Friday of the Second Week of Easter

As I reflect on the Gospel reading of today, which tells the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000, I am struck by the power of faith and the abundance that comes from sharing what we have with others. Jesus took a few loaves of bread and fish and was able to feed a multitude of people, showing us that when we trust in God’s provision, miracles can happen.

I know that I am being called to share the gifts I have, though they may seem inadequate compared to the great mission I’ve been entrusted with. I trust God’s goodness and generosity to supply whatever is lacking! I am excited to share with you today about my new role as the pastor of St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Parish. It is a great honor to be entrusted with this responsibility, and I am eager to see what God has in store for us on this great journey.

In many ways, the message of today’s Gospel is a reflection of the challenges that lie ahead for both my Congregation as well as St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish. For the past 100 years, the community of St. Ignatius has been building upon the foundation of the Jesuit tradition. With the arrival of the Congregation of Saint John, the Parish will embark upon a new era, one that comes with the offer to encounter “another Consoler.” May our Lord grant us the grace and wisdom of St. John the Apostle, our father, to bear witness to this same Spirit. Jesus said to his disciples at the Last Supper, “I tell you the truth: it is good for you that I go away. If I do not go, the Comforter cannot come, but if I go I will send Him to you.”

I recognize that it is never easy to say goodbye – and difficult to welcome new and unexpected persons. There will be some who will want everything to remain exactly as it is, but that is impossible. I am confident that if we approach this new chapter in the story of St. Ignatius Parish with the same spirit of generosity and compassion that Jesus demonstrated in feeding the 5,000, we will be able to continue to grow ever stronger and more vibrant.

I am humbled by the opportunity to be a part of this community and to lead us forward in faith. With God’s grace and the willingness to share our gifts with one another, anything is possible.

Daily Readings

Saturday of the Third Week of Advent
by USCCB on December 21, 2024 at 9:30 am
Reading 1 Sg 2:8-14 Hark! my lover–here he comesspringing across the mountains,leaping across the hills.My lover is like a gazelleor a young stag.Here he stands behind our wall,gazing through the windows,peering through the lattices.My lover speaks; he says to me,"Arise, my beloved, my dove, my beautiful one,and come!"For see, the winter is past,the rains are over and gone.The flowers appear on the earth,the time of pruning the vines has come,and the song of the dove is heard in our land.The fig tree puts forth its figs,and the vines, in bloom, give forth fragrance.Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one,and come!"O my dove in the clefts of the rock,in the secret recesses of the cliff,Let me see you,let me hear your voice, For your voice is sweet,and you are lovely." Or Zep 3:14-18a Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!Sing joyfully, O Israel!Be glad and exult with all your heart,O daughter Jerusalem!The LORD has removed the judgment against you,he has turned away your enemies;The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,you have no further misfortune to fear.On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!The LORD, your God, is in your midst,a mighty savior;He will rejoice over you with gladness,and renew you in his love,He will sing joyfully because of you,as one sings at festivals. Responsorial Psalm Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21 R. (1a; 3a) Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.Sing to him a new song;pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness.R. Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.But the plan of the LORD stands forever; the design of his heart, through all generations.Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD,the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.R. Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.Our soul waits for the LORD,who is our help and our shield,For in him our hearts rejoice;in his holy name we trust. R. Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song. Alleluia R. Alleluia, alleluia.O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law:come to save us, Lord our God!R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 1:39-45 Mary set out in those daysand traveled to the hill country in hasteto a town of Judah,where she entered the house of Zechariahand greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting,the infant leaped in her womb,and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,cried out in a loud voice and said,"Most blessed are you among women,and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me,that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believedthat what was spoken to you by the Lordwould be fulfilled." Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Peter Canisius, priest and doctor of the Church - - - Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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