Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: August 06, 2017
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While Father Paul is enjoying a relaxing vacation from his priestly ministry here at St. Joseph Cathedral (which includes writing a weekly column for The Carpenter), let us begin to consider ways in which we can each participate in the various ministries our Parish provides for its congregation and the wider community. |
In several weeks, we will begin the portion of our annual Total Stewardship effort focused on service, the Stewardship of Ministry. Jesus told his disciples he came “to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” “Whoever will be first . . . will be the servant of all,” he said. In Christ, we Serve the Needs of All. During this campaign, every parishioner will have the chance to make commitments regarding service through our parish, “offering spiritual sacrifices,” as the Apostle Peter instructed. Please begin thinking about your own individual commitment to the ministries of our Cathedral parish.
Through the great fisherman, we are called “to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” We offer our “bodies as a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1), “offer God a sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15), “do not forget to do good” (Hebrews 13:16), give to support others’ needs, making sure we “share with others” (Hebrews 13:16), and we serve, each of us “a minister of Christ Jesus,” “in performing the priestly service of the gospel of God,” so that those to whom we minister “may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:16), as well. Pope Francis has taught, “true power, at whatever level, is service.”
