Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear friends in Christ

In the Gospel of the Mass this Sunday, Jesus warns us of allowing pernicious weeds to grow among the good wheat in our lives. The weed of which He speaks was widespread in the Middle East, resembling wheat and difficult to distinguish. The Fathers of the Church have understood this to be an allegory for false teaching, which is not easy to distinguish from the truth, above all at the beginning; but if error is allowed to flourish it always has catastrophic effects on the souls of God’s faithful. This may resonate with us still today. So, the lesson is clear: we need to shape our lives, our hearts and our consciences with the truth of the Gospel and the unerring teaching of the Church, especially in matters of faith and morals. We read the Word of God, we study the Catechism, we seek guidance, in order to see the world through the lens of God’s providence. To live as God’s children in this world, it is necessary that we use all of the means to ensure our sound formation in matters of faith and doctrine. Let’s use the means at our disposal, and look in the correct places, to ensure that we never allow the seeds of dissension and error to take any root in our lives.

This weekend our Diocesan Pilgrimage departs for Lourdes. I will be joining them this week with a group from our area as well as a group of our young adults. We all assure you that we hold the Parish Family very much in our thoughts and prayers during these days, especially the sick and elderly, those suffering and alone and those in any particular need at this time. I will offer the Mass we celebrate at the Grotto for all your intentions. May Our Lady of Lourdes and Saint Bernadette grant us a safe journey there and back!

God bless you all!

Msgr Kevin Hale