Living gratefully is an intentional lifestyle.

05-29-2022Everyday Stewardship - Recognize God in Your Ordinary Moments

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 22:13)

This is a reminder of how we as Christian Stewards should live our lives 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – putting God first in all that we do. Not only when I am at Mass and parish activities, but when I am in the world, at work or at school. Living gratefully and generously is an intentional lifestyle. Every decision you make either moves you closer to God or farther away. Choose wisely!

The Holy Spirit's Role

05-29-2022The Pastor's PenFr. Matthew R. Paratore, S.T.L., J.C.L.

Dear Friend,

The Holy Spirit's distinctive role is to fulfill what we may call a floodlight ministry in relation to the Lord Jesus.

I remember walking to Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris one winter evening to preach on the words, "He will glorify me" (John 16:14). Seeing the building floodlit as I turned a corner I realized that this was exactly the illustration my message needed.

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"Thank God!" "Amen!"

05-22-2022The Pastor's PenFr. Matthew R. Paratore, S.T.L., J.C.L.

Dear Friend,

I hope this week's "pastor's Pen" will give you a laugh. A man has been lost and walking in the desert for about five days. One hot day - actually, they’re all hot - he comes to the home of a community of Irish missionary priests. Tired and weak, he crawls up to the house and collapses on the doorstep. One of the priests takes him in and the community nurses him back to health. Feeling better, the man asks for directions to the nearest town. The Superior of the house tells him the directions, and offers to lend him his horse to make it.

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Trust God's Plan

05-22-2022Everyday Stewardship - Recognize God in Your Ordinary Moments

“…Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27)

Our limited human understanding cannot begin to understand the immense power of God. Instead of trusting in God, we often think we can control every outcome. Do you want to make God laugh? Tell Him your plans. The next time worry, anxiety or fear creeps in, thank God for all He has given you and trust that He has a Stewardship plan for you. Make God your first choice and not your last resort.

Love One Another

05-15-2022Everyday Stewardship - Recognize God in Your Ordinary Moments

“I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another." (John 13:34)

“As I have loved you,” this is the hard part - Jesus’s love is unconditional; our love usually comes with strings attached. It is easy to love someone when they love you back. But it takes the Stewardship of mercy and compassion to love someone when you feel unappreciated, feel used or feel like your opinion doesn’t matter. It takes courage and the grace of God to “love my neighbor” when they may be someone you don’t like, someone you don’t know or someone that doesn’t look like you.

Enduring Love

05-15-2022The Pastor's PenFr. Matthew R. Paratore, S.T.L., J.C.L.

Dear Friend,

We need to possess an enduring love. Endurance: the power to withstand hardship or stress, to keep on going despite all setbacks.

I recently heard of a Catholic woman who, after having four children, started running then entered marathons. This year, she is running the London Marathon, but before she does, she will run four other marathons each day before the London Marathon.

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Happy Mother's Day

05-08-2022The Pastor's PenFr. Matthew R. Paratore, S.T.L., J.C.L.

Dear Friend,

I believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of the loving God, who was born of the promise to a virgin named Mary.

I believe in the love Mary gave her son, that caused her to follow him in his ministry and stand by his cross as he died.

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Make Room for the Holy Spirit

05-08-2022Everyday Stewardship - Recognize God in Your Ordinary Moments

“The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 13:52)

The disciples heard Our Lord’s call and were able to spread the Gospel message with strength and vitality. We, too, can experience that same joy if we make room for the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts. When we live Stewardship by using our gifts in the way that God intends, He fills us with supernatural joy. A joy that others notice and are attracted to!

Keeping Mary Close: Devotion To Our Lady Through Ages by Aquilina & Gruber

05-01-2022Book Recommendations

If you've ever wondered what devotion to Mary is all about, you'll treasure this one of a kind, popular glimpse into the early Church's life, doctrine, and devotion to Our Lady. Through lively stories, teachings of the Church fathers, and evidence from ancient archaeology, the authors invite you to enter the fascinating world of the early Christians, giving you an imaginative glimpse into how they demonstrated their love for Mary through their prayers, art, and daily life. Along the way, you'll gain a deeper understanding of Mary's role in your own life and that of the Church today.

Right Now

05-01-2022The Pastor's PenFr. Matthew R. Paratore, S.T.L., J.C.L.

Dear Friend,

Healing takes time, patience and determination to persevere through the long process of healing. It’s not easy, but it is the reality of the healing process.

A good friend recently told me his own experience with the healing process of his right knee. About two years ago he had a total right knee replacement.

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Do You Love Me?

05-01-2022Everyday Stewardship - Recognize God in Your Ordinary Moments

“…Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him a third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’” (John 21:17)

How often do you actually say the words “I love you” to Jesus, to family members, or to friends? We are made to be in relationship with God and each other. Sincerely telling someone that you love them is the best gift you can give them because it comes from your heart. You are giving them the gift of yourself. We all crave love. Live your Stewardship by telling someone you love them every day.