Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time | February 20, 2022
“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
Woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep.
Woe to you when all speak well of you,
for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”
~ Luke 6:24-26
Brothers and Sisters,
During this year of the Eucharist, let’s take a moment to reflect upon the wonder of this Sacrament. Receiving the Eucharist (from the Greek eucharistia for “thanksgiving”) is an actual vertical encounter with God, in which He descends so we can be raised up. Consuming the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ unites us as the Body of Christ, drawing us closer in charity and peace, inspired to meet the needs of our brothers and sisters.
Next weekend you are invited to pledge or contribute to the 2022 Annual Appeal for Catholic Ministries to that effort. The Appeal offers us an opportunity to give thanks to God while celebrating the great works of ongoing Church ministries like Catholic Charities, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Hispanic and Black Catholic Ministries, Apostleship of the Seas, Prison Ministry, Catholic Schools, Respect Life, Family Ministry, Vocations, and many more.
One such benefactor is the Msgr. O’Dwyer Retreat House, where I serve on the Board of Directors. The retreat house, dedicated to the faith formation of area youth and young adults, is in the midst of a capital project, which includes the installation of an outdoor prayer garden and an amazing high ropes and zipline course. As many retreat houses close their doors, Baltimore area Catholics are blessed to have this space to form disciples.
While this year’s Appeal’s rebate structure for parish beneficiaries is adjusted, I am confident in the support you have offered through Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal that our internal goal to support Our sister parishes, St Veronica’s, Our Lady of the Nativity, Haiti, ChristLife and our school financial assistance program will not be affected. Our sister parishes, St. Veronica’s in Cherry Hill and Our Lady of the Nativity in Haiti, receive 40% respectively, while 10% is provided to the evangelization efforts of Christ Life and Catholic School tuition assistance at our own Parish School, respectively. I realize that many among us are stretching personal budgets, so let’s commit to lightening each other’s efforts by increasing the number of overall givers. Please remember that we utilize our Appeal rebate to extend generosity to others.
While next weekend provides a chance to pledge in the Church, all are welcome to make a gift or pledge at www.archbalt.org/ministries22.
Thank you for your continued generosity, you all continue to fill me with gratitude and hope!
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever.
Rev. Michael S. Triplett