Dear STL Families,
Here in Southern California, the end of August is the end of what has been a very hot summer. By this time each year, I'm ready for some milder weather and an awesome End of Summer party. I think we can all agree that the summer of 2020 is unlike any other.
Still, there is reason to celebrate summer of 2020, right? Our families spent more than one or two weeks of summer vacation together as FAMILIES. More of us have taken to heart the value of community by staying closely connected, offering each other a helping hand with grocery shopping, reaching out to each other by phone, and praying with and for each other more than ever before.
I realize the naysayers would disagree. In fact, a few have said to me that there's still so much suffering, loneliness, and hopelessness. This is true, but Jesus' message in this Sunday's Gospel is ~ if I am to truly follow him, I need to let him lead, and here's the hard part, not necessarily away from suffering or difficulty. Instead of seeking my own benefit and gain, I have to experience times of distress and heartbreak to draw me into a closer relationship with him. But why? Well, because Jesus invites me to allow HIM to take on my troubles, to help carry my cross, to carry me. It is only through HIM that I will rise from this mess.
Oh, here's one more reason to celebrate ~ our church doors have reopened. That's right! Our plan for September is to celebrate Mass both indoors at our live-streamed Saturday 5:00 pm Mass and outdoors at our Sunday 9:00 am Mass beginning the weekend of September 5th and 6th. A final confirmation will be announced once we get Bishop McElroy's directive, hopefully by Tuesday, September 1st. So stay tuned and please consider volunteering to serve on our indoor Mass crew again.
With a very grateful heart,
Jane