Memo from Msgr. Raun - Wednesday, April 8th, 2020
Dear family,
You’ve probably read Psalm 23 many, many times.
Today, we need to read it again. Psalm 23 provides encouragement for the valleys we face in life—and today we’re facing some valleys. As a pandemic stretches across our world, we’re facing increasing health and financial concerns. These are difficult days.
Psalm 23 provides tremendous hope for what we’re experiencing. Through this chapter, God reminds us of powerful truths we can cling to when we’re afraid.
We are not alone!
God is walking through the valley with us. Psalm 23:4 says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me”
You deal with life’s shadows by turning to the light. You can’t see the shadow and look at the light at the same time. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life”
Stop focusing on what’s scaring you, and focus on Jesus. He is with you right now. When you get your focus off of your fear, you can focus on God and what he wants to do through you. You may not be able to see him, but He is there.
Valleys are different for a believer than a non-believer. That difference isn’t the absence of the shadow. It’s the presence of the Shepherd.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY : a prayer for Spy Wednesday, the day Judas betrayed our Lord -
O God our heavenly Father, who to redeem the world didst deliver up thine only Son to be betrayed by one of his disciples and sold to his enemies: Take from us, we beseech thee, all undue love for earthly things and deliver us from all hypocrisy; and so strengthen us, that, loving thee above all things, we may remain steadfast in our faith unto the end; through him who gave his life for us, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
You’ve probably read Psalm 23 many, many times.
Today, we need to read it again. Psalm 23 provides encouragement for the valleys we face in life—and today we’re facing some valleys. As a pandemic stretches across our world, we’re facing increasing health and financial concerns. These are difficult days.
Psalm 23 provides tremendous hope for what we’re experiencing. Through this chapter, God reminds us of powerful truths we can cling to when we’re afraid.
We are not alone!
God is walking through the valley with us. Psalm 23:4 says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me”
You deal with life’s shadows by turning to the light. You can’t see the shadow and look at the light at the same time. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life”
Stop focusing on what’s scaring you, and focus on Jesus. He is with you right now. When you get your focus off of your fear, you can focus on God and what he wants to do through you. You may not be able to see him, but He is there.
Valleys are different for a believer than a non-believer. That difference isn’t the absence of the shadow. It’s the presence of the Shepherd.
WHAT'S HAPPENING ?
Today, April 8, Wednesday of Holy Week ("Spy Wednesday")
5:30 pm Confessions in the Adoration Chapel
6 pm Holy Hour live streamed from the rectory
7 pm Sacred Music for Holy Week Concert featuring “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
6 pm Holy Hour live streamed from the rectory
7 pm Sacred Music for Holy Week Concert featuring “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
Tomorrow, April 9 HOLY THURSDAY
9 am Confessions in the Adoration Chapel
7 pm THE MASS OF THE LORD'S SUPPER broadcast from the church
8 pm (after the Mass) Sacred Music for Holy Thursday Concert featuring "Ave Verum Corpus"
CONFESSIONS : Please note, dear friends, that because of the evening services being broadcast from church, Confessions Thursday, Friday, and Saturday will be at 9 am, not 5:30 pm !
PRAISE REPORTS :
First, from one of our Care Callers, Leticia Torres :
"I wanted to share an experience with one of the calls I made this week. The lady who answered listened quietly to my introduction, then immediately responded with a rather joyful, "I love this parish!" She went on to tell me that this is probably the holiest Easter she's experienced as there is so much offered online by the parish during this stay at home time. She has taken advantage of that, and said she very much appreciates what Monsignor (and I must add, the staff! Msgr. R) has done, as well as the efforts of volunteers who take the time to call parishioners who may be in need. She went on to say she still misses "Sundays", and I knew what she meant... We really are "church", whether we celebrate together in a church building or not. It was a heart warming moment."
Secondly, from our parish bookkeeper, Ann Little:
"In checking the donations daily, it is amazing how generous some of our parishioners have been. It really makes this parish feel like a home as they are helping to take care of their church and their church family."
SPIRITUAL TIP FOR THE DAY :
Spiritually adopt the dying. Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet daily to spiritually place yourself at the side of a dying coronavirus patient who has no visitors, no priest, and perhaps little or no knowledge of God's love or faith in everlasting life.
MENTAL HEALTH BREAK :
HAUSER - Ave - https://youtu.be/bgv_AHQN7Wg
HAUSER - Ave - https://youtu.be/bgv_AHQN7Wg
PRAYER FOR THE DAY : a prayer for Spy Wednesday, the day Judas betrayed our Lord -
O God our heavenly Father, who to redeem the world didst deliver up thine only Son to be betrayed by one of his disciples and sold to his enemies: Take from us, we beseech thee, all undue love for earthly things and deliver us from all hypocrisy; and so strengthen us, that, loving thee above all things, we may remain steadfast in our faith unto the end; through him who gave his life for us, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
I send you my fatherly blessing, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Msgr. Doug Raun
Posted in Daily Memo from Msgr. Raun
3 Comments
I so appreciate all the tireless work the clergy and all members of our parish to bring Church home to us during these times. Monsignor, you are to be commended for all your love for us !! Bless you and keep you safe. ðŸ™
Hertha, Thank you for your comments! The STA Staff is hard at work for each and everyone we minister too. Please keep us in your prayers.
Thank you Monsignor and all the clergy and staff for all the tireless work you have done in our church. Wish you all a blessed Easter.