Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Vacation Time
I am writing this from Somerset, KY.  Taking some needed rest and relaxation with a few priest friends is helping to recharge the old batteries.  Thank you to all our visiting priests who are celebrating Masses. Please know that I am keeping you all in prayer and today I am offering Mass for all St. Paul parishioners. 

Weekend for the Missions
This weekend please welcome our visiting priest, Fr. Terrence DeSilva.  He is a missionary priest from the Diocese of Lexington, KY.  St. Paul parishioners have always been so generous; I am confident your graciousness will continue in assisting those in need. 

RCIA
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the Church’s process of bring more people to encounter Christ the Lord in His One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.  Often this process is implemented as a “program” at a parish that meets weekly with a group usually from September until Easter.  However, this process really should be ongoing year-round.  This is because all of us should be evangelizing and reaching out to others all the time!  Are we intentionally inviting our non-Catholic friends to explore the Catholic Faith?  Do we invite them to Mass or invite them to pray?  Do we share with them our love of Christ and His Church?  Do we show them this parish where we strive to form disciples of Christ in community and proclaim the Gospel?  I am not saying we should constantly hit people over the head with this or be obnoxious about it, but it should be on our minds; we should be consciously looking for those opportunities that the Holy Spirit provides for us to bring more souls to Christ and His Church.  That is where the major work of the RCIA happens.  Then when they respond to your invitation you bring them to me, or Dcn. John and the rest of the journey can happen. 

God bless!
Fr. Pfr