Greetings! In the past four months since my arrival here at Saint Pius I have been seeking my way of communicating with you weekly. I know Father Dave did videos–which were great, but I am not a video-type of person. The bulletin has a about a 10 day turn around (meaning that I would write a column a 10 days before it would appear in print) which means that I forgot what I’ve written by the time you’ve read it. So, this weekly blog post hopefully will be a workable solution for you and for me.
The weekly news and updates of the Saint Pius X Community:
1. We are simplifying the monthly green envelope used for the 2nd collection:
Parish Outreach will be for funding needs identified by the Outreach Committee. This includes various Urbandale and Johnston related charities for those in need.
The Food Pantry funds will go to the Des Moines Area Religious Council Food Pantry which supports food pantries in Central Iowa.
Habitat for Humanity funds will help support St. Pius X volunteers in a yearly project.
The Parish Foundation will have a dedicated collection for the Foundation twice each year.
Please send funds directly to the Catholic Worker House if you wish to support their ministry.
2. This weekend is the annual Olive Wood goods sale. Your purchases support Christian families in the Holy Land. These are families whose very existence depends upon our prayers and support. Please consider purchasing all of your gifts for milestone occasions this weekend after Masses.
3. This past week the Linthicum family donated a quilt commemorating the 1979 visit of Saint John Paul II to Des Moines that was originally given to Father Art McCann (Pastor from 1982 to 1987). The gift is in memory of their uncle, Father Art, and mother, Ms. Jane (McCann) Linthicum. We will display the quilt in a public space in the near future.
4. Pastoral Council will be meeting this week. The agenda is still in process, but our principal, Alex Baranosky, will be joining us to converse with Council members about the school’s important ministry in our community. We will also be discussing how we will be approaching the parish goals of (1) enriching our music ministry program, (2) provide opportunities for small groups to foster connection among people, and (3) to develop a culture of “engagement and welcome” with the parish.
Getting all set for Sunday:
Our readings this weekend are found on the USCCB’s website here. We will hear the parable of the ten virgins, five of whom are prepared to receive the bridegroom and five who are not. On first reading it is a harsh Gospel that does not feel like the Christian message–after all, are we not called to share what we have been given with others. Why won’t the five who brought oil with them not share with the five who did not? Are we not supposed to look after our brothers and sisters in Christ–isn’t that what we are doing with the Holy Land Olive-wood sale this weekend?
The answer to all of these questions is a resounding “YES!” But, the Gospel is not talking about sharing–the Gospel reading is asking us whether we are preparing for Jesus’ return. Like Baptism, death is something each of us will do individually. While we will support and pray with and for the dying, death comes for each of us at a different time. We don’t know the day nor the hour.
Now is the time to live with Christ. Now is the time to be ready to receive the King.
I pray that your coming days will be filled with the awareness of God’s tremendous love for us.
In Christ,
Father Matthew
November 10, 2023