A Summer Retreat (without Retreating!)

Every three years, the Church gives us an excellent opportunity for spiritual reflection and prayer. The Church has us focus on one of our greatest gifts: the gift of the Eucharist.  Over a five-week period—which actually began last Sunday with the passage about the multiplication of the loaves and fishes—we will journey through chapter six of John’s gospel. 
 
This is a spiritual journey into one of Jesus’ great revelations about our relationship with him. Scholars call it “The Bread of Life Discourse” because Jesus makes the case that his own body—his very self—is the bread we need to sustain us in life.  As we go further and further into the chapter, Jesus will tell us “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” (John 6:56)  Jesus gives us the Eucharist to be with us—as intimately as possible—in all we go through in life.  It is a gift, the greatest gift we have as Catholics in our everyday world and everyday lives.
 
Jesus’ argument for this will build over the course of the next four Sundays (including today). We will hear him make the case for wanting to share everything with us—including his own life.  And maybe that’s what can make for a great spiritual retreat—without retreating anywhere except into our own hearts.
 
If you’re ready to go a bit deeper, ready for something to contemplate about God and God’s interaction with your own life, think about taking some time each of the next few Sundays—before Mass, during Mass, after Mass, or some quiet time at home—to take in Jesus’ invitation to share our lives with him.  In each of the next few weeks, Jesus gives us something to contemplate, discover and be inspired by little by little.
 
In the end, as a whole, the Bread of Life Discourse is revealing something pretty amazing: Each of our own lives matters very much to Jesus—enough for him to want to remain with us and for us to remain with him.  We’re meant to go through life together.

Life in the Parish

In Good Hands: The Parish Staff     From left to right: Kelly Bourrell (Principal),    Teresa McCutchan (Business Manager), Ed Magistrado (Music Director), Stephanie Tatara (Youth Ministry and RCIA), Mike Keenan (Director of Religious Education), Marie Staffa (Ministry Coordinator and RCIA) and Fr. Mike (Pastor)

• Our 2020 Vision. Next Sunday, we’ll be launching our capital campaign that we are calling our 2020 Vision.  Check your mailbox this week for a letter introducing the campaign and for some background information.  This campaign identifies the needs that will help our parish keep doing the good things we do as we head into the 2020’s.
• Vision Focused. In addition to our capital needs, our St. Hubert Parish staff spent a day away on retreat to establish goals for ministry, also focused on heading into the 202o’s. We’re blessed with such a capable and caring team who are good shepherds looking out for all of us.

It’s hard to believe it’s August.  We hope to see you at the Sharing Parish Picnic on August 11 ^th.  It will be a nice opportunity to meet the community that we support in so many ways.
 
May God continue to bless you and lead you in all you do,