Pastor's Note from Fr. Szparagowski 📝 - [October 11th Bulletin]

Dear St. Philip Neri Family and Friends,

We give praise and thanks to God for His graces and blessings!

Today’s readings remind us of the great goodness of God. Isaiah gives us the beautiful image of a banquet prepared by the Lord, a feast of abundance, joy, and love. God desires to gather His children together and share His life with them. This is who our God is. He is a God who gives. He is a God who loves. He is a God who prepares a place for us.

The Gospel speaks about a king who prepares a wedding feast for his son. The king sends his servants to call the invited guests, but some refuse to come. Others are too busy with the things of this world. Yet the king continues to open the doors and welcome others to the celebration.

There is something here for each of us. God has given us the gift of life, and throughout our lives He calls us closer to Himself. He speaks to us through His Word, through the Church, through the Eucharist, through other people, and through the quiet moments of our hearts. The important thing is that we recognize His voice and open our hearts to Him.

The readings also encourage us to remember something we often prefer not to think about: one day we will die. Our earthly journey will come to an end. For the Christian, death is not the end of the story. We have a Shepherd. As the Psalm says,

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

Christ, our Good Shepherd, does not abandon us. He walks beside us through every moment of our life even through the valley of death. When our strength fails, He remains faithful. When we are afraid, He remains near. This is why we can entrust our future to Him.

Isaiah gives us a wonderful promise: God will destroy death forever, and He will wipe away the tears from every eye. Think of all the tears that have been shed in this life, tears caused by sickness, grief, loneliness, disappointment, and the loss of people we love. God sees them all. He promises that those tears will not have the final word.

One day, for those who remain faithful to Him, there will be no more sorrow and no more death. There will be rejoicing, peace, and love in the presence of God. The banquet is the fullness of eternal life and the joy of being home with our Father.

So, while we are still on this earth, let us live with our hearts turned toward that heavenly home. Let us not become so occupied with the things of this world that we forget where we are ultimately going. When God calls us closer to Him, let us respond with a generous yes. Let us welcome Christ into our hearts and allow the Good Shepherd to guide our lives.

When the day comes for us to leave this world, may we be able to place ourselves peacefully into the hands of the Good Shepherd, trusting that He will lead us safely home.

I pray for you every day, especially at Mass. Please pray for me.

Please invite someone to Mass today.

St. Philip Neri, pray for us. Have a blessed week,

Fr. Szparagowski