The Precepts of the Lord give Joy to the Heart

It is always good to remember that the Church offers us guides/commandments/rules to live by so that we can be alive and spiritually healthy.  Our Catholic Church has given us 5 precepts to live by that are the bare bones of the Christian life.  We are called to attend Mass on Sunday and holy days of obligation; we are called to confess our sins at least once a year; we are called to receive the Eucharist at least during the Easter season; we are called to observe days of fasting and abstinence; and we are called to provide for the Church.  Again, these precepts help us in our prayer lives and in our effort to grow in love of God and neighbor…which gives joy to the heart!

Becoming Catholic.  If you want to learn more about what it means to be a Catholic Christian and perhaps feel called to become Catholic, come join us on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. in the Memorare Center beginning October 1.  Contact frverbsky@stfparish.com for more information.  Maybe you have been coming to Mass with your wife or husband for years and you feel the Holy Spirit nudging you to look into this?  Don’t ignore the Holy Spirit.  Let’s get the ball rolling for you!

Blue Mass.  This coming Saturday, October 5 at the 5:00 p.m. Mass, we will be celebrating a Blue Mass for all First Responders in the public safety field…police officers, firefighters, correctional officers, 911 operators and EMS personnel.  If you are one of these, please come and give us permission to celebrate you and to pray for you.  As a community, we need to honor and recognize the service of law enforcement and first responders.  We also need to pray for those who have died in the line of duty.  As we celebrate the Archangels’ feast day this weekend, who have protective and healing powers, we thank God for the protective and healing realities that those in the public safety field bring to us on a daily basis.

Pet Blessing.  On October 6 at 4:00 p.m. we call all pet owners and their pets to come the Pavilion as we ask God to continue to bless our pets.  Why do we do this?  We do this to honor St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures and to remember his calling animals his brothers and sisters.  We will pray and sprinkle Holy Water on them.  I find that pets not only bring peace and company to one’s life, but often call us outside of ourselves to live a life that cares for God’s creation.

May you find joy by living His life,
Fr. Jeremy