Dear Parishioners,
This month of July we congratulate Fr. Chance Billmeyer as he becomes Pastor of Our Lady of the Woods Parish in Woodland Park. He grew up here in Castle Rock and now we send him forth as a new Pastor. We are so grateful for his enthusiastic and devoted service to our parish as Parochial Vicar this past year. Let’s pray for more young men from Castle Rock to become priests!
Now, we welcome Fr. Suresh Mathew and Deacon Matthew Brend to serve at our parish. Fr. Mathew is a Benedictine Priest from India, and along with three other Indian priests, arrived last year to help serve the growing needs of our diocese. Fr. Mathew will show us the true universal nature of the church. As a missionary here, he will call us to be missionaries as well, to serve our growing community. Deacon Matthew Brend is one of our own from Castle Rock. He has served as a deacon for the past three years. He is chaplain to the Encourage Ministry of our diocese and ministers to inmates at local jails and prisons. Welcome to both of our Matthews!
Priests, deacons, and all of us are celebrating a National Eucharistic Revival! As Pope Francis wrote, “Christian faith is either an encounter with Jesus alive, or it does not exist.” Do you remember the first time you met Jesus in Holy Communion? What happened to your heart, the direction of your life, the desires you had? Encounters with Jesus change us. The life of Jesus did not just happen years ago; it is still happening now. As His Body and Blood, we bring His ever-present life into the world. During this National Eucharistic Revival, I pray that you truly encounter the presence of Jesus alive in the Holy Eucharist and invite others to Him.
Think about a time when you were invited somewhere new. What made you go? What made you afraid? Imagine if you invited one person who has fallen away from Sunday Mass or had the courage to reach out to one of your friends or co-workers who seems interested in talking about faith? Our church would be filled and renewed with Holy Communion — a desire we all long for!
Here are some suggestions:
- Come back to Confession — and invite a friend or family member
- Consider daily Mass — and invite a friend or family member
- Visit Jesus in our Adoration Chapel — and invite a friend or family member
- Look for our upcoming parish retreats and formation classes on the Holy Eucharist — and invite a friend or family member
- Share your personal stories about powerful experiences of Jesus in Holy Communion with a friend or family member
- Commit to serve in a ministry of our parish that helps those most in need
- Accompany or mentor someone curious about Jesus and the Church in our Christian Initiation classes or in our High School Youth Ministry
Please visit the website, www.eucharisticrevival.org,
for more resources to help you pray and invite others to fall in love with Jesus.
May the Lord give you peace!
Reverend Mark Zacker
Pastor
