Question of the Week: In the early Church, the Apostles taught that Jesus would come again and they must be ready! However, some wondered how long they had to wait. There was impatience in the community. What does the second reading from 2 Peter 3:18-33 say to those who were wondering about the “delay” they were experiencing concerning Christ’s Final Coming?

Coming in contact with the Divine

It is marvelous to consider God touching His people and His people being able to touch God. From Isaiah this weekend:

Isaiah sees God coming and describes how his way ought to be paved! Lower the mountains, fill the valleys, make a highway for our God! And while God comes with great power in this prophecy, God also comes to us like a gentle shepherd gathering his lambs in his arms and holding them close to his own bosom with care.

It is an awesome thing to consider — God holding us! Poetic language yes. Human language — yes. God’s word to us — YES! While human language conveys the care of God for us, using imagery we can understand, the reality of God loving us is far greater.

God who is Almighty stooped down to us. God became man in Jesus Christ. The prophecy of Isaiah was
fulfilled in John the Baptist who was the “voice” crying out in the desert, “Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight His paths.” John the Baptist conveyed the holiness of the “One mightier than I” who was
to come by saying “I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.”
If only we had John’s humility and sense of the sacred! John did not feel worthy to stoop and touch the
Messiah’s sandals, yet God stoops down to us!
How amazing to consider that we have contact with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in every Mass
and in every Sacrament. How amazing to consider that when we read and study Sacred Scripture, we
are meeting God Himself!!!
Dei Verbum, the document of the Second Vatican Council put it this way:
“For in the sacred books, the Father who is in heaven meets His children with great love and speaks
with them; and the force and power in the word of God is so great that it stands as the support and
energy of the Church, the strength of faith for her sons, the food of the soul, the pure and everlasting
source of spiritual life. Consequently these words are perfectly applicable to Sacred Scripture: “For the
word of God is living and active” (Heb. 4:12) and “it has power to build you up and give you your
heritage among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32; see 1 Thess. 2:13).”
Brothers and sisters, this Year is dedicated to studying the Sacred Scriptures. I pray this Advent that
God will instill in our hearts a hunger and longing for His Words, and the inner faith we all need to
know when we read Sacred Scriptures, we are like one of the sheep in the bosom of the Good Shepherd.

Question of the Week:  When was the last time you searched for something like your life depended on it?  

What is the Kingdom of God worth?

I am preparing to go on a break with my family this weekend. Due to the pandemic, the entire family will not be able to be together. I imagine many of you are experiencing similar things. What a strange time we are in. Still, God’s wisdom and patient love will guide us through this.  

When I read the Gospel for this week, I could not help but think of my own father, who is an avid stamp collector. One of his special interests are stamps that have flaws or small errors in them.  Many years ago, he got very excited. He was viewing some newly minted stamps that commemorated the Olympics in Munich and this is what he found:

Do you notice anything unusual?  

Look at the rings.

Well, he was very excited, for if you look closely, there is a flaw, an error: the red ring is not closed.  

This error was only found on some of the printed stamps. He narrowed it down to which particular batch of printed stamps had it, and then he sent us all off to buy stamps at all the post offices in the local area. I remember how both strange and exciting it was to go to the postmaster and ask for a particular block of stamps. We would get the funny look—but would end up with the “treasure” my father was seeking.  

Now, dad was not going to sell the house for these stamps, but we did buy quite a few of them since often such stamps could end up being collector items whose value far exceeded the printed value of the stamp.  

What I remember most was the excitement of the search and the joy of finding that which no one else seemed to see or know about.  

That is what Jesus was describing in our parables this weekend about the Kingdom of God.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”

Notice in these parables the element of personal quest and discovery and that what is sought is hidden or not known to the general public, which makes it all the more exciting. Finally—the response of the one who has found the treasure or pearl of great price is complete. They give ALL they have to own the treasure or the pearl—and that is what it is like to find the Kingdom of God! 

It is worth all we have!

