Pastor’s Note: February 3, 2019 Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
We are all prophets!
We have all been rejected at one time or another. If we speak up about pro-life or social justice issues that are very important to us, being Catholic, or being proud of our ethnicity, often times we will not always be welcomed. Even at family gatherings, if we talk about religion or politics, often times a great debate may occur.
The readings this weekend help us to reflect on what it means to be a prophet. The first reading and the gospel focus on Jeremiah and Jesus bringing a particular message from God to the people. Being a prophet like Jeremiah and Jesus is not always easy or welcoming.
In the First Reading from Jeremiah, we read the call and commissioning of the prophet Jeremiah. God appoints a prophet to speak the truth to the people and Jeremiah encounters great hardship as a spokesman for the heavenly court. In the Second Reading to the Corinthians, we read Paul’s remarkable hymn to love. It is one of the most popular readings heard at wedding ceremonies: love is patient, love is kind.
In today’s Gospel of Luke, we continue reading from last week’s passage as Jesus goes back to his hometown in Nazareth to give his inaugural sermon to teach in the synagogue. People already begin to wonder about his identity, but their amazement quickly turns into fury as Jesus draws the connection between himself and the prophets Elijah and Elisha. Prophets are not accepted in their native place. Jesus claims he is the fulfillment of scripture and that God cares for the Gentiles as well as Jesus. He speaks in the temple, in his hometown of Nazareth and the people do not welcome him. Jesus was called to break down boundaries. Through our baptism we are called to be prophets for the Kingdom of God. Let us not have fear, but have faith.
We are all prophets!
Blessing of Throats: In honor of the Feast of St. Blaise, we will have the “Blessing of Throats” after each Mass this weekend. All are invited to get their throats blessed.
Next weekend we will we celebrate
“Scout Sunday”. We celebrate Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts in our area. Scouting is very special to me as I am an Eagle Scout and before entering the Seminary, I worked as a District Executive for the former Greater Pittsburgh Council. Thank you to our parents and Adult Volunteers who make the Scouting programs possible for the Youth in our area.
Looking Ahead:
First Reconciliation and Holy Communion Parent Meeting- will take place on Tuesday, February 5 at 7pm in the St. Bede School Cafeteria. (please note that this year we are having one combined information meeting for both sacraments).
First Reconciliation for the CCEEP community will be on Saturday, March 9 at 11am at St. Bede Church.
Confirmation for the CCEEP community will be on Tuesday, March 26 at 7pm at St. Bede Church with Bishop Zubik!
First Holy Communion for the CCEEP community will be on Sunday, April 28 at 2pm at St. Bede Church.
End of the Year Tax Statements: Registered parishioners in the CCEEP community should already have or will be receiving their end of the year financial donation statements via e-mail or in a letter in the mail. If you find any discrepancies or have questions about your donations please contact: Joe Perozich at St. Bede, Joyce Broadus at St. Charles Lwanga, or Cathy Raffaele at St. James. It is very important that we have your correct census information: name, address, telephone number and e-mail address. Please let us know of any changes.
E-mail Scam Alert: Several priests in the Diocese of Pittsburgh (including me) have recently had their e-mail account contacts hacked. Should you ever receive an e-mail from a Gmail account with my “name” that is requesting a “favor” or a gift-card, or need to reply,
please do not respond. It is a scam! Several parishioners, staff, and friends of mine have been receiving awkward e-mails recently. I do not have a Gmail account. If you are ever suspicious of an unusual
e-mail please just call on the telephone or see me in person.
Something to Think About… Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. The third is to be kind. Henry James
With God, All Things Are Possible!
Fr. Tom Burke, Administrator E-Mail:[email protected] www.cceepgh.org