Dear Friend,

Let us begin with Matthew 28:18-20, praying together in our own places as if we were together in the congregation in God’s church. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” God’s commandments are real and for certain. So are God’s promises!!! What He asked of His disciples is what He asks of us, to go into our world bringing the Good News of His Word. So, let’s remind each other to be patient and understanding of each other in the midst of this terrible pandemic. Let us be there for each other as we all pray for an end to this virus. Take a moment with your friends to remember your families and pray for them as they are praying for you. Remembering that Jesus said He would be with you always. Know in your heart that the congregation at St. Jude Catholic Church is with you now, and in your prayers at night, and in the morning as you rise to face another day, you are never alone.

Isaiah 46:4 tells us, “Even to your old age I will be the same, And even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; And I will bear you and I will deliver you.” Yes, Lord, deliver us from our troubles and our times of uncertainty. We know Lord you are with us; we see the wonderful deeds you have done. We know your promises are true, and all your words worthy of our praise. So, let us pray together Psalm 46:1. “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” Let us be thankful and grateful for His ever presence, for His guidance and His strength. As St. Paul tells us to pray ceaselessly in Ephesians 2:19 he reminds us: “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household.” Amen

Dear Friend,

Love lived well. Let that sink in for a moment. Love lived well. Sure does sound like something Jesus would ask of us. Love lived well!! In fact, He did. 1 John 4:16 tells us, “We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” Let this sink in, God is love. Love lived well means we are living for God. We can call upon Him every moment of every day, rejoicing in His love, the love He has for us, and the love we have for Him. More than this, John tells us to love God means He is more than being with us, more than protecting us and sheltering us, more than healing us, He is living in us. Again, John tells us in 14:23:  “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.” In these terrible times of this dreaded pandemic, I find comfort in knowing as long as I keep my eye on the Lord and my mind focused on His Word, it’s going to be alright.

Just look at all the Lord has done for us over the years. His gifts and His blessing showered down upon us; we are all His children, His followers, His beloved. Look at all the goodness in the lives of the people around us, their blessings, their prosperity, their hope in the future. Is it any wonder that Luke tells us in 13:17, “and the whole crowd rejoiced at all the splendid deeds done by Him.”

No matter what uncertainty faces us today, know that the congregation, priest, deacon, and staff at St. Jude Catholic Church are praying for you, and at this moment with you. All the people living with the anxiety of loneliness and separation are constantly in our thoughts and prayers. Turn to the Lord in prayer, breathe in the power of His presence, and be thankful and grateful, for He is our Lord. Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” Amen

Dear Friend,

Sometimes it’s so hard not to be drawn into the troubles and drama of the world and all the daily events going on around you. Sometimes it seems things are turning against you making it harder than it should be. Sometimes it seems like our best efforts just aren’t good enough. But scripture reminds us; “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Hold on to Him, our Lord Christ Jesus in these moments of uncertainty when trials and troubles seem so over whelming. Let the power of His love and goodness bring some peace of mind to you. You know the harder life gets the more we need Christ’s blessings, all of us feel the same way. All of us depend on His goodness. As hard as it may be, all of us, need to look to our Lord so we might find the strength to help ourselves and the people around us. Today I am writing this note to you, it’s really from the priests, deacon, staff, and congregation of St. Jude Catholic Church because we want you to know you have not been forgotten. We want you to find it in your heart to carry on, to be strong in these times of troubles and find some peace of mind in this moment. We are all struggling, wondering when this pandemic will end. Know this for sure and for certain, the Lord is good, His plan is perfect. We should open our hearts and minds to Him and allow His blessings and healing to give us strength. Take a moment and pray with us, the congregation of St. Jude Catholic Church, for a renewing of body and mind, for a vision of the future, full of hope and trust in our Lord. Blessings for all of us.