In today’s Gospel, Jesus says: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” This is not the type of invitation that would be appealing to many in our society today, and yet we know that there is much wisdom and truth in it. Jesus wants us to “grab hold” of our day-to-day lives and be grateful for the blessings and work through the negative things that happen to everyone. He wants us to be aware that he has gone through much in his life and if we find ourselves with the same challenges to embrace them and not allow them to conquer us. The message of the resurrection is the ending for everyone who believes. This is not an easy saying of Jesus, but this is how we will be saved.

Next Sunday, we will have our annual Ministry Fair where many of our groups and ministries will have tables displaying their ministries and highlighting some of their events. You may have read about the ministries in the bulletin, but this gives you an opportunity to find out more about each one and volunteer if one or the other appeals to you. The Fair will be held after the 11:00 and 12:30 Sunday Masses and the 5:00 and 6:15 Sunday Masses. Sundae Sunday will be part of the Ministry Fair.

Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.