Becoming the Parish God Calls Us To Be

October 13, 2019

This weekend the Service and Outreach Commission is out in the narthex inviting us to become a participant!  They have done an excellent job in setting up a presentation to capture what God is inviting us to become.  I would like to thank Sr. Margaret Anne and all of the members of the Commission for their vision for this ministry sign up.  This is our biggest Commission with the most ministries and the most needs.  Please take the time to embrace what God is calling us to do.  All the ministries need help.

This past week the priests of the Diocese of Joliet gathered with Bishop Conlon for a time of prayer, refection and education.  The convocation was a time to reconnect with the mission of priesthood that God has given us.  From there I drove to the city to assume my responsibilities of being present to those in need at the Chicago Marathon.  On this marathon day my day begins early at 4:00 AM to be in forward command.  It is a time to observe, watch and pray with those who are asking for God’s guidance before the great event of the marathon begins.  It is a reliance on God by the race director and the head of the medical staff which has inspired me to continue in this ministry.  It is a time in which runners gather to challenge themselves for many reasons.  It is my role to do the praying for safety and be present to assist at a moment’s notice in case of need.   I am also praying for cool weather as it would be a great plus!

In the week ahead it is a time to begin the final preparations for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation.  Please keep all of the candidates in your prayers.  We are blessed to have Bishop Kane with us on October 26 at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.  All are invited to one of the two Confirmations to be celebrated at St. Anne this year.  Mark your calendars.

The following weekend will be a time we celebrate with our children around the altar.  Please join us at the 9:15 or 11:00 AM celebrations of the Eucharist on October 20.  The homilies will be geared to the children of the primary grades.  These interactive times allow us to give God glory in new ways.

An all high school teen Mass is open to the entire community on October 27 at 6:00 PM.   Please gather with our teens to let them know we stand with them in our faith.  The core of who we are is found in the Eucharist.  Our activities centered in this experience is a way for Jesus to build bridges in their lives.  May we gather with openness to experience the love God has for each of us.

Reverend  John J. Ouper