Monday Message, February 26, 2024
KNOW
The Directory for Catechesis is, quite literally, our guidebook for how we reimagine catechesis in our parishes and schools. Bishop Caggiano has invited all catechetical leaders to a day of formation on March 13th with presentations by both the bishop and Joe Paprocki. This day will not be recorded, so please make every effort to attend. Details and sign up information is here.
A memo will go out to all pastors today announcing a formation day (morning) for all those who lead small groups in our parishes. This will take place at All Saints School on April 20th. Details and sign up information will be posted by the end of the week.
On April 10th, all formation leaders (DREs, CREs, PCLs and youth ministers) are invited to a private conversation with Bishop Caggiano about gender identity. Please email Carmela to RSVP. There will not be any information about this meeting online.
Last call for anyone in your parish who needs ONLY Confirmation (they are over 18, baptized, and have received Holy Communion). Information is available here for the hybrid course (begin online, then gather).
A retreat opportunity from our friends in the Archdiocese of Newark – in case you are interested.
REFLECT
This morning’s Gospel reading is a tough one. At least for me.
“Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you.”
Essentially, it’s a Gospel warning that what goes around comes around and we would be well advised to follow the writer’s advice.
But judging others is easy. It’s fun to deflect the attention from ourselves and our own inadequacies and point out the foibles of others. It’s nice to get people to focus on the looks, sounds, and smells around us, so no one notices the rot coming from within. Most of us, including me, would rather people not notice how far behind I am, how spiritually starved I am, how disconnected I sometimes feel – and instead point out the ills around us, the dumb things other people say, the inarticulate nature of those we do not agree with, and the crazy things that people who do not agree with us proclaim.
Stop judging.
God give us the strength to try.
LAUGH
