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 52^nd 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