A pastor was asked to preach on a special day when the Bishop was present; he chose to preach about loneliness. He made the point that everyone’s sense of loneliness was unique, but that he was particularly moved by the loneliness often felt by wives and mothers. He thought that their calling could, throughout life, result in the sharpest and most difficult loneliness of all.

As he spoke, the heads of almost 300 women bowed in unison. After Mass, a man who thought the sermon should have been on something more cheerful, asked the Bishop, “What did you think of the homily?” The Bishop replied humbly, “That priest is an excellent preacher. He listens closely to people’s lives, and he preaches out of that listening.”

Have we lost all sense of listening? Today Jesus sends out the apostles two by two into homes and tells them to leave immediately if someone won’t listen! We have every device imaginable for listening to—but, do we really listen?

Do you want to hear the message, “Repent. Change your lives. The Kingdom of God is at hand”? If we really hear it, there is no way out, but to respond. If we listen, and agree to change our lives, we are also agreeing to be messengers and prophets ourselves. What message are we bringing to the world? A very daring one.
 

MISSION TRIP – This week, 65 members of our parish will travel to Elkins, West Virginia for our annual Parish Mission Trip.  The week will include building and repairs to homes as well as evangelization for the home owners and spiritual devotions and exercises for the mission team.  Please pray for this group as they attempt to do the work of the Lord.

Some folks ask: “what about our local neighbors who have similar needs?”  Our parish is blessed to have a ministry called “Hearts with Hammers” who do the same type of work locally in the Pittsburgh area.  Due to the work schedules of the volunteers, these projects are often spread over a longer period of time.  If you would like more information about this ministry, please call the office or respond to this email address: [email protected].