Question of the Week
In the Gospel today, someone comes up to Jesus and asks, “Will only a few people be saved?” What does Jesus have to say about that?
Will Many Will Be Saved?
Someone ran up to Jesus and asked this question as he was travelling to Jerusalem. There was a debate going on within Jewish circles about this. Some thought only a few would be saved, as seems to be indicated by the prophets, while others thought that in the end more would be saved (more of a universalist position). Jesus answers the question in a way that clearly sides with the prophets. “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” In other places, Jesus will say that the road that leads to life is rough and narrow and few find it. Our world seems to have the opinion that the road that leads to salvation is wide and broad and everyone finds it, while the road that leads to hell is narrow and few go there. Hmm… What is wrong with this picture?
Stewardship for Saints & Scholars Campaign
We are preparing for the public launch of the campaign in one month, and we are recruiting helpers to make this a great success. Many hands make light the load. An offering of time is a wonderful way to bless the parish. If you would like to know more how you can help with this effort, please call the parish office or email Steve Furuta at sfuruta@steiergroup.com. He is the Stewardship Manager assigned to our parish from the Steier Group that the Diocese of Lansing has contracted to help each parish with its own campaign.
Finance Council: Recruiting New Members
We have a great finance council that helps oversee the finances of the parish. As with any council, there is some turnover from year to year. If you have some background in finances, accounting, or business administration and would like to help with the oversight and guidance of our parish, please contact our business manager, Alicia Frenette (afrenette@sta2.org) or myself (pastor@sta2.org).
The finance council is one of the most important councils of the parish and is the one council required by canon law! We try to meet monthly and at times, members of the council will offer their skills to address a particular parish need. For example, one of our council members has a background in engineering and has blessed the parish on many occasions by taking a look at the structural integrity of our parish buildings. (Thank you, Ken Winters!)
St. Thomas School Tennis Team
This year, we will be starting an upper school (9-12) tennis team, although Mr. Sauter and I would allow for 8th graders if a parent thought their child would benefit from being a part of the team. We are opening our school team up to home school families as well! I am excited to offer my help. For now, I will be the head coach. If anyone has some interest in lending a hand with our team, please contact me (pastor@sta2.org). I am also looking for anyone who might be willing to donate tennis rackets for our students. We will be practicing on Tuesday and Thursday of each week starting the second week in September.