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Fr. Dale’s Homily

4th Sunday of Lent (Cycle A)

March 18-19, 2023

Gospel: John 9:1,6-9, 13-17, 34-38 (short form)

Today’s Gospel surfaces two very deep questions:

(1) What is Truth? and

(2) Who has control of Truth?

Have you ever prayed for something, and then, when it happens, you convince yourself that it was a “natural consequence for which God played little or no part”?  Sometimes our prayers do not seem to be answered, at other times, we have absolutely no doubt that we have received a healing like no other: our needs were heard.

For example, a risky pregnancy may end in a healthy baby after much prayer.  You might pray for a new job, and, right after prayer, the phone rings with a job offer.  We sometimes struggle to admit that God intervenes and really hears our prayers.  Today’s Gospel about the one-born-blind, teaches you and me that we all struggle with unbelief.  Staying faithful means believing we have been healed because we have been heard.

God sees clearly what is in the depths of our hearts and God ignores the physical appearance.  What’s on the outside does not really matter, it is what’s on the inside that sets us right and worthy of God’s healing.

As we mature, we come to know that there are many kinds of blindness.  Spiritual blindness is the most dangerous.  It trips up our ability to see ourselves as God sees us.  It prohibits us from developing and using our gifts to draw us closer to Him.  It forces us to put limitations on ourselves that can keep us from God’s healing and helping remedy; grace.  

The one-born-blind-from-birth is unable to see the Messiah.  He is both physically and spiritually blind.  In his blindness, he unfortunately does not understand what it means to walk as a person of light.  When Jesus heals him, he comes to know THE Light of the World.  From there, he is sent out to bring the light to others.

James Thurber, a humorist, lost his sight toward the end of his career as a writer.  So goes the story that Thurber attended a party thrown by a friend.  As a certain couple left the party, Thurber said to his host, “They are going to break up”.  The host insisted that Thurber could not possible be right, saying, “I’ve never seen such friendliness and smiling.”  “Yes,” said Thurber, “you saw them… I heard them”.  The couple separated six months later.  The host was able to see but he had no insight.

Sometimes, things are not what they seem…

So, how is your Lent going in your search for The Truth shining in The Light?

Stewardship Renewal 2023

Stewardship renewal packets will be placed in the gathering space of church beginning January 21st and will be available for pickup through the weekend February 5th. The stewardship renewal forms have been updated with new categories, new opportunities to get involved and a brand new theme; Love and Serve Generously. Make plans to pick up your family packet and help us save on postage. Contribution statements for tax filing will also be included in your packet. Completed 2023 Stewardship Renewal Forms are due back to the parish office by February 28th.

You can renew online here: Stewardship 2023.

Essay Contest Grades 8-12

The Knights of Columbus St Joseph council 12354 is proud to announce our second annual Catholic Citizenship essay contest. The essay contest is open to Catholic students in grades 8-12. A $100 PRIZE will be awarded to the winner from each grade. This year’s theme is “explain how young Catholics can evangelize our faith to friends and families who have turned away from religion and encourage them to return to the church and embrace the sacraments”. In an essay of 500- 750 words, explain how young Catholics can evangelize our faith to families and friends who have turned away from religion and encourage them to return to the Church and embrace the sacraments. An entry form must accompany the essay. The essays must reflect the assigned theme and be the student’s original work. The student’s name should only appear on the official form which must be stapled to the essay. Essays can be turned into the parish office or collection basket, or directly to the St Joseph council Knights of Columbus. The contest will start on Nov 7 and end on December 2. Any questions feel free to reach out to Michael Zygmunt (716)319-4967.

Christmas Food Basket Donations

It is time for the annual Christmas food basket drive in support of the Bullitt County community! 
The SFX Outreach Ministry, High School Youth Group and the Confirmation Class are hosting this service opportunity and need your help!! Please drop off your non-perishable donations in the brown collection boxes in the gathering space of Church or the Parish Office.  Donations accepted through December 16th.
If you choose to donate money or gift cards from Kroger or ValuMarket for the purchase of turkeys, please place your donation in an envelope marked: Outreach Ministry Food Baskets. Drop your donation in the collection basket or at the Parish Office. Make checks payable to:  Outreach Ministry Food Baskets.
Suggested Donation Items by Last Name:
A-C Green Beans, Corn
D-G Stuffing, Mashed Potato Flakes
H-K Oven Bags, Aluminum Foil , Napkins
L-O Cranberry Sauce, Gravy Mix
P-S Rice, Mac & Cheese
T-Z Cake Mix, Sugar Cookie Mix, Icing,
Cookie Decorations

Aunt Annie’s Pretzel Truck

THANKS TO ALL WHO CAME OUT FOR PRETZELS! WE RAISED ALMOST $500 FOR ALEX’S LEMONADE STAND!

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join us for our 2nd event in September to raise money for Childhood Cancer. On Tuesday, September 13th from 11AM-6PM Aunt Annie’s will be in the SFX parking lot. Come on up and get a HOT pretzel. Proceeds benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand. https://www.alexslemonade.org/ .