ARTICLE FROM OUR PARISH BULLETIN – JANUARY 26, 2025
In our day and age, we face many situations of uncertainty that cause anxiety and restlessness of mind and heart. How can we maintain a sense of peace of mind and heart?
Here are some suggestions.
Practice Mindfulness – Focus on the present moment instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Try deep breathing, meditation or walking to help ground yourself.
Accept What You Cannot Control – Acknowledge that uncertainty is a natural part of life. Let go of the need to control every outcome and focus on your response to challenges.
Develop Gratitude – Keep a gratitude journal to reflect on the things you appreciate each day. Shift your focus to what you have rather than what you lack.
Focus on Self Care – Prioritize physical health by eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep. Take breaks and avoid overloading yourself with responsibilities.
Cultivate Faith and Spirituality – Stay close to God in whatever way works best for you. For us as Catholic Christians, being together at Mass and staying close to the Eucharist is one way we can support each other in our faith journey through this life leading to the next. Daily prayer or reading sacred scripture helps us stay focused and connected to the source of life, God who created us. In doing so, we can reflect on a larger purpose or meaning in our lives which can help put uncertainties in perspective.
Stay Hopeful and Optimistic – Being active in the community, attending Mass, experiencing a Taizé prayer service, joining a prayer group are all ways that can help us stay hopeful reminding ourselves that tough times are temporary and will eventually pass. Stay positive and take small, purposeful steps toward your goal, nurturing that inner sense of peace.
Today’s readings remind us that the here and now are the only points in time when we can encounter God. They are the only moments where grace operates, and change can take place. God’s good word is reason to celebrate NOW!!! Forget what was (God is willing to do so!) and what will be (it’s not guaranteed!) and rejoice in the holy NOW because this is where God is to be found.
Finally, last Monday evening our two Parish Pastoral Councils (PPC) met together with the Core Leadership Team (CLT) for our Oak Park Catholic Community. The PPC is made up of members of the parish, and of course the Pastor and Father Rex. The CLT includes some members of the staff along with members from the two new parishes with a member from each of the four parish sites represented. I know this might sound a bit confusing. However, we came together to share a meal, build relationships and understand how these leadership groups relate to each other and serve our parish communities as well as the greater Catholic Oak Park Community and our neighbors. Communication, with these groups and our parishes, was an element discussed for going forward.
Stay tuned as you will be hearing more about what the Core Leadership Team (CLT) is and how our Parish Pastoral Councils (PPC) relate to each other and work together.
“The Body of Christ was never meant to be lived alone.” – Matthew West, Christian musician
With you a Christian. For you a priest.
Father Carl Morello
Pastor
Ascension and St. Edmund Parish
St. Catherine of Siena – St. Lucy and St. Giles Parish
