Fr. Dan's Sharings

Prayer/Action: Where is the balance?
You wouldn't think that would be a life-long struggle, but it is. Any relationship takes work. Do we really think a relationship with God is any different?
For three weeks we listened to St. Luke show us in different ways that basically we are each a unique, one-of-a-kind, unrepeatable, manifestation of God's love. We each occupy a particular space at a particular time. So each of us have a different perspective on the needs around us and have to be open to God's guidance in terms of how we should respond. In the process we have to be careful that we don't expect everyone to respond in the same way we do.
To help us in that St. Luke begins to show us the importance of prayer, or realizing that every relationship is two-way and we have to be open to what the Lord is saying; to come to His feet as a disciple allowing Him to form us and give us direction. What a journey you and I are on.

Theology of the Body:
More and more people are catching on to how important the understanding Pope John Paul has of the human body and human sexuality is to the age in which we live. More and more parents keep asking me how far our culture is going to go with it's "free-sex" philosophy. Just this week a mother was telling me of how a public health nurse was teaching a group of high school girls how to "do it" with
their hair brush. Another asked about a sex-education class of which our president approves that teaches kindergarteners to love people of either sex and by fifth grade to know that homo-sexuality is a good thing and that they should know how to "do it" in a variety of ways. Meanwhile a teacher in Ca. is on paid leave for not stopping a sexual act that was being videoed by other students on their phones. How badly we need Pope John Paul's understanding. This next week Gail Fox, Melissa Leitman and myself will be attending the first National Congress on the Theology of the Body. In September Melissa will then help give a reflection for the leaders of our Diocesan Council of Catholic Women along with Marca Stephens who happens to be one of the most highly certified people in the diocese on Napro-Technology. Napro Technology is a highly advanced method of a woman coming to know the health of her own body and the ability of paying closer attention to it in being able to become pregnant or avoid pregnancy. Don't be afraid to contact these two ladies who are real gifts in our parish.
 

Discovering the gift of ourselves as parish:
Don't miss the wonderful opportunities we have of coming to know one another. During the summer we continue to have coffee/donuts after mass on Sunday. On August 7 we will have a waterslide and ice-cream after mass. If you can't join us for the Aug. 12 trip to the Vatican Splendor then perhaps you can go as a family. And, of course, as we look forward to Sept. be sure to plan on the joint parish picnic on the 12th at Round Spring and then we will begin the last year of "Why Catholic?" Even if you have never participated before you are still welcomed to join a group this fall. Be sure to sign up.