Faith Formation Update Newsletter
Sts. Mary & Matthew Faith Community - 5/7/23
A Note from Jeanette
Dear Families,
This weekend we celebrate the 5th Sunday of Easter. As I’m writing this on Monday, it’s pouring outside my office window, and the rain is doing its part to nurture the growth and the greenery that is beginning to surround us. It’s also May Day! A day I relish, as May is the month of our Blessed Mother, and the season of Spring is (for the most part) in full gear. The lawn is also covered in dandelions, a site many don’t like, but one I actually enjoy. As a child, I used to pick bouquets of dandelions for my mother, and she would put them in a vase and act as if I gave her the most beautiful flowers she had ever seen. I didn’t see weeds, I saw beauty. I think the same can be said of our heavenly Father. He sees the beauty in us all – even if others see “weeds.”
This week’s gospel passage from St. John is one that is very familiar to me. In my previous job as a pastoral associate, I did a lot of funeral planning, and this reading was often chosen. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places.” It’s a beautiful message of consolation. A message of hope and life everlasting. And Jesus assures us there is room for us all. While I was working in that capacity, I experienced many lifelong Catholics that were fearful. They expressed to me that they didn’t consider themselves worthy to enter into heaven with Christ, and they worried about their loved ones that had passed. I have to tell you that when I first experienced this I was taken aback. I asked myself why so many of us feel we must live lives comparable to the saints in order to get to heaven. Now, that’s not to say that some of us aren’t saints (I firmly believe my mom is one) but most of us are simply humans that are trying our best to live in a manner that exudes the fundamental aspects of our faith. Simply put, we live in the love of Jesus. We have to remember that Jesus died so that we could share eternity with him in heaven! We do not have to be perfect to get there. We just need to try and keep trying.
I read a great commentary on this gospel passage in Living the Lectionary, by Geoff Wood, who put it this way, “The heavenly realm, the Father’s house to which Jesus is about to go, is just a step away from Thomas and Philip and us. You can reach out and touch it if you want. Our Father’s house is simply the unfolding world that lies just on the other side of our fears and doubts the moment we let faith and compassion take over our senses: our eyes, and ears, and fingertips. The world itself then becomes a grand temple, a cathedral, and every one of us is a priest, ordained by God to live liturgically within it, to become what an old hit song called, ‘Poetry in Motion.’” Isn’t that beautiful? It perfectly explained my point. Heaven is there for us my friends. It’s real. It’s glorious and beyond our expectations. It’s accessible. It’s our final and most beautiful home, and one that we will share in the communion of saints, and that includes our loved ones that have gone there before us. That is the hope of this Easter season. That is the hope of our faith. So, let’s keep trying—God sees what’s in our hearts. He loves us, flawed and broken as we are. That’s the thing about weeds. If you let them grow long enough—they usually produce beautiful flowers.
Faith Formation, Youth Ministry and Sacramental Schedule
Sunday, May 7:
- Faith Formation Classes for Gr. K-5, following 8:30 AM Mass at St. Mary's and 9:15 - 10:15 AM at St. Matthew's.
- CLOW (Children's Liturgy) during both Sunday Masses.
- Yr. 2 Confirmation practice following the 10:30 AM Mass at St. Matthew's.
- Crossroads (High School Youth Group) meets from 6:30 - 8:00 PM in the youth room at St. Matthew's.
- Celebration of First Holy Communion at the 10:30 AM Mass at St. Matthews.
Wednesday, May 10:
- KFC (Middle School Youth Group) will meet again on Wednesday, May 10 at St. Matthew's in the youth room.
Thursday, May 11:
- Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation at 7:00 PM at St. Mary's in Canandaigua.
ECHO Newsletter from the Diocese of Rochester
Happy May - A Month Dedicated to Our Blessed Mother
If you're looking for Marian Resources check out the links below. And why not make this month a time to ramp up praying the rosary? The video below is shows how to do just that. The Holy Rosary is a beautiful meditative prayer that brings us closer to Jesus through his Mother Mary!
Scripture Readings for the 5th Sunday of Easter
"I am the way, the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father, except through me."
Scripture Blog and Resources
Scripture, Family & Children's Resources
Sts. Mary & Matthew Faith Community Office of Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Faith Formation Mission Statement:
We strive to…
- Impart the Catholic faith as living and life-giving, teaching what Catholic’s believe and live, in response to that message of faith.
- Inspire students and families to be involved in the life of the parish, with opportunities for worship, community, and service.
- Encourage adults to continue their own religious development.
- Build a community of faith [together] where all feel welcomed, respected, safe, and loved.
Email: Jeanette.Housecamp@dor.org
Website: www.stsmaryandmatthew.com
Location: 6591 Richmond Mills Road, Livonia, NY, USA
Phone: (585) 346-3815
Facebook: facebook.com/stsmaryandmatthewfaithcommunity