BACKPACK BLESSING
From the Desk of Father John
A Farmer as an image of Christian Life
My stay here at Holy Family Catholic Community has helped me to recall” of a familiar wonderful memory of my past life-experience as a son of a farmer, a life that l have always taken pride in, a life that reminds me of our family farm where all my sisters and brothers were reared, nurtured and raised. There is so much comparison between a farmer's and Christian life. A good farmer learns how to Welcome seasons, seedlings, and newly born animals and birds; the hands of a farmer are full of care, compassion and nurturing to new beginnings and vulnerable life, hands that tend patiently to plants and animal; did you know that a farmer in each season waits with hope and expectation that the yield with be great; l remember as a young farmer learning how to separate plants from weeds; a farmer know how to bring and rejoice in every healing, and above all, at harvest time, he gathers his family and friends to celebrate and thanking God for a good year with a big and wonderful meal. Just like a farmer, Christian life revolves in welcoming, caring and nurturing, planning and tending, rejoicing and healing, it is life full of hope and expectation, a life of gratitude to God's guidance and presence, a life that we look forward to God's great harvest when He will reward us with everlasting friendship and life.
Even Jesus Christ, in his teaching ministry, he used examples drawn from farming so that he would bring closer to the people the true meaning of Kingdom of God, for example, the parables of the sower; wheat and weed, tenant and vineyard, vine and the branches, fig tree, mustard seed, riches and camel, separation of sheep and goats etc. In the footstep of Jesus Christ, the Church continues to teach, proclaim, protect, safeguard, perpetuate the same values of the Kingdom especially the truth, love, peace, justice, compassion and care human dignity, equality, responsibility, accountability and God presence. These values define the work and mission of the Parish Pastoral council, Finance Council, Liturgy Committee, Faith Formation, Social Events Ministry and all ministries and volunteers in Holy Family Catholic Community. As we begin a New Fiscal year 2025/26 which we have declared it as our year to focus and attend to all our TEENAGERS IN Holy Family Catholic Community as our highest priority-- In Catholic churches, a high priority is placed on the care and development of teenagers, aiming to empower them as disciples of Jesus Christ, involve them in the faith community, and foster their overall growth. This involves providing resources and support for their spiritual, personal, and social well-being. It's important to understand what teenagers are looking for and to adapt programs and activities to meet their needs and interests. Again, creating a welcoming environment: Making sure that teenagers feel accepted and valued within the parish community is crucial. I need an HFCC teenagers committee.
I am so grateful that we have a Strong Parish Pastoral Council; It is the function of the Parish Pastoral Council to “investigate everything pertaining to pastoral activities, to weigh them carefully, and to set forth practical conclusions concerning them so as to encourage conformity of the life and actions of the People of God with the Gospel”
We have both strong Religious Education program and an Adult Faith Formation Committee: the religious education program at HFCC offers a complete curriculum of religious formation for children, youth and their parents. Our program is for the whole family! We recognize that parents are indeed the primary religious educators, it is through parents, together with and supported by other members of the faith community that the Gospel of Jesus is proclaimed and celebrated. In school, children learn according to their age and grade level. It is important that the children continue to grow in their understanding of what we, Catholics believe and how we put God’s word into practice in our daily lives. Our Adult faith formation in is vital for fostering ongoing conversion, strengthening community engagement, and preparing individuals for discipleship in the world. Adult Faith Formation is far from merely passing on information; this process must be aimed at forming the whole person through an integrated, four-fold approach that encompasses the human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral aspects of formation. It is for this reason that the parish is primarily responsible for the catechesis and faith formation of all its members
Works of Mercy in HFCC: I am so grateful that you have accepted to bear the heart and the hand of Christ in attending to the needs of the poor, hungry, naked and many other concerns to the people of our community. Thanks for supporting St. Vicent de Paul ministry and our Food. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul embodies the corporal works of mercy, particularly "feed the hungry," through its food pantries and other services. Pantry service of non-perishable food, as well as meat, bread, and pastries; Mobile care packages – volunteers carry in their car and offer a bag to homeless people, whenever and wherever they find them; School supplies and new backpacks for the children of poor families, since education is a way out of poverty; Thanksgiving food distribution to make the holiday a little bit better for people; Christmas gift cards to buy gifts and food so needy families can put a smile on children’s faces; Friends of the Poor Walk (FOPW) to raise funds to help our neighbors; Rent/Utilities help to ease the burden of possible eviction or utility shutoff. St. Vincent de Paul, a renowned figure in Catholic charity, emphasized serving the poor and marginalized, which aligns with the mission of the organization bearing his name. Food pantries, a core aspect of St. Vincent de Paul's work, provide direct assistance to individuals and families facing food insecurity. The Corporal Works of Mercy, particularly "feed the hungry," directly relate to the operation of a food pantry. A food pantry serves to provide food to those in need, which is a core act of mercy in Catholic tradition and aligns with the biblical mandate to care for the poor and vulnerable. TO BE CONTINUED! Fr. John