I pray and hope we are excited about our faith, quest, and path our faith puts us on. God’s Kingdom is real but often hidden from sight. One has to look for it, search for it.  It may not be so easy to find, and, for some, it might take a long time— even if it is in plain view. 

Grace guides us!  

If we truly have found it, we will be happy to give all we have for it.  

And while the parable was not focused on this aspect of God’s Kingdom, we can say that God wants everyone to discover it. If we have found the Kingdom, we will want to share it and invite others into the quest.  

We have all faced serious challenges during this pandemic and no doubt more to come, but the quest to see God and to enter forever God’s Kingdom never stops. I want to encourage everyone to keep your faith and to keep seeking God each day.

I want to encourage everyone to be generous with God. God gives us an eternal treasure, and we naturally are invited to join in giving of ourselves to God. Keep giving of yourselves to love, to support the work of God’s Kingdom at St Thomas and everywhere you are through prayer, the gift of your daily sacrifices of time and talent, and treasure. And while we face difficult challenges, we do so together.  

Also as a reminder, while we need your financial support, the Diocese also needs your help.  We keep receiving DSA pledges (thank you!), and are now less than $50,000 dollars away from goal. Discover the joy of giving (which is intrinsic to God’s Kingdom) and give to DSA.

God bless you!

Fr Bill   

Question of the Week:  In this week’s Gospel from Matthew (Mt 13:1-23), Jesus describes seeds falling on various kinds of soil. Can we identify the ways we can be like the various kinds of soil Jesus describes in terms of receiving God’s word in our lives? How can we change our soil to receive God’s word and produce fruit for God’s Kingdom? How will God help us?

We have been very blessed in our parish over the years with both priestly and religious vocations. On July 22 at 10am, Sr. Mary Andre Thelen,  formerly known as Laura Thelen, will make her perpetual vows and join the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist.   

We thank God for her “yes” to the Lord! She, with God’s help, had softened and cleared the ground of her heart of rocks and weeds and thorns, that could have impeded God’s word to her. It was not easy, but she heard God’s word and received it with joy, and it took root!

Sr. Mary Andre is the daughter of parishioners Brian and Mary Ann Thelen. Laura attended St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School from 1998-2004, and was part of the St. Thomas youth group while attending Father Gabriel Richard High School from 2004-2008  She entered the postulancy with the Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist in August 2012 after graduating from the University of Notre Dame Summa Cum Laude with a biochemistry degree (YES!). How did she make such a decision given her direction?  

In her own words: 

Although I grew up in a wonderful Catholic family, my faith did not become truly my own until high school, when I encountered people my own age who were on fire with love for Christ. As my own faith deepened, I began to wonder if I had a religious vocation. However, the community I was sure I would enter if I was called to religious life only took women with undergraduate degrees, so I went off to the University of Notre Dame to pursue a degree in biochemistry. My first year on campus was very blessed, but my comfortable life was turned upside down when the Dominican Sisters of Mary came to give a talk on campus in March. As Sr. Joseph Andrew said, “If God is calling now; then answer now!” I had a startling realization that God’s plan might not be for me to wait. The idea scared me a lot! After several novenas to St. Therese and some very clear answers, I knew in my heart that God was leading me to this Community. I still had many reservations, but over the past three years, Christ has broken down every one. He has shown me so clearly that this is where He wants me; moreover, He has given me an incredible joy about the entire journey! Many thanks to my family for their holiness and love, and to Fr. Drew Gawrych CSC for his prayers and counsel! 

Sr. Mary Andre went on to receive her masters degree from Catholic University and has been teaching at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School in Kansas City, MO and Lansing Catholic High School in Lansing, MI. Sr. Mary Andre will be making her final profession along with seven other sisters.  

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, they are unable to host in-person attendance for their profession ceremonies this year. The silver lining is that now, more people may participate and join in since the Profession Masses will be live-streamed from the Motherhouse. We invite you to partake in the joy of this special day as Sr. Mary Andre and the other sisters consecrate themselves to Christ, their Bridegroom. To participate in the livestream visit the Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist Facebook page or YouTube at 9:45am on July 22. Please keep Sr. Mary Andre and all those who will be making perpetual vows in your prayers! All Glory be to God!

