Echoes from the Rectory: The wise and the foolish
(POSTED: 9/6/12) Joshua set up a great stone at Shechem and called the people to remember their commitment on that day every time they passed that great pillar. Shechem was one of the places that the people of Israel could visit to renew their own faith commitment and pass that faith to the next generation after them. We all need such places, such reminders. Where is your ‘Shechem?’ Where can you go, what can you do, to remind yourself of your best moments of faith? Find that holy place for yourself, and visit there often.
–St. Jude Church, the Rev. Don Lewandowski, New Lenox, Aug. 26, 2012
We find Lady Wisdom in our first reading calling out in the streets: ‘Anybody hungry? Come and get it!’ She sets her table in advance of a guest list. She anticipates multitudes sight unseen. The only requirement is that her guests come wanting what she’s prepared: understanding. How many will dine with her tonight? How many of us would accept her invitation? It’s possible there are two kinds of people, as Lady Wisdom suggests: the wise and the foolish. They eat at different tables. The wise seek nourishment while the foolish just seem to eat. Put simply, we can liken it to the difference between Feasting and Fast Food. It may well be that most places set at Wisdom’s table will go empty. Perhaps she can confidently issue her broad invitation, knowing that only the few will respond. Jesus issues a similarly wide-ranging invitation to dine at his table. He himself is the meal: Eat and drink and live. His flesh is for the life of the world, no exceptions made. There’s plenty of room around this table, and once shared, this life is for keeps. How many will come? Of those who accept the invitation, how many will truly understand it?
–Immaculate Conception Church, the Rev. Kenneth Anderson, Highland Park, Aug. 19, 2012
As I have mentioned before we are in the second year of the Archdiocesan Strategic plan. This year is dedicated to our gathering at the Sunday Mass. Good liturgy should be the centerpiece of our week. It is a time to connect with God and our church family. It is a time to be filled for the week ahead. It is a time to thank God for the week we have just completed. Good liturgy includes all of us from greeters, ushers, choirs, cantors, musicians, readers, and Eucharistic ministers, as well as presiders, and most importantly the gathered community. Our strength as Christians is in our community, in our numbers. When the numbers are too small or dispersed there is a sense that the wind has been taken out of the sails. We need to worship together.
–St. Kieran Church, Rev. John Siemianowski, Chicago Heights, Aug. 5, 2012
We had a wonderful beginning, and thank the parents and grandparents who sacrifice to send their children to a Catholic School. We know it is expensive, since we receive NO state or national assistance, but we offer a moral, rigorous, safe, and loving atmosphere for our children. Keep us in prayer as we respond to Jesus’ invitation: “Let the children come to me.”
–St. Ann Church, Principal Donna Lamoureux, Lansing, Aug. 26, 2012
I was in Stockbridge recently to witness the vows of our men in formation. We had three guys enter the postulancy (the first stage), five enter the novitiate (the second stage), five make their first vows, fourteen renew their vows for another year, and one make his perpetual vows for life. Pray for them, because they may be coming soon to a parish near you.
–St. Patrick Church, Rev. Matthew Lamoureux, Yorkville, Aug. 26, 2012
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