A parish mission focuses on spiritual renewal regardless of one’s level of faith – including those who have never experienced the call of faith or attended church, those who have drifted away from the faith or feel disconnected or may not belong to a parish, those who only periodically come to church, to those who are most active in our parish community. People of all faith traditions are welcome.
The mission provides an opportunity to step away from the many distractions in our lives, to gather as a parish community, enjoy fellowship with one another, and listen the Lord speaking to our hearts. It can be likened to a retreat, but it is done here on our parish property and within the context of our own parish community. If you belong to a prayer group, bible study, or a parish organization, your participation in our Parish Mission can serve to renew your spirit and bring new ideas and perspectives to your group.
A series of presentations each evening by Father Ron Simboli, who will seek to help people connect their faith to their everyday lives, while participants reflect on their life in the context of God’s grace. Refreshments and social will follow each presentation. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered as well as an opportunity to meet privately with the speaker with a prearranged appointment.
Plan on joining us of our Parish Mission and pray for its success. Also, consider it an opportunity for us to evangelize by inviting others to join us for the mission. Remember anyone is welcome to attend. With God’s grace, may it prove to enrich and strengthen our entire parish community.
Sunday: "I want it now! You can’t' have an instant God!" 2 Kings 5:1-14
We live in a day and age where things are so easily available. We live in an instant culture. No one wants to wait for anything. We shop in super stores, open 24/7, instead of slow cooked meals, we seek prepared food. Why leave home? We can have a product delivered in a day by way of Amazon. No matter what, no matter where, in church on the road, we expect speed. We are afflicted with what some call the Acceleration Syndrome. We want it now! We are all too busy. Too busy to wait. Even for God! This instant culture gets in the way of our relationship with God. Like Naaman in the scripture reading who wanted a one-stop miracle. Do we? What do we expect from God? Wine and Cheese Social follows evening presentation!
Monday: “We only need one Rainbow!" Genesis 9:8-16
We are constantly bombarded by ads that tell us we can be happy if we have this or that. We live in a very material world. The more material we have seriously affects the eternal significance of the spiritual. "Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do break in and steal." Mt 6:20. The rainbow that God hung in the sky following the great flood is a reminder of the very principle: if you want to see rainbows in your life, you will see them, not through the lens of materialism, but through the prism of radical gratitude. The scripture text depicts God as being so exasperated with the human condition that God regrets getting involved. "I am grieved that I have made them." Genesis 6:7. The rainbow in Genesis guarantees the future as it guarantees our redemption through the Cross of Christ. Cookie Social follows Evening Presentation!
Tuesday: "Hints for living in the present moment" as seen through
the life of St. Francis de Sales.
These are everyday practical hints to make Jesus come alive in our lives. It is a way to "put on Christ" in the "present moments" of our lives. We will explore these ten "hints" as seen through the eyes of the writings of St. Francis de Sales and see how they can become applicable to our lives as followers of Christ. He is noted for his deep faith and gentle approach to life. His spirituality recognized that the secret of our holiness is in the present moment of our lives. He saw it beginning there and then moving us forward. De Sales encourages everyone to look straight ahead, for it is from there God calls. What are these ten hints for living in the present moment? Come to the presentation and be in the present moment to experience them. “Come and See” Social follows Evening Presentation!
Wednesday: "Let go of your baggage." We are in the forgiveness business."
Colossians 3:12-17
(This final presentation will take place in the context of a Penance Service.)
We should all make a conscious effort to lose our luggage, like the airlines often do. LOL! We have all been known to pick up a few bags in our journey of life...a suitcase of guilt, a backpack of anxiety, a hanging bag of grief, a handbag of animosity, a rolling bag of revenge, etc. We are loaded down with not physical luggage, but with spiritual luggage. This presentation will help us to identify that luggage and see that it’s time to empty the spiritual luggage that we carry around. St. Paul urges the Colossians to go through life in Christ' love. St. Paul urges the Colossians to so thoroughly live in Christ that they can finally "put to death" old attitudes and agendas. This presentation will help us to better prepare to enter the Sacrament of Reconciliation with a greater appreciation of God's mercy and forgiveness.
Our Presenter, Father Ron Simboli, is available to meet with anyone who may wish to do so. To arrange an appointment, please call the parish office to set up an appointment. After each presentation, Father Simboli will attend each social should anyone want to discuss anything regarding the presentation.