February 12, 2023
While Father Bill is taking a “post-vacation” break, please enjoy this article from our Pastoral Assistant for Stewardship &
Evangelization, Anne Frederick. If you have any questions or comments on her article, please feel free to reach out to her at
Extension 125 or email her at annef@sjtbcc.org.
“But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:19b)
Years ago, when I was preparing children and their parents for First Communion, I often pondered why most of the Ten Commandments used a “Thou Shalt Not” format. As a child, I could never imagine killing someone, so I was probably quite safe when it came to the Fifth Commandment. However, over time, I began to ponder what it would be like to
rewrite the Commandments as what we “Shall Do”.
With the First Commandment, I could see that not worshipping false gods called me to rely on the providential grace of God, rather than chasing the idols of materialism and consumerism. Following the Fifth Commandment reminded me to honor the reputations of others, as gossip can be lethal. Not coveting the possessions of others was directing me to be a generous steward of all that God has shared with me.
One of the great blessings of being Catholic is recognizing the paradox that we find joy and freedom when we give ourselves freely to serve others. Just as we find in the Beatitudes, God’s Commandments are a call to move toward goodness. Following God’s law is a blessing, because it leads us to a freedom for excellence, which engenders happiness and holiness. When we live a virtuous life, we find our authentic selves and deepen our ability to search for purpose and meaning.
Consider how different it is when we help another person not out of obligation, but from a heart of compassion and love. As we soon approach Ash Wednesday, how might we prepare for Lent by asking not what we will give up, but rather what we might give in service to God and one another?
-Anne
February 5, 2023
Father Bill is enjoying his vacation, visiting his family in Florida. This week, we hear from our Pastoral Assistant for Liturgy and Pastoral Care, Laurie Moloney. If you have any questions or comments on her article, please feel free to reach out to her at extension 111 or email her at lauriem@sjtbcc.org.
We Are the Light of the World
As an amateur astronomer, I have seen the light of distance stars, galaxies, and nebulas magnified in amazing ways when I look through my telescope. I wouldn’t be able to see these wonders of God’s creation in quite the same way with the naked eye. Just as it’s difficult to see fully God’s great light in our dark world, Jesus calls us to be the telescope
and bring His light into the world.
“Through baptism, we not only receive this light, but we become the light” [1]. This is represented at baptism when the godparent lights a candle from the Easter candle, which represents the light of Christ at the Easter Vigil. So how do we keep this light burning and how do we bring it to the world?
Isaiah tells us in today’s first reading that if we give bread to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted, then our light shall break forth like the dawn (Is 58:8). When we bring God’s mercy to others, Jesus’ light shines through our lives and, in turn, draws others into the Light of Christ. In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us we are the light of the world, and He calls us to let that light shine forth to all (Mt 5:13-14).
Here at St. John the Baptist we have many ministries that bring the light of Christ to the world. There’s everything from St. Vincent de Paul ministry, Safe Car Parking, Creation Care, and PREPARES to serving as a liturgical minister at Mass. Visit the Ministries pages on our website to see a list of ministries, sjtbcc.org.
And if you haven’t yet taken the Living your Strengths class, talk to Anne Frederick in the office. It will help you discover where God is calling you to let your light shine.
Laurie
[1] Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition, para. 1216
January 29, 2023
FROM THE OFFICE…
A Loss or Gain?
How has last week’s news been sitting with you? Did the news come as a surprise, or have you seen it coming? Are you fearing what we might lose as a parish, or excited about what we might gain? Are you anxious to get started thinking about change, or are you hoping we can put it off even longer?
Many of you know that I lost my parish home in Seattle to closure last year. My experience of that process led me to dread what was coming for the rest of the church. Closing parishes felt to me like cutting off the fingers and toes of the Body of Christ.
Instead, I am hopeful. At the convocation of pastors and parish leadership on January 18, we celebrated Mass and prayed for the Holy Spirit to enliven and guide our work. We connected with one another. Finally, we heard the message you heard last Sunday. The Archdiocese is no longer looking for limbs to cut off. Instead, our parishes are like small streams merging with one another on their journey to a large and powerful river. Merge with one another and into the river we must, or we risk stagnating or even drying up; for our social climate, it is a ‘changin’. We are better when we journey together.
We do not yet know what we will be leaving behind on this journey. We do know that we need all of us “in the water” together. What we are being asked to do is similar to what we were asked to do in 1991 when we created this parish called St. John the Baptist. No matter what we gain and what we lose in the process, in the end, we will have created something new.
For ongoing information about Partners in the Gospel, and answers to frequently asked questions, check our home page at sjtbcc.org.
Kathy Wickward
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