A STEUBENVILLE YOUTH CONFERENCE

FUNDRAISER

APRIL 27 & 28 AFTER ALL MASSES

 If you would like to donate baked goods, please contact

Carol Burns at 904-249-2660 or

cburns@stpaulsjaxbeach.org

 

In the reading from Acts this weekend, Peter explains to the leaders of Israel how they cured a crippled man. They probably expected Peter to take credit for the cure, so they were waiting for him to hang himself by his words. Peter, of course, gives the credit to Jesus and then makes two important points.

First, he calls Jesus the “stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.” This quote from Psalm 118 was used often by the early Christians to show that Jesus was rejected by fellow Jews when he was crucified but was actually doing God’s will when he gave his life on the cross. Thus, he became not just a martyr, but the savior of the world. This gave comfort to those who had expected the leaders of Israel to follow Jesus and recognize him as the Messiah. It also told those leaders that they could be forgiven for crucifying Jesus if they would simply repent.

The second point made by Peter was that Jesus is the one and only savior of the world. In those days, the Roman emperor was considered to be a god and was called a savior. Peter says this to the leaders because they had to obey the emperor and his appointed rulers over Israel. While we no longer look to politicians to be saviors, we need to remember that Jesus is the Savior: he forgives our sins, shows us how to love God and our neighbors, and hears our prayers. He lives in us to support us when the answer to our prayers is “no.” And in the end, he is with us when we die to bring us to eternal life. When we love others (and are loved by others) we experience a taste of God’s love. Now the choice is yours: to reject the Savior or make Him the cornerstone of your life.              -Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

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St. Anselm

For anyone disheartened at how easily contemporary discussions of disputed Church-State issues escalate from civil discourse to shrill polemic, Anselm provides perspective. Grounded in the Benedictine Rule’s balanced “prayer and work,” this monk-scholar, called from his Abbey to become Archbishop of Canterbury, was thrust into firestorms of political intrigue, himself the target of warring bishops and nobles, kings, and popes. Yet from depths of inner peace, Anselm wrote this moving exhortation by which today’s Liturgy of the Hours celebrates him: “Rise up, insignificant man! From your preoccupations, flee a while. From your turbulent thoughts, hide for a time. Your crushing responsibilities cast aside. Your burdensome business lay down. Free a little space for God. Rest a little while in him!” “Faith seeking understanding” was his strikingly contemporary motto; and though renowned as an erudite philosopher-theologian, Anselm also left personal letters, profound for their insights on Christian friendship. Along with those, he composed “A Prayer for My Friends” and “A Prayer for My Enemies,” reminding us that those who love God most passionately are also those who love others most humanly.                               —Peter Scagnelli, Diocesan Publications

 

Dear parishioners,

St. Paul’s parish — one of the largest in our diocese — has always been extraordinarily generous to whatever appeal has been presented to us.  I am sorry to report that this year both our number of participating parishioners and our contributions have not yet achieved even half of our last year’s response to the Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal.

The Bishop’s Annual Appeal supports the education of future priests as it did with Fathers Mac Hill, Chris Knight, and Joseph Kuhlman, and currently our seminarian Daniel Maher.  In addition, it provides assistance for our retired priests, many of whom continue to serve in our parishes — we know that well with Father Kelly!

The Appeal also provides support for Catholic Charities throughout the diocese and supports our missionary parishes and mission churches.  Our own parish was once a distant mission from Jacksonville and was supported by the generosity of many from throughout the diocese.  Now we are asked for our support so that faith can grow in our rural areas.

We receive nothing in return except knowing that we provide for the needs of the Church, for others, and for the future — even parishes like ours in terms of future priests.

If you have not yet made a pledge or a contribution, I ask for your support to the Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal.  Any amount will be helpful in counting our number of participating parishioners.  Envelopes will be available in the back of the church and can be mailed directly or put in the offertory.

Many thanks in advance for your thoughtful response.

Yours in Christ,

Monsignor Michael Houle