Trust in God, Not Men

Feb 20, 2019


Audio and Video

Trusting in humanity only sets us up for disappointments. How hard it is to keep promises either out of lack of respect or because of circumstances that are out of our control. ON top of that, we may have our plans, but did we consult God? Reminding ourselves that God has to put up with others just as much as we do. So every time i sin, i am conflating God’s will. Now imagine this; He has to put up with this in every person on earth. Just because an evil happens, it does not mean it is God’s will. God Himself also has to deal with it. He also suffers from it. Yet He allows it because He is patient with us all equally.

So many people will leave the Church because “so and so” did some evil. But what does that have to do with the fact that Jesus is God and loves you? How does so and sos actions disprove that Jesus died on the cross for us? Who is it we are trusting in, Man or God? Are we not all sinners? So why deny yourself God’s grace because of “so and so”? That would be illogical and hurtful only to yourself. 

God made us promises that would only be fulfilled in the next life (Gospel reading). Until then, we have to put up with each other and pray that those who harm us may fully change their lives and realize God’s plan for themselves.IN this process we must remind ourselves that though we may have to put u with each other, God has to put up with us. But even then, He does so much more, He died for us.

The Symbolism in St Joseph Church #4

God sheds his grace upon us in many colors, symbolized in the colors we see when the sun shines through the windows. Real stained glass is getting more and more rare. Real stained glass is actually what it says it is, glass that is stained, or has the color in the glass. The more modern “stained glass” may have a backdrop color in the glass, but then they spray paint on top of it to give it its shading effect. This allows for more detail in making images in a time where the true art of making the windows is almost all lost. Look closely at the stained glass in any old church. It is nearly impossible to have the same glass replaced.
In the old days the glass was stained by hand, making it very difficult to match. Even the same piece of glass may have different parts of it with different intensities of that color. Stained glass can vary in thickness, giving it a different look as well. Consistency was very hard to keep in stained glass. When we look at this stained glass, we see the uniformity and consistency of all the glass. In fact, we can see it in the very building. Continue reading “The Symbolism in St Joseph Church #4”

VI domingo del tiempo ordinario ciclo C 2019

La fe en Cristo resucitado nos da paz, alegría interior y confianza en su presencia permanente entre nosotros. La fe cristiana nace del corazón, pero corre el peligro de transformarse en religión de ritos. Los judíos “religiosos” quieren imponer la circuncisión. La Iglesia está amenazada de quedarse en los medios, los ritos, y olvidarse de lo fundamental, la interioridad de la fe. También nosotros corremos el riesgo de confundir las tradiciones con la verdad, de afirmar como eterno e inmutable lo que es fruto de una época, de hacer apología de nuestra fe con una filosofía ya superada, de imponer cargas y obligaciones que alejan de lo fundamental, de sostener que viene de Dios lo que viene del hombre. El Espíritu nos ayudará a no quedarnos en lo superficial para llegar a identificarnos con el Padre que nos ama, viene a nuestra vida y hace morada en nosotros. El Papa Francisco constantemente nos hace una llamada a recuperar la frescura del evangelio, a valorar lo esencial en el seguimiento de Jesucristo. Continue reading “VI domingo del tiempo ordinario ciclo C 2019”

Having Faith Should Not Be Held Against Us

By Bishop David J. Malloy
We live in a time in which it is no secret that faith is being challenged by the ideology of secularism.

Public, especially governmental, support for religion and faith has diminished. In fact, a case can be made that there is even opposition to faith that is growing in circles of our government and our public discourse.

This anti-religious sentiment presents a particular and, in some ways, purifying challenge to every believer. In the past, the practice of religion was taken for granted; it was even fashionable. Everyone did it.

