Making a Commitment
This weekend, I will challenge parishioners to make a commitment to themselves and ultimately to St. Cecilia Parish. I will challenge each individual parishioner to truly resolve to be a person who actively prays. Prayer is the most important means, and the driving force, that unites us to God and helps each of us form a relationship with him that leads us to walk in his image and likeness.

The response to one’s relationship with God through prayer leads one to be involved in the ministry of Jesus Christ. Here at St. Cecilia, we have many opportunities for involvement in Jesus’ ministry. A quick look at page 2 in the bulletin gives you an idea of the many means to becoming more involved. I urge you to seriously consider participating in a ministry.

Another means of commitment and often a response to one’s prayer is financial giving. At St. Cecilia, I urge you to actively give financially. I especially recommend online giving. This method of giving helps you stay the course in your generosity. We all want to be generous, but our own humanity can get in the way. We can often get distracted from giving or find other desires of the heart more compelling. Online giving helps you commit to be that generous person you aspire to be.

Ultimately, one’s commitment to prayer, ministry to God, and financial giving to support the mission of Jesus Christ not only builds the body of Christ but leads us to have lives that
are not selfish or self-absorbed but are generous, balanced, and united to God.

Amen? Amen!
Fr. Jamie


Pastor's Ramblings

Pet Blessing: We had our annual pet blessing at St. Cecilia Oct. 7 and had a nice turnout of dogs. Fr. Jason blessed them and passed out St. Francis holy cards. I
want to thank our Worship Commission for all of their help and setup.

EDGE: Our middle school youth group, EDGE, has been meeting on Sunday nights twice a month. We have had a really nice turnout of 25-30 kids for each meeting. If you have a
child in middle school and would like more information, please check out our website: eastsidefaith.org/edge.

Redecorating: The Moms Group has been busy redecorating the parish house for their meetings and get-togethers. They have freshly painted the first-floor entrance and living room, and it looks really nice. It’s been some hard work to clean, patch walls and get things painted, but it’s definitely made a difference.

Congratulations! Phillip Miller and Jennifer Rey celebrated the Sacrament of Matrimony on Oct. 7. The presider was Msgr. Eugene Morris.

Welcome, Children of God: Welcome, Leo Henry Weisbrod, son of Andrew and Laura Weisbrod; Rose Cecilia Krupp, daughter of Jason and Julia Krupp; and Mason
Robert Bengel, son of Tim and Sarah Bengel. Julia and Tim are my niece and nephew and are the children of my sister Theresa and brother-in-law Mark Bengel, who are
parishioners of St. Cecilia.

Changing Table: I wanted to remind our parents of little ones that we have a changing table in the basement of the vestibule. The basement steps are located in the back of church in the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Shrine.

“Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”

Jesus’ wise response has several layers of meaning. First, he clarifies the respect due civil authorities. After all, God created human beings as social creatures, and governments are established for the promotion of the common good. These structures are a good thing. However, like all human institutions, sin also works its way into them, and we need to be vigilant to ensure that they truly work for the benefit of all, especially those who are most likely to be left behind in this quick-paced world.

Second, Jesus examines the Roman coin and points out that the image upon it reflects the fact that the coin belongs to Caesar. Likewise, being created in God’s likeness, we have his image imprinted on our souls. So in thinking about how we can give to God what belongs to God, we should keep in mind that this mark on our soul has consequences for our entire lives: all we say, think and do. Following Jesus, our prayer moves us to actions of love for God and for others. For example, we give back to God in our patience with family and friends, our generosity and support of our coworkers, and our willingness to forgive the person who offends or annoys us. We can even make of the ordinary things of each day an offering of love. When we allow that action of grace to be our life program, then we become that incredible reflection of the image of God.