St. Theresa Catholic church

“If I just had more faith….” I think most of us have struggled with that at some point in our lives. If I just had more faith I wouldn’t have so many questions or doubts. If I just had more faith God would answer my prayers. If I just had more faith he wouldn’t have died; she would have recovered. If I just had more faith I would be more involved in the church. If I just had more faith I would be a better person, a better parent, a better spouse. If I just had more faith I would know what to do, I would handle things better.  If I just had more faith life would be different.
It is an approach to faith at least as old as the apostles’ own faith. It is the approach they have taken in today’s gospel. “Increase our faith,” they ask Jesus. Jesus has just warned them not to become stumbling blocks to others and enjoined them to forgive as often as an offender repents even if it is seven times in one day. That will be difficult. It will be a challenge to live that way. “Increase our faith,” is their response. It seems like a reasonable request. If a little is good a lot must be better. If McDonald’s can supersize our fries and drink surely Jesus can supersize our faith.
The request to increase our faith, the belief that if I had more faith things would be different, reveals, at best, a misunderstanding of faith itself and, at worst, demonstrates our own unfaithfulness. Jesus is very clear that faithfulness is not about size or quantity. “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed,” he says, “you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”
Faith is not given to us in a packet to be spent as currency in our dealings with God. Faith is not measured out according to how difficult the task or work before us. Faith is not a thing we have or get. Faith is a relationship of trust and love. It means opening ourselves to receive another’s life and giving our life to another. That other one is Jesus the Christ. That one faith-relationship is determinative of who we are and how we live.
 

 

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"I understood that all we accomplish, however brilliant, is worth nothing  without love."
St Theresa

"The work I had been unable to do in ten years was done by Jesus in one instant, contenting himself with my good will which was never lacking. I could say to [5] Him like His apostles: “Master, I fished all night and caught nothing.” 93 More merciful to me than He was to His disciples, Jesus took the net Himself, cast it, and drew it in filled with fish. He made me a fisher of souls."

St. Therese of Lisieux. Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux (the Little Flower) [The Authorized English Translation of Therese's Original Unaltered Manuscripts] (Kindle Locations 2439-2445). ICS Publications. Kindle Edition. 

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Decree Suspending the public Celebration of Mass and Enacting Other Measures

JOSEPH EDWARD STRICKLAND
BY THE GRACE OF GOD AND THE APOSTOLIC SEE
BISHOP OF TYLER
[sic]  .

Resuming Liturgies While Facing COVID-19

Based on the guidance from the Office of the Governor, the celebration of liturgies with the people may resume in the Diocese of Tyler on May 1, 2020, provided that health protocols and other measures are observed in order to protect the vulnerable and mitigate the risk of resurgence in our communities. Taking proper precautions to protect others is a Christian obligation of both justice and charity

The coronavirus remains a highly contagious disease. We know now that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to others by infected persons who have few or no symptoms. Even if an infected person is only mildly ill, the people they spread it to may become seriously ill or even die, especially if that person is 65 or older with pre-existing health conditions that place them at higher risk. Because of the hidden nature of this threat, everyone should rigorously follow the practices specified in these protocols. The virus that causes COVID-19 is still circulating in our communities. We must continue to observe practices that protect everyone, including those who are most vulnerable.

 DO ALL THINGS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD

OUR PASTOR:
Fr. Francis O'Dowd
pastor@sttheresagladewater.org

OUR ADDRESS:
10138 Union Grove Rd.
Gladewater, TX 75647

CONTACT US:
Rectory: (903) 845-2306
Fax: (903) 845-7126
office@sttheresagladewater.org