Dear Parishioners,

      Traditionally the month of September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, and with August closing out this week I figured we could reflect on our sorrowful Mother.

      We’ve all seen the beautiful images of Our Lady, tears running down her face as she holds the lifeless Body of her Son. It is such a powerful image, and it’s one from which we can learn, especially in times of change and transition.

      This past month has been a time of great change for all of us, and while change can be good for us it is important to acknowledge that change also brings difficulty and sorrow. Change inevitably means that things aren’t as they were and things may not become what we hoped they would, and this can be difficult for many. This difficulty is often experienced as sorrow and anxiety and can unfortunately lead to disillusionment, bitterness, resentment and anger.

      That is why we look now to Our Lady of Sorrows. She can teach us to navigate the difficulties of transition and change in our lives and in our parishes. One thing we notice in her is that Mary stayed and faced her sorrow and pain. Often times we dismiss or ignore our difficulties and those of others, but Mary teaches us to allow ourselves to experience our sorrow and to share it with God. This way He can help us to see the path forward, not through anger, but with hope.

      We can do the same with the sorrow of others when we simply listen lovingly and patiently to them, giving them permission to struggle with change. This helps them to move forward knowing they are loved and understood. Together we are called to follow Mary in navigating the changes in our parishes, and if we do so we will find new life and hope together in loving and serving Jesus.

      One hopeful thing I would like to announce this weekend to all of you is that this year we will have the blessing of being joined by a few seminarians serving in our parishes. This school year we will be joined by Deacon Aaron Waldeck, a transitional deacon, and Alex Rickert, both of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Deacon Waldeck and Alex are both studying at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary and they will serve us in different capacities as a part of their seminary formation process. Please welcome them as they start here in a few weeks and keep them in your prayers.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim Theby