"Choosing Jesus - Choosing Our Good" by Fr. Chris House
May 11, 2023
Has anyone ever made a request of you by beginning with the caveat “if you love me?”
Choosing Jesus - Choosing Our Good
Has anyone ever made a request of you by beginning with the caveat “if you love me?” Prefacing a request like this seems to be a form of emotional manipulation or a form of demand. I have had it done to me before and I really do not care for that approach, yet in this Sunday’s Gospel we hear Jesus doing exactly that.
Jesus gets a pass here, not just because of who He is, but because it becomes clear why He uses this turn of phrase when you understand what the statement entails. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Honestly, how can we argue with that? Many times when people preface a request with “if you love me” it is because they are preparing to ask for something beyond a reasonable or agreeable request. Can we make an argument against what Jesus is asking? For the disciple, the only answer is no.
The answer is no because there is nothing unreasonable in the Lord’s request. There is nothing in the commandments that is contrary to our personal well-being. There is nothing in the commandments that will adversely affect us by our being faithful to what is asked. Here is our problem: many times we have a false notion of what is truly good; at times we want what is contrary to our ultimate good because sin has darkened our intellect and disordered our passions and appetites. Our ultimate good is in receiving God’s free gift of salvation. God wants that good for us and assists us with His grace to be able to receive that good. However, we have to want that good as well, and not act in ways contrary to it or in ways that will result only in obstacles to our receiving it.
This brings us to another aspect of Sunday’s Gospel: the promise of the Advocate. As Ascension and Pentecost approach, we are reminded that the Holy Spirit is the on-going gift of God’s presence with the Church, collectively and individually. It is the Spirit who seeks to cast light on our darkened intellect and passions so that we can see our choices for what they are; either a help or a detriment in deepening our relationship with God and keeping our focus on the things of heaven.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments,” the Lord says to us. Dovetailing on that we could also say “if you love yourself, you will keep His commandments,” since keeping the commandments will lead us to eternal life. Loving God and keeping His commandments may seem to involve sacrifices but what are we really giving up? If anything is contrary to God then it is also contrary to our own good.
May the Holy Spirit, the promised Advocate, continue to shine God’s light on our choices so that we may see the good and choose it daily. In choosing the good, we are choosing God and His promise of life with Him forever in heaven.
Happy Mother’s Day
To all ladies who fulfill the sacred role of “mom” either by the birth or adoption of a child or by fulfilling that role in a different way in someone’s life, may the Lord bless you abundantly in your vocation. And for all the moms who have gone before us in faith, my they know light, joy, and peace forever in heaven.
Thank You Teachers!
This past week was Teacher Appreciation Week and, as we approach the end of the school year this coming Friday, we are preparing to end it well thanks to the dedication of our teaching staff. If you want to know why our school is so strong, it’s because of our teachers and all our staff that are dedicated to its mission and the children we serve. I wish to especially thank Mrs. Fahey, our principal, as she prepares for her retirement. Her dedication and hard work has been foundational to the renewed strength and vigor of our school. Please join me in thanking our Lord for Mrs. Fahey, for all of our teachers, and for all of our staff who have dedicated themselves to the mission of Christ the King School.
Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!
