Fr. Mike’s Communication for July 11, 2021

Feast of Our Lady of Perpetual help | July 11, 2021

Graphic advertising Father Mike Triplett's pastoral Letter for July 11, 2021

“Jesus summoned the Twelve
and began to send them out two by two
and gave them authority over unclean spirits.”

– Mark 6:7

Summer Greetings!

As a nation, we value entrepreneurial initiatives, and I, too, have deep admiration for those who have started businesses. My respect aside, I doubt I fully understand all the challenges of getting a new business off the ground. Like the uncertainty of knowing if rent or operating expenses will be met each month, or ultimately if the business idea or product will be well received. Despite my unfamiliarity with these things, I’d imagine that quality control over development and services rests firmly with the company owner in the start-up phase, even if this extra control translates into putting in long hours to get things done just right. However, as any business grows, the owner can’t do everything, so proper employee training is critical, especially when the opportunity to expand arrives. After all, employees may not share a founder’s vision and or commitment to quality. So during these growth periods, expectations probably need adjusting while new employees learn the right skills and gain on-the-job experience while learning from their fellow employees.

In many ways, after gathering his core disciples, Jesus had to do the same when he knew it was time to expand his mission. Aware he couldn’t be present to everyone searching for God, seeking wisdom, in need of healing, or community, Christ takes the time to train his core team leading by example. Jesus performs miracles, teaches through memorable stories, and brings healing and forgiveness to all those in need. Jesus didn’t hide his “failures,” during the training process either; remember, in last week’s Gospel, when Christ didn’t make an impact in his hometown. Fast forward to today’s Gospel, now done with their on-the-job preparation; Jesus offers a few last-minute instructions to his departing twelve, which could be boiled down to Keep it Simple. They should never forget, as should we, that any authority given is grounded in the Lord and our strength depends undoubtedly on Christ.

To this day, Christ still sends out disciples to fulfill the mission he started. Has the quality of execution dropped? Well, the Church continues to struggle – keeping all the affiliates and franchises offering the real deal: the Lord Jesus Christ, pure and simple. No imitations, no substitutions. Still, Jesus has an abiding interest in maintaining an exceptional quality of his ministry while promising his grace in support for our efforts.
Inspired by this, as disciples, we ought to encourage one another to use our gifts and talents – and in maintaining exceptional quality control, we are genuinely helping people encounter the Lord. OLPH parish remains committed to improving in that spirit, but that will require all of us to work together. As parish life expands, we need leaders in the form of inspired parishioners grounded in the Lord to resume or begin various ministries around the campus. Including liturgical and musical ministries, outreach and service to the poor and lonely, catechesis and ministry with our children and youth, small faith groups, committees, and perhaps most importantly, fill some holes in small groups. If you would like to explore ways to serve in ministry, please reach out to us HERE We appreciate and need your service in ministry and promise to “keep it simple” as we recognize that Christ has already supplied the vision and authority to deliver upon his mission,

Some of the key considerations for this week.

  • Welcome to Fr. Anthony. Many of you will have met our new associate this weekend and I encourage you to take the time to introduce yourselves over the next couple of weeks.
  • This week, I will be with a great team, made of a couple of youth ministers, campus ministers, adult faith coordinators, music ministers, teachers, deacon, and another priest for the 43rd Annual High School Leadership Institute, or HighLI. This 8-day formation seeks to prepare our youth to live as missionary disciples in their parishes, schools, families, and communities right now. My time at HighLI always brings me a bit of renewed energy and enthusiasm that the creativity and joy of this experience brings. Having adapted throughout my life (yes, while I was not associated with it, I was just six months old when the first HighLI took place), learning about ourselves and listening to how the Lord is calling us to follow remains central. Please pray for those throughout the diocese during this formation week and all our youth – some returning from the Damascus experience and others participating in Steubenville Conferences this summer.
  • Vacation Bible School or VBS for our younger parishioners, with the theme of Treasured, Discovering You’re Priceless to God is also this week  I recall my own experiences with fondness as I attended Bible Camps each summer as a child, with the catchy bible songs and the time with friends. Please keep our campers, their families who will be joining them, and the many dedicated volunteers and OLPH staff members who make VBSweek a possibility in your prayers!
  • BOOM is another awesome formation experience for our High School Youth this summer (rising freshmen through graduated seniors). Enjoy a week together, August 2-6, with opportunities for prayer and to go Beyond in service at locations including Shrine of St. Anthony, Our Daily Bread, Franciscan Center, First Fruits Farm, and Helping Up Mission. The day will start with 8:15 am morning Mass at OLPH each day and conclude with returning to the parish around 3 pm. Friday will be spent celebrating our week of service with time for food and fellowship. Click here Register now for BOOM.
  • Next Sunday, July 18th Bishop Madden with pastor Fr. Stephen Ositimehin and I will celebrate the 9 am Mass at our Sister Parish, St. Veronica (806 Cherry Hill Road, Baltimore, 21225) to commemorate their 75th Anniversary. All OLPH parishioners are welcome to join them as they mark this milestone. I am grateful that a number of our musicians will be joining with their music ministry to help lift our voices in praise of all that God is doing in this South Baltimore community. Many of us are carpooling, and I would encourage you to check out this RSVP here to be included in the OLPH caravan!  If you are not able to join us in person, join us in prayer – May the Lord strengthen the parish community and aid them in truly being a light for their wider community.
  • Did you know there is a way to serve God on earth by serving other people? Well, God has prepared us for this mission by equipping us with spiritual gifts, natural abilities, passions, and even life experiences so that we may go BEYOND what we think we are capable of achieving. OLPH’s newly forming Catechetical Team is looking for folks passionate about their faith who feel called to share their Spirit-given gifts with children, youth, adults, and families in our OLPH parish. The group will meet once a month beginning the Fall of 2021 for prayer, formation, fellowship, and planning, and will assist our Faith Formation leaders, Judy Gruel, Maureen Schafer, and Kelly Sliker. Click here link to learn more. 
  • Many married saints have feast days in July, including Sts. Aquila & Priscilla, Sts. Louis & Zelie Martin, Sts. Joachim & Anne. Join us, Saturday, July 17th at 7 pm for a Mass specifically for married couples, interceding for our marriages and all marriages, and receive a special blessing at the end of Mass. Children are welcome!

St. Joseph, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever.

Rev. Michael S. Triplett