A reminder that St. Paul’s monthly food drive for the Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry Food Bank is on the first weekend of every month.  Please bring nonperishable food items and place them in the bin near the Cry Room.

Suggested items which are most needed include cereal, soup and toilet paper.

“Open your hand freely to your poor and to your needy kin in your land.”                                               (Deuteronomy 15:11)

 

  

In this weekend’s Gospel we read perhaps the most quoted verse of scripture:  “God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but have eternal life.”  It’s printed on t-shirts, coffee mugs, bracelets and necklaces, and on pens and pencils to hand out to youth groups.

Perhaps this is one of those verses that is so often quoted that it has lost some of its importance and just become a commonplace phrase?  But this Sunday, on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, let’s take some time to really dive deep into what this passage means.  If we go all the way back to the beginning, we see Adam and Eve in the garden.  They have been given everything they could possibly desire, but through an act of disobedience and selfishness, they lose their inheritance.  They want to be God and in trying to become like him, they turn their back on the very One they want to imitate.

God, of course, knew this was going to happen and had a plan from the beginning.  The irony is that God wanted to allow all of us to share in his divine life.  He wanted us to participate fully and intimately in his very divinity.  This was the desire of Adam and Eve, to be more like God, but they tried to get there through disobedience, while Christ brings us there by his obedience to the Father.  The Catechism states, “God himself is an eternal exchange of love, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and he has destined us to share in that exchange.” (CCC 221)

Adam and Eve lost their inheritance through disobedience.  Jesus gave us our inheritance back by his obedience to the Father and offers to make us partakers of the divine life through the Holy Spirit.  It’s the ultimate comeback story.  This is why John 3:16 is such an important verse.  Not because it can sell more merchandise to the Christian world than any other verse, but because it tells us of God’s plan right from the beginning to perfect us.

This perfection does not come without a cost.  As scripture says, “We have been purchased for a price.” That price is the death and torture of Jesus Christ, who became man in order to allow us to fully participate in the life of the trinity. What Adam and Eve did in the beginning, and what we continue to do today through our sin, can only be rectified by God stepping in and saving us.  Today, let’s rejoice that he has.

– From everyone at Diocesan Publications, God bless!

 

 

STEWARDSHIP MOMENT FOR JUNE 4th, Trinity Sunday:  The Gospel today is sometimes called “the Gospel in miniature” because it so concisely sums up the Gospel message. In even more condensed form, “God loved… God gave…” is the paradigm for stewardship — we give because we love.

 From the Director of Development & Stewardship: The 2023 Bishops Annual Stewardship Appeal (BASA) has seen positive responses from over 9,895 pledges made, and the appeal has achieved 80% of the annual goal. The many services provided by BASA assist individuals and families throughout the diocese. We are thankful to everyone who has made their pledge to “Perfect in Generosity” this year. It is never too late to pledge to BASA. Every gift is appreciated, no matter the amount. Please visit https://www.dosafl.com/bishopsappeal/ or mail your check payable to: 2023 BASA, Diocese of St. Augustine, 11625 Old St. Augustine Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32258.

From the Office of Christian Formation: The planning continues for the Diocese of St. Augustine’s Pilgrimage to the National Eucharistic Congress to be held in Indianapolis in July 2024. Our travel packages will be available soon, but the local Eucharistic Revival Steering Committee is looking to create a list of interested parties to contact when they are ready. For those interested, visit https://form.jotform.com/211656043874155. Filling out the form does not obligate you to purchase and does not guarantee a spot if the response is overwhelming. For more information, contact Erin McGeever by emailing emcgeever@dosafl.com.

Retrouvaille – A lifeline for Married Couples, June 9-11
Retrouvaille is for couples with marital problems that want marriage help. Those who are considering marriage separation and those who are already separated or divorced are encouraged to consider this program. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/hjymwnws.

Special Edition of Theology on Tap, June 10
Join us for a lively faith-filled discussion, food and fellowship for young adults (ages 21+) at 7 p.m. at the Cody Family Enrichment Center, 4152 Loretto Rd. in Jacksonville following the Florida Eucharistic Congress. Our guest speaker is Father Rafael Capó, vice president for Mission Ministry and dean of Theology at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens. For more information, contact Robin Shipley at (904) 262-3200 or rshipley@dosafl.com.

Catholic Charities Camp I Am Special, June 12-July 28
For the past 40 years, Camp I Am Special has been a place for children and adults with intellectual and developmental differences and other disabilities to enjoy a typical summer camp experience in a safe and loving environment. The camp also provides leadership development opportunities to more than 150 high school and college students. Campers are paired with teenage buddies, who care for them during the week and help them get the most out of the opportunity to ride horses, fish, do arts and crafts, perform in talent shows, and of course – swim! Each day during these six weeks, the camp provides hot, nutritious meals and snacks to every camper, buddy and staff member. You can help by sponsoring a meal or donating snacks, desserts and drinks. For easy sign-up, visit https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/643mod. We greatly appreciate your donations! Visit www.ccbjax.org/camp-i-am-special for more information.

Marian Celebration at San Juan del Rio Catholic Church, June 25
Join us as we honor Our Lady Queen of Peace at San Juan del Rio Catholic Church, 1718 State Rd. 13 in St. Johns. Adoration and confessions begin at 2:30 p.m., rosary with the Cenacolo community at 3:30 p.m., Benediction at 4:45 p.m., Mass celebrated by Bishop Pohlmeier at 5 p.m. and guest speaker Debbie Womack, director of Triumph Pilgrimages, at 6:30 p.m. A reception will be offered in the gymnasium. For details, call (904) 287-0519. For a flyer, visit https://tinyurl.com/uz6w7v35.

Catholic Charities & Jumbo Shrimp, June 28
Catholic Charities is partnering with the Jumbo Shrimp on June 28 at 7:05 p.m. for “Good is Everywhere Wednesdays” at the 121 Financial Ballpark, 301 A Philip Randolph Blvd. in Jacksonville. Come and support Catholic Charities as we raise awareness of the good works we do throughout the diocese. Tickets are available for $20, win a chance to throw the first pitch for $25 and raffle tickets are $1 each. To purchase tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/34ruvtjd. For more information, email development@ccbjax.org. For a flyer, visit https://tinyurl.com/5yr5wza8.