Pastoral Messages from Fr. Rick 1/16/22
Domestic Monastery: Our book discussion will continue this Thursday at 2:30 PM. We will be discussing Chapters 9 and 10.
Synod on Synodality – Hopefully this month we can begin our parish sessions on the World-Wide Synod on Synodality. Basically a synod is a forum and process for listening, dialogue and learning. The emphasis will be on the pastors listening to the concerns and needs of the people.
JUST RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM THE BISHOP’S POINTMAN FOR THE SYNODALITY PROCESS. APPARENTLY THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE OF TACK AND WE’RE ALL DIRECTED TO POSTPONE ANY SCHEDULED EVENTS PERTAINING TO THE SYNOD DISCUSSIONS. I’M SURE IT WILL BE BETTER THAN EVER….. MORE ON THIS AS THE NEWS BREAKS….
PLEASE GIVE US ALL YOUR MONEY
Thank you in advance for your donations to the Church in Latin America.
Sunday, January 30 is the 5th Sunday, so we will take up the special collection for our charity account, the vast majority of which gets used here in Kane County and most of it going toward food support for local families.
You will soon be receiving your solicitations for the Annual Bishop’s Appeal, aka, the Diocesan Development Drive. Please send your donations in pronto before you divert your money into something more fun. More on the DDD later. It’s really important.
Donation Statements This week you will be receiving your donations statements for tax reporting purposes. This reporting period is always a good time for Fr. Dave and me to be re-reminded of your extraordinary generosity to St. Christopher’s. We do not take your faithfulness for granted. THANK YOU!!
Parish Finances
We have recently reviewed our midyear December 30 financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 2022. Generally speaking, our income is UP and our expenses are DOWN despite increases in utility prices. Our overall savings are about 53% higher than this time last year. We are planning some previously disclosed minor expenditures on new lighting for some of the upstairs and downstairs meeting rooms in the social hall. Further in the future we are also considering some resurfacing of parking areas around the church. The financial statements will be posted on the social hall bulletin board by next week. If you ever have any questions you may contact any of the Finance Council members: Noel Poe, Jim Pashia, Meredith Langely, Fr. Dave or Fr. Rick.
The Spousal Motif – This Sunday’s readings are centered on the Sacrament of Marriage and the spousal motif that runs throughout our Scriptures, Sacraments and Catholic Liturgies. It’s essential that we give due attention to the relationship between Matrimony and Eucharist. Becoming One. If any of you can remember back to your teens and twenties or if you have had children and grandchildren in this age group, you may have noticed that young people seem to be much more interested in romance and dating (or at least a little lusting) than they seem interested in going to Mass or Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. We can say that humans are hard-wired for ‘becoming one flesh’ and hence becoming ‘one Body, one Spirit in Christ.’ This ordered intention of our souls and bodies prefigures the heavenly wedding banquet which is the ultimate meaning and destiny of our lives. This is a good time to reflect on the holiness of your marriage and to recognize how the Eucharist continues to strengthen and deepen your lives together. Marriage is the mode by which God has chosen to bring (most of) you closer to Him. It is the greatest source of your testimony and hence the greatest teaching vehicle for your children and grandchildren. As St. Paul tell us, “this is a great mystery”. Marriage preparation and marriage enhancement will also be a central topic in our Southwest Deanery in the coming months.