Pastor's Letter

The Human Spirit
In today’s gospel, Jesus shares “The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant.” It’s a story that highlights how integral forgiveness is to living a Christian life. If God is able to freely and generously forgive our debts—(our sins, our trespasses)—we should forgive those who sin or trespass against us, too. 
 
It’s a parable that dramatizes one of the petitions of the Our Father that we say individually and every time we gather together as a community. It’s the prayer Jesus taught us.
 
When we’re able to generously forgive—whether it’s the first time, the seventh time, or the 77 ^th time—it affirms the strength of the human spirit. What forgiveness is able to do is invaluable: it can restore relationships—and relationships are more valuable than anything we’ll ever buy or own.
 
An Update: Hurricane Harvey Relief Effort
Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve seen the goodness of the human spirit in the many ways people have helped the victims, survivors, and those affected by Hurricane Harvey, and now Hurricane Irma. In a country that is divided in many ways, what has had the ability to unite us is the human need of wanting to help. 
 
As Catholics, this desire comes from who we are and who we follow. God has given us a heart that recognizes the importance of taking care of the other. Jesus’ generosity becomes our own, and that has happened here at St. Hubert.
 
During our second collection last weekend, I am blessed to report that we donated $7,900 to help the good work of Catholic Charities USA who are helping people with basic necessities. Our school students and their families raised an additional $1,200. 
 
So in total, St. Hubert Parish has raised $9,100 for the hurricane relief effort. You are amazingly generous. Thank you for the many ways you invest in the human spirit.
 
Our school students are also sending cards and letters to the students at True Cross Catholic School in Dickinson, Texas through a connection made by our music teacher, Maryellen Campion. The school there was flooded and they lost most everything since the water was polluted with toxic chemicals and there are concerns about e coli bacteria. Our students wrote heart-felt letters of encouragement, support and prayer.
 
One of our seventh graders shared this message of hope and love: “You can lose things, but you never lose God.” Amen.   
 
What connects us as human beings is our desire to give of ourselves—from the heart, whether in words or deeds. Our instinct is to share when others need help with basic necessities for human life.
 
We give and forgive, and the human spirit thrives. 
 
May God bless you in your generosity and kindness,