To my dear friends in the Body of Christ, grace and peace in the Lord’s name! Our parish has experienced beautiful liturgies over the years which reveal the depth of our various lay ministers’ personal reverence and devotion. This is not an accident. The full participation of lay members in our celebrations of Mass is the fruit of a tree carefully planted and nurtured by prayer, commitment and hard work as it is everywhere in the universal Church.
 
The need for change and renewal is not under anyone’s control. It can develop suddenly or over a long period of time. And when a genuine need arises, it has its own timing. No one and nothing can stop it. What can be acted upon, however, are renewal and change. Human beings have the capacity to observe, reflect and choose what they will do. The need for change is upon us. Our Catholic Mass needs a full complement of ministers in the areas of lay reader, administering Holy Communion, sacristan, singer and musician, and usher. The time for rebuilding is now!
 
 We cannot wish this need away, nor can we push it off into the future. In response to this challenge, I call the parish to step up and support its most vital activity, the celebration of Holy Eucharist. All of us appreciate St. Philip the Apostle parish. But many persons, unfortunately, will not lift a hand in the Lord’s vineyard. Yet they want a share of the harvest.  
 
The capacity to reflect sets the human creature apart from all others in the world. Moreover, the capacity of Christians to reflect and pray sets them apart from all other people in the world. Reflect, that is to say, think again, just how Jesus Christ asks for your love. Reflect on how your love is proven by faithfulness and deeds. Discern what God needs you to do for his people.
 
There are many things in life I’m not sure of. But I’m sure of this: A Christian’s devotion to the Mass is the defining measure of his or her individual life. It is the essence of what it means to be chosen by the Lord. Reflect on the meaning of discipleship, your sacramental promise to be a visible witness of the Lord’s gospel message. You show your love to God when you declare his praises in the midst of his assembly. You show your love for God by serving him in his temple.
 
NOW YOU are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.  [Eph 5:8-10] 
 
There is no other way. We need not be negative or doubtful. What is needed from each of us is trust in God. What is needed is space for God’s wise and merciful emissary, the Holy Spirit, to engage our minds and hearts in the knowledge that Jesus is Emmanuel (“God with us”) and that he cares. We are entering an exciting time. We need to be more dependent on the Lord than ever, trusting now more than ever, being more attentive to him than we’ve ever been before.
 
Whatever the outcome may be for any particular endeavor in this “time of refreshing”  [Acts 3:19],  let us be alive in Christ and breathe his Spirit. For his part, it is proper, even desirable, that Christ expects each one of us to be a lively and productive disciple in the communion of his Church. Jesus’ words are comforting, but they are anything but indifferent or careless:  “As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”  [Jn 15:4] 

Sincerely in the hearts of Jesus and Mary.


 Your pastor, Reverend Richard Barker.
 
 
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