Pope Francis:  ‘Joy is the air Christians breathe’

The identity card of the Christian is the joy of the Gospel.  The joy of having been chosen by Jesus, saved by Jesus, the joy of that hope that Jesus is waiting for us.  Joy cannot be purchased or forced.  “No,” the Pope said, “it is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.”   The one who puts joy in our hearts is the Holy Spirit.”

A couple in our parish alerted me that they were moving out of state.  They were sad to leave because being a part of the parish had deepened their faith and had drawn them closer to other believers in the parish.  So with joy and gratitude in their hearts, they wrote a check for $8,000-a thousand for each year they were in the parish.  On their last weekend, with tears in their eyes and smiles on their faces, they wrote one last check for $5,000.  They truly had that “joy, joy, joy down in their heart”. 

As you make your 2022 pledge, may the Holy Spirit fill your heart with joy, joy, joy!

Fr. Mike

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