From the Pastor’s Desk | Aug 7, 2022 | Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
– Luke 12:34
Brothers and Sisters,
Even if not attributed to Jesus, many are familiar with the phrase, “for where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” Today, our many “treasures” can materialize as clutter accumulating in our homes and on our computers, tablets, cellular phones, and one day, I’m sure, toaster ovens! The size of our hard drives and online cloud storage keeps expanding as our digital footprints grow. But ask yourself, “what would concern you most if your data storage was corrupted or erased?” Or, what if someone else analyzed the data you stored? What would it say about you? Have you saved digital family photos and videos, or would your digital archive reveal an emphasis on all things work with little mention of faith or family?
In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds his disciples of His Father’s care and affection and that only the treasures stored in heaven have lasting power. If physical or digital possessions detract us from our relationships with the Lord or our family and friends, we would be wise to part with them. If these “treasures” consume a disproportionate amount of our time and energy, the quality of our lives can benefit from a lightened load. And likely, as with other aspects of our faith and lives, be improved with the help of others. God has placed us in each other’s lives to assist one another as companions on the journey toward Christ.
This weekend we celebrate Fr. Anthony’s twenty-five years of priestly service. Join me in thanking God for his pastoral care and enthusiastic preaching. His ministry has led him from his home diocese in Nigeria to the Church of Baltimore, with his last year at OLPH. I can confirm that he did not move into the rectory with a lot of stuff (I’m far more guilty of clutter!), but he has brought with him years of experience. May the Lord bless Fr. Anthony in his ministry and service. As an update on the progress to date to bridge the $113,000 gap in our parish plan for this year, I am grateful to share that 34 families have committed to an increase in offertory to OLPH. These gifts will cover one-third of our financial needs. I am humbled by your continued generosity and commitment to our parish. It is not too late to join us in the goal of bridging the gap. Visit www.olphparish.org/giving to learn more about becoming a first-time giver or adjusting your current gift schedule.
Lastly, I encourage our young adults to check out the Archdiocese’s plan for World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, in August next year. As part of the local preparations and celebrations, there will be a monthly “pilgrimage” half-day of spiritual formation on the third Sunday of the month, starting this August 20 at the Basilica with a talk by Fr. Brendan Fitzgerald. Sign up online (https://www.archbalt.org/world-youth-day-local-pilgrimage-registration-form) for the monthly sessions, free of charge. I know young adults, ages 18 to 39, are a source of strength to our parish and true blessings.
In the Lord,
Rev. Michael S. Triplett