Dear Parishioners:
---The first part of the timeline, of the key milestones for PARTNERS IN THE GOSPEL – a Strategic Pastoral Planning effort taking place across the Archdiocese of Seattle to re-invigorate the renew our local Catholic Church. If you have not seen the video message from Archbishop Etienne, please go to our parish website to hear about this important process.
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January 2023 Public launch
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Fall 2023 Invitation to provide feedback on parish families
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Early 2024 Final parish family structures announced
As we are being asked to pray for this process, I want to share with you the third part of Meditating on the Scriptures (the first and second Meditation on last two weekend bulletins) that we did together at the “Convocation – Gathering of representatives from parishes” for your own reflection.
Jesus said to the Eleven, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, Baptizing them in the name of the Father, And of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age”. (Matthew 28:18-20)
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Today, what words in this reading resonate with you, giving comfort or offering challenge?
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What does it mean to “make disciples”? When have you witnessed this happened in your life?
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Jesus says “go.” Do you, do we as a local Church, “go forth” beyond our comfort zones to carry out our mission?
After reflecting on the Scripture passage, please pray the Partners in the Gospel Prayer that you received your personal card prayer or you can find it on our parish website.
---The Sermon on the Mount (the Beatitudes) is the place in the New Testament where one sees the power over the law clearly affirmed and decisively exercised by Jesus. As we hear a long Gospel passage today which may seem to be complex and filled with prohibitions (5:17-37). It is far too easy to “tune out” of such a Gospel text, rather than trying to understand its rich meaning. The passage begins with a word of reassurance: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill”.
The law remains and will always remain because it comes from our unchanging God. Jesus intends to state the ideals of the new kingdom on earth that is ushered in by his appearance. Jesus’ whole intention is to bring people beyond legalism and a literal interpretation of rules, and into the spirit of the law.
Jesus’ language of fulfilment must always be understood in relation to the Covenant with the Jewish people and in relation to the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings. Jesus knows the Law perfectly and observes it with devotion. Jesus goes so far as to declare himself the new lawgiver, with an authority equal to that of God.
Jesus also presents himself as a fulfilment of the Wisdom literature in the Old Testament that the people of God is governed on one side by the Law, which indicates the way, and on the other side, by the Prophets, who correct the people, the kings, and even the priests when they go astray.
---The Lenten Season will be here in 10 days; while we are mindful of this special Season soon, let’s pray for the following three groups of people making an extra journey.
-Please, keep the Catechumens and Candidates for Full Communion (RCIA) in our prayer as they are preparing for the Rite of Election with our Archbishop on Saturday, February 25 at Holy Trinity Parish in Bremerton with other parishes in our Olympic Deanery.
-Please, keep our high-school Candidates for Confirmation in your prayer as they’re preparing for being “Fully Initiated in the Catholic Church” through the Sacrament of Confirmation on May 26 at St. Gabriel Parish.
-Last, but not least, please keep our second-graders who are also preparing for their First Holy Communion
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Prince of Peace Group: May 7 at the 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM Mass.
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St Gabriel Group: May 7 at the 11:00AM Mass
Christ’s Peace,
Fr. Phuong Hoang