Ascension of the Lord / 7th Sunday of Easter

May 16 & 17

Celebration of the Ascension of the Lord

7^th Sunday of Easter

The readings from today show us the mission that Jesus left for each of us.  The first reading and the Gospel tell the story of the ascension into heaven of Jesus.  The message is clear for all of us left both at the time of Christ and today.  Jesus said, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature…”  The call to each of us is one of humility, gentleness and bearing with one another as we do our part to proclaim the Word of God in our lives.

-       Deacon Jim

Mass for the 6th Sunday of Easter - Mother's Day

Enjoy watching the Mass for the 6th Sunday of Easter - Mother's Day - For Sacred Heart, Oelwein and Immaculate Conception, Fairbank, IA. (To view the Mass, click on the link provided below)
https://youtu.be/Vmg-s2G7wAc

6th Sunday of Easter "As the Father LOVES me, so I also love you." - Mother's Day

May 10

Sixth Sunday of Easter

The message in today’s readings could not be more evident.  Count them with me.  The word Love is used eighteen times in the Gospel and Second Reading.  The Eucharist is always a love feast, reminding us that our first responsibility as baptized members of the Body of Christ is to do as Jesus taught us: love one another as he has loved us.

This Sunday is Mother’s Day.  It is fitting to remind ourselves of how good mothers model so well for us the kind of self-giving love that Jesus invites us to.  Let us pray that all mothers nurture the children in their care and love unconditionally as Jesus loves us.

-       Deacon Jim

Sunday Mass for the 5th Sunday of Easter / Sacred Heart, Oelwein & Immaculate Conception, Fairbank / May 2, 2015

Enjoy watching the Weekend Mass for the 5th Sunday of Easter from Sacred Heart, Oelwein.
Just go to the following link to view the Mass:

https://youtu.be/Wk7n3DIW-eI

5th Sunday of Easter / The Vine and The Branches

 

Fifth Sunday of Easter

May 3, 2015

“I am the vine, you are the branches.”   It is not uncommon today to hear someone say, ‘I am a very spiritual person, I just don’t have time for religion.”  It is so sad that these people accept the limits of their relationship with God to be centered on emotions only.  “Spirituality is an emotion while Religion is our faith and an obligation.  Spirituality soothes us, Religion calls us to action. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches.”  We understand that the branches get their life from the vine.  We cannot have a true relationship with God if we do not accept Him and His kingdom.  It is as Fr. Mark Murphy states in his recent homily, “People want spirituality but not religion.  They want to be a son or daughter of God but prefer to be an only child.”  Without the vine the branches will die.  Pray that our faith family is strengthened by the vitality and spirit of healthy branches of followers.

-       Deacon Jim