Dear Friends,
As you noticed coming onto the property this weekend, the parking lot has been re-sealed. A large project for sure. It is just one of many maintenance needs and projects happening during these months. Parish life is never dull nor still but very busy. Thank you for your ongoing financial support to help keep our parish facilities in good working order facilitating our worship and praise of God and the living out of the Gospel.
This week, July 23-29, is National Natural Family Planning Awareness Week. The theme this year is: “Marriage: One Flesh, Given and Received. Natural Family Planning… supporting God’s gifts of love and life in marriage.” The Church is committed to helping married couples deepen their conjugal love and responsible parenthood. This Awareness Week is both instructional and supportive of couples as they live out God’s Divine Plan for Human Love.
In our broken, fragile world, human nature often looks for easy solutions or easy answers. Life, which is a total gift from God, does not lend itself to such ease in this world. Pope Benedict XVI once said, “The world offers you comfort. But you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness.” And the greatness comes from God who has made us in His image and likeness and has sent His Spirit to dwell within us.
Through the practice of the methods of Natural Family Planning, married couples can integrate God's design for life and love in their daily lives. At times, it won't be easy since sacrifice and honest communication are essential. If couples persevere, the benefits are well worth the effort! Husband and wife will see their love grow and deepen. Their hearts, and the heart of their marriage, will be open to all good gifts that the Lord God wishes to give them!
Check out the US Bishops website on Natural Family Planning. You can access this information and so much more on the teaching and meaning of marriage and natural family planning as well as other resources and testimonials about these beautiful topics at https://www.usccb.org/topics/natural-family-planning/national-nfp-awareness-week .
Indeed, we are created by God and for God. On His part, He offers us grace, blessing and strength to become all that He has created us to be. Married couples are not alone in living out their commitment and communion of love. We, the Church, are with you and together each of us can fully live God’s Divine Plan for Human Love.
God bless you, God love you,
Monsignor McCulken
