Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

News and Notes:   We are so grateful for the presence and ministry of Father Don Phiri during the month of August.  Fr. Don hails from Zambia, Africa, and belongs to the Society of African Mission Fathers, a religious order that has been helping out in parishes throughout the Archdiocese during the months of July and August.  In previous summers, Fr. Don has served in parishes in Billerica and Natick. This summer, Fr. Don has been living in the White House at OLA with Francis Pham, our Pastoral Associate, and Fr. Gerry Petringa, the Episcopal Vicar for the North Region of the Archdiocese, and he will be returning to Africa at the end of this month.  Join me in thanking him for his priestly service to our Collaborative!

How to be a Witness to Christ

During this Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis is inviting all of us to give witness to the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.  Here are some practical ways to do that (taken from Lorene Hanley Duquin’s book Be My Witness: Formation for the New Evangelization).

1. You witness to Christ as a good parent or grandparent when you guide family members in their faith;
2. You witness to Christ as a good friend when you reach out to people who are lonely, elderly, ill, grieving or emotionally distraught;
3. You witness to Christ as a spiritual companion when you share your faith story;
4. You witness to Christ as a good disciple when you invite others to come to church with you;
5. You witness to Christ as a good neighbor when you feed the hungry, offer clothing and shelter to people who are poor, and offer assistance to anyone in need;
6. You witness to Christ as a good employee through your honesty, integrity, and hard work;
7. You witness to Christ as a good parishioner when you pray, attend Mass, serve in a parish ministry, and financially support your parish community.

Blessings to all of you in the week ahead!