Cathedral Family,
This weekend, the resounding central message is captured in the first reading on Isaiah the prophet's lips: “Why spend your money for what does not satisfy?” A provocative question. We spend our money on what we value, and what we value in some way brings some kind of satisfaction. Yet, the deepest hunger is not something that this world will ultimately fulfill. We are made for eternal happiness, and the things of this world are passing by — relative to the things that endure. Are you spending your summer in service to the deeper longing of your heart? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the answer to you.
This Sunday at the 10 am Mass, we will Confirm 12 High School and college students and one adult into our rich life of the Catholic faith! They have been preparing in our OCIA process for many weeks. It is a joy to see how they have all asked of their own volition to be part of the Church and receive the sacraments. We have so much to be grateful for here in our community — but the continual new life springing up in the sacraments of initiation witnesses to us that the Holy Spirit is active and alive here. Please pray for them that they will be richly blessed and become His disciples in word and deed. Let us also renew our own gratitude for all we have received from our faith. We must never take for granted the great gift God has given us to be part of His One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church! May your mission continue in us, Lord!
Gratefully, the capital improvements continue to go forward all over the campus. The new sound system is indeed a great addition. Shortly, we will have the ADA components that will allow the hearing impaired to have additional support to hear the celebration. This will be an amazing improvement for those with this need. Also, in the next couple of weeks, the sound system in the Cathedral Community Room will be replaced and upgraded to the quality and specifications of the sound system upstairs. This will make parish, school, and diocesan events in the Community Room so much more pleasant.
This coming week, I will spend time with our parish leadership team in both the parish and school. This is our annual retreat to review our past year and to actively listen to the voice of Jesus. We need to “come away with Him.” Please pray for our retreat and the mission of our parish. Our goal is to fulfill Jesus' great commission and help everyone reach heaven! No small task. So we must pray and lean into all the graces our Lord gives us to be faithful to Him and His call.
Keep having a blessed summer…
Peace and prayers,
Father Christy