|
|
|
Newsletter #11
|
|
Deacon Joe Hulway
|
|
|
|
June 1, 2009
|
|
|
Jesus Asked:
“Who has touched my clothes?”
(Mark 5:30)
|
We often have a lot of questions we would like to ask Jesus, but in the gospels we can also reflect on a lot of the questions that Jesus asks
of others, and indirectly of us. This month's question offers us an opportunity to reflect on the strength of our faith in the healing power of
Jesus. The woman afflicted with hemorrhages had great faith and believed that she only needed to touch the hem of His garment to be
cured. And Jesus' healing power immediately flowed out into her. Jesus rewarded her for her honesty and humility as she confessed her
action, but most of all she was rewarded for her faith. Jesus said: "Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your
affliction." (Mark 5:34)
Jesus wants us to bring our needs and concerns to Him in faith. He wants us to make contact with Him in prayer. Jesus said: "And I tell
you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and
the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." (Luke 11:9-10)
Do you have faith in the power of Jesus to bring you healing of soul, spirit, and body? Do you have confidence to place your needs at His
feet with humility and honesty? Do you keep in contact with Him through daily prayer and reflection on His Word in scripture? Stay close to
Jesus. He wants you to be in touch with him.
|
What’s New?
|
Sorry, I didn't issue a newsletter last month; and this one will be short. I will try to do better in the future and also try to do a better job to keep
the website up-to-date. The last few months have been pretty crazy: Easter, Confirmation, a trip to Florida, Chicken BBQ, trying to finish the
book, and working to prepare resumes.
The biggest news is the light at the end of the tunnel with regard to the book. (See more below.) It's not that I have worked real hard, or
spent inordinate amounts of time on it, but that it is always there sitting like a monkey on my back. I need to send that monkey packing and
get on with my life; God willing, of course.
The weatherman has been very kind to us. We had beautiful sunny days in Florida, and we had beautiful weather leading up to the annual
Chicken BBQ which allowed us to get the yard in shape. The day of the event was spectacular!
Spring has been a time of change in the weather. It is also a time of change in the Church calendar. Yesterday we celebrated the Feast of
Pentecost, the birthday of the Church, and the last day of the Church's Easter season. Today we return to Ordinary Time. We spend time
reflecting on Jesus' ministry, His proclamation of the Gospel, and our call to conversion. And part of that call to conversion is going out to all
the corners of the world to be His witnesses; to lead lives of loving service that lead others to know the love of God.
|
Homilies and Bulletin Articles
|
There are four new bulletin articles and three new homilies.
The new bulletin articles posted at the website are:
How do we get God’s grace?
I had an abortion many years ago. I have confessed my sin and really am sorry for what I had done. But can I
ever get to heaven or avoid eternal life in hell? Can this awful sin be forgiven?
Does the number of prayers I am told to say after confession reflect how bad I have been; (example: more
prayers for mortal sins, fewer for venial sins)?
Please advise me on Reiki. Is it accepted by the Church?
The new homilies posted at the website are:
Faith: Not Knowing What to Expect
Feast of the Ascension
May 24, 2009
If You Keep My Commandments
6th Sunday of Easter
May 17, 2009
Charity not Socialism
Divine Mercy Sunday
April 19, 2009
|
Status of the Book
|
The complete draft of the book is now finished and I have secured a publisher! Praise be to God!
Now it's some effort for fine tuning and reformatting to meet the specific style and guidelines of the publisher. Hopefully, within the next two
weeks I will be ready to make my submission for their editorial review. This will be a humbling experience for sure. I'm not sure if I'm more
worried about the conceptual editing or the grammatical editing.
I humbly ask for your prayers during these last stages of book preparation as many doubts arise. I struggle to let go knowing that once the
manuscript goes to print whatever is said, or unsaid, will be very permanent. I pray that I made the right choice of publishers, and that my
trust in them will not be betrayed. I pray that I will have the faith to continue trusting in God who has guided this project thus far. A few
months back, I included St. Thomas' Student prayer in this newsletter. I continue to pray it before I write. The last verse is an appropriate
reminder for me:
Point out the beginning,
direct the progress,
and help in the completion.
I ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
|
|
