"what makes a person whole"

Turn on the news, scan your social media, or flip open a newspaper and your bound to find a miracle 

that will both inspire and move you. Someone survives a three-lane rollover, a tornado takes an odd turn at the last moment, inexplicably sparing a mother and her infant child who lay in wait - a short, few feet away. Even now on Facebook the "Missouri Miracle" is again making the rounds - an ABC News Story that aired back in June 2015 about a man who appeared out of nowhere and began praying as workers tried to extricate a woman from a crushed vehicle, then suddenly disappearing after the rescue, even from the photos taken at the crash scene that day.

"every bit our brothers and sisters"

During his general audience on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, Pope Francis reflected on the calling of Matthew to discipleship by Jesus. A sinner and a tax collector for the Romans, Matthew - a Jew himself - was despised by Jews because he represented the whole of Roman occupation and dominance.  Christ however, sees in Matthew a brother who was created "in the image of God" (Gen 1:27) and it is in that simple recognition of who each of us is that rests the entirety of Christ's ministry.

Christ saw every individual as His brother and sister - created in the "image and likeness" (Gen 1:26) of His Father, while simultaneously witnessing to their dignity as His children - fully participating within His Person in the Most Holy Trinity. In so doing, Jesus took every opportunity to meet His brothers and sisters, sons and daughters where they were at, physically, mentally, and spiritually, rather than where He was.

The Q90.1 Radio Spot

We're thrilled, and grateful to our Pastor - Fr. Bob, to be sponsoring two radio spots per day for the next month on Christian Radio The Q 90.1.  Click on the "play" button ">" on the sound App above to hear the radio spot. Thanks as well to our brothers and sisters at The Q 90.1, Charlton.

"yet I live, no longer I"

Each day, as we step further outside of ourselves, the comfort of who we are within the four walls of our home, the four walls of our Church, we travel deeper into the place that our Lord, Jesus Christ calls us to. Each day, His voice is ever clearer, ever the more familiar, and ever the more challenging. For with each step we take on this journey for Jesus, one begins to sense a stillness within one's heart that defies the challenge we are faced with. 

Traveling out on an uncharted course (insofar as our personal experience) should logically create an ever-expanding sense of trepidation, reluctance, and perhaps even resignation, particularly in a world where faith is expected to remain hidden. Yet, with every step, every prayer, and every thought of our Lord's trials in the desert, the challenges to His ministry, the rejections from those He loved, and the suffering He willingly undertook for our salvation, one finds a growing sense of peace, hope and charity settling within the heart that is beyond explanation. 

"...in deed and in truth"

"Heavenly Father, we offer this journey to You, praying that You will sanctify our actions, inspire our hearts, guide our speech, and uplift our souls, so that our steps this day may serve solely to glorify You. We pray that the hearts and minds of those we engage - whether directly or through some inspired words, perhaps found within the material we provide, may help to open them to the movement of the Holy Spirit - that they may then be blessed with a greater desire for You. And we pray, that all we visit today may find - even if only for a moment, a Peace within themselves that can only be found in You and through You. We ask all of this through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord and Savior. Amen."

And so began the second day of our "Journey for Jesus", walking the road less traveled, as we - within the confines our hearts, minds, and souls - venture into the "desert" - hoping that with every step, every door, and every encounter, we might leave a seed that may take root and one day flourish for Christ.

Did You Know?

That only 24% of U.S. Catholics report that they attend Mass every week. (CARA).

That there are 25 million Americans who no longer self-identify themselves as Catholics. (CARA).

In the United States, Christians will decline from more than three-quarters of the population in 2010 to two-thirds in 2050, and Judaism will no longer be the largest non-Christian religion. Muslims will be more numerous in the U.S. than people who identify as Jewish on the basis of religion. (PEW)

A Works of Mercy Ministry

The Missionaries of Mercy is a Works of Mercy ministry whose mission is to bring the love and mercy of God to all of our brothers and sisters through the Spiritual and Corporal works of mercy - one prayer at a time, one person at a time, one neighborhood at a time. Through prayer, personal interaction, neighborhood engagement, and helping-hands for those in need, we seek to foster love, restore hope, and enrich souls. 

We will be visiting neighborhoods throughout our Parish, extending the merciful hand of Jesus Christ, His Church, our Pastor, and our parishioners, sharing the Good News, while providing "Hope Bags" containing information about our Church, our Ministry, our Prayer Line - accompanied with refrigerator magnets and wallet cards, as well as information about our Diocese and current affairs via the Catholic Free Press, who is graciously providing newspapers for our missionaries endeavors.

Commissioned

Yesterday at the 4:30 Mass, eight Missionaries were commissioned by our Pastor - Fr. Robert Grattaroti to "go forth and bring the love and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, on behalf of His Church to all the people". Each of the missionaries (Brenda, Jeannine, Kimberly, Melissa, Paulette, Susan, Tom, and Victoria) were presented with a 3 inch wooden cross and a picture identification badge that were blessed in front of the congregation followed by a formal blessing of each team member.

And so begins the journey to bring the love and mercy of God to our brothers and sisters reaching out to them beyond the four walls and safety of our church - meeting them where they are, rather than where we are.

We ask you to Pray for us, pray for our church, pray for our Pastor, and pray for those who are desperately in need of God's Mercy.