Dear Parish Family,
Our Scriptures today look at the suffering inherent in our human condition, the Gospel call to be near those who suffer, and the healing and freedom Jesus brings. Simon Peter is called to follow Jesus very closely, yet he is also bound by family commitments to stay at home to care for his sick mother-in-law. Jesus' healing of Peter's mother-in-law proclaims not only Jesus' authority over illness, but frees Peter to follow Christ without feeling the burden of 'abandoning' his family at home. You can imagine the liberation Peter must feel in being free to follow Christ!
 
Jesus called Peter to give up everything and follow Him, and Jesus made it possible for Peter to do this. God will always find a way through the concrete circumstances of our life to help us follow Jesus. For young people, this means discerning the will of God for their lives and ultimately choosing a vocation. For those already committed to our vocations, this means entering more deeply into the responsibilities and duties given to us. Sometimes those duties call us give up everything to care for a sick relative, lose sleep to minister to a child in need, or sacrifice our free time to spend time with our family. No matter what circumstances we face, we should always trust that God is with us.
 
Of course, the temptation is to flee from our responsibilities and the call of God and reclaim our what we feel has been taken from us in following Christ. We settle for the lie that the grass is greener on the other side without realizing that remaining with God in the sufferings we face or the time we sacrifice for others is perhaps the very place God is calling us to be, for the sake of our holiness and salvation and the good of those around us. This week, talk to God about your vocation and call to follow Christ. Bring to Him your joys, fears, hopes, and resistances. He cares for you and will give you the grace you need to fulfill the commitments of your calling with joy and love!
 
Angel Scholarship Fund Tax Credit for 2023
There’s still time to receive a 2023 tax credit through the Angel Scholarship Fund! Contributions made until April 15 of this year can be marked to receive a tax credit for the 2023 tax year. Pick up a tax informational flyer and contribution form in the gathering space and help us maximize our scholarship assistance for our families!

Remember Lent is right around the corner! Celebrate Ash Wednesday with us on February 14, talk to God about what you will give up and take up for this Lent, and keep looking at the website and bulletin for upcoming prayer and service opportunities for the Lenten season.

I am yours in Christ,
Fr. Scott Goodfellow