Dear Parishioners,

 

This Monday is Labor Day. As a nation, we remember both the goodness of work and the goodness of rest from work. Mass will be at 9:00 AM on Monday at St. Julie Parish. All are welcome.

 

 On Saturday, September 12, I will be celebrating a wedding during the regularly scheduled 5:00 PM Mass at St. Julie Parish. Bob Vaughn and Kathy Buckingham will be exchanging vows and receiving the Sacrament of Matrimony after the homily during this Mass. They will not be processing in and there will not be a large wedding party. I do not anticipate a longer Mass.

 

Though this is not common in the United States, celebrating the sacrament of matrimony and funeral rites during the weekend liturgies is somewhat common in the mission territories of Latin America. We wish Bob and Kathy well in their sacramentally married life together.

 

The fourth graders of St. Peter Parish have moved over to the newly renovated mobile unit late last week. I am grateful for the extra efforts of Mrs. Terri Barlow and Mr. Ben Katzbach. They “team taught” the fourth grade in the Galilee Room of the St. Peter Parish Center for the first two weeks of the school year. I am sure that teachers and students will be glad to be in their new space for the remainder of the school year.

 

St. Peter Parish hosted a Discovering Christ reunion last Sunday. Everyone enjoyed the potluck dinner, prayer and words of encouragement. Earlier in the day, both parishes heard witnesses on how Discovering Christ impacted their lives. I am grateful to Jan Leither, Theresa Bak, Annie Hall, Keith Nelson and Greta Zigmund for sharing their stories with both parishes. If you have not made Discovering Christ, I encourage you to register ASAP. Our next series begins on Monday, September 14 at St. Julie Parish. See the websites for sign-up information.

 

 Today’s readings call us to practice the spiritual work of mercy called Admonishing the sinner. In our first reading, the Lord described the role of the prophet Ezekiel as a watchman. Just as a watchman would warn a city that an enemy was approaching, so the prophet was to warn sinners of the consequences of their actions. In the gospel, Jesus instructs his disciples to correct others. They would begin by doing it privately. If necessary, other people would become involved.

 

Dr. John Bergsma, in his commentary on today’s readings (The Word of the Lord, cycle A Emmaus Road, 2022), rightly points out that our culture is very non-confrontational. We do not like to make waves. However, it is an act of love to warn a person involved in serious wrongdoing of the consequences of their actions. Admonishing the sinner can break through spiritual coma that lulls people into tolerating sin.

 

This is an area where clergy and laity can pray for each other. Bishops, priests and deacons need the courageous love to speak the truth in love, clearly summoning people to forsake their sins and seek God’s mercy in confession. Laity, especially parents, need courageous love to speak the truth to their children. Come Holy Spirit!

 

 In Christ, Fr. Bob Franco