St. Theresa Catholic Church

September 16, 2018:  Today’s reading challenges us to demonstrate our faith. The prophet Isaiah speaks of a servant who will suffer at the hands of persecutors and yet will not rebel or turn back. The suffering servant will fix the full abuse of the world and yet he will not fail in his mission. Why? Because God is present and will not allow the servant to be disgraced nor put to shame. God is the help and refuge of those who seek him. 

In the Gospel, we hear of Peter confessing his faith in Jesus, saying “ You are the Messiah”. After-wards Jesus reveals to him what the future will hold, not only for the Messiah, but for all who will follow in his footsteps. Jesus Christ; the Messiah the Anointed One, will be put to death. We, who bear Christ’s name as Christians, may not suffer a physical cross, but we must suffer a denial of self, pick up our own crosses and fol-low Christ. Being a disciple is not easy, but we know that God is with us through the ups and downs, the highs and lows, the agonies and ecstasies of life.

We who follow Jesus will suffer if we live our common vocation to holiness well. Life throws all sorts of twists and turns that may not be favorable. But we must not lose heart, St. James tells us that our response must be to live a life of active faith. Our actions and works demonstrate the faith we possess. Faith that is not practiced is thoroughly Lifeless.

Mother Theresa became an international celebrity, not because she was rich or powerful, but because of her quiet unassuming dedication. She took up the cross of Jesus Christ by helping the poor carry their crosses. She lived an active faith and challenge d the world. Let us take up our cross and follow our Master knowing that he gives us a promise of eternal life.

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.

Shop at Amazon, Support Catholic Charities:  If you shop on Amazon, you can support Catholic Charities of Diocese of Tyler! Amazon Smile contributes back .5% of your purchase to our Catholic Charities agency. Simply go to smile.amazon.com website (Amazon Smile) and login using your normal Amazon username and password. The same username and password for Amazon is used to log on to Amazon Smile. Once on Amazon Smile, search charity of choice for Catholic Charities-Diocese of Tyler. That’s it. Go shopping! Please note that you have to start each shopping session at smile.amazon.com instead of the usual Amazon website. This shopping on Amazon Smile could provide substantial revenue for Catholic Charities in their work with the poor and marginalized in our Diocese.

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.