The summer seems to be moving so fast. We are half way through July and I have not done most of what I wanted to do when things quieted down for the summer. The fact is that things don’t quiet down during the summer they just take a different pace than the rest of the year.
I would like to mention a couple of things that have come up during these summer days. One is that some of you received a call soliciting your business and saying that the person was calling from Our Lady Of Hope. I want to assure you that your information is sacred to us and we would not give permission to anyone to solicit without talking to you and sharing that information beforehand. In fact, we would not give such permission but if there was a circumstance that called for it we would certainly inform you before anything occurred. If someone does call you and says that they have permission of the parish to call people do not give out information and tell them that you know that they do not have permission. Then call us and let us know what was said. We do protect your privacy and we don’t want anyone to think otherwise.
A child said to me the other day, “Father it is so hot why do you have to put on all those robes? “ I laughed and said that it was to say mass and we dress in a special way to say the mass. I asked him if he had to get dressed up for special occasions and he told me that he did but he didn’t like it that much. I told him that I would rather not wear all these robes either but I wanted to show God respect when I got ready to say the liturgy. Going to mass on Sundays is a special thing for all of us and ought to be treated in that way. We should treat it as a special time by the way we talk and act and dress. It should stand out for all of us as different from the ordinary days of the week and ordinary things that we do. While I think that it is important to be comfortable I also think that we need to respect what we are doing when we come to worship God especially if we are serving in some form of ministry. No one is asking for formal dress but I think that all of us can be comfortable and yet respectful. Just a thought, if you disagree let’s talk about it.
I hope that you are looking forward to August 15th as much as I am. This August 15th marks the 25 anniversary of the ground breaking for the new buildings at Our Lady of Hope. It gives us a special reason to celebrate Hopefest this year. Don’t miss out on any of the fun or celebration. Our entertainment for that day will be Switchback a couple of guys that I am sure all of you will enjoy. These guys are not only great entertainers and song writers, they are lifelong Catholics and they will help us during the mass and have in fact written some original Marian songs to be used at our special Assumption outside mass. The liturgy will be followed by a picnic and get together during which we will draw the first Hopeful 500 winners. Plan on being there and if you can there is always need for help. Volunteer your time talent or treasure by calling the office.
It is important to listen to the word of God as Jesus reminds Martha in today’s Gospel. When you are looking for something to read during the summer why not try a little scripture. It can only enhance your spiritual life and knowledge.
Have a great week. Pray for your parish. Know that you are loved and live that love.
Fr. Clem