Pastor's Letter

To Be Astonished

In the gospel today, Mark tells us how the people were astonished at Jesus’ teaching. They saw someone who didn’t have to rely on other people’s thoughts or ideas about God, but relied on his own authority to talk about God directly.
 
Of course, we know why all these years later. But at that time, people were just getting to know him, and it was an exciting time. They discovered someone who connected them to God.
 
In our own faith journey, at times we’re blessed with the same kind of insight. We hear something Jesus says in the gospels, and it hits us as if it were meant exactly for what we’re going through or needed to hear. Jesus’ authority is suddenly felt.
 
The past couple of weeks or so, I’ve heard some stories from parishioners of what we call
“God-incidences”—those moments in life that seem not to just be coincidences, but instances of God’s involvement. It really is astonishing to hear. 
 
We’re comforted when we need it. Or we’re given the insight to solve a difficult problem or to resolve a situation.  Or through God’s creative means, we’re assured in some way that through Jesus Christ, God is absolutely with us.
 
The Good News is that Jesus will continue to astonish us—especially when we take his advice and keep our ears and eyes open. 
 
2020 Vision
It won’t be as astonishing as the gospel, but this weekend at the Masses I’ll speak briefly about the proposed campaign for St. Hubert Parish. Together with the Parish Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Parish Staff (especially Teresa McCutchan, our Business Manager), and the help of a professional consultant, we’ve developed a working plan for some important and necessary projects that can take us well into the 2020’s. 
 
Today I’ll give you some background information. Next week we’ll outline the proposal in the bulletin and go over the main components. Then the week after, you’ll have an opportunity to give us your input about the plan.
 
The plan is something very practical that is meant to help us maintain and preserve all that we’ve built, renovated, and invested in over the years. It will also help us meet some expectations we have as being part of the larger Church and an important part of the Village of Hoffman Estates.
 
Come See St. Hubert Catholic School!
Our principal, Kelly Bourrell, and a team of teachers and staff have created a week of activities to celebrate Catholic Schools Week, beginning with an Open House on Sunday from 10 AM—Noon. We’re proud of our school and our students, who aren’t just learning about the incredible world God created and all there is to study, but also about what it means to be a disciple of Christ and how to be community—something that’s such an important part of the St. Hubert culture. You can learn more about our school at sthubertschool.org.
 
As we journey this road together, may God bless you in the week ahead,