Question of the Week:  Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will give you rest.”    What does it mean to “rest in the Lord?”  What kind of rest does Jesus give us? 

St. Francis early in his life wanted to be a knight in shining armor. He found great sorrow in that life.  

He came back to Assisi defeated.

I took this photo outside the Basilica dedicated to him in Assisi. It shows him downcast and burdened with his sorrow.  

But he was to shed that sorrow as he turned to the Lord.  

In a dream, God asked him “Who do you think can best reward you, the Master or the servant?” Francis answered, “The Master.” The voice continued, “Why do you leave the Master for the servant?”   Francis at that point changed direction.  He realized the desire he had of being a knight was the burden he needed to shed. God was calling him to serve Him.  

And, from that moment on, Francis began to shed the rich life of a merchant’s son, and his worldly dreams, to pursue the life Jesus revealed to him in the Gospel. Francis sold what he had, and in spite of his earthly father’s vehement objections, took care of the sick and the poor. In time, others would join in the work! They shed the burden of this world and discovered the freedom of being sons of the Most High God! They put their faith in Jesus Christ, and found their rest.   

The deep rest that God wills us to have comes from God Himself. When a soul does God’s will, and seeks and desires God’s will, one finds Christ. One accepts Christ’s “yoke,” and learns from Jesus, who is meek and humble of heart.  

Francis found his rest in Jesus Christ, and the more he prayed, the more peace came to him.  

Since it is God’s will that we “rest”, I hope we all find that rest this summer in even deeper ways.  

Going on vacation is good, and I am looking forward to taking some time off in a few weeks myself, but a vacation will only be “restful” if we allow ourselves to connect with God in a deeper way. I pray that grace may be given us all. 

May God bless you!

Fr Bill 

Questions of the Week:  What is the greatest of the commandments and how does Jesus’ teaching from the Gospel this weekend (See Mt 10:37-42) help us understand it? Also, considering Jesus’ commandment to love Him more than parents, or siblings, or even one’s own life… what does that imply about who Jesus is?

Composed by His Holiness, Pope Pius VI For private use

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ graciously hear us.

God, the Father of heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.
Thou Who art Infinite Love, Have mercy on us.
Thou Who didst first love me, Have mercy on us.
Thou Who commandest me to love Thee, Have mercy on us.

With all my heart, I Love Thee, O My God
With all my soul, I Love Thee, O My God
With all my mind, I Love Thee, O My God
With all my strength, I Love Thee, O My God

Above all possessions and honors, I Love Thee, O My God
Above all pleasures and enjoyments, I Love Thee, O My God

More than myself, and everything belonging to me, I Love Thee, O My God
More than all my relatives and friends, I Love Thee, O My God
More than all men and angels, I Love Thee, O My God

Above all created things in heaven or on earth, I Love Thee, O My God
Only for Thyself, I Love Thee, O My God

Because Thou art the sovereign Good, I Love Thee, O My God
Because Thou art infinitely worthy of being loved, I Love Thee, O My God
Because Thou art infinitely perfect, I Love Thee, O My God

Even hadst Thou not promised me heaven, I Love Thee, O My God
Even hadst Thou not menaced me with hell, I Love Thee, O My God
Even shouldst Thou try me by want and misfortune, I Love Thee, O My God

In wealth and in poverty, I Love Thee, O My God
In prosperity and in adversity, I Love Thee, O My God
In health and in sickness, I Love Thee, O My God
In life and in death, I Love Thee, O My God
In time and in eternity, I Love Thee, O My God

In union with that love wherewith all the saints and all the angels love Thee in heaven, I Love Thee, O My God
In union with that love wherewith the Blessed Virgin Mary loveth Thee, I Love Thee, O My God
In union with that infinite love wherewith Thou lovest Thyself eternally, I Love Thee, O My God 

Prayer

My God, Who dost possess in incomprehensible abundance all that is perfect and worthy of love, annihilate in me all guilty, sensual, and undue love for creatures. Kindle in my heart the pure fire of Thy love, so that I may love nothing but Thee or in Thee, until being so entirely consumed by holy love of Thee, I may go to love Thee eternally with the elect in heaven, the country of pure love. Amen.

