Written by Sister Ruth Emke

Excuses, excuses, excuses!

Today’s readings show us different reactions to the call to discipleship, all filled with excuses to delay this call. But all of us are called to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. Yet it is so easy to come up with excuses... I can’t get to Mass this week because I’m on vacation and don’t know where the church is here. (But Google Maps directed us to our hotel quite easily.) Or I can’t help that person in need because everything is getting so expensive, and I might not have enough to cover my own expenses. (But I could go out to lunch several times with friends, or I could buy that nice shirt that I really didn’t need.) Yep, we all do it, and sometimes the excuses can get quite creative, but we are all called to live our lives with our eyes and hearts   focused on Jesus. 

I’m sure most of us have heard the question, “If Christians were to be persecuted right now in this place, would they find enough evidence in your life to condemn you as one?”  That’s what it means to follow Jesus completely.  To live in such a way that it is obvious who we follow. Then we are true disciples of Jesus!

St. Bernadette’s 75th Jubilee

We’ve celebrated with banners inside and outside the church, as well as with the St. Bernadette processional banner. We’ve enjoyed brunch together in the gym to mark our parish feast day and begin our year of jubilee.  And we ate Ted Drewe’s frozen custard and spent time with both old and new friends in the air-conditioned gym after Saturday evening Mass on June 11.  But it’s not over yet, there’s more to come! Two very summery activities are next, both a basket picnic and then a barbecue. Then will come the parish renewal through the Parish Mission.  And last, but not least, is the Mass with Archbishop Rozanski followed by the banquet. Let’s all join in as much as possible! Through our celebrating, we can grow as a vital faith community!