When I used to visit my mom (mostly in the evenings) we would watch either sports of the Game Show Network, and often a podcast that covered the news of the day. During the day my mom watched plenty of EWTN for its prayer offerings and interesting religious shows. I now find myself wishing that we had gotten on her computer to watch some of the MANY offerings that come from the St Augustine Institute on FORMED.org. It has many offerings from movies for adults and children to topical showings that seek to help anyone to grow in and with the Lord. Before I remind you how to open the website and many possibilities that are good and wholesome for all of us, let me indicate what the Augustine Institute currently offers. There are two movies about St Padre Pio that show how God is working in wonderful and even miraculous ways through special faith-filled people who lived in that time. There is a new series put out by the leaders of the Nationsl Eucharistic Revival titled "Jesus and the Eucharist" which will be offered for group reflection here during the upcoming Lenten Season, and will bless us in our efforts to grow in appreciation of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and the blessins that flow from it. There is a much shorter sesries entitled "God Is With Us, Presence" that talks about the Euchrist and its effects that is only 30 minutes per episode. Perhaps when November, the month of All Saints and All Souls Day arrives, you might want to watch a series of videos titled "Eternal Rest, The ARt of Dying Well," that helps us ponder something that will affect all of our lives as we face the reality of departure from this world. With the feasts of the ARchangels (September 29) and Guardian Angels (October 2) happening, you might start watching a four video series (from 18-25 minutes long each) titled "Angels and Saints" and ponder the theology and devotion connected with angels (and saitns). I am impressed by the timeliness of the offering found on FORMED that coincide witht he Church seasons and feasts on the liturgical calendar. Unlike most of the video media, you leave its offering informed, instructed, encouraged, hope-filled and/or entertained all in the name of our faith in Jesus Christ. Please give it a try! Go to www.FORMED.org and follow the prompts. If you have any questions, call me (501-209-2502) as I am eager gor everyone to benefit from what is offered.
This week I'm giving over my pastor's column to Deacon Gary as he explains an exciting new initiative for men of the parish. (Ladies please read this so you can encourage your husband to give it a try. It will be a blessing to them and, indirectly, to you.)
Saint John Henry Newman selected as his motto, the phrase Cor ad cor loquitur, Heart speaks to heart. That's an awesome motto, because it encompasses the best of communication. The heart of Jesus speaks to His people, His followers, and then the hearts of HIs followers, speak to each other and those that don't know Him. It's all encompassing. It captures everybody.
I believe that's why it was selected as the motto for a new initiative in Men's Ministry. The Heart of Jesus will speak to the men gathered together to share their lives as they seek to know HIm better, to get a better picture of what Jesus is teaching his followers. And these men will share their hearts with each other in discussion of the topic selected. The topic is not set in stone. It doesn't come down to us from some place on high. We have four men, at present, who have bolunteered to moderate a group at different times during the week: Wednesday morning, Thursday morning and Thursday evening, and Friday morning. The topics are Bible Study, Church History, Eucharist, 4th Quarter, etc., etc.
Should the group gathered togeter decide they would like to delve into a specific topic, away they will go on it. Has all of this been done before? Of course. As Ecclesiates reminds us, there is nothing new under the sun. But the time in which we are living tells us that past efforts weren't enough. We must renew our efforts to tell each other and the world (our families, friends) the Good News. We have been commanded to "go forth and spread the gospel". How are we doing?
As I mentioned above, there is a new initiative in men's ministry, COR. Obviously taken from St Newman's motto. It is a call to men to get together on a regular basis to pray, study, and get to know each other at a deeper level. Each man will do all these at the level they choose, but our hope is that "group dynamics" will come into play and all will participate to the max. That's how the initiative will succeed. COR meetings are designed to help men build a more intentional relationship with Jesus Christ, through prayer, formation and fraternity.
Straight from Jesus: Hey you, yeah you, COME, FOLLOW ME and GO TELL THE GOOD NEWS.
