Pastoral Messages from Fr. Rick 6/12/22

‘Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible’:  We will continue our study this Thursday, June 16, at 8:40 AM with Session 5.  Questions? Ask Fr. Rick.

Bishop’s Appeal, aka Diocesan Development Drive

We seem to be REALLY stuck at just above the half-way mark with 10 households so far chipping in.  Our tiny community simply doesn’t function without the many administrative and educational services provided by the Diocesan Pastoral Center.  It’s really fun to donate AND it will make Fr. Rick look really good!!

Hospitality Remember that we are a ‘Hospitality Parish’ with a major outreach to our many visitors.  Please sign up to help host our Sunday morning Coffee and Muffin gathering.  Sign up list is in the gathering space.  This too is REALLY FUN!

Protect Life – from the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City Office of Life, Justice and Peace.

From the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas to the realities of abortion, the dignity and sanctity of life in the United States seems increasingly undervalued.

The summer months are an ideal time to contact your state legislators to discuss the value of life in our state. The Diocese urges Catholics to reach out to state legislators in these lazy days of summer and encourage them to take these next few months before the 2023 legislative session to consider common sense solutions to the problems within our state that foster a culture of death.  There is no single policy solution to promote, but a request that legislators really think through the multiple means to promote strong families, successfully address poverty and promote life. 

Urge legislators to reflect this summer first and foremost on the compassion they undoubtedly feel in light of the tragic mass shooting of children in Uvalde, Texas and to be moved to action because of it. There is something deeply wrong with a culture where these acts of violence are increasingly common. There must be dialogue followed by concrete action to bring about a broader social renewal that addresses all aspects of the crisis, including mental health, the state of families, the valuation of life, bullying, and the availability of firearms. 

Among the many steps toward addressing this endemic of violence is the passage of reasonable gun control measures. In this, we  join Pope Francis who, in his continued expression of grief over the tragedy in Texas, declared, ‘It is time to say ‘no more’ to the indiscriminate trafficking of weapons.

Second, whatever the U.S. Supreme Court decision on abortion, we have long known that ending the destruction of unborn life requires more than just laws against abortion. Encourage legislators to reflect on legislative options for women in poverty who need access to health care beyond pregnancy, high quality childcare and education opportunities for their children, and employment that recognizes the value of their families as well as their work. 

This summer, our legislators need to rest and rejuvenate, but they also need to spend time in contemplation of policies that address the multiple facets involved in any complex social issue.  Personalize and send an email today!       And of course, continue to urge Attorney General Sean Reyes to protect life by refusing to seek the death penalty in Utah cases.

Homily Reflection and Follow-up – On Trinity Sunday we are reminded that we are made in the image and likeness of a Trinity, i.e., a relationship. Since God IS a relationship, then we ARE a relationship.  Christians have no real identity or context outside of relationship.  We would say communion and community.  Next week on Corpus Christi Sunday we will be reminded that in the Eucharist we don’t just receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, but proclaim to BECOME one Body, one Spirit in Christ.  Last week we were reminded that we were sealed with the Holy Spirit and endowed with God’s Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge and Strength.  We can live in the world with God ‘consciousness.  If God can ‘fix’ our problems, then WE (endowed with God’s very Spirit) can fix our problems…. when we actually live and act in the Communion that we are called to. 

Are things yet bad enough for us to take seriously the Solemnities we are celebrating this month?  Let’s challenge ourselves to do the contemplation that we are asking our legislators to do above.  (Recall that we are raising the future legislators in our families).  Visitors, as you fathom the depth and enormity of these canyons, cliffs and spires, be reminded of the depth of soul we have inherited as God’s adopted children.