After months and months of preparation it is finally time for the Parish Mission at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Casper, Wyoming. While I have enjoyed numerous trips to Our Lady of Fatima in recent years for Religious Education workshops and pro-life events, this will be my first parish mission in the city of Casper. I hope to see friends from all three Casper parishes over the course of these five days.
I am looking forward to preaching at the weekend Masses. The Gospel reading for the weekend is the parable of the prodigal son. Focusing our attention on the extravagant love and mercy of God the Father will be a beautiful way to get things started for the week. Then, let the momentum build.
On Monday I will focus attention on the gift of faith. What do we believe? Why do we believe it? How does it make a difference in the way that we live? This is one of my favorite topics to dwell upon. It touches on the very essence of being a follower of Christ.
On Tuesday I will guide us toward the virtue of hope. The theological virtue of hope is much more than mere optimism. We have hope because we have been redeemed by our Lord, Jesus Christ. God's extravagant mercy is fully demonstrated in the gift of salvation. We celebrate this gift profoundly during the Season of Lent leading us to the Great Paschal Triduum.
On Wednesday we will contemplate the abundance of God's mercy in great detail. The mercy of God is prevalent in many facets of the Christian life. Our liturgical prayer is inundated with themes of mercy. Our rituals and gestures are filled with signs and symbols of mercy. The question is whether or not we recognize these things. Are we just going through the motions?
I am grateful that the "older" students in religious education classes will be joining us for the parish mission on Wednesday evening. Please know that you are welcome all three nights. There will be something you can easily grasp all three nights.
I make this appeal to non-Catholics in the Casper area as well. Please come to Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings. The parish mission will be a way you can learn a little more about what Catholics believe in a relaxed atmosphere. Walking into a place when you don't understand everything that is going on can be intimidating. I understand that sentiment well and I want you to know that this will be a safe adventure for you. I will simply use the words of Jesus for my invitation, "Come and see."
I am looking forward to preaching at the weekend Masses. The Gospel reading for the weekend is the parable of the prodigal son. Focusing our attention on the extravagant love and mercy of God the Father will be a beautiful way to get things started for the week. Then, let the momentum build.
On Monday I will focus attention on the gift of faith. What do we believe? Why do we believe it? How does it make a difference in the way that we live? This is one of my favorite topics to dwell upon. It touches on the very essence of being a follower of Christ.
On Tuesday I will guide us toward the virtue of hope. The theological virtue of hope is much more than mere optimism. We have hope because we have been redeemed by our Lord, Jesus Christ. God's extravagant mercy is fully demonstrated in the gift of salvation. We celebrate this gift profoundly during the Season of Lent leading us to the Great Paschal Triduum.
On Wednesday we will contemplate the abundance of God's mercy in great detail. The mercy of God is prevalent in many facets of the Christian life. Our liturgical prayer is inundated with themes of mercy. Our rituals and gestures are filled with signs and symbols of mercy. The question is whether or not we recognize these things. Are we just going through the motions?
I am grateful that the "older" students in religious education classes will be joining us for the parish mission on Wednesday evening. Please know that you are welcome all three nights. There will be something you can easily grasp all three nights.
I make this appeal to non-Catholics in the Casper area as well. Please come to Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings. The parish mission will be a way you can learn a little more about what Catholics believe in a relaxed atmosphere. Walking into a place when you don't understand everything that is going on can be intimidating. I understand that sentiment well and I want you to know that this will be a safe adventure for you. I will simply use the words of Jesus for my invitation, "Come and see."
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