Father Chris House
Happy 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time! This weekend, we welcome Fr. Jayke White to our Parish for his 1st Weekend. We will have a Welcome Party for him on Aug 23 after the 10am Mass. We will be installing the Hearing Loop in the Church on July 28-30. During that time, we will not have access to the Church for Mass, Adoration, and Confessions. I apologize for the inconvenience. We will offer Daily Mass those days at 7am in the Sacred Heart Chapel. Please use the St. Joseph Choir Door to enter those days. Reminder, that we are doing a new Parish Directory. Sign up information is around Campus and in the bulletin. Please sign up for photos, they are free for the directory. It will be great to have a new one as Fr. Jayke comes on board. In the bulletin as well, you will see some new funeral policies for our Diocese. They were promulgated by Bishop Paprocki on July 1. Bishop met with all the funeral directors and Pastors of our Diocese this past year to explain the changes. Below you will find worship, formation, and fellowship events coming up. Dates to be released soon! More similar types of events are being planned as well. We continue our Stewardship this summer with the tuckpointing ongoing, Pre-K HVAC, and Playgrounds. We also will be repainting the parking lot lines. Parking lot needs work, but we do that in due time after several big projects are completed on Campus. Worship Candlelight Adoration – dates will be released soon Marian Candlelight Masses: Dec 2, 9, 16, and 23 Formation Adult Faith Formation Series: this fall after 5pm with meal provided. Dates will be released soon Family Faith Formation Series: 3 sessions coming up this fall after 10am Mass with meal provided Pre-Advent Mission: Nov. 15-16 Fellowship Dcn. Scott Farewell Reception: July 26 after 10am Mass Dennis Trickey and Collin Taylor Send Off: Aug 2 after 10am Mass Fr Jayke White Welcome Party: Aug 23 after 10am Mass Volunteer Appreciate Luncheon: Aug 30 after 10am Mass In Christ’s Mercy, Fr. Mark Tracy Fr. Mark’s Military Schedule July 18-19 and August 13-16 Totus Tuus Mass is open to all parishioners 11:15
Happy 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time! I pray you had a wonderful July 4th . Thank you to everyone who assisted with the Farewell Reception for Fr. Alex. It was a great time and great send off for him. He enjoyed his time with the Parish and School. Fr. Jayke White will be here for Masses next weekend, July 11-12. We have another transition happening at Christ the King as well this summer. Dcn. Scott Keen as of July 1 will be assigned as Deacon at St. Boniface Parish in Edwardsville. It is sad to see him go and he will be missed. I am excited for him as well because he will be closer to his son, daughter-in-law, and new grandson. Please keep Johnna and Dcn. Scott in your prayers during their move away from Springfield to be closer to family. Reminder that we are doing a new Parish Directory. Sign up information is around Campus and in the bulletin. Please sign up for photos, they are free for the directory. It will be great to have a new one as Fr. Jayke comes on board. In the bulletin as well, you will see some new funeral policies for our Diocese. They were promulgated by Bishop Paprocki on July 1. Bishop met with all the funeral directors and Pastors of our Diocese this past year to explain the changes. Quick reminder that Totus Tuus is coming up at CTK. The Totus Tuus team will be here July 11-17. They will be with us for Sunday Masses. The team will run junior high and high school program July 12-16 and will run 1 -6 program July 13-17. See flyer in bulletin for more information and to sign up. Finally in coming weeks, I will be releasing some exciting Worship and Formation opportunities that we will be having this fall. Save the Dates July 11-12: Fr. Jayke White first weekend Masses July 26: Dcn. Scott Farewell Reception. He will be preaching 8am and 10am Mass Aug 2: Dennis Trickey Going Away Party and Collin Taylor Send off after 10am Mass Aug 23: Fr Jayke White Welcome Party In Christ's Mercy, Fr. Mark Tracy Military Schedule July 18-19 and August 13-16
