Dear friends in Christ,

 

This week, I spoke at a week-long retreat at the Seminary for 47 high school-age students who are open to discerning the possibility of Priesthood. The title of this retreat comes from a legendary story about Saint Peter encountering Christ as he fled from Rome during a particularly violent persecution. Jesus was heading into the city and asked Peter, “Quo Vadis?” This is Latin for, “Where are you going?” Peter was running from suffering, and Christ was running towards it to be with His people who were struggling. Saint. Peter later returns to Rome and his martyrdom.

 

I knew that this week would be crazy, and I wasn’t sure I would even be able to write a bulletin letter, but then I thought about just sharing with you what I talked about on retreat. After all, we all have a fundamental call (vocation) from the Lord to be holy. In fact, the Second Vatican Council calls this the Universal Call to Holiness. Everyone is called by God to be holy, not just clergy or religious. This holiness is what we are made for, and it is not just about holding doors open for people or saying a few prayers. We are all called to radical holiness, which is a return to our original holiness seen in Adam and Eve before the Fall. In the Garden of Eden, they had a deep, intimate, loving, and personal relationship with God and each other. Holiness is placing our relationship with God in the center of our lives.

 

Holiness is also wholeness in that we all have a unique call because we are each an irreplaceable, special, and unique human person from the moment of our conception. God has given each of us certain histories, gifts, passions, personalities, and talents. We strive to be ourselves and glorify God with our lives.

 

We need help with this that comes from being part of different communities. First, we are connected to the Communion of the Angels and Saints. We call upon our beloved dead and the Saints to intercede and pray for us. We are also part of a Parish community. When we become more than just registered Parishioners and embrace being active, conscious, and full Parishioners, we are working towards holiness. This means getting involved in pastoral council leadership, joining or starting a ministry, or singing in the choir. It is in our Parish community that we find the two greatest aids to be holy:  the Sacrament of the Eucharist and Reconciliation.

 

The most essential thing we must do to work towards holiness is to pray. Prayer is how we form and sustain our relationship with God and each other. We are called to be men and women of prayer. Please pray for these young men and for more vocations to the Priesthood. Even greater than that, let us pray for each other that we can all answer the unique and universal call to holiness. God bless!

 

Love and peace,
 

Fr. Matt
 

---

   

Have a Mass offered for a friend or loved one, deceased or living.  A customary donation of $5 is requested for each Mass, payable by cash or check.  Please contact the Parish office to request a Mass!  Please note that Mass intentions come on a first-come, first-served basis.
 

---

   

---

Are you retired?

Are you looking for an active social life?  Something fun and refreshing where you can learn and meet new friends?
Then check out the Friendship Club at Saint Matthew.

We focus on fun, activities:  lunch, games, Bingo, karaoke, invited speakers, crafts, and more.

Contact Sr. Andre at 410-323-1469.  The fun and games will begin in September.