St. Theresa Catholic Church

December 2, 2018
Another season has arrived, our readings for the First Sunday of Advent seems to be predicting the end of the world. However the readings are chosen not to frighten us; they are chosen to encourage us. We need to be alert and courageous, not frightened.

Paul is clear in what he expects of the Thesalonians. He wants them to increase and abound in love for one another. If our garden is abounding in produce, it means it is overflowing. We can share with others, this abounding, this overflowing produce. If we have an abundance of anything, we can share this. This can be an act of love. We can also share without love. At times, we can act for reasons that Jesus has scorned; we donate to gain admiration or prestige or give from our abundance just to get rid of what we do not want.

On the other hand, we also give with motive. Catholic Charities is collecting school supplies for children who cannot afford them and we want to help. So we give what we can. If a natural disaster occurs, we do everything we can to help our brothers and sisters. We share food with our sick neighbor. We reach out to another person and do what we can. The motive behind these good deeds is love, even when we do not realize it.

We find opportunities to be courageous, to work for justice. It means having an open heart. It means we are all brothers and sisters in God’s family. It means we are not traveling alone. God is here with us. We are called by God to love one another. Let us start at home. Let us open our heart and look around. You will see what you can do . Even the smallest act done with love can make a difference.

Please join us on the 1st Saturday and 2nd Sunday of each month for food and fellowship.   **Please note Saturday Social has moved weekends to accommodate the participation of more parishioners.

If anyone would like to be visited by Fr. Mark, please call the rectory at 903-845-2306. Also, if prayers are no longer needed, please let us know.