Fr. Benjamin Arevalos PARISH Pastor July 16, 2021 |
Dear Friends,
On the 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time, cycle B, both the first reading and the Gospel bring to mind the image of the shepherd and of shepherding. If we recall back a bit, the Fourth Sunday of Easter introduced us to Jesus the Good Shepherd who told us "I lay down my life for my sheep." Today, the Good Shepherd wants to leave the care of His sheep not only in the hands of consecrated people, but also in the hands of all parents.
All baptized, in addition to being sheep in Christ's flock, are also shepherds to some extent. Some, without ceasing to be sheep, have been called to consecrate their lives to shepherd a part of Christ's flock as priests. For example, Fr. Moises and Fr. Pat who pastored the flock of St. Viator for many years, I as pastor for four years at St. Wenceslaus and now pastor of the new unified parish of Saints Viator and Wenceslaus and Fr. Martín Ibarra who is with us in this new reality of a unified Church. |
Each priest has been called to consecrate his life to shepherd a specific part of the flock of Christ but every baptized person has received the mission of collaborating with priests in numerous areas, and very specifically in the area of family life.
If the parents do not fulfill their mission as shepherds, it makes the work of shepherding very difficult. This results in our reality today with children and young people, they are no longer shepherded. They are no longer disciplined, nor are they taught obedience or service. Parents, with the guidance and support of consecrated people, have the mission and obligation to be shepherds, educating children and young people morally and religiously. If parents fail in their mission of shepherding, we can do very little in church and school.
In today's Gospel, Saint Mark tells us: When he disembarked, Jesus saw a crowd and felt sorry for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd and began to teach them many things." Jesus, the Good Shepherd, gave His life for us and today he leaves His sheep in the hands of consecrated people and in the hands of all parents. Through baptism, we were united to Christ and to his Church and we become both sheep and shepherds.
If the parents do not fulfill their mission as shepherds, it makes the work of shepherding very difficult. This results in our reality today with children and young people, they are no longer shepherded. They are no longer disciplined, nor are they taught obedience or service. Parents, with the guidance and support of consecrated people, have the mission and obligation to be shepherds, educating children and young people morally and religiously. If parents fail in their mission of shepherding, we can do very little in church and school.
In today's Gospel, Saint Mark tells us: When he disembarked, Jesus saw a crowd and felt sorry for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd and began to teach them many things." Jesus, the Good Shepherd, gave His life for us and today he leaves His sheep in the hands of consecrated people and in the hands of all parents. Through baptism, we were united to Christ and to his Church and we become both sheep and shepherds.
Adopt a Family Event 2018
Adopt a Family would like to extend 101 Thank You’s from our 101 Families who enjoyed an afternoon full of presents and treats! Thank You to our generous shoppers, bakers and elves who pitched in to make this a special day for local families in need of help. An extra thanks to our Youth Group, Teen Club, Girl Scouts and Parent Association! Merry Christmas!