Fr. Tom’s Letters

Each week Fr. Tom writes a letter to parishioners in our bulletin. Every letter is comprehensive, including current information about the Parish, an explanation of Scripture for that Sunday, and an invitation to become more engaged in the life of the parish.

July 13, 2025

Dear Parishioners,

Again, I want to express my gratitude to the parish community for all your prayerful support as my family and I mourned the death of my brother Kevin. We received dozens of Mass cards and many gathered for his wake and funeral.

ST. ANNE’S SCHOOL

As I received the Mass cards sent to me, there were two large envelopes with “booklet” size expressions of sympathy, condolences, and prayerful support. One booklet was individually written expressions of faithful support from many St. Anne’s School students. The other was a similar booklet of the same kind of expressions from dozens of the school families. The cards were signed “The Home School Association and the Families and Students of Saint Anne’s School.” I was very touched by all the feelings expressed and prayers offered. Again, my reception of these underscore the value and gift of a parish Catholic school. I would like to share with you part of their expression as written in one of the cards:

“Please know that your St. Anne’s family stands with you. This card, which we hope provides some measure of solace, contains numerous messages of condolence and remembrance from the families of St. Anne’s School. Each message is a testament to the love and respect we all have for you. Additionally, the accompanying card holds sincere expressions of sympathy from many of our students, who were eager to convey their sorrow and support. Their youthful empathy and shared grief reflect the deep bond you have forged with them.”

I share this paragraph with you, which was part of a longer message, to give you an awareness of the kind of school community of staff, faculty, parents, and students we have in our parish school. I was very touched by these cards and all that was expressed. I am unaware of who organized this effort. I am very grateful to the Home School Association, its leadership and the families and students of St. Anne’s School. Thank you. God bless you with a safe summer.

THE GOOD SAMARITAN

We hear today the parable of the Good Samaritan, maybe the most well-known of all of Jesus’ stories and an often cited story of world literature. Sometimes, the story is cited in news accounts of heroic and charitable deeds. As I read the story, I note a four part “process” that the Good Samaritan experiences in the story. In order to bring the beaten victim to recovery, the Good Samaritan:

1. Stops

2. Bends Low

3. Picks Up

4. Brings the Victim to a Better Place

Note the beginning: The Good Samaritan STOPS!

That is the beginning of the challenge that the Good Samaritan brings to us. We feel so busy; we are so scheduled; we are rushing; we don’t have enough time; we are going to the next thing; we can’t get everything done!

So the Good Samaritan requires us to STOP! Stop so we can notice the need of another. STOP! So we can have some rest and find some energy. STOP! So the clock doesn’t rule my life. STOP! So we can re-establish a calmer place. STOP! And discover there is time for many other things. STOP! Because you don’t have to do all those things! STOP! And discover the Good Samaritan that lives in you!

Have a peace-filled week!

Fr. Tom

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