Come Aside and Rest for Awhile - MARCH 19, 2006

Missions are always grace filled times for parishes. We spend a lot of time and energy organizing committees. Parishes are concerned about temporal affairs; state of buildings, future capital projects, strategic planning goals. Yet at its core a parish is about fostering the spiritual growth of its members. This year we have seen growth in the spiritual development of different age groups in the parish; the men’s fellowship, young mother’s group, and the RCIA process. During Lent we offer a mission to see to the overall growth of spirituality in the parish. Father Frank O’Hara has been a parish priest for over 45 years. He has worked with the Renew program, Cursillo movement and other similar endeavors that have fostered the spiritual growth of parishes. For nine years he was my partner at St. Kevin’s as we strived to become a Stewardship parish. Join me in welcoming him here to St. Luke’s this week. His theme will be “Come Aside and Rest for Awhile.” On Monday different styles of prayer will be highlighted. On Tuesday we take a look at the precious gift of the
Eucharist. Finally on Wednesday we will have a chance to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Fr. Bob Hawkins MARCH 19, 2006