November 9th, 2022

Embrace the Grace - Weekly Reflection

My sister Rose once shared a story about waking up in the middle of the night while staying at a Minnesota hotel along the shore of Lake Superior. The picture window overlooking the dark waters lifted her into outer space as it seemed the entire galaxy of stars could be touched.

She went to wake up her husband Steve so that the two of them could share the breath-taking view. They just stood there in awe as they admired the vastness of creation.

God quietly speaks to us in these kinds of moments. We glimpse ever so briefly a beauty that transcends this world. Notice how my sister didn’t remain alone in admiration. She wanted to share a beautiful moment with another person; a reminder we are made for relationship; for sharing what is good, true, and beautiful.

We can never love in isolation. Love involves another. That, my friends, is no coincidence. We come from a Creator who is divine relationship of love – the Holy Trinity. Sacred things are meant to be shared. We are called to respond to this love and live each day mindful of this love.

C.S. Lewis wrote, “There is but one good; that is God. Everything else is good when it looks to him, and bad when it turns from Him.”

May our minds and hearts be lifted to the One who is Goodness, Truth, and Beauty.

Fr. Bob

1. A Mass intention may be requested for a Mass for the following reasons:
   1. A deceased loved one.
   2. A living person who is sick or suffering.
   3. A living person who is celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or other special moments in their life.
   4. In thanksgiving to God (including the Lord Jesus or the Holy Spirit).
   5. In thanksgiving for a prayer from a Blessed or a Saint.
   6. Or for a prayer intention (so long as the intention does not contradict Church teaching).
2. A Mass intention may not be requested for a prayer intention that contradicts Catholic moral doctrine.
3. There is a limit of four (4) intentions per Mass. If a given Mass has four intentions on a given day, please choose another Mass.
4. Lengthy intention listings cannot be published in the Bulletin and must be edited for brevity. Since publishing the intention in the Bulletin is to notify the family and friends of the intention, we suggest omitting middle initials, titles, etc. Each intention is limited to either two names or one group. Please indicate if the person for whom the Mass is requested is living or deceased.
5. A $10 donation is to accompany each Mass request. Intentions will not be recorded until the stipend is received. Canon Law requires that all stipends taken for Mass Intentions be said for the intention as designated.
6. Please note that Mass intentions may be requested for Sundays, most holidays, and weekdays throughout the year.  Mass intentions cannot be scheduled for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, Easter, All Saints Day, All Souls Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, News Years Day. One Mass every Sunday and one Mass on a Holy Day of Obligation must be scheduled for the intentions of our parishioners, known as Pro Populo (For the People), as required by Canon Law.
7. Announced Mass requests will be granted as close to the requested date and time as possible. If it is not possible to comply with the primary request, the next closest date and time will be scheduled.