This weekend, my last weekend here at Christ the King, I would like to reiterate what I said in my announcement I made back in April. I have so much to be thankful for in the last two years. So many great experiences, lessons, and people. Christ the King is where I came shortly after my ordination and where I have begun to learn the ropes of the priesthood. In that regard, I have to say I am grateful to both Fr. Chris and Fr. Mark for their guidance and example. Above all, I am grateful for all of the relationships I have made in my time here. I am reminded of what Fr. Denis Robinson, OSB, the rector of St. Meinrad Seminary told me at my first Mass. He reminded me to frequently look out to the people in my midst. That is what I have tried to do, and it is what I hope to try to do in the future. I have joked several times in the past few weeks about two things: that there are no people more excited about my move to Effingham than my family and that I used to laugh about priests using the word “bittersweet” when they move to a new assignment. I know the first is true since I will only be about a 30 minute drive from my family. Regarding the second, I can count myself in the number of priests who say moving is bittersweet. Yes, there are many exciting things ahead for both myself and for Christ the King. But it is difficult to move away and say goodbye as well. Which is why I repeat what I have said before. As Christians, we are always united together as the mystical Body of Christ. I will see you in the Eucharist. Rev. Alex McCullough Parochial Vicar Save the Dates June 28: Fr. Alex McCullough Going Away Party after 10am Mass July 11-12: Fr. Jayke White first weekend Masses Aug 2: Dennis Trickey Going Away Party and Collin Taylor Send off after 10am Mass Aug 23: Fr Jayke White Welcome Party Fr. Mark’s Military Schedule July 18-19 and August 13-16
Happy 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time! Happy Father’s Day to all our fathers. Fathers like our mothers are so immensely important in our lives. I was blessed with a wonderful father and mother. My father was a constant and reliable rock for our family. He did a great job showing us God the Father’s love in his constant care for us. He also displayed the Father’s love through positively challenging us grow. We will conclude Masses this weekend with a special blessing for fathers. Fr. Alex’s last weekend with us will be next weekend June 27-28. We will have a going away party for him after 10am Mass. He has been great gift to our Parish family. He has also been a great gift to me personally. He helped immensely during my first year with many tasks and showing me around Campus. Please keep him in your prayers as he moves to Effingham. Please keep Fr. Jayke White in your prayers as well. He will be with us for Weekend Masses for the 1st time on July 11-12. Quick reminder that Totus Tuus is coming up at CTK. The Totus Tuus team will be here July 11-17. They will be with us for Sunday Masses. The team will run the junior high and high school program July 12-16 and will run the 1st-6th grade program July 13-17. See flyer in bulletin for more information and to sign up. Finally, thank you to everyone who has assisted and coordinated the PB & J ministry. If you would like to donate to this ministry, we are especially in need of Peanut Butter and Jelly. If you would like to donate either of those items, just drop them off in the basket in the back of Church or at the Parish Office. Save the Dates June 28: Fr. Alex McCullough Going Away Party after 10am Mass July 11-12: Fr. Jayke White first weekend Masses Aug 2: Dennis Trickey Going Away Party and Collin Taylor Send off after 10am Mass Aug 23: Fr Jayke White Welcome Party In Christ’s Mercy, Fr. Mark Tracy Military Schedule July 18-19 and August 13-16
Happy 11th Sunday of Ordinary Time! Thank you to everyone who helped make the Corpus Christi Procession a great success. Thank you as well to all who participated in the Corpus Christi Procession. It was a great day for our Parish Family celebrating and worshiping Jesus in the Eucharist. I greatly enjoyed interacting with everyone at the social, it was a great time of fellowship together as a family. As you can see on campus, we are seeking to live out the value of stewardship from your generosity. The value of stewardship is about using our gifts to build up the Kingdom of God and supporting our parish/school. Through your support, we are seeking to be good stewards on our resources in taking care of our buildings this summer through tuckpointing, new Pre-K HVAC, and Pre-K and K-8 playground renovations. These projections were partly funded through the School Annual Fund and School Auction. I am deeply grateful to your generosity in supporting our parish and school. Our School updated their vision and mission to more align with our Parish. You can