Dear Parishioners,

I always get a little melancholy around this time when our CCD session ends for the year. I will miss seeing the children scurrying down the hall to their classes greeting their friends and their teachers. I will miss hearing the 1st graders reciting the Our Father, the 3rd graders praying the Rosary, the young middle school students learning the difference between the Assumption and the Ascension, and the 8th graders having deep discussions about making good choices.

As several months will pass until we meet up again, my hope is that our students continue to feel confident and comfortable with their faith, by using it. I hope they continue to receive the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation. I hope they continue being involved in social justice by doing for others. Perhaps you could donate unused toys or clothes to a shelter. Think about picking up an extra item or 2 at the grocery store to drop off at the local food pantry.

Today’s Gospel shows a physical Resurrection not just a spiritual one. Jesus says to his disciples, “cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something”. When they did what He had suggested, they came up with 153 fish...that’s an abundance of fish and shows God’s abundant love for us. So to me this shows that Jesus is always there for us even when we do not ask for anything. That He will always show up on the shore, and will invite us to share a meal.

So I hope our students learned from the disciples in today’s Gospel and really listen to Jesus. Do not be afraid to cast those nets into the water and see what goodness you catch.
 

In Christ’s love,