“Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart,” (Zep 3:14-151)
“Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: Rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near.” (Phil 4:4-5)
“The crowds asked John the Baptist, ‘What should we do?’ He said to them in reply, ‘Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.’” (Lk 3:10-11)
This Advent it is time to shout for joy and be glad, to rejoice in the Lord always through your kindness to be known to all, and to answer the question “what should we do” in our parish life. It may seem strange to present this during Gaudete Sunday, but it is not...all of today’s Scriptures remind me why we can rejoice in the plans of our new building project, The Memorare Center, in honor of St. Francis’ favorite prayer for Our Lady. I first mentioned news about it during our parish picnic and promised more information when we were prepared to move forward with it. Well, all our watching and waiting has led us in our readiness.
Over the past nine years, we have responsibly repaired and restored virtually all the areas of our campus. It happened through the hearts and hands of countless people who have built up the Kingdom of God through our parish. As St. Francis de Sales Parish turned 70, it became very apparent things needed to be taken care of to live a spiritually fruitful life. It is now time for us to not only be grateful for what we have received over 70 years, but also to prepare our Church for today and where He is leading us to serve in the future.
After several years of prayer and seeking counsel from parish leaders and parishioners, I believe we must admit the fact we need more meeting places to support our parish mission. The Memorare Center will give us what we need. This past week or so you should have received more information from a mailer that shows the Memorare Center plans that have been discerned and how you can help offer your support so that The Memorare Center can become a reality. If you would like to offer your support or some year-end giving or just want to talk about possible options, please give me a call. In the beginning of January, I will speak at all the Masses to give further information about the plans.
In the words of St. Francis de Sales, “What a blessing to be blessed by—and with—true friends. They challenge us; they support us; they correct us; they heal us; they forgive us; they journey with us.” Let us take up this journey together and prepare the way of The Lord.
Maranatha! Fr. Bline