view a sneak peek of the updated school vision and mission on the School’s Facebook page. Finally, thank you to everyone who has assisted and coordinated the PB & J ministry. If you would like to donate to this ministry, we are in need of Peanut Butter and Jelly especially. If you like to donate either of those items, just drop them off in back of Church or at the Parish Office. Save the Dates June 28: Fr. Alex McCullough Going Away Party after 10am Mass July 11-12: Fr. Jayke White first weekend Masses Aug 2: Dennis Trickey Going Away Party and Collin Taylor Send off after 10am Mass Aug 23: Fr. Jayke White Welcome Party In Christ’s Mercy, Fr. Mark Tracy Military Schedule June 12-14 and July 18-19
Happy Solemnity of Corpus Christi! This great Solemnity was instituted in the mid-1200s to celebrate the Institution of the Eucharist outside of Holy Week. On Holy Thursday, we celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper in which Jesus instituted the Eucharist, but after Holy Thursday procession we somberly recall our Lord’s betrayal in the garden. Corpus Christi celebration outside of Holy Week allows us as Catholics to celebrate Jesus’s institution of the Holy Eucharist with more festival celebrations. To honor Corpus Christi Solemnity, we will have Eucharistic Procession immediately following the 10am Mass with a social afterwards in the Parish Center. We will process around Campus to 3 altars. We will process immediately after Mass from the Church to the 1st Altar by the Parish Center. The procession will last roughly 30-40 minutes. We will conclude the Procession back in Church with Benediction. This Eucharistic Procession lines up well with our update Vision/Mission/Values. An important value of any Catholic Parish is worshipping the Holy Trinity through Sacraments and prayer. Eucharistic Procession are a unique way to worship Jesus in the Eucharist outside of Mass. You probably noticed another one of our values being lived out through some school construction. The value of stewardship is about using our gifts to build up the Kingdom of God and supporting our parish/school. Through your support, we are seeking to be good stewards on our resources in taking care of our buildings this summer through tuckpointing, new Pre-K HVAC, and Pre-K and K-8 playground renovations. These projections were partly funded through the School Annual Fund and School Auction. Finally, our School updated their vision and mission to more align with our Parish. You can view a sneak peek of the updated school vision and mission on the School’s Facebook page. Please note there will be incense at these Masses: June 6: 4:30pm June 7: 10am Save the Dates June 7: Corpus Christi Procession after 10am Mass with Social Afterwards June 28: Fr. Alex McCullough Going Away Party after 10am Mass July 11-12: Fr. Jayke White first weekend Masses Aug 2: Dennis Trickey Going Away Party and Collin Taylor Send off after 10am Mass In Christ’s Mercy, Fr. Mark Tracy Military Schedule June 12-14 and July 18-19
Happy Holy Trinity Sunday! This great Solemnity emphasizes the uniqueness of Christianity. Jesus as our Lord revealed that God is Trinity, one Godhead in three Persons. St John summed up Jesus’s revelation up beautiful when he said God is Love. God is a communion of Love between the Father, Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. We live at communion with God through Jesus in the Holy Spirit when we live in our baptismal and confirmation identity as sons/daughters of God, disciples of Jesus, and temples of the Holy Spirit. Reminder that next weekend is the great Solemnity of Corpus Christi. We will have a Eucharistic Procession immediately following the 10am Mass. Anyone is welcome to join the procession even if you attend a different Mass that weekend. We will process around Campus to 3 altars. We will process immediately after Mass from the Church to the 1st Altar by the Parish Center. The procession will last roughly 30-40 minutes. We will conclude the Procession back in Church with Benediction. A social will start at Parish Center right afterwards with light lunch. Please RSVP for food count purposes to the Parish Office. Thank you in advance to all the staff and volunteers who are making this procession and social possibly. It will great celebrating Jesus in the Eucharist and having fellowship with another as brothers and sisters in Christ. Please note that there will be incense at these Masses: May 3 0 : 10am June 6: 4:30pm June 7: 10am Save the Dates June 7: Corpus Christi Procession after 10am Mass with Social Afterwards June 28: Fr. Alex McCullough Going Away Party after 10am Mass July 11-12: Fr. Jayke White first weekend Masses Aug 2: Dennis Trickey Going Away Party and Collin Taylor Send off after 10am Mass In Christ’s Mercy, Fr. Mark Tracy Military Schedule June 12-14 and July 18-19
