St. Joseph the Worker

Dear Parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker:

This coming Thursday an important event begins in Indianapolis, IN. The NCYC, National Catholic Youth Conference, will begin and run until Saturday. Thousands of young people from across America and beyond will gather to celebrate their faith, hear inspiring speakers, meet other young Catholics, sing and worship, and be assured of God’s love in many ways. What an exciting time for so many.

Our parish is sending over twenty young adults and chaperones to Indianapolis. They are looking forward to this as a time to grow in their Catholic faith and to experience Jesus through prayer and people their age. I ask that you pray for them during this event. Pray that they will come closer to the Lord. Pray that they will know their importance in the Catholic Church today. Pray that they will be safe. Pray that they will be open to where the Holy Spirit is leading them.

I am grateful to the adult chaperones who have volunteered to accompany our youth. And I am grateful to our parish for providing this opportunity for them.

As I have said in previous bulletin articles and publicly—SJW parish is very blessed to have such wonderful young people. They inspire me and challenge me to be a better person, priest, and Catholic. Their energy in our parish is so apparent. Their commitment to their faith and putting that faith into practice is awesome. Our Church is fortunate to have them. May we never forget how they enrich our parish community.

The theme of the NCYC this year is “I AM.” This comes from the Bible passage about the burning bush. Yahweh, God, tells Moses that “I AM.” God is everything. God is all powerful and all knowing. God is omnipresent. God is the end all and be all of the world.

All of us, no matter what age, should reflect on those two words. Is God everything for us? Is God the I AM of our life? Is God our all?

May we find ourselves this Thursday praying for all those who will attend in Indy. May we thank our Pope, Pope Leo, for speaking to all those attending via teleconference. May the two days at NCYC transform those young people into holier disciples for Jesus Christ.

Let us pray:

MOST LOVING GOD, THE I AM OF OUR FAITH, SHOWER YOUR LOVE UPON ALL THOSE ATTENDING THE NCYC THIS WEEK. FILL THEM WITH RENEWED LOVE AND COMPASSION FOR THE PEOPLE AROUND THEM. INSPIRE THEM TO GROW DAILY IN THE FAITH YOU HAVE PUT IN THEIR HEARTS AND SOULS. ENERGIZE EACH ONE OF THEM TO REACH OUT TO THE NEEDY AND POOR AND THOSE WHO NEED THEM. DEEPEN THEIR LOVE FOR YOU WITH EACH BREATH THEY TAKE. AMEN.

Your Pastor, Father Joe