September 27, 2023October 4, 2023
by in Communications, Uncategorized
17

From the Pastor’s Desk

Twenty-Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Oct 1, 2023

“Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus…”
-Philippians 2:5

Brothers and Sisters,

I’m sure many a parent has often told their grumpy teen to “Check your attitude!” Yet, this declaration is good advice for adults, too. Especially when we consider how easy it is to let outside influences or things out of our control rob us of our peace and affect our mood —for the worse.

That’s why today’s reminder from Paul’s letter to the Philippians to cultivate a servant’s attitude, where we know that all that is good flows from and are gifts from God is so poignant. A servant’s heart allows us to go beyond and give all our efforts, talents, and even our very lives in service to God. This coming week, ask yourself how God wants you to draw upon his gift of Christ’s life in the Eucharist to feed and serve others. Is it by offering your friendship to the lonely, your faith story to the spiritually hungry, or your tangible assistance to those in need?

Not only is our Church blessed this weekend with the ordination of 14 men to the diaconate, but those blessings continue this week as we celebrate some “giants” among saints, St. Therese of Lisieux and St. Francis of Assisi. St. Therese had profound childhood experiences that adjusted her attitude away from the things of the world to God. This mindset enabled her, as just a teenager, to dedicate her life to God as a Carmelite nun. During her far too short life, this “Little Flower” demonstrated such immense wisdom in articulating her Little Way” of spiritual childhood, which encourages complete dependence on the Lord while showing love for others through small deeds done with great love.

As a young man, Francis also needed an attitude adjustment. He dreamed of finding prestige and esteem as a knight. Caught up in fantasy, he returned defeated. Yet, while experiencing rejection, he could hear the Lord ask him “to rebuild the Church.” As many of us have done, he first misunderstood the Lord’s request and began physically repairing run-down buildings. In time, he discovered that Jesus wanted him to live a life of simplicity, inspiring others to join in spiritual renewal.

Like Francis and other saints who lived in turbulent times, Jesus wants us to submit to his will, trust him, and rebuild his Church. Won’t you join me and help? Sometimes, that may mean repairing a wall or putting down a new gymnasium floor. Still, often, cultivating a servant’s heart and the right attitude so we can deliver on the mission and ministry of the Church with our lives is what is needed most!

In closing, pray for the newly ordained deacons, especially Deacon Mike King. With his wife Diane and daughter Jenny, they have been a blessing to our parish. Pray the Lord may bless them as the “other” Deacon Mike enters into this service for the Lord.

In the Lord,

Rev. Michael S. Triplett

Other Considerations in and around our Community:

  • COLUMBIA PREGNANCY CENTER FALL GALA – with Former NFL Baltimore Raven, Matt Birk: Join us for our Fall Gala on Friday, October 6th, 7;00-9:00 p.m. at the Marriott Owings Mills. Hear from Matt Birk and learn more about the mission and ministry of the Center for Pregnancy Concerns and our crisis pregnancy center, Options@328, serving the women of Baltimore City and beyond. To find out more about CPC and this event, visit CPCforhelp.org.
  • EMEKA’s ORPHANAGE CONCERT – Saturday, October 21, from 2-4:30 p.m., starting with Christian Davis and featuring the Erik Christenson Band. Sponsored by the Family Apostolate, this concert benefits their effort to build an orphanage in Nigeria for disabled children whom their families have abandoned. To learn more and order tickets, visit www.familyapostolate.com.
  • MINISTRY TO FAMILIES WHO HAVE MISCARRIED: HOLY INNOCENTS is a ministry of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, facilitated by the Offices of Cemetery Management & Life, Justice and Peace. Its primary mission is to ensure that every child who is miscarried (dying before birth) has a sacred place to be buried. If you or someone you know is miscarrying or has miscarried and needs a sacred place to bury the child, please call 410-547-3142. There is no cost to the family for this ministry. Please keep this ministry in mind when, in the future, someone you know has a miscarriage and wishes to bury the child. Pastoral visitors will arrange to take custody of the child and secure the child until burial. Burials occur twice yearly at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Anne Arundel County.
  • MARYLAND CATHOLIC WOMEN’S CONFERENCE – “Holy Women, Holy Lives,” Saturday, Nov 11, 2023, St. John the Evangelist, Severna Park, MD. This day-long conference is an opportunity for up to 600 women from around the state to come together and deepen their faith by engaging in opportunities for confession, adoration, and Mass, as well as listening to dynamic Catholic speakers and enjoying fellowship. The conference is designed for women desiring to learn about their faith at any age or stage of life. This year, we are excited to offer talks in Spanish and limited childcare services to make the conference accessible to even more women.
  • OLPH KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS GUEST SPEAKER NIGHT- The Knights of Columbus October Social Meeting on Monday, October 23 at 7:00 in Harrison Hall is open to men, women, and youth as Ryan Maurer will speak about and show slides from his trip to Iceland, where he photographed the eruption of Iceland’s newest volcano, Litli-Hrútur, or “Little Ram,” which was born via a fissure that fractured the ground on July 10 and has been spewing rivers of lava. Ryan captured the world’s newest volcano and will share his experience with us!