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Sitio July 3, 2016 – FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Is 66:10-14c; Ps 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20; Gal 6:14-18; Lk 10:1-12, 17-20 Don’t fence me in! We all want freedom; we love to be free. No wonder we proudly sing our National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner, which says, 'the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.' Wanting to be free, well-understood, is not a selfish thing but a selfless thing. When we want to be free, it is our desire for union with others - our spouses, families and friends. We want to be free because we want to share the good things in life with others without anybody hindering us. Recently, I had the opportunity to meet with Barb and, as always, she shared her joy by singing, 'Do not fence me in.' This song echoes the sentiment that our freedom is not just for those who are in good shape and freely moving around. Freedom is the same whether you are on a sailing boat or sick and bed ridden; everyone wants to be free. Since the purpose of freedom is to be in communion with others, let us enable anyone who wants to be free, who wants to be in communion with others, to do so. 70's and the Parish Center! I recently visited with Gary, from Jordan, for few minutes. He shared with me how delighted he was back in the 70's during the construction of the Parish Center. He shared a fond memory of when he and a few others were working on the roof and shingles. They were working and were worried about being late for Sunday Mass. They told the Priest of St. Nicholas at the time, “Father, we have not been to Mass and we need to quit working for the day.” The priest replied, “You are forgiven and your good work in helping complete the parish center will count for Mass today. God will bless and thank you for getting the shingles done.” Gary recalled that interaction of the workers and the priest and how they all chuckled over it. One of the obligations we have is to pass on information to others--memories of our families, church, co-workers or even a stranger...we have an obligation to share with others. Memories are powerful. I have often witnessed, even on deathbeds, how recalling a fond memory can bring a smile and comfort to people. How faithful are you to pass on your memories to your children and others? Pilgrimage on a Bike! Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta often said, 'Pray the work,' and of course in everything we do, we should make it a prayerful experience. People come to the St. Nicholas Prayer Garden in many ways, including riding their bike. They stop by, admire, ask questions, then get on their bike and ride away. As St. Nicholas has been a city set on the hill for about a century and half now, with the addition of the Prayer Garden, it will continue to remain a place for all. Whether people come walking, driving or biking, they all come here as pilgrims. If you have not already, please read the Chaska Herald article on our Prayer Garden which was in the June 23rd print edition or on line at http://www.swnewsmedia.com/chaska_herald/news/local/prayer-gardensprouts-in-carver/article_815cebda-bbff-535f-bf70-6aaffb5f13d8.html. We are now planning our Come, See, Pray at the Prayer Garden celebration for August 14th. Faith Formation! Recently, I found the Prayer to the Guardian Angel: 'Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide.' Not long ago, we reflected how it is better to live our lives as if God exists and find out in the end that there is no God than to live as if there is no God and find out there is a God. This is also true of our Guardian Angel. Here at St. Nicholas, our goal is to help our children learn and believe in our beliefs. We can teach the Faith in two ways--Pressure or Piety (Pious way of life). We can not force them to learn, but we want them to love their Faith. One of the ways to make our Faith life interesting is to keep it attractive...to be people who are simple, joyful and lead pious lives. Whether teaching Faith Formation or anything else, we don't need Teachers, rather, we need heroes who are able to draw people to Jesus Christ through their pious way of life. Congratulations Sophie & Oliver on your Baptism! St. Francis De Sales said, 'Make yourself familiar with the angels, and behold them frequently in spirits; for without being seen, they are present with you.' May their families instill courage in these children, that they are not alone in the hike of life; their Guardian Angel is watching over them. As you feel protected and guided by your Guardian Angel, do not be shy to share the story of the Guardian Angel in your life. Become a story teller in the lives of your children as there is no better way to teach the Faith. Tough as Nails! We often hear the phrase 'tough as nails' which can make some feel strong. There is nothing wrong with that. However, when we analyze these words more, there are two options for interpreting this. Do we want to be strong like a nail that causes pain in the lives of others; or, do we want to be a strong fortress of protection to safeguard our families and others? Ask yourself, are you tough like a nail and cause pain in the lives of others, or are you like a solid wall to protect your family and others from any dangers? Soul is not just in the language of Christians! In light of the recent terror attack, I heard people on television use the word ‘soul’. Someone said it is hard to read the soul of someone who chooses to do harm. One may not be on the watch list of the police, but sometimes it is hard for law enforcement officials to read one's soul. I was happy that the main stream media, no matter where they stand on Faith and Catholicism, used the word 'soul' comfortably. According to the Christian belief, everyone has a soul.However, not everyone is comfortable using the word soul. Everyone believes in the human soul even though people of different religions describe it differently. To conclude, it is good news that even those in television journalism are comfortable using the word ‘soul’. As someone once said, 'Our bodies are where we stay; our souls are what we are.' Our souls are like our face - it is best we have a soul that is clean and joyful. Food Sales! We have raised over $3,000 from the first two food sales. This is again proof that, 'drops make the ocean.' Our next food sale is Sunday, July 10 from 10am-2pm. I hope you will participate and help our church raise another $1,500. Happy Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle! Every year on July 3rd we celebrate the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ. Even though he was a 'doubting Thomas,' he used his doubt to strengthen his faith and not weaken his ties to Jesus Christ. Reacting to Thomas' disbelief, Jesus said, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." (John 20: 29). Jesus did not disqualify Thomas because he doubted His Resurrection; rather, Jesus helps turn Thomas' disbelief into a deeper belief. What can we learn from this doubting Thomas? I often tell people, doubting certain aspects of our Faith is not bad. In fact, we should doubt and question as that is how we grow in our Faith all the more. Even getting mad at God is not a bad thing. After all, just as we get mad at our parents sometimes, in the same way it is ok to get mad at God because He is not a fantasy figure in the air. God is a real Person, a real Father, who wants to have relationship with us. Let us pray to St. Thomas that he may intercede for us, so that we may transform our doubts. Sunday Reflection! Dear brothers and sisters, the Gospel for this Sunday is from Luke 10 in which we learn about Jesus creating seventy-two other disciples in addition to the 12 Apostles. Jesus sent them in pairs. Jesus reminded them the harvest is abundant but the laborers are few and therefore the disciples' labor should bring people to Jesus Christ. Jesus warned the disciples they are like lambs among wolves, meaning the lives of the disciples is not always going to be a bed of roses they will be faced with challenges. Jesus wanted His disciples to not possess much. Further, Jesus said to them, 'Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.' If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.' As we have often reflected in the past, God is generous but God is not cheap; if we don't ask for it, we won't give it. God is willing to shower His gifts on us by sending His messengers and His disciples. We can either receive them generously into our lives or reject them. Yes, God is powerful, but He never forces one to open one's heart. The person should be willing to open their heart and soul. Ask yourself, do you open the doors of your life to receive God's blessings, or, do you shut the door when God's Blessings knock? In Christ Jesus, Fr. Thomas Joseph "To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing." Martin Luther