Questions of the Week: In our Gospel this weekend, Jesus tells us not to be afraid three times (see Mt 10:26-33). He also told us to be afraid of the one who can destroy both body and soul in Gehenna. Who was He referring to and why? What is the difference between good fear (fear of the Lord), and bad paralyzing fear? What help does Jesus give us in the Gospel to overcome fear?  

The last 2 weeks I have been preaching on our common unity in God and in Jesus Christ. I related a story that some have asked about concerning a Rev. John Perkins, a 90 year old Baptist minister from Mississippi. (You can see his 22 min testimony on YouTube- Redemption)  He was a man who nearly died from a beating he received by the local police who did not like his courage in standing up to the obvious injustices and discrimination he experienced for being Black. Hatred is ugly, and does not come from God. Yet he also realized that the same hatred that was directed at him— was also in him. He realized in his own words that he was a bigot too in his own way. Would he have the courage to change that? Would he be able to overcome his own hatred and fear in really making a difference in his own local community?   

God was there to help him. In fact, John related that many, if not all, problems we face are far bigger than we are and are problems only God can solve.  The division and hatred we see in the human race is one of them. Sadly, it is not too hard to see it in our own hearts.   

There is only one answer. His name is Jesus.  

And He showed us the way, His way:  the way of the Cross— the way of love.  

Love of Jesus casts out all fear. When we let fear take over, bad things happen. When we love, healing can take root and grow. It becomes a Tree of Life!  And the truth is we cannot love Jesus unless God the Holy Spirit helps us to. And in loving Jesus, we love the Father. We grow in trust of our good God and Father, who knows the number of hairs on our heads. And as one of my bald friends quipped, “…with me…that gets easier for God every day!”  Yes it does.  

And letting love rule us, we become instruments of that love. Love dispels fear and hate. No room for either when love is around. Love moves us to compassion. Love moves us to do good for others—even our enemies. Love is gentle, not violent or revengeful. Love is humble and forgiving. Love seeks truth and fights for what is just and right. As Rev. Perkins says “love it the final fight.” It is a fight already won in Jesus Christ, but now it is our turn to let His victory reign anew in us and through us – in our world. 

“See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.
Let the heavens and the earth praise him,
the seas and whatever moves in them!”

Psalm 69:33-35

Questions of the Week:  What are some of the effects of receiving Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed of all Sacraments?  Why did Jesus give us the Sacrament of His Body and Blood?

Dear Lucia Campbell—THANK YOU!  

Around 16 years ago, God sent us an angel from Florence, Italy.  Our Lucia arrived with her husband William, and brought to our parish music that lifted us all to God. She helped form one of the best choirs in our Diocese year after year, and developed the talent present in our parish and our children in the surrounding area (St. Augustine Homeschool Program).  

Her kindness, gentle love, passion for God, and her amazing voice was shared freely with us.  How blest we have been to have had her all these years!   

But as the Lord says through Qoheleth in Ecclesiastes, “There is an appointed time for everything,”  Lucia and her husband Bill are being called away.  With their sons, Jim and Ben now grown and starting families of their own, Bill and Lucia will be heading south to be closer to their sons and growing family.  

To say that we will miss you Lucia is an understatement.  

You have brought much joy to us and have let your light shine, as Jesus has told us all to do!   

You are going to Arkansas and  I wonder if you will be in the Ozarks?  It is beautiful country!  I imagine you will become acquainted with some good old Bluegrass or folk. I came across a folk song from Arkansas that made me laugh– and while it is rough it has a simple wholesome truth to it.  Maybe it will put a smile on your face too.   It is about the power of a good mother and I thought you might enjoy the lyrics as the Lord sends you off.  You have certainly been a great mother to all of us, and our dear Heavenly Mother loves you.

