+JMJ
Dear Parishioners,
Last fall I did a series of homilies reminding us of the basic points of the gospel: 1) We were created by God in His image to know, love and serve Him in this life, and as a result, abide with him in heaven forever; 2) The devil captured and brought us into his own dominion of darkness, sin and death; 3) Jesus Christ – by His life, death and resurrection – rescued us from the dominion of satan and delivered us into the kingdom of our Heavenly Father; 4) Each one of us should respond, by accepting Jesus' salvation and choosing to live as intentional disciples, seeking God's will for us in every aspect of life. Inspiration for this series came from Acts XXIX, an organization and movement that our Bishop brought into the Diocese as an instrument of spiritual renewal.
Last June the priests of the Diocese experienced the RESCUE Project retreat of Acts XXIX; and we offered this same retreat in our parish last fall. We are offering the same retreat this Lent, instead of the usual Lenten “Soup & Bread.” The retreat in the fall was life changing for a number of people.
I strongly encourage (should I even say “require”?) any parish leader, any parish minister and parish volunteer to attend the RESCUE Project this Lent. Wherever you are in the spiritual life (Jesus alone knows the measure of our spiritual life…), the Lord can use the RESCUE Project to take you still further. A meal is provided with each session, so you don't have to bring food, and you get a break from cooking dinner at home that evening! And there is fellowship, along with the RESCUE video of the evening, and rich conversation connected to the video themes. Please consider attending.
Have a blessed week!
In cordibus Iesu, Mariae et Iosephus,
Father Poggemeyer