Dear Parish Family,
Last Sunday we began week one of five of the Bread of Life Gospels from John 6. Jesus fed the hungry crowd by performing a miracle of multiplication for them. This Sunday the crowds have grown hungry again and are back for more! They ask Jesus, "Sir, give us this bread always" and Jesus replies, "I am the bread of life, whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst." 
 
Our experience of hunger and thirst indicates that we have desires that can and must be fulfilled. Jesus counsels us not to work for the food that perishes but the food that endures for eternal life. The deepest parts of our heart are satisfied when we let God feed us. We give Him permission to enter our heart to fulfill our desires for life, love, happiness, intimacy, communion, and peace. When we try to feed ourselves, we will always come up short. We gratify our desires momentarily but they aren't fulfilled in a deep or lasting way. We can all relate to this in one way or another.
 
This week, focus on your desires and how God might want to fill them. What do you want most out of life? What are you asking God for? What are you thinking about constantly or spending your time on a lot? These questions can help focus on what we value most and where we will want to invite God to enter. Pray, "Lord, I've been trying to fill this hole in my heart for a long time now. I've been working for food that perishes. I believe You are the Bread of Life, and that only You can satisfy these deep longings in my heart. I want this Bread that endures to eternal life. I want to live from the Eucharist. Lord, fill my heart!"
 
Thank you again to all who helped us reach our Catholic Charities goal this year! We raised 100% of our $136,000 goal at St. Mary's, and 144% of our $48,500 goal at St. Patrick's which amounts to over $70,000 raised! Please know your donations to Catholic Charities will impact the lives of hundreds of thousands in our local communities by showing them the love of our Lord Jesus Christ at the heart of our Church's mission to serve the poor. Thank you!
 
Thank you also for your generosity to today’s mission appeal. Fr. Praveen and the Diocese of Kurnool are grateful for your support. Be sure to pick up resources in the back of church after Mass today.
 
I am yours in Christ,
Fr. Scott Goodfellow