Dear Parishioners,

Horrors! Did we really miss a collection? Yes we did, and on purpose. This February the Diocese started its annual Bishops Appeal that asked parishioners to dig down into their pockets, not just for their own parishes, but for the work of parishes of the Diocese that are greatly in need. It is a terrific opportunity to stretch beyond our selves “to hear the gospel and make a difference”. There was supposed to be several weekends of preparation complete with a video and then the opportunity not only for a single collection but for a yearlong pledge. Some of you may have already received mailings about or read about it in the Catholic Voice. Given my being away in February and also my talk of retirement, it didn’t like seem the right time at all for CTK parish. So we have transferred the video and plea to the end of May. If you have already contributed, great; if not, don’t worry because the opportunity is coming up in May.

Restoring Sanity to our Lives: Last Friday evening we had the first of our Lenten Soup and Adult Education evenings entitled, Restoring Sanity to our Parishes. This coming Friday we have another great evening in store for you. It’s entitled Restoring Sanity to the Papacy. Our speaker will be my number one favorite for the best public speaker in the English speaking Church,  Fr. David Pettingill. In fact, I recently recommended him to Bishop Barber, who instantly agreed with my assessment and described him as a great man of the Church. Some of you, especially with youngsters receiving  sacraments have had the opportunity to hear  him, and I know you would agree with me. He will be with us this Friday evening at 7:30pm addressing a great topic; Restoring Sanity to the Papacy: A profile of Pope Francis. Remember soup in the hall at 6:30pm and presentation in church at 7:30pm.  Join us if you possibly can.                 

Speaking of Pope Francis, he certainly has made a huge difference in the vision and future of the church. When it comes to appointment of bishops, he has cautioned that we must be careful, “that candidates are pastors close to the people, gentle, patient and merciful, and animated by inner poverty and they do not have the psychology of princes.” In a recent morning homily he said, “A good Catholic doesn’t meddle in politics. That’s not true. That is not a good path. A good Catholic meddles in politics.” He has made waves in other ways, by challenging leaders to build “a Church for the poor”, urging the hierarchy not to be obsessed by a few hot button issues and challenging “trickle down” economic theories. In the famous interview aboard the papal plane, he said, “If someone is gay and searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” He also challenges us as a Church not to be “querulous and disillusioned pessimists, sour pusses.” Finally and most surprisingly he says, “Proselytism is solemn nonsense, it makes no sense. We need to get to know each other, listen to each other and improve our knowledge of the world around us.” It should be fascinating next Friday evening to hear Fr. Pettingills’ take on the pope and to be able to ask our questions.
            

           
Your Pastor,
Brian T. Joyce