There was a common recognition that even if there were creedal and religious differences, the practice of religion makes us better, as a nation and as individuals. …

http://observer.rockforddiocese.org/column?id=875

The Diocese of Rockford Vocation Office is Sponsoring our Annual Spring Nun Run

The Vocation Office will be hosting a vocational discernment “Nun Run” for women 18 years of age, college age and older who are interested in a religious vocation. We will be visiting Sisters and Nuns of different orders with different apostolates, this will include talks on discernment and religious life, time in prayer with our Lord, as well as many opportunities to meet, share and pray with the sisters. We will be visiting various religious communities, in Indiana and Kentucky. Cost is only $90.00. Date of the trip will be March 8 – 12, 2019. Deadline for registration is February 22, 2019, space is limited. You can contact the Vocation Office at 815/399-4300 ext. 375, our web-site www.rockforddiocese.org/vocations Women or dbarger@rockforddiocese.org for more information.

The Symbolism in St Joseph Church #3

Jesus leads us through the storms of this life: all our uncertainties, sufferings and joys, both individually and communally. Sometimes we “see how strong the wind {is, we} become frightened” (Mt 14:30) and start wondering why He is leading us to such turbulent territory. We question if He is even leading us or if He cares. But He has the helm. He has His boat under control. He is leading His Church to the safety of the dock. The winds and the waves may be pushing this old barc and our very lives around, but we still have nothing to fear as Jesus is the one who leads us. He is the one who saves us (Mt 14:30-31). Continue reading “The Symbolism in St Joseph Church #3”

V domingo tiempo ordinario Ciclo C 2019

Dios nos da a todos y cada uno de nosotros una vocación común: la vocación a la santidad. Esta vocación común a todas las personas debe realizarla después cada uno mediante el cumplimiento concreto de las vocaciones temporales que también nos da el Señor. Nosotros podemos aceptar la vocación y las vocaciones que nos da el Señor, pero también podemos rechazarlas. Aceptar o no aceptar esta vocación a la santidad que Dios nos da, supone colaborar o no colaborar con Dios en la edificación de nuestro yo interior, para que se parezca lo más posible al Yo de Cristo. Colaborar con Dios supone siempre reconocer nuestra imperfección radical y aceptar que sea Dios mismo el verdadero autor de nuestra santidad. Colaborar con Dios en la construcción de nuestra propia santidad supone, pues, siempre un acto de humildad y un ejercicio de oración. La humildad es siempre el primer paso hacia la santidad; sin humildad no avanzaremos nunca hacia la santidad. Pero, a la humildad debe seguir siempre la oración transformadora para que sea Él el autor de una santidad que por nosotros mismos no podríamos conseguir nunca. En la vida interior hay que bregar y trabajar, hay que sembrar y regar, pero sabiendo siempre que es Dios el que da el verdadero incremento. En las lecturas de este domingo tenemos tres modelos de personas que aceptaron la vocación a la santidad que Dios les dio, reconociendo inicialmente su incapacidad para conseguirlo. Estas tres personas -Pedro, Isaías y san Pablo- fueron llamadas por Dios a conseguir la santidad mediante la predicación de la palabra de Dios. Las tres respondieron positivamente a la llamada de Dios, a la vocación; cada una desde sus concretas y particulares circunstancias personales. Continue reading “V domingo tiempo ordinario Ciclo C 2019”

Dear St Joseph Parishioners

On behalf of the residents of Presence Saint Joseph Center and the Activity Department, I wanted to thank you so much for your kind and generous Christmas gifts!! It is always very helpful to us to be able to provide Christmas gifts for all of our residents and without your assistance that would not be possible. Thank you!! — Patti Moore, Activity Directo

STEUBENVILLE 2019 REGISTRATION INFORMATION

 BELONG

We’re going back to the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota for our Steubenville conference this summer from July 26-28, 2019. Steubenville is the highlight of our summer ministry: it’s a weekend filled with amazing speakers, great music, loads of prayer, and of course, fun! … Continue reading “STEUBENVILLE 2019 REGISTRATION INFORMATION”