Happy Pentecost Sunday! This Sunday every year, we celebrate Jesus keeping His word and sending the Holy Spirit to be with us and guide in following Him. After His Ascension, the Father with the Son sent the Holy Spirit upon the Church represented by the Apostles and our Blessed Mother. The Holy Spirit continues to guide the Church today in following Jesus as the Way, Truth, and the Life. On this Pentecost Sunday, I am excited to announce Collin Taylor has been accepted by our Diocese as a Seminarian. Collin will begin Seminary formation in August at Bishop Brute Seminary in Indianapolis. Collin became Catholic about 2 years ago at CTK and has been a parishioner since his conversion. You will see Collin around at CTK learning the ropes from Dennis Trickey, he will be wearing black cassock when he serves Mass like Dennis. Collin will be serving this summer as a missionary for Totus Tuus throughout the Diocese. I am very proud of Collin. He is a great young man who loves Jesus and we celebrate him entering seminary with sendoff on Aug 2 Mass after 10am Mass. Please keep Collin in your prayers as prepares to enter seminary and begin formation to become a priest of Jesus Christ. Please note, May 25 is Memorial Day and Daily mass will be at 8am that day. Save the Dates June 7: Corpus Christi Procession after 10am Mass with Social Afterwards June 28: Fr. Alex McCullough Going Away Party after 10am Mass July 11-12: Fr. Jayke White first weekend Masses Aug 2: Dennis Trickey Going Away Party and Collin Taylor Send off after 10am Mass Please note that there will be incense at these Masses: May 23: 4:30pm May 24: 10am May 30: 10am June 6: 4:30pm June 7: 10am In Christ’s Mercy, Fr. Mark Tracy Military Schedule June 12-14 and July 18-19
Happy Ascension of the Lord! We are coming to the close of another Easter Season with Pentecost being celebrated next weekend. The Ascension of our Lord celebrates Jesus returning to the right hand of the Father. He brings the human nature that he assumed and joined to His Divine Nature into Heaven. From His Heavenly throne after Ascension, he leads the Church through the Holy Spirit working with the Magisterium. The Pope serves as Vicar of Christ. Vicar means representative not replacement thus the Pope represents Jesus on Earth and seeks to lead us closer to Christ Jesus the Head of Church. Jesus thus directs the operation and strategy of the Church through the Pope and the Bishops united to the Pope. This past week at our Parish Grade School, we had our 8th Grade Graduation, Baccalaureate Mass, and Awards. As they head into high school, we the pray the Holy Spirit guides to know the love of Christ and root their lives in Him as they continue through educational journey. Congrats to them and they will be missed at CTK. Finally, reminder, that our Corpus Christi Procession will be on June 7 after 10am Mass. We will have a social event afterwards in the Parish Center. More details to come closer to the date. In Christ’s Mercy, Fr. Mark Tracy Please note that there will be incense at these Masses: May 23: 4:30pm May 24: 10am May 30: 10am June 6: 4:30pm June 7: 10am Military Schedule May 16-17 and June 12-14
Happy 6th Sunday of Easter! This weekend, I will be preaching on and announcing our new Parish Vision, Mission, and Values. This Vision and Mission builds upon our rich tradition and a lot of the values are already being lived out in our Parish. As I mentioned last week, this vision and mission will be a roadmap for us moving forward and will shape our priorities. In our society this weekend, we celebrate Mother’s Day. Mothers are a true gift from God and reveal God’s love in a unique way. My own mother has help me discover the unconditional love of God in many ways and I am truly grateful for her sacrificial love for the years. I pray you have a Blessed Mother’s Day weekend, we will offer a blessing for mothers at the end of Masses this weekend. Finally, reminder, that our Corpus Christi Procession will be on June 7 after 10am Mass. We will have a social event afterwards in the Parish Center. More details to come closer to the date. In Christ’s Mercy, Fr. Mark Tracy Military Schedule May 16-17 and June 12-14