 The song is called “Adam never had no dear old Mama,” and it goes like this:

“I heard the old folks talking in the house the other night ‘Bout Adam and the Scriptures long ago. The lady-folks all ‘bused him, said they knowed it wasn’t right.

And course the men-folks said, I know it so.  

I felt sorry for Mr. Adam, and felt like putting in

‘Cause I know more than they do about what made Adam sin.

For Adam never had no mama for to take him on her knee  

To teach him right from wrong and show him things he ought to see

I know down in my heart he’d a left that apple be

But Adam never had no dear old mama!”

Adam had no dear mama—but we certainly did in you!  You have made us all better in knowing you. Thank you for everything! Our love and God’s blessings will always be with you Lucia!  We love you! 

Fr Bill Ashbaugh

Questions of the Week: What are some things you can know about God through reason alone?  What are some things we know of God through Revelation?  

How Wonderful it is to see you—even partially veiled! 

This past week, we began opening the Church for public Masses. We had wonderful gatherings to celebrate baptisms, confirmations, and First Eucharists with those who have been journeying with us through RCIA, and a number of our young people (7) were also confirmed on Pentecost. There was a great deal of joy and it continued into Monday for our first public Masses since our closure in mid-March.  

Many of you have watched the Mass streamed online since March, and have grown hungry for the non-virtual reality of being with Jesus. The streamed Mass was reaching far beyond our own parishioners. That is interesting to consider. The TV or computer screen has acted as a sacramental conduit of the live Mass, and the Lord certainly honored your participation in that manner. But such participation is more difficult. Many of you said to me, “Father, it is not the same as the real thing!”  

No it is not. 

I too—as I looked out to the empty Church—had to imagine all of you through the camera. I knew many of you were with me as I celebrated Mass—but it was heartbreaking. 

In some ways, what we have just experienced is a reminder of the good things of the world to come. This world is the shadow land, as C. S. Lewis put it.  It is good— but transitory. We see dimly now, as in a mirror, but then face to face! We know God partially, for the full reality of God is veiled to us. Yet, the more we ponder and look upon the face of Jesus Christ revealed to us in the Scriptures and in the Church, and in the Sacraments, Almighty God, hidden in mystery comes into greater focus and light. The veil thins and the deeper reality of the Triune God shines forth. We begin to taste the REAL! But it will only be ours when we cross the veil of this world to the next. Then, we will be enabled by God to look up His glory, and participate directly in His Divine Life. The Sacraments will no longer be needed.  

And so, we wait and we pray for that day.   

And with faith, hope, and love we participate as best we can in the means God has given us to be united to Him now.  We read and ponder the Sacred Scriptures; we take part in the Sacraments that are true encounters with God. We give God thanks and appreciate how good it is to be able to gather again as His people and grow in love of God and one another, whether that be in Church, or in small groups, or even online in virtual communities. That is becoming a new way for us to connect. It is the new place for meeting the Lord.    

For a time, we are going to be limited to 150 people per Mass if we are inside.

Outside is another matter.  The wind disperses the virus if present and the sun’s radiation destroys it more quickly. Outside is safer for large gatherings. Masks are not as important outside as they are inside, where the virus can linger in the enclosed space. 

We will be doing all we can to keep the Church sanitized, clean, and safe for everyone, and I want to thank all those who have been coming to our indoor Masses for wearing masks.  It is an act of sacrifice and love. Some of you may feel it is unnecessary, which makes it all the more sacrificial and penitential for you. Everything done in love brings a blessing and peace to our troubled world. Mary, our Blessed Mother has constantly urged us to pray the rosary and to do penance for conversions. Wearing masks can be one small way of participating in that penance that is necessary for peace to come. Still, for those who truly feel they cannot wear masks, there will be a place for you in Church.  No one will turn you away. I also encourage those who can to participate in the outdoor Masses we are offering at Fr. Gabriel Richard High School on Sundays (10am and 1pm for the time being). Outdoor Masses offer much more safety and simplicity to us.  

