July 11, 2021

     Happy 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time!  Thank you to everyone who made me feel so welcome last weekend as we begin my time as the pastor of St. Lawrence the Martyr Parish.

     As we move into summer we can begin to see ways to move forward as a Catholic Church.  We will begin to welcome back ministry and groups on campus and into active service of our community.  As with any transition there will be a time of learning and understanding where your patience and mine will be needed.  I have had many people ask me questions about different ministries and activities at our parish and my answer can be a little frustrating for some of us as my answer is: I don’t know or I need to check on that.

     There are a couple of things I can say and do know.

1. Our liturgies will begin to look a little more like they did before we were asked to suspend Mass. We will begin asking Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, Ushers and other ministries to begin again.  It will look a little different and there will be a few adjustments but if you have been involved in these ministries, please let us know when you wish to begin again.
2. Many of the other ministries that have either been meeting online via zoom or have not been able to do “normal ministry” will begin to be able to meet on campus.  Whether it is a prayer ministry, a social service ministry or other groups such as scouting we will hopefully begin these works of joy and hope in serving the people of God.
3. Faith formation will also begin to plan for this fall and the sharing our love of Jesus Christ with both young and old. This isn’t just for our young people and the teens it is also includes our ministry to adults who are receiving different Sacraments and also looking towards growing ministry to our married couples and families and continuing to support vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.

     We have a lot of work to do but together, as St. Paul reminds us, “ Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another.” (Rm 12:4-5)

God Bless,
Fr. Mark

---