June 28, 2023June 28, 2023
by in Communications, Uncategorized
17

From the Pastor’s Desk

Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

July 2, 2023

“And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because the little one is a disciple – amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.”

~ Matthew 10:42

Brothers and Sisters,

Happy Independence Day! This annual celebration of our nation and the freedom we hold as right and true is important to remember. While we live in a time prone to judge our ancestors by modern standards, we ought to be grateful to God for the blessings of the United States of America. We are not a nation without flaws. Both our past and our present are imperfect. While there are a lot of advances and growth to celebrate, we should not fall into the assumption that everything in our development as a nation is indeed progress. As disciples of Christ, we have to view our world through the lens of the Gospel and accept our calling to make sacrifices to proclaim the love of God to everyone boldly.

On June 22, Pope Francis recognized Baltimore’s own Mother, Mary Lange, as venerable. This latest step on the path to sainthood acknowledges the Christian virtue evident in her life. Mother Mary Lange founded the Oblate Sisters of Providence in Baltimore, the first Catholic order of African American nuns. She was committed to educating African American children at a time when there were no other options. Let us ask Mother Mary Lange’s intercession for our nation and our local Church in Baltimore.

Before I close, Angel Studios releases the movie Sounds of Freedom this week, the same group behind the wildly popular The Chosen. This latest movie shows that 2 million children are trafficked annually. Based on a true story, Sounds of Freedom follows a federal agent confronting the evil of this crime while choosing drastic efforts to find and set these captives free. We cannot ignore this problem – or presume this is an issue confined to autocratic regimes. It is sadly present here right here in Maryland. And as with our ancestors, we have to be the voice of freedom and fight for the rights of all people. Check out angel.com/freedom for tickets or a trailer.

 

In the Lord,

Rev. Michael S. Triplett

Other Considerations in and around our Community:

  •  HOLY INNOCENTS MINISTRY – Miscarriage is a difficult loss that often leaves couples to navigate their grief alone. Holy Innocents Ministry is available to all families experiencing this loss, whether presently or at some time in the past. In addition to burials and the memorialization of children lost before birth, spiritual support and resources are available through the Archdiocese of Baltimore Office of Life, Justice, and Peace in cooperation with the Office of Cemeteries under the care of Father Patrick Carrion. Visit holyinnocentsbaltimore.org for more information.
  • WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER – “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Trust in the Lord that He is in your marriage. The Worldwide Marriage Encounter Experience gives you the tools to have your best marriage. Upcoming dates are Jul 14-16, 2023, in ROCKVILLE, MD, and Sep 22-24, 2023 in Herndon, VA. Early sign-up is recommended. For more information, visit our website at: https://moments4marriage.org or contact us at applications@moments4marriage.org or 301-541-7007.
  • CHRISTLIFE YOUNG ADULT SUMMER SERIES – Are you a young adult searching for a community of like-minded, faith-filled young adults like you? Look no further – join CLYA for our summer series: The Crux! We will be diving into the foundation of our Catholic faith and how to share the good news of the Gospel with others. We will meet from 7-9 PM in St. Paul’s Dohony Hall in Ellicott City on June 27, July 11, July 25, August 8, and August 22. We’re excited to see you!
  • FREE BISHOP BARRON’S THE MASS– For a limited time, walk through the Liturgy with Bishop Barron and be transformed through insights on this most privileged and intimate encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ. See how the Mass brings us out of the fallen world and into the heavenly realm, how it resonates with a call from God and a response from his people, the Church, and, most importantly, how we are intimately joined with the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus through the Holy Eucharist. Visit videos.wordonfire.org/themassepisode1