This Sunday, we will hear Jesus’ miracle of Walking on Water. Many times on our journey o faith, we are looking for something SURE and solid to stand on. We look for our SUREty and security in so many things, even our own selves. One thing we can be SURE of is God’s grace that will lift us up in times of trial and tribulation. In a very shaky world, our SURE foundation and solid ground is Christ and Christ alone. May we continue to keep our focus on Jesus in every uncertainty we encounter on our journey of faith.

I am back! I am truly grateful for my time away on vacation and grateful for all of your prayers for me and my family’s safety while we were away. This coming weekend, we will celebrate the Feast of the TRANSFIGURATION of the Lord where we recall Jesus being transformed in glory atop Mt. Tabor. We too are in a constant process of transformation and TRANSFIGURATION. May we continue to stay open to God’s graces that allow us to shine with the love of Christ. This weekend is our Annual Mission Appeal Weekend. Please welcome Fr. Lincoln from the Diocese of Jackson (Mississippi) who will share about the mission in his diocese. May God make of us great instruments of TRANSFIGURATION for the people in Jackson through our generous response to this appeal.

As we enter deep in the Summer Season and prepare for the 4th of July Holiday, may this be a time of rest, relaxation, and RECREATION.  RECREATION is necessary for our journey because God desires to renew us in order to be greater instruments of love and grace.  God RECREATES us through times of rest and connection with family.  I myself throughout the month of July will be enjoying some time of RECREATION with my family in Japan and the Philippines.  Please pray for my family and I during our vacation and travel.  While away, I have asked a dear friend, Fr. Alejandro, OP to take residence at St. Finbar and be of service to the community.  Please give a warm St. Finbar welcome to Fr. Alejandro. He gives his introduction to the community at the 2:30 mark on the video. 
Please note that the Friday Updates will take a break for the next 4 weeks while I am away.  It will return on Friday August 4th.  May all of you be blest with time for rest and RECREATION this summer.