Memo from Msgr. Raun - Friday, May 22nd, 2020
My dear family,
Greetings in the Risen Lord!
TREASURES FROM THE QUARANTINE:
The Treasure of Family
Many people were surprised, in light of COVID-19, by deepening heartstrings to family members. One of the most heartbreaking consequences of the pandemic was the requirement to stay away from loved ones not in our own homes. And one of the most challenging consequences was learning to live lovingly with those in our homes.
When the rush out the door was replaced by leisurely times together, many couples learned to connect at a more intimate level. Or they discovered ways their communication was lacking. Before long, relationship strengths and weaknesses were more apparent, and they had a choice—do we grow together in unity and peace, or grow apart?
Also, a godly family living out biblical principles daily is the greatest treasure parents can give their children—a heritage from the Lord. In some cases, when parents became their children’s schoolteachers, relationship challenges and opportunities took on a different perspective.
Love in all its shades was needed, and parents had to become more teachable themselves so they could lead and instruct with wisdom and not discourage their children. Over time, some families eliminated all distractions, putting down cell phones, and turning off the television to cultivate more meaningful, purposeful interactions.
Walk and talk with your spouse. Make eye contact and listen. Rekindle the flame of love at every opportunity. Sit with and listen to your children. Practice the Golden Rule. Schedule times to set aside technology and play games, eat meals together, and enjoy one another’s company.
Give each other space to dream, but then come together and share those dreams!
Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior:
Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! (Luke 6:31, Msg.)
Dawn Wilson Crosswalk.com
HOW TO GO TO MASS:
1. Weekday Mass - just show up.
Saturday evening and Sunday Mass - make a reservation by calling the parish office (892-1511) or go to stanm.org or use the parish app.
2. Wear a mask.
3. Be prepared to receive Communion in the hand.
MASS TIMES : it's our normal schedule with one exception - 12:30 pm Sunday Mass is now moved to 1 pm.
MEMORIAL DAY: May 25. We will have no 6 pm Mass that day. The office will be closed.
CONFESSION TIMES: Monday through Friday - 5 pm, Saturday - 2:30 pm
You need to be in the church at those times if you wish to confess. When the last penitent in line has confessed, the priest will not wait around: he will go home!
TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY : I am very happy to announce that two of our parishioners will be ordained next week.
Mr. Jordan Sanchez will be ordained a Deacon here at St. Thomas next Tuesday, May 26, at 10:30 am.
The Rev. Mr. Joseph Baltz will be ordained a Priest at St. Francis Cathedral on Saturday, May 30, at 10 am. He will celebrate his First Mass here at St. Thomas on Sunday, May 31, at 9 am.
Unfortunately, due to the quarantine restrictions that limit any one congregation to 200 people, attendance at these Masses is by invitation only, so that there will be room for their family and friends to be present. Nor will we be able to have the traditional reception afterwards. If you would like to send a note of congratulations to these fine young men, you may send it to the parish office and we will make sure they get it.
It is a very great honor for our parish to have two men taking Holy Orders this year. Let us pray for those being ordained! Let us pray for more vocations!
HOLINESS TIP for Making Prayers of Petition More Effective Pray for faith Jesus rebukes his disciples for lacking faith. We ask him to move mountains, but we should first beg for the depth of faith necessary to move those mountains. (Matt. 17:20)
WE ARE IN THE MONTH OF MAY - PRAY THE ROSARY EVERY DAY!
LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE:
I hope they give us two weeks notice before sending us back out into the real world. I think we'll all need the time to become ourselves again. And by "ourselves" I mean lose 10 pounds, cut our hair, and get used to not drinking at 9:00 a.m.
New monthly budget: Gas $0, Entertainment $0, Clothes $0, Groceries $2,799.
OUR PRAYER FOR THE DAY: being the month of May, a prayer in honor of our Lady...
May we be assisted, we beseech Thee, O Lord, by the powerful intercession of Thy glorious Mother, the ever-Virgin Mary; that we, who have been enriched by her perpetual blessings, may be delivered from all dangers, and through her loving kindness made to be of one heart and mind: Who lives and reigns world without end. 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
Greetings in the Risen Lord!
