Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Diocese of Duluth and UCA: The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Listen to the homily here.

The Diocese of Duluth UCA video can be seen here: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXaOMINDimc>

Notes:

This is the last weekend of our Catholic calendar
·      This is the 52nd weekend of our year
·      Next weekend we begin a new year
And what is our last weekend?
·      Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Listen to some of the verses in our readings:
·      Psalm 122: “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.”
·      Colossians: God “transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son…”
This weekend I would like to share our King and our Kingdom—God’s house
·      Yes, we have a house in Jesus’ kingdom through our parish: St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Columban
·      But this kingdom is not in one island
o   Our King is bigger than one church
o   Our King is bigger than our diocese
o   Our King is bigger than our family in our country
o   Our King is bigger than our continent
o   Our King is bigger than our world
o   This King is in earth and heaven
As it is important to speak about each of these levels of our family, I would like to speak this weekend—our Diocese of Duluth…I would like to share a 4:00 minute video of our UCA
·      Video
A few thoughts with UCA
·      I enjoy the video
·      If we do not have UCA—you would not have a parish…you would not have a diocese…
During our deanery meeting, I asked other priests how their churches fulfill their assessment
·      They have letters, bulletins, announcements, posters, etc.
·      Most do not make the assessment
·      But they do send a check from the operation funds
·      I do not know the exact numbers in our history with the UCA, but I would share that we have not done this for 15-20 years
Finally—my last thoughts for the UCA as quickly as I can:
·      Your UCA supported your first diocesan priests after 100 years of religious priests
o   Fr. Kris, Fr. Joe and me
·      Your UCA gives CREED gifts to our school, faith formation and parish education?
·      Our Operation Rice Bowl is organized through our Diocese?  Several non-prophets have received hundreds of dollars to support the poor and homeless
o   Remember last Lent?  We gave $2000 of coins for the poor…these were ordered at the Diocese so that our gifts could go in the world through CRS…which went back to our community
·      Our employees: Principle Dawn, Joan Ecklend, Jane Silvers, Marnie Kostiuk, Sabrina Etienne, Les Hendricks are trained through our diocese
·      Marriage, annulments, safe environment, Indian ministry
This year we still have $24,000 to our assessment
·      Let’s make it!
o   This is a great time to reduce your taxes as we are a non-prophet
·      You should write a check to the UCA as it will not land in our operation dollars, which mean a larger assessment
o   My prayer is that you can do this without me making a check to finish the line
Jesus Christ is our King
·      We live in his kingdom
·      As we discern his kingdom, we must grow with our relationship with our parish, neighbors, diocese, country and world

·      Now, please take time to pray and discern how to support our Diocese of Duluth

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