Flocknote

"God's Grace Helps Us Do the Impossible"

The readings for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time can be challenging. We are called to live not for ourselves, but for the Lord, and to be as merciful to others as God is to us. This calls to mind the two greatest commandments Jesus taught us: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” and “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37, 39).

How can we live out these beautiful but daunting teachings? Realistically, we cannot do so by our own strength and efforts. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us that we can do what seems impossible. But our choices can make us more receptive to God’s grace, allowing Him to work through us. When we make time for God in our busy lives, we receive far more from Him than we could ever give. The more we get to know Jesus--through prayer, through the Word, and through the Eucharist--the more we become like Him. And as we grow in our understanding of the merciful, self-giving love that God has for us personally, we naturally respond to others with forgiveness, love, and generosity.

I have been humbled and amazed by how God can work through us to do things we never expected. Several years ago, I felt a gentle nudge in prayer to write a book about His love. He faithfully guided and accompanied me through the process of writing, connecting with a publisher, and editing the book.

I'm Excited to Share That

This Book will be Released

Next Friday, September 18!

Unconditional: 52 Weeks Immersed in God’s Love is a yearlong devotional for women designed to help them deepen their awareness of God and His divine love.

We all have universal longings for fulfillment, happiness, meaning, and love. The Holy Spirit has mercifully taught me that our deep longings can only be satisfied by God and His perfect love. My prayer is that everyone who reads this book will encounter God's unconditional love with their whole selves--their minds, bodies, and souls.

In Unconditional, we move through a natural progression of reflections and prayer exercises. We begin by focusing on experiencing and receiving God’s love and tuning into the ways God shows us His love. As we grow to trust His unfailing love more deeply, we can allow ourselves to be vulnerable before Him. We open ourselves to the Lord's healing presence, trusting Him with our wounds, fears, and worries. Ultimately, God’s powerful love transforms us to become more like Him and to live out the greatest commandments: to love God and to love others as ourselves. His love enables us to do the impossible.

May we all live in the abundance of God’s love—embracing His love for us, loving Him in return, and offering His love to the world.

Unconditional is available from Pauline Books & Media or Amazon. I will also have copies available for purchase at a special parish price of $20. If you'd like to learn more, feel free to stop by the parish office, talk to me after Mass, or email me at shannon@stcharlesborromeo.org.

To God be the glory!

-- Shannon Zelinka,
Liturgy Coordinator

Friday, September 18:
Fr. Augustine on Retreat
- Mass 8:30 a.m. (Chapel)
Saturday, September 19:
- Bob Lyons Funeral Mass and Reception 10:00 a.m. (Church/Hall)
- Grief Support 10:00 a.m. (Ignatius)
- Reconciliation 4:00 - 4:30 p.m. (Church)
- Health Ministry Table/You Are Loved Cards 4:45 to 6:45 p.m.
- Vigil Mass 5:00 p.m. (Church)
Sunday, September 20:
Twenty-Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time
- Health Ministry Table/You Are Loved Cards 7:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
- Mass 7:30 a.m. (Church)
- Mass with CLW 9:30 a.m. (Church)
- Pre-School/Tiny Treasures 9:30 a.m. (Dominic)
- Mass 11:30 a.m. (Church)
- Youth Confirmation Year #1 1:30 p.m. (Pope)
Monday, September 21:
- Mass 8:30 a.m. (Chapel/Livestream)
- Christian Meditation 5:30 p.m. (Ignatius)
- High School Youth Ministry 7:00 p.m. (Hall)
Tuesday, September 22:
- Mass 8:30 a.m. (Chapel/Livestream)
- SET Meeting 9:30 a.m. (Oscar)
- Faith Formation (Kindergarten-5th Grade) 3:45 p.m. (Hall)
- Faith Formation (1st-5th Grade) and Parent Orientation 6:15 p.m. (Hall)
Wednesday, September 23:
First Day of the Autumnal Equinox
- Mass 8:30 a.m. (Chapel/Livestream)
- Faith Formation (Kindergarten-5th Grade) 4:30 p.m. (Hall)
- Adult Choir Rehearsal 6:30 p.m. (Church)
- New Testament Bible Study Group 6:30 p.m. (Oscar)
- Middle School Youth Ministry (MSYM) 7:00 p.m. (Hall)
- OCIA Meeting 7:00 p.m. (Pope)
Thursday, September 24:
- Mass 8:30 a.m. (Chapel/Livestream)
- Family Rosary 7:00 p.m. (Chapel)
- Pastoral Council Meeting 7:00 p.m. (Pope)
- Scout Troop Meeting 7:00 p.m. (Hall)
Friday, September 25:
- Mass 8:30 a.m. (Chapel/Livestream)