Pastor's Letter

Dropping Everything

There’s an incredibly simple definition of faith in the Catechism: faith is a response to God’s revelation. God reveals himself and then we respond in some way.

That comes to play in today’s gospel.  We hear the well-known call of the fishermen—Peter and his brother Andrew; James and his brother, John.  We have a stark, abbreviated narrative of the events.  Matthew tells us when he saw them, he simply threw out the invitation to follow him (as if he were casting hook into the water).  And they do! 

That captures my attention every time I hear the account; there was no hesitation.  They heard the invitation and immediately responded. They left their old life behind and began to learn a whole new way of life from Jesus.  That’s what faith is.

It’s natural to think, “well that was them; I couldn’t do something like that.”  But…maybe we have!  Each week, in the midst of the craziness of our everyday lives, we drop everything to find a way to come together for Mass—responding to God’s invitation to be with Him. I know some of our parishioners go to great lengths to get here, especially families because we all know that’s not always easy.  We have parishioners who take Ubers, busses, connect with our Helping Hands ministry for a ride, walk, whatever it takes.

We do drop everything, because we gather to worship our God who gives us life. I know I sound like a broken record sometimes when at the beginning of Mass I say “it’s good to be together,” but I really mean it.  It’s an amazing, wonderful, beautiful expression of faith.

 

We Love Our School!

Today we begin Catholic Schools Week with Mass and an Open House.  In a difficult time when we turn on the news and hear those heart wrenching news stories about the closing of some Catholic schools, it’s natural to think about our own.

It’s true that we don’t have the kind of enrollment we used to have 5 years ago.  We have challenges, but through the guidance of our school administration, our Finance Council, our School Board, and the Office of Catholic Schools, we have made adjustments and continue to be proactive to do everything we can to stay vibrant and fundraise effectively as we stabilize enrollment. We have a wider reach than just our neighborhood, serving multiple parishes in the Hoffman/Schaumburg area. We are an excellent choice for a faith-based education, and now even have a program that prepares students on the proper use of technology in the classroom. Every student now has an I-Pad and every teacher is Apple Certified thanks to a generous family who contributed during our 202o Vision Campaign.

Our principal, Kelly Bourrell, and assistant principal, Stephanie Wizniak, have prepared a “Report Card” about St. Hubert School so you can be aware of some of our progress. (See page 8.)  But, perhaps, the best way to experience it is to come and see for yourself.  If you have time, please stop by our Open House this Sunday between 10—Noon, or we’d be happy to show you around or talk about the school at your own convenience. 

Our school mantra expresses what the future is about: Impacting the world through Christ.  Our students aren’t just learning what they need to know about the world to do well in high school, college and beyond.  Partnering with their parents, we’re helping them discover how to be a good person who contributes and participates in our world, building it up.  That comes from knowing Jesus Christ. May God continue to bless us and the good things happening at St. Hubert. 

        –Fr. Mike