Posted on May 6, 2018 View all news
Laudetur Jesus Christus! Gelobt sei Jesus Christus!
Sia lodato Gesù Cristo! Praised be Jesus Christ!
I would like to congratulate the children from Old St. Mary’s who made their First Holy Communion today. The children are: Daniel Sehlhorst, Peter Ezell, Julianna Wilhelmy, Benedict Sharpshair, Joseph Mattherne, & Sophia Verhoff. Congratulations!
Parking is a consistent issue at Old St. Mary’s. Old St. Mary’s was simply not built with parking in mind. It was originally a church that people would walk. Building a parking lot, or planning for that, did not enter into the minds of those who came before. Old St. Mary’s was, after all, built before the invention of the car itself! We certainly recognize the difficulty with parking, and we do often contemplate and discuss various options on how to address the issue.
While I do drive to Sacred Heart, I do not have to drive to Old St. Mary’s, so I do not always notice the issues related to parking. The past few weeks I have been watching and studying the parking situation. At least on Sundays, there has not been a Sunday where I have not found available parking spaces, in our parking lots or on the street. Even on Sundays when attendance seems to be up, there were still several parking spots available within the block.
I remind everyone that the parking meters do not go into effect on Sunday until 2:00 p.m. You are free to park in any of these spots during this time, just be sure to have your car moved by 2:00 p.m. or you will get a ticket.
I recognize that in our modern society, there are certain expectations that we have grown to expect. One of these is convenient parking. While I believe that there is ample parking, under normal circumstances, for at least 200 people to attend Sunday Mass, I also encourage you to go outside of your comfort zone. To be comfortable when a small sacrifice may be required, such as not having a parking spot right next to the door.
This applies to both parishes, but our ancestors gave much to build our beautiful churches. We also must be willing to sacrifice, even just a little, to ensure that we build upon the legacy that was handed to us. It is easy in today’s consumer world to look at the various options and offerings. Parishes and priests have also not escaped this reality of consumer mania. In this “spiritual” consumerism, where does the faith fit? Where is the cross?
We must belong to a parish where we can grow in the faith. And that faith means believing in and proclaiming not just Christ, but, as St. Paul says, Christ crucified.
Remember our ancestors and those who left us the legacy we have. They did so for God and the continuation of the Faith. They did so in the pursuit of the good, the beautiful, and the true. Making whatever sacrifices were necessary. For the Faith, may we also be willing to make sacrifices. Building upon what Christ began two millennia ago, and what our ancestors have left us. Even when we have to sacrifice our wills and modern comforts so that we too can grow in knowledge, appreciation, and love of the good, the beautiful, and the true.
We do this so that we may be worthy of eternal life and future generations may also know and appreciate the Gospel. If that isn’t worth a sacrifice, then I am not sure what is.
Have a blessed week ahead!
