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February 18, 2022March 20 – 22, 2022
Casting Nets – a Lenten Retreat and Mission
Our Faith Community will host a Lenten retreat with two dynamic and very funny speakers, Tony Brandt and Chris Stewart of Casting Nets. All are welcome to attend the three-night event.
Last Sunday was an awesome community event. It gave our parish great visibility in the broader community on Tybee and beyond. It was the best Oyster Roast ever, thanks to the leadership of Mike Beytagh and all his helpers, especially Betty Jane Hendricks, Ron Bossick, Carolyn Williams, Matt Ferry, and the Tybee Island Catholic Women’s Club. And the food from Erica Davis catering was awesome. The event raised over $10,000.00 and the leaders of the Oyster Roast will soon announce which charities will benefit from their efforts.
As Catholics and members of a worldwide Church, we are called upon once a year to look beyond our own faith community to share God’s gifts with our brothers and sisters, especially those less fortunate than us, through our pledges to the Annual Catholic Appeal. Your pledge is part of our parish’s share of the responsibility to support the many ministries, services and programs that benefit our parishes, schools, and other Diocesan institutions.
Funds from the ACA help train and educate future priests, for our Diocese. In addition, Diocesan agencies such as Respect Life, Faith Formation, Office of Evangelization, Office of Youth and Young Adults – among several others – provide many programs and services which individual parishes and schools often are unable to provide by themselves.
Every parish has a goal, and our goal is $33,331. Before Theresa’s Pottratz’s talk last weekend, we had already reached 48% of our goal having collected $16,000. No doubt, her wonderful witness has already inspired many of you to send in your contribution. Your participation affirms that you support our Seminarians, you support Catholic Charities, and that you support the next generation of Catholics keeping our faith community alive. I am grateful to you for your generosity and stewardship. Keep me from continually nagging about this. Let’s get it done!!
February 20, 2022 | Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time | by The Faithful Disciple
1 Sm 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23 | 1 Cor 15:45-49 | Lk 6:27-38
GROW: Have you heard about the Civilize It! initiative? The U.S. bishops launched a campaign to encourage civil dialogue during the contentious 2020 election. Unfortunately, the divisiveness in our nation and even within the Church has shown no signs of subsiding, leading the bishops to reboot the campaign last fall. The bishops encourage every Catholic to pledge to be a force for charity, clarity, and creativity in our divided world. Today’s Gospel shows us how to do that, starting with the Golden Rule. What strikes me – and challenges me – are the specific examples that remain relevant 2,000 years later: Love your enemies and do good for them; stop judging; stop condemning; give. Building on last Sunday’s account of the beatitudes, Luke provides us a prescription for how to live a moral and happy life, one that reflects those who “bear the image of the heavenly one.”
GO: I am thankful to have people in my life who bring out the best in others, and certainly bring out the best in me. I would guess we can each point to others who have guided and encouraged us: A teacher, a dear friend, a favorite aunt, a neighbor or coach. Today’s readings encourage us to be that person for others, even when it’s hard. Nobody said being a witness to Christ would be a cake walk! Fortunately, we can turn to prayer and the Scriptures for encouragement. For me, it may begin with small steps, such as listening to those with whom I disagree, not getting drawn into social media debates, and being more generous with my time. As we reflect on today’s readings, perhaps we can each choose one change we would like to make or challenge as we move into the week and ask God to help us put it into practice.
ACT: Praise God each day this coming week. And then challenge yourself to offer a compliment to one person every day as well. Praising God and others puts us in right relationship with God and with our brothers and sisters.