Most Holy Trinity

This past week, we celebrated Pentecost, the feast that celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit of God and the bringing to completion of the Paschal Mystery. Jesus said that He would send the Holy Spirit from the Father, and that the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, would lead us to all truth.  

Jesus revealed to us the Mystery of the Trinity! He enabled us to have a relationship with God the Father—whom He told us to call, “Our Father;”  with Himself for He said, “follow me,” and “whoever believes in me will have eternal life,” and with God the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, who would be with us and dwell within us.  

Scriptures gradually revealed the Mystery of the Most Holy Trinity to us which can only be known through Divine Revelation. Human reason cannot reach this. And because it is a Mystery about God Himself, God’s nature, it is at the very center of our faith. The Apostle John will help us consider more deeply this mystery by telling us that God is love. St Paul will say, “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”  

And while we will never be able to fully grasp this self-revelation of God as Most Holy Trinity, either on earth, or even in heaven, for only God knows Himself perfectly, God Himself will help us know this deep mystery for it is inseparable from the revelation of His Love. God, in loving us, brings us into an intimate relationship with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We know we are known by God in each of the Divine Persons and know God in each Divine Person as God reveals. To know and love God even as we are truly known and loved is heaven. 

Oh Most Holy Trinity, undivided unity, Holy God, Mighty God, God Immortal be adored! 

Question of the Week:  Which of the following do not describe what the Ascension of Jesus means for us and why?

• A bon voyage celebration for Jesus going to heaven.
• A reminder to us that now that Jesus is gone, the work of spreading the Good News is totally in our hands. 
• A crowning of all the accomplishments of Jesus
• A promise of what is to come for those who follow Jesus
• The completion by Jesus of the Paschal Mystery
• Jesus took our human nature to heaven, and now it shares fully in Divine Glory
• Jesus gives us access to God the Father and intercedes for us
• God the Father has exalted His Son who sends us the Holy Spirit
• Jesus is closer to each of us now than He would have been, had He not ascended

I took this picture when I was in Rome visiting the home parish of one of our parishioners!  It beautifully shows the Ascension of Jesus into heaven while the Apostles look on in amazement along with Mary.

We also see two angels with the Apostles, who ask them “Why do you stand staring into heaven?  This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”  

Jesus had already given them the Great Commission that we hear in this Feast’s Gospel from Matthew.  “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

The work of making disciples is our primary mission.  It is also central to our parish vision statement:  St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church is a welcoming community that exists to make and equip missionary disciples through a transformative encounter with Jesus Christ, the Gate of Heaven. As Spirit-filled disciples, we connect and share life together, love and serve the greater community, and worship and adore the living God.

Nothing in our world changes that: no virus, no persecution, no trouble however great. Our mission does not stop until Christ comes again. 

Big Announcement:

We are going to be reopening our parish for public Mass starting June 1 via signup.

The interior painting and work on the lights is done.  The Bishop has allowed us to open, but attendance is limited to 150 people (25% capacity) within the Church.  That won’t be a problem for daily Mass goers, so we will return to the normal daily Mass schedule.

• Daily Mass schedule beginning June 1:
  • Monday – Friday 7am & 12pm
  • Saturday 9am.
• Sunday Mass schedule beginning June 6 & 7:
  • Senior Masses: Saturday 4:30pm & Sunday 8am in the church (seniors and caregivers only)
  • Outdoor Masses: Sunday 10am & 1pm in Fr. Gabriel Richard High School’s stadium
  • Indoor Mass: Sunday 6pm in the church

•  Why we are going to REQUIRE a signup for all Masses:
  • Interior space is strictly limited to 150 people.
  • Outdoor space is limited by parking and proper social distancing
  • Proper planning is necessary

More details on how to sign up will be coming soon.  

• Everyone will be required to wear a Mask:
  • This is for safety.  We do not want the virus to spread.  We also want to keep our vulnerable population safe.