Saint John Henry Newman selected as his motto, the phrase Cor ad cor loquitur, Heart speaks to heart. That's an awesome motto, because it encompasses the best of communication. The heart of Jesus speaks to His people, His followers, and then the hearts of HIs followers, speak to each other and those that don't know Him. It's all encompassing. It captures everybody.
I believe that's why it was selected as the motto for a new initiative in Men's Ministry. The Heart of Jesus will speak to the men gathered together to share their lives as they seek to know HIm better, to get a better picture of what Jesus is teaching his followers. And these men will share their hearts with each other in discussion of the topic selected. The topic is not set in stone. It doesn't come down to us from some place on high. We have four men, at present, who have bolunteered to moderate a group at different times during the week: Wednesday morning, Thursday morning and Thursday evening, and Friday morning. The topics are Bible Study, Church History, Eucharist, 4th Quarter, etc., etc.
Should the group gathered togeter decide they would like to delve into a specific topic, away they will go on it. Has all of this been done before? Of course. As Ecclesiates reminds us, there is nothing new under the sun. But the time in which we are living tells us that past efforts weren't enough. We must renew our efforts to tell each other and the world (our families, friends) the Good News. We have been commanded to "go forth and spread the gospel". How are we doing?
As I mentioned above, there is a new initiative in men's ministry, COR. Obviously taken from St Newman's motto. It is a call to men to get together on a regular basis to pray, study, and get to know each other at a deeper level. Each man will do all these at the level they choose, but our hope is that "group dynamics" will come into play and all will participate to the max. That's how the initiative will succeed. COR meetings are designed to help men build a more intentional relationship with Jesus Christ, through prayer, formation and fraternity.
Straight from Jesus: Hey you, yeah you, COME, FOLLOW ME and GO TELL THE GOOD NEWS.
As I compose this pastor's column, I am preparing for the Mas of Resurrection for Tom Yerina, a longtime and very active parishioner who left hismark in our parish in many ways (look up my pastor's column on our website from December 11, 2022 as he was our VIP that month). I will then start preparations for the Mass of Resurrection for Carol Cruz, our longtime head sacristan who headed up that important ministry for both Msgr. Malone and myself for a total of 17 years. (She was one of our first VIPs along with her husband, Larry). It is these and so many people like them that make this parish so vibrant and so effective in its call to serve the Lord and fellow parish (family) members, as well as, others beyond our faith community. God rest their souls as we lift them up to the Lord and thank the Lord for the various ways they lived their faith in action, including marriages of over 60 years with their spouses (Martha with Tom, and Larry with Carol). I want to use the rest of this column to introduce to you two people who have stepped up to the plate recently in significant ways for our parishionersl Lou Ann Kemper has volunteered to take on theleadership of the faith formation for the youth of our parish. She is a relatively new parishioner who comes to us from Texas and has a degree in theology and a resume that includes being a Religious Education Coordinator for a large parish. While, admittedly, our numbers of children and young people is small, Lou Ann is looking to get their families more connected to the whole parish in vaious ways that will bless all those involved. She is looking for some good people to help in vaious ways throughout the school year. So please give her a call (501-922-2062 ext 11) and let her know of your desire to help in some way or ways. Thanks to Lou Ann for what she has committed to do for us. Deb Troxel has agreed to be our parish point person for our parish participation in the Eucharist Revival that's going on throughout our country. Deb is a certified spiritual director who has accepted (and still accepts) parishioners who desire spiritual direction. Call her at 515-240-6729 to find out more. She is also an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion at Mass and is currently involved in the effort of CHI St Vincent to provide the Eucharist for Catholic patients. She is a faithful Eucharistic Adorer and covers more than a few hours most weeks as a substitute. Deb is also looking for help as she coordinates the effort to deepen all parishioners' appreciation of the HOly Eucharist, as well as, reaching out in various ways to non-practicing Catholics in our community.
I am so grateful for both of these women and look forward to working with them and want to encourage all of us to join them and make this a team effort that will bear much fruit in the name of the Lord and for the glory of God!
I am so grateful for both of these women and look forward to working with them and want to encourage all of us to join them and make this a team effort that will bear much fruit in the name of the Lord and for the glory of God!