Message from Fr. David August 8, 2021

News and Updates

It’s hard to believe that we’ve entered the month of August already.  Are you still waiting for your soul to catch up to your body?…LOL ?.

Over this past week I gathered the parish staff to discuss a number of items.  Some of our agenda items included:

Parish Listening Sessions (Fall 2021)

Liturgical Ministers Workshop (Fall 2021)

Parish Festival (Oct. 12 – Oct. 16)

20th Anniversary September 11th Service

As a parish community we are fortunate to have such a competent and zealous parish staff.  I am very excited to work with them in leading our parish forward.  When you have an opportunity, please join me in thanking them for their work and dedication.

* Fr. Tony Kuizon

Deacon Jerry Bongiovanni

Deacon Hugh Keffer

Nancy Caputo

Colleen Tyra

Pascal Tyra

Michelle Sblendorio

Daniel Palko

 

I began my meetings with local municipal officials this past Tuesday by visiting the Springfield Fire Station.  Chief Carlo Palumbo and Captain Michael Mastroeni gave me a guided “tour” of the fire house while discussing the    particulars of the life of a firefighter.  I was happy to hear that a number of firefighters are local residents, many of whom have strong ties to Saint James Church and School.  A big THANK YOU to all our firefighters for their work to keep this community safe.

In the coming weeks I hope to meet with other Springfield local officials and religious leaders.

Reflection on the Readings

So, food-wise, what is your guilty pleasure? What do you find yourself craving after a day when everything has gone wrong or after a blow up with a loved one, or upon hearing bad news that you can’t make better?  For me, it’s probably a spicy chicken sandwich from Chik-fil-A or some jalapeno cheeseburgers from White Castle…yes, I said it, White Castle!…don’t judge.

For someone else it could be a hot fudge sundae or red beans and rice or pot roast or pierogi or French fries. For a noticeably depressed Elijah it was an angelic hearth cake and cold water perhaps because it reminded him of the manna that fed the Chosen People as they wandered the desert after leaving Egypt.

Friends, in our Gospel this Sunday Jesus wants the people to understand that He is the bread of life, more nourishing and life sustaining than even the historic manna.  And so, He is saying to us that, whatever ails us, whatever our problems, we need only to come to the table of plenty where the Eucharist will give us all the comfort we need.  Through the Eucharist, we have the food that sustains us on our earthly journey.  Hey…YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT, so they say.

 Quote of the Week:

Compassion, forgiveness, these are the real, ultimate sources of power for peace and success in life.


—The Dalai Lama