Suffering…Why?
March 16, 2021
May our time in the desert bring us closer to the image of Christ
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The following is a very good article having to do with the many “why’s” of suffering. It is by Fr. Andrew Hofer, O.P. and is taken from a publication called, “Teaching the Faith.” I think it offers all of us great food for thought!
“Suffering can make us ask all sorts of questions that we might not dare voice aloud: “Why is this happening? Who is the God who would allow such suffering? Does God even exist? Why? Why? Why?” Many turn away from God and his Church because of suffering—their own suffering and the suffering that they see around them. Their hearts are broken. We can take the objection to God’s permission of suffering, which is traditionally called an evil, with utmost seriousness and compassion. In his Summa Theologiae I, q. 2, a. 3, when St. Thomas Aquinas asks if God exists, the first objection given to God’s existence is the presence of evil. How can an infinitely good God exist when we know from our own pain that the evil of suffering exists? The question is of perennial concern. The Catechism of the Catholic Church #309 says: If God the Father almighty, the Creator of the ordered and good world, cares for all his creatures, why does evil exist? To this question, as pressing as it is unavoidable and as painful as it is mysterious, no quick answer will suffice. Only Christian faith as a whole constitutes the answer to this question: the goodness of creation, the drama of sin and the patient love of God who comes to meet man by his covenants, the redemptive Incarnation of his Son, his gift of the Spirit, his gathering of the Church, the power of the sacraments and his call to a blessed life to which free creatures are invited to consent in advance, but from which, by a terrible mystery, they can also turn away in advance. There is not a single aspect of the Christian message that is not in part an answer to the question of evil. No quick answer to suffering can be satisfactory. But there is indeed help from God in the midst of our suffering. This help is our salvation. The good news is this: Christ draws us through the love of his suffering to himself. We can celebrate on the Fifth Sunday of Lent what St. John Paul II calls “the Gospel of suffering” (Salvifici Doloris #25). The Fifth Sunday of Lent was long ago given the title of “Passion Sunday,” and still today the Lenten liturgy changes tone to concentrate on the Passion, that is, suffering. Christ proves his love for us through suffering.”
Announcements
Holy Week and Easter Schedule: As you may have noticed, we did not do an Easter Mailing this year. Easter donation envelopes will be available in both vestibules of the church this weekend and the following weekend. We will include the Holy Week and Easter Mass schedules in our next edition of the Pastor’s notes.
Easter Flower Memorial envelopes were made available last weekend. Please legibly fill out the names of loved ones and return your envelopes in the collection plate on the weekend of March 20 & 21 to be listed in the Easter Sunday bulletin. You can also drop them off at the Parish Office. Deadline to turn them in is noon, Wednesday, March 24th. Names received after this deadline will be listed in subsequent bulletins.
Chrism Mass: On Thursday, March 25th, at 5:30 pm, Bishop Vasa, along with the Diocesan and Religious priests of the Diocese, will offer the Chrism Mass, in which the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Chrism are blessed. Seating will be very limited inside. The Mass will be live-streamed and outside seating will be available.
The Knights of Columbus will hold a second Lenten Fish Fry at the Becker Center for “Drive Through” service on March 19, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. It will be Take-Out Only. For $16.00 enjoy fish, french fries, coleslaw & ice cream! Tickets are available in the Parish Office, M-F, 9-4 and at the Bookstore/Gift Shop. Meals will also be available for purchase on site while the supply lasts!
Pancake Breakfast: The St. Eugene’s Pre-School will hold a “take-out” Pancake Breakfast from 8:00 –11:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 21st, in front of the Msgr. Becker Center. A delicious breakfast of pancakes, eggs and sausage will be brought to your car while you wait. Tickets are still available for $12.00 at the Parish Office, Pre-school, and Elementary School. Meals may also be purchased on site while the supply lasts. Thanks for supporting our pre-school!
Crab Feed: The St. Eugene Elementary School will be holding a take-out Crab & Chowder Dinner on Friday, March 26, from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. in front of the Msgr. Becker Center.. Dinner will include 3/4 lb. Crab with cocktail sauce, a clam chowder bowl, Caesar salad, bread roll with butter and a cookie. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased through the school office (545-7252) and the Parish Office (542-6984).
Thrift Shop: We are happy to announce that the St. Eugene Thrift Shop will re-open for business on Wednesday, March 17th, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. For the month of March, it will only be open on three Wednesdays (17th, 24th, and 31st). In April, the regular schedule of Tuesday and Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m, will resume.
Parish Finances in the Age of Covid
As you all know, these are hard times for all parishes in terms of finances. Even though we are “shut down,” the bills keep coming in and salaries have to be paid. For those of you who have been giving a little extra each week/month, I really appreciate your generosity. For those of you who are unable to come to Mass, please consider giving on-line or the good old-fashioned way, by mail. Thank you and God bless you. Learn more »
Fiscal Year to Date:
Income: N/A
In the black: N/A
Thank you for your generosity!!
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