“The Beatitudes”

Dear family,

This Sunday’s gospel invites us to reflect on the Beatitudes. Jesus, in this gospel, is represented by St. Mathew as the New Moses. Just Moses received the Ten Commandments on Sinai, Jesus on the same mountain, offered to his disciples the Beatitudes as a summary of the Gospel. In fact, the important question that is addressed by the Beatitudes is: What is the source of joy or happiness?

The world accentuates on or presents the values such as wealth, power, and knowledge as symbols of success and sources of happiness. On the contrary, Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mountain, presents the Beatitudes to his disciples as sources of joy or happiness on earth and guarantees of eternal life in heaven. In other words, the Gospel of Jesus is in contradiction with the spirit of the world. For Jesus, wealth, power, and knowledge can be considered as means, but not the ends of our lives. They can serve as means when we put our treasure, knowledge, and power at the service of others to build a world that is more just and fraternal. “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth, who have observed his law; seek justice, seek humility; perhaps you may be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger.” Therefore, live in the spirit of the Beatitudes means to humble enough to accept our treasure, knowledge, and power as blessings from God.

Pope Benedict XVI, in his reflection on the Beatitudes, said the following: “Each beatitude is the fruit of Christ looking upon his disciples. The Beatitudes express the meaning of discipleship. What the Beatitudes mean cannot be expressed in purely theoretical terms; it is proclaimed in the life and suffering, and in the mysterious joy, of the disciple who gives himself over completely to following the Lord.” Therefore, let us be humble and acknowledge daily our dependence on Jesus Christ for without Him we cannot do nothing. Let us also daily embrace the cross of Jesus Christ by enduring our share of hardships for the sake of the Gospel because the cross will lead us to joy and happiness. “Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

Have a blessed week!

Fr. Jean Jadotte

Friendship Sunday Potluck

The last Sunday of this month, January 29th, after the 11 O’clock mass at the Parish Hall.

We look forward to getting together to socialize, share food and celebrate birthdays or anniversaries together.

Please, bring a potluck dish to share for at least 10 people. We would love to see you there!

We are accepting donations for our annual “Garage Sale”

Please leave it by the garage door, from Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 3:00 pm.

Sanctuary Lamp

You may have the sanctuary lamp memorialized for either a sick person, a deceased loved one, or a special intention for a weekly donation of $10.00.

Please visit the office to reserve a special date. Thank you for your support.

The Sanctuary Lamp will burn this week in the Church for the intention of the Ralph Dixon and in the Chapel for the intention of the Parish Community.

Happy Birthday Read More

Prayer Request Read More

Lenten Holy Land Pilgrimage Read More

A special offering: St. Pius X Brick Garden Read More

Patriot Corner Read More

St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank Read More

Remember Your Offering Read More

Respect Life Office Read More