The month of May we will be doing Ministry Fairs after all the Sunday Masses. Each weekend will highlight a different category of these ministries. This weekend May 11/12 we are highlighting service ministries. This includes: Altar Linen Care, Alb Care, Baptismal Garments, Social Concerns, Respect Life, Blood Drive, Bread Runners, Advent Giving Tree, St. Dismas Prison Ministry, RaiseRight (Formerly Scrip), Bereavement, EMHC to Sick/Homebound, Meals for the Sick, Support Our Sick Ministry, Transportation to Mass, Prayer Shawls, Garden Club, Watering Plants, Upkeep of Grounds, Parish Office Support, Meals for Priests, St. Mary’s Food Kitchen, Catholic Charities Food Truck, CYO Coaching, and more!
Why be involved in one of POP’s service ministries?
- We are judged on if we served the poor. (Matthew 25:31-46)
- When we serve the poor, we actually serve Jesus!
Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:37–40)
- To be great is to serve.
But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26–28)
- We must follow the example of Jesus.
So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do. Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. (John 13:12–17)
- It is more blessed to give than to receive.
I have never wanted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You know well that these very hands have served my needs and my companions. In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort we must help the weak, and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” (Acts 20:33–35)
- By serving we build up treasure in heaven.
Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. (Luke 12:33–34)
Peace,
Fr. Greg
PS. A very happy Mother’s Day to all mothers! Talk about being great and blessed—mothers are always serving! Thank you for all you do!
PPS. Thank you to the Little Sisters of the Poor who are with us this weekend, and for all the service they do to the poor, especially the elderly. And thank you to all who support them.
PPPS. Do you want to go on pilgrimage with me to France this Fall? I’ve been asked and have accepted to be a priest chaplain for the Holy Family School of Faith Pilgrimage to France OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 2, 2024 - IMMERSED IN THE ROOTS OF THE ROSARY.
We begin our immersion with St. Dominic and spend time with the Community of the Lamb. We will walk in the footsteps of St. Bernadette and our Mother Mary at Lourdes. In Lyon, a city rich in history and faith, we will be introduced to Saintly friends such as Blessed Pauline Jaricot. We round out our experience in Provence with St. Mary Magdalene. The power of the rosary will leave you inspired and full of hope. $5400 Per person Double-occupancy, includes rountrip airfare from Atlanta. HIGHLIGHTS include daily Mass, daily teachings by Dr. Mike Scherschligt, friendship, good conversation and the rosary. Itinerary includes Toulouse, Fanjeaux, Bartres, Lourdes, Lyon, Provence and more! Go to schooloffaith.com/pilgrimages for more information and to sign up.