple at St. Juliana Parish

Letters from a Pastor to His People- August 4, 2019

Dear Parishioners,

In most of my political science and philosophy courses from college and seminary Plato's The Republic was discussed.  The part that received the most attention was the allegory of the cave.  I won't go into detail, but the gist of the "cave" (and platonic philosophy in general) is that there are forms above.  That is, everything on this earth is but a shadow of something higher, in the supernatural or metaphysical realm.  There is a deeper or higher meaning to what we see in existence.  For Plato and Socrates, living well means living with these higher forms in mind; not narrowing our vision only to things before us.