Growing up, “Star Trek” (the original series) was an amazingly popular TV show and has had several spin-offs and movies. My favorite episodes were when the crew would go back into time. Captain Kirk would end with a wise statement about how we must know our history to prepare for our future.
Our Christian future emerged out of the strong faith of our Hebrew ancestors, starting with Abraham and Sarah. We should pay attention to them if we want to know how to go into the future. Because Abraham and Sarah listened when God spoke and did what God asked them to do. Instead of maps and a GPS, they fixed their eyes on the future God promised them.
Even when God’s promises seemed impossible, Sarah and Abraham kept their faith. Our Hebrew ancestors died before they saw the promised future in full—but as St. Paul says, they “saw (the future) and greeted it from afar and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth.”
Wait a minute: we are the strangers and aliens? I hope that’s not a scary thought, because it means that this is not our real home. St. Paul says we need to “desire a better homeland, a heavenly one,” as our ancestors did. We are not owners on this earth—we are merely renters.
God calls us to get up each day and “boldly go where no one has gone before” - on a mission into the unknown future with Jesus. “Do not be afraid - but stay awake - remember your duty - and be ready the hour the master returns.” That could be the hour of critical decision-making, the hour of death, or the hour of the Lord’s return - just fix your eyes on God’s promises and believe in God’s faithfulness.
Some Up-Coming Events
Summer Music Camp: August 10th - 12th. Our first annual Music Camp is for children Kindergarten age – 8th grade. All children will be taught proper singing methods by trained music teachers and instructors along with learning how to read music, play handbells, music games and crafts.
Parish Picnic: Sunday, August 21st. A day of faith, food and fun begins with the 11:30 a.m. Mass at the soccer field at STM campus. (Mass will be in the church if it rains.) A picnic lunch will be provided, including hamburgers, hot dogs, beverages and sides. All sorts of games will be available for people of all ages. (In the event of rain, lunch and activities will be conducted in the Family Life Center.)
Parish Mission: October 10th - 13th. What is a Parish Mission? A Parish Mission is special time in a parish community when the community gathers together to gain further insight into a faith filled life. It is a time for grace and renewal of the parish through services and talks filled with stories, examples and meaning. The Mission is for all people, from inactive to very active. It is for all ages and for any stage in life—married, single, divorced, separated, widow, etc. We particularly invite those who want to know more about the church today and how it can take an active role in the everyday experiences. The mission this year will be conducted by Father Robert Gielow, a Vincentian Priest who has conducted parish mission across the country.