Take Up Your Cross

09-15-2024Weekly ReflectionFr. Fred Adamson

Dear Parishioners,

This past week was a wonderful experience with our children and parents in formation programs and choir back on campus. Many of our adult formation experiences have also started up after a bit of a break over the summer months. On top of that, we have the opportunity to learn at home through the Augustine Institute FORMED Catholic content that is free for parishioners. We have started a 16 series Symbolon program to help us grow in our knowledge and love of Jesus and His Church.

Please be sure to sign up by following the directions in the center page of the bulletin. All of this is part of our Learn – Grow – Be Formed initiative here in the parish. As missionary disciples, we are called to keep forming our minds, hearts and souls in the way of the Lord. Thank you for your commitment to continual conversion and growth in our faith.

You may notice a new display in the narthex of the Church, the main entrance. It is a model of fetal development from conception until birth and is a way to help us better understand the great mystery and beauty of the beginning of human life. God’s wonderful design with this tiny baby growing hidden but real in the safety of its mother’s womb. Human life is truly a gift and we celebrate its beginning. Every time someone sends me a photo of a newborn as an announcement I always respond, “how amazing the great beauty of new life!” This display is an important reminder for us in our culture to remember the beauty and the gift of life. Step back and notice that Our Lady of Guadalupe, who is pregnant with child, gazes down upon the model, as well as the Angels provide a watchful eye just above it in the beautiful wood carving. Thanks to the Sanctity of Life ministry for this amazing display. Please stop by, visit it and say a prayer giving thanks to God for the gift of life and pray for all mothers, fathers, infants in the womb and their families.

This display is especially important as our State has placed Proposition 139 on the ballot for this upcoming election. The Bishops of Arizona have made a strong statement in opposition of this ballot because it will provide a constitutional right to virtually unrestricted abortion in Arizona and it removes many of the safeguards that are currently in place for women, especially minors. We, as a parish, commit to helping mothers who find themselves in situations where they feel lost and alone. Please be sure to watch the video by the Arizona bishops that is on the homepage of our website.

All of this can be put in the context of the Gospel this weekend when Jesus summons the crowd and says to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” In this summons, Jesus invites us to follow Him in a beautiful way – living like Him, giving ourselves away as a gift of love to others. Often we refer to things like struggles, illnesses, and people as our crosses. What Jesus invites us to do is embrace a life of the cross – the Christian life, which means we live life differently. We embrace struggles, illness, conflict and the world with hearts of mercy, kindness, love and self-sacrifice. We know it can be difficult but it is His way and one that leads to the deepest and greatest union with God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Remember we don’t do it alone. We do it together in Him.

I have been here as pastor now for one year and what a year it has been. While I have served here as weekend help for close to 14 years, being part of the everyday life of the parish has been a real gift to me as a priest. My list of what I am grateful for is long and I am amazed at the goodness of God. I am especially excited for this year as we focus more and more on listening to the voice of God in our lives. This journey together, embracing the Cross of Christian living as individuals and a community is one of many blessings. Let us always strive to give ourselves away in love in whatever way God invites us to in our daily lives.

Peace and joy in Him,

Fr. Fred