Weekly Reflections, Announcements, News & Thoughts

Respecting Human Life. Recalling the Anniversary of Roe v. Wade

Almost 5 decades ago, the Supreme Court of the United States, in their Roe vs. Wade decision, legalized abortion in our country. The tragedy of this decision is the millions of lives lost over these several decades, the women and men who have been devastated by a choice often made in crisis, and the diminished reverence for the sacredness of every human life. Please make a daily commitment to pray for conversion and repentance that we might build a culture of life. May we come to embrace and defend the dignity of every human life created in the image and likeness of God!

Fighting a Status Quo Mentality

I love to use Latin phrases and communicate ideas and thoughts with a mere expression and people just understand what you mean. When I make a mistake, I say mea culpa. (literally my fault) Sometimes, I do something expecting a quid pro quo (literally this for that)The list goes on and on.But, I have never liked the Latin expression status quo…which literally means ‘the state in which’ but is used to describe keeping things the same. This dislike for the status quo is not an endorsement of the worldly notion of seeking change just to be different. It is a recognition that any living entity must always be in a state of becoming. That is true of us as individuals and as a parish community. We have made a great journey over these past many years in the process of being Mary, Star of the Sea Parish. But, we have more to do, we always have more to do…and so a new year begins…may 2020 be a year of grace for our parish community.

Dr. King’s Legacy

As we approach the holiday honoring the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., here are some powerful quotes from him that challenge us to continue to fight for justice and equality…

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.

                               Alabama 1963

If we are to have peace on earth, our loyalties must become ecumenical rather than sectional. Our loyalties must transcend our race, our tribe, our class, and our nation. And this means we must develop a world perspective.

                               Georgia 1967

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

                               1963

Let us work and pray for equality and justice for all of God’s people.

FYI… The Parish Office will be closed on Monday January 20 in observance of the Martin Luther King Holiday.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity January 18-25
They Showed Us Unusual Kindness
(cf. Acts 28:2)

The 2020 theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has been selected. “They Showed Us Unusual Kindness” (cf. Acts 28:2). Annually, leaders of faith communities throughout the world gather together to arrive at the theme for the annual celebration of Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This year the theme finds its origins in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 27:18 – 28:10). In 2020, we are being called to show unusual kindness towards one another.”

During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Churches of all faiths are called together to form a vibrant and prayerful witness for Christian Unity by heeding Jesus’s prayer “that they all may be one.”

PLEASE PRAY FOR UNITY WITHIN THE BODY OF CHRIST DURING THIS SPEICAL TIME.

National Catholic Schools Week 2020

January 26– February 1
Catholic Schools: LEARN, SERVE, LEAD, SUCCEED

During this special week, we salute Catholic education and the positive difference it makes in forming new generations of students to connect their academic successes with their Catholic values. This is a week to celebrate and consider the blessing of Catholic education. Our parish school Stella Maris Academy is stellar in faith formation, academics, and service. Please join us for many upcoming Catholic Schools Week Activities!

We also have wonderful nearby Catholic high schools… Cathedral Catholic High School, St. Augustine High School, Our Lady of Peace Academy, and Mater Dei High School. Please pray for these schools and support them in their mission and ministry. Celebrate Catholic Schools!

Have a blessed and holy week! In Christ’s love, Fr. Pat