29th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 My Dear Friends in Christ, 

Persistence in prayer is the message of our Gospel this week. Have you ever been around a small child when they are determined to get something they really want? They ask, get the wrong answer, they ask again and still not the answer they are hoping for. They continue in a very determined manner until they get what they want. Jesus tells the story about the widow who is taken advantage of her and her rights. She does not give up, through her persistence the judge surrenders and gives her justice. 

Persistence pays off; the same is true for those who put their trust in God. Often, we find it difficult to pray especially in times of distress, times when we don’t “feel” God’s presence, times we do not feel deserving of God’s mercy. These are the times we need to pray the most and rely on our faith. Be persistent, do not give up, and pray always. 

As many of you heard last weekend, Shellee Murcko, our Liturgical Coordinator is on a medical leave of absence while she undergoes treatment for leukemia. If you have needs relating to our parish’s liturgical ministries, please contact Greg Matuszynski, pastoral assistant. Greg will be coordinating Shellee’s duties with the assistance of many volunteers. A wonderful way to help us in Shellee’s absence is to attend this Wednesday’s Liturgy Committee meeting at 6:45 pm at St. Stephen Church Hall. 

I hope to see many of you Sunday, Oct. 20, at 4 pm, at our Sacred Heart Campus for our Requiem Concert for the Living. This beautiful musical piece will be directed by Tony Zsigray and will include members our Epiphany of the Lord Parish Choir as well as guest musicians and singers. It is sure to be a prayerful experience for all. Free-will donations will be taken for our organ repair fund. If you are able, please give generously. This is also a wonderful way to prepare our hearts for the celebrations of All Saints Day and All Souls Day next month! 

This weekend we celebrate World Mission Sunday. This year’s theme is, “Baptized and Sent: The Church of Christ on Mission in the World”. Frs. Melwin and I are blessed to be able to serve as missionary priests here in Toledo. We ask you to support this cause which benefits young mission dioceses in Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and parts of Latin America and Europe. 

Please keep me in your prayers and be assured you are always in mine. 

It is my joy to serve you as your pastor! 

Fr. Gilbert Mascarenhas SAC 

“I want nothing but God! Nothing! Only God!” – St. Vincent Pallotti