July 10, 2024

Dear Parishioners,

In the rite of baptism, the first question that the priest or deacon asks the parents is: What name do you give your child? The child who is about to be given this adoption in Christ is called by name. This reflects a truth that runs through all of our theology: We are here today because God has called us, by name, as individuals.

God knows each of us and has created us to be a part of his loving plan for goodness. Knowing our part in this plan requires us to stop and listen, to be formed in prayer, and to attune our hearts and minds to God’s voice. God is calling us at every moment: calling us to relationship with him, calling us to love him and one another while sharing the Gospel, and calling us to a life of holiness in witness to the Gospel message.

He calls us, and he never leaves us alone in that call. It is a call to be drawn to his side, swept up in his life, carried by his Spirit. Yes, God will ask much of us, but we should not be afraid of that ask. It is an invitation to live fully, richly, and generously. And we know that anything we give to God, any sacrifice we make in response to his invitation, will be returned and poured out on the world transformed by God’s perfect love.

No matter where we are today, going about our daily life, work or being a faithful follower of Christ, or somewhere in between, we have been summoned by God. He wants to nourish us; to give us nothing less than his whole self so we can answer that call and participate in God’s work in the world.

As we continue on our faith journey, let us listen for Christ’s call, and ask for the grace we need to answer courageously, to respond actively, and to transform our world with his love.

God Love Ya!

Fr. Reilly