Thursday, January 14, 2016

A few announcements: Parish Bulletin--1-17-16

This week will be the first vacation I have had for almost six months…praise God!  As you read this bulletin I will be spending time with my family and it will be a blessing time.
I have a few things to share for this bulletin:
·      Fr. Robert (“Bob”) Sipe will offer Mass this weekend…Fr. Dennis Hoffman next weekend.  Thanks, both of you, for your time at St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Columban.  I hope you will receive a delicious donut!
·      We will not have daily Masses this week.  I will be offering each day for the Mass intentions.  
·      As Christmas season finished last Sunday, Ordinary Time began.  It is an interesting part of the year for our Liturgy calendar as Christmas, a short time of Ordinary Time, goes right into Lent (February 10th).
·      I ask for important prayers this time—the end of abortion.  Our Catholic church, as well as many Christian brothers and sisters call January 22nd,  “Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children”.  Pray for the unborn children.  Pray for those who had a baby aborted—God always seek mercy and forgiveness and love.  Pray for doctors.  Pray for our government.  Pray for our law.  In all of these, remember that Jesus Christ said, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14).
·      The next two bulletin articles will be written by Sabrina Etienne, our Faith Formation Coordinator.  She will share about our high school, junior high and elementary students for our faith at church.  Dawn Flesland, our principal, will write about our great week coming—Catholic Schools.
Know of my prayers during my vacation.  Pray for me and my family!
God Bless!

The Ark of the Covenant: Thursday, January 14th, 2015

Listen to the homily here.

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Two Goals for 2016: 1-11-16

            Happy New Year again for 2016!
            I would like to remember how good it is to start a new year for goals.  Two for you to think about…
First, St. Paul once wrote, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16).  St. Paul reminds us to take care of our body.  Yes, God gave you a body and a soul!  Our health is a gift from God so think of gifts back to God through exercise, diet, walking, stop smoking, etc.
Second, make a goal to read the Bible every day.  The Bible is the best book ever.  Period.  Here are some ways to help you read the Scriptures:
·      Want to read the whole Bible?  Find a “track” for you to follow on the Internet or in a pamphlet.  One example is this:
o   Day 1 = Genesis 1, Psalm 1, Matthew 1:17
o   Day 2 = Genesis 2, Psalm 2, Matthew 1:18-25
o   Day 3 = Genesis 3, Psalm 3, Matthew 2
o   etc…
·      Want to read parts of the Bible?
o   Check out the Psalms—150 poems and prayers
o   Check out the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
o   Or the New Testament
·      Want to read verses each day?
o   Your own Bible
o   Apps
o   Emails
o   Social network
And if you need a Bible, please buy one, grab one from our Church’s or get an application on your phone!
Good luck and God Bless for 2016!