TREASURES FROM THE QUARANTINE:
The Treasure of Family
Many people were surprised, in light of COVID-19, by deepening heartstrings to family members. One of the most heartbreaking consequences of the pandemic was the requirement to stay away from loved ones not in our own homes. And one of the most challenging consequences was learning to live lovingly with those in our homes.
When the rush out the door was replaced by leisurely times together, many couples learned to connect at a more intimate level. Or they discovered ways their communication was lacking. Before long, relationship strengths and weaknesses were more apparent, and they had a choice—do we grow together in unity and peace, or grow apart?
Also, a godly family living out biblical principles daily is the greatest treasure parents can give their children—a heritage from the Lord. In some cases, when parents became their children’s schoolteachers, relationship challenges and opportunities took on a different perspective.
Love in all its shades was needed, and parents had to become more teachable themselves so they could lead and instruct with wisdom and not discourage their children. Over time, some families eliminated all distractions, putting down cell phones, and turning off the television to cultivate more meaningful, purposeful interactions.
Walk and talk with your spouse. Make eye contact and listen. Rekindle the flame of love at every opportunity. Sit with and listen to your children. Practice the Golden Rule. Schedule times to set aside technology and play games, eat meals together, and enjoy one another’s company.
Give each other space to dream, but then come together and share those dreams!
Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior:
Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! (Luke 6:31, Msg.)
Dawn Wilson Crosswalk.com
HOW TO GO TO MASS:
1. Weekday Mass - just show up.
Saturday evening and Sunday Mass - make a reservation by calling the parish office (892-1511) or go to stanm.org or use the parish app.
2. Wear a mask.
3. Be prepared to receive Communion in the hand.
MASS TIMES : it's our normal schedule with one exception - 12:30 pm Sunday Mass is now moved to 1 pm.
MEMORIAL DAY: May 25. We will have no 6 pm Mass that day. The office will be closed.
CONFESSION TIMES: Monday through Friday - 5 pm, Saturday - 2:30 pm
You need to be in the church at those times if you wish to confess. When the last penitent in line has confessed, the priest will not wait around: he will go home!
TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY : I am very happy to announce that two of our parishioners will be ordained next week.
Mr. Jordan Sanchez will be ordained a Deacon here at St. Thomas next Tuesday, May 26, at 10:30 am.
The Rev. Mr. Joseph Baltz will be ordained a Priest at St. Francis Cathedral on Saturday, May 30, at 10 am. He will celebrate his First Mass here at St. Thomas on Sunday, May 31, at 9 am.
Unfortunately, due to the quarantine restrictions that limit any one congregation to 200 people, attendance at these Masses is by invitation only, so that there will be room for their family and friends to be present. Nor will we be able to have the traditional reception afterwards. If you would like to send a note of congratulations to these fine young men, you may send it to the parish office and we will make sure they get it.
It is a very great honor for our parish to have two men taking Holy Orders this year. Let us pray for those being ordained! Let us pray for more vocations!
HOLINESS TIP for Making Prayers of Petition More Effective Pray for faith Jesus rebukes his disciples for lacking faith. We ask him to move mountains, but we should first beg for the depth of faith necessary to move those mountains. (Matt. 17:20)
WE ARE IN THE MONTH OF MAY - PRAY THE ROSARY EVERY DAY!
LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE:
I hope they give us two weeks notice before sending us back out into the real world. I think we'll all need the time to become ourselves again. And by "ourselves" I mean lose 10 pounds, cut our hair, and get used to not drinking at 9:00 a.m.
New monthly budget: Gas $0, Entertainment $0, Clothes $0, Groceries $2,799.
OUR PRAYER FOR THE DAY: being the month of May, a prayer in honor of our Lady...
May we be assisted, we beseech Thee, O Lord, by the powerful intercession of Thy glorious Mother, the ever-Virgin Mary; that we, who have been enriched by her perpetual blessings, may be delivered from all dangers, and through her loving kindness made to be of one heart and mind: Who lives and reigns world without end. 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
1 Comment
Really enjoyed the Laughter joke today. Thank you