Catechetical Sunday and Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) Kick-off

Catechetical Sunday and Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) Kick-off

This weekend is Catechetical Sunday and Catholic Service Appeal (CSA) Kick-Off. This year the theme for Catechetical Sunday is "Lord, when did we see you hungry" Matthew 25:37.

A couple of years ago, I read a story from one of the blogs from Fr. Bloom. Many years ago, in England, three men were pouring a mixture of water, sand, lime, and other ingredients into a trough. A passer-by asked them what they were doing. The first said, "I am making mortar." The second: "I am laying bricks." But the third said, "I am building a cathedral." They were doing the same thing, but each looked at it differently. And what a difference that made! We can see something similar in how people relate to their parish and why they give. One  person may say, "Oh! All they do down there is to ask for money or volunteers." The second person may reply, "Well, you must pay the bills and need a catechist and other ministers." But the third person may say, "I am building the Body of Christ." What a difference in their perspectives! What do you or I see?

We are in Eucharistic Revival Years and Maintenance to Mission. Catechetical Sunday is a beautiful opportunity to reflect on each person's role, by Baptism, in handing on the faith and witnessing the Gospel. Catechetical Sunday is an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to this mission as a community of faith. At the same time, we recognize and commission missionaries of our cluster who are dedicated to handing over Faith to our younger generation. I would like to express my gratitude to all our catechists who are willing to take the time to share faith with our youngsters. Catechetical Sunday reminds us of our baptismal call to share the faith. Faith    formation is not just for young people.

This weekend is the kick-off of the Catholic Service Appeal (CSA). We make our pledge and join with Bishop James Powers for the mission of the diocese. This year's theme is “United in the Eucharist: Empowered for Mission.” Our gifts make it possible to answer this question as a diocese through different ministries. This year, the goal for St. Anthony is $34,948.75; Immaculate Conception is $11,818.16; and for St. Francis is $4,088.44. Please prayerfully consider being part of CSA. If you cannot do it today, please bring it next Sunday, or you can mail it. Envelopes are available at the pew and entrance. CSA Sunday and Catechetical                Sunday are reminders of the role that each one of us is called to play by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. We need to keep reminding ourselves.

Twenty-fourth Sunday's first reading and Gospel invites us to reflect on suffering servant. The book of Isaiah has four servant songs. It is amazing that Isaiah wrote these servant songs over 500 years before Christ. It perfectly describes Jesus—today’s passage (50:5-9) third Servant Song. Isaiah speaks of God crushing the suffering servant. The Hebrew term ’asham is used to describe a particular type of sacrifice. The meaning of ’asham is “be guilty.” It is a reparation offering. In the book of Leviticus 5:14-26, he talks about the offering of reparation. The servant bears the iniquity of the people. Isaiah’s servant song foreshadows Jesus's life and mission.

The first reading compliments the Gospel, Jesus' prediction of his passion and his call to take up your cross and follow me (Mk 8:27-35). This took place in Caesarea Philippi, a gentile city beyond the northern border of Palestine. The passage starts with a fundamental question. “Who do men say that I am?” which leads to a straightforward question, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter comes up with the answer, “You are the Christ.” Peter was not just voicing his opinion; he was confessing his faith.

Jesus immediately instructs the disciples about the suffering and shame he must face to accomplish his   mission. This is the third time Jesus is predicting that his suffering will end in death and the resurrection on the third day. First, Peter professed faith when he heard about the suffering, “Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.” Jesus rebuked Peter for rejecting the prospect of suffering and said,"Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do." St. Paul says the Crucifixion proved to be a “Stumbling block” to many of Jesus' contemporaries (1Cori 1:23).

Then Jesus warns his disciples about the cost of discipleship. He said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.” Gospel gives us an outline of the three conditions of Christian discipleship: denying oneself, taking up one’s cross, and following Jesus. In short, discipleship requires dedication and commitment. Christ taught them that the greatness in the Kingdom is based on the spirit of service.