From the corner office for Nov 20, 2022

From the Corner Office is Father Mike's weekly bulletin column.

This Sunday, we celebrate “Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe” or simply, Christ the King Day. Pope Pius XI originally initiated this day in 1925, and it has since grown to be observed by other Christian denominations. In 1969, Pope Paul VI revised the Roman calendar so that the day falls on the last Sunday of Ordinary time. With all of that, let’s look at the readings, which The First Reading from the second Book of Samuel includes the story of David as being anointed at Hebron. This is different (a second version of…) from when David faced off with Goliath in the first Book of Samuel. David is the king of Israel! The Gospel according to Luke speaks now of Jesus as the king of the Jews. However, we find Jesus hanging on a cross between two thieves. What a difference… But let’s move to St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians, as this is where it’s all at for us! St. Paul quickly runs through all that Jesus has done for the world – for us! The line worth praying over and taking forward with us today has St. Paul telling us, “Let us give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy one in light.” We need to not only celebrate the kingship of Jesus, but also that we are all able to share in the Kingdom of Jesus. The only question is ~ do we chose to share in this kingdom?

Fr. Mike

From the Pastor’s Desk:

The “year-end reviews” are coming to a close for the year ~ spiritually speaking. The new liturgical calendar will be starting next Sunday… Hopefully, you were able to take time to examine this past year and how you have done individually, as a family, and (even) as part of your parish family of St. Thomas More. We should all be looking to grow in our faith and closer in our relationship to God. The power of the networking and relationships are important, all the way (starting) with our relationship with our God, down to our neighbor or stranger in the store… If you haven’t taken time yet, please be sure to reflect, examine, and learn how you’ll be making 2023 an even better year!

Continuing towards the holiday season, it will be the time of sharing and giving. We are pulling together the clothing drives with the school children for hats, gloves, and scarves. The major fundraiser #weGIVECATHOLIC will be on November 29th, and will give us the opportunity to pull together the donations we have not been able to raise during the pandemic time. This fundraiser will help us to continue the much needed work on the Utopia Hall area. With that – we should mention the continued work that has still been happening with the volunteers who stepped forward to hang new drapes and window treatments in the hall. Thank you for your work! The repairs need to be completed and this area of Utopia Hall is in much need of attention, before we can move on to the next area of the campus. PLEASE-please… be sure to ask if you have any questions on how best to donate, as we are even going to be asking for prayers for a successful campaign. Together, we’ll be able to complete the necessary repairs, as the parish of St. Thomas More. Thank you ALL for your help this year!