From the Desk of Father Mark - Our Pastor
September 14, 2025 - The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Not Available on this Bulletin Edition

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From the Desk of Father Mark - Our Pastor
August 24, 2025 - Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you,
will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,
then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’
He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from’.”

Many years ago I visited Ireland. Often, wherever I go, I run into someone who knows me and then asks what I am doing here. (This happened once in a grocery store. Someone recognized me and asked why I was there... I replied ‘shopping’... They seemed confused!) Anyway, in Ireland I assumed I would not be recognized, but I was incorrect. I ran into three different people on three different occasions who knew me. (You can’t go anywhere!!) Recognition is central to the human psyche. We want to be known.

In the parable, when the master of the house proclaims a lack of knowledge to the one who knocks, the impact would seem devastating. What must one do or not do to not be recognized by the Lord? The heart of the one who knocks seems far from the heart of Jesus.

10 years ago, we went through a process called Parish Transformation. The Mission Narrative that arose from that process was based on the door and the need to be known by God. The Mission Narrative is as follows:

“We seek to know and understand what God is calling us to be and to learn how we can serve the Lord in our daily lives.”

The Mission Narrative went on to offer examples of how we know and understand God in our lives. Perhaps this weekend and its Gospel offers the opportunity to revisit this narrative from 10 years ago, and ask, ‘if I was knocking, would Jesus recognize me? To be first in the kingdom, we seek to know God every day and follow in His way.

- Congratulations to Fr. Ryan Brady as he is installed officially as Pastor of St. Christina. I/We are very proud of him!

- RCIA will begin on Tuesday, September 2nd. Please contact me if you are interested.

- The Generation to Generation Capital Campaign continues to unfold. Please be as supportive as possible. Thank you.

Have a great week!

Fr. Mark Walter
Pastor of Our Lady of the Ridge - St.Linus Parish