Catholic Teens 8-8-06

lHey All--

While we were in San Diego everyone from the Gomez (Patty's family) side of the family raved about William and how he looked like a "Gomez baby." And indeed William does look similar to my wife's baby pictures! And the family rightly took pride in William as one of "their own." In fact, it was kind of cute to watch. J

It got me thinking a bit deeper on a theological level. Who do we belong too? Who do we "look" like? Who do we take after? As Baptized and Confirmed Catholics, the answer to the above should be "Christ." In those sacraments we freely give ourselves to Him and His service. We seek to imitate Him in all we do. As my in-laws saw themselves in William, so others should see Christ in us.

And what a beautiful thing that would be! And indeed, that is my prayer for little William and for all of you.

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Question O' The Week:

"Will men ever be able to marry and be a priest?"

-It's possible. In fact, they have that in the Eastern Orthodox Churches. Although, if they're married they can't become bishops.

We do know that some of the Apostles were married, including Peter. The issue is more one of practicality and sacrifice. As a priest you offer yourself totally and completely to Christ's Church. You get phone calls at all hours of the day (and night!). Having lived at St. Peter's Rectory for a year when I first came to Stevens Point, I saw just how busy the priests were. I can't imagine if they were married. When would their wife and children ever see them? And would that be fair to their family? Hardly.

Imagine it's the middle of the night, your wife and child are both real ill and you get a call from a parishioner who really needs you. What do you do? Which one do you leave hanging? I wouldn't want to have to make that choice.

Similarly, now speaking as a married guy with a child. My family comes first, even before my work at the Church. And that's the way it's supposed to be. If helping someone in the Church gets in the way of me taking care of my family, then there's a problem.

One other point, St. Paul says very explicitly, "I wish all men could be as I am, free to proclaim the Gospel." Now St. Paul was single. He was free to go wherever he needed to spread the Gospel. Could he have traveled and preached so much if he had a family? No. In fact, to travel and preach as much as he did, having a family, would've been wrong—because that would be his first priority.

Priests very much live out the exhortation by St. Paul.

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Intentions:

-For peace in the world and an end to terrorism, especially in the Middle East.

-For the protection and respect of all Life from conception to natural death.

-For all the other intentions you hold in your hearts, we pray to the Lord.

Lord, hear our prayer.

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Announcements:

St. Peter's Keys Softball:

The Keys won both games last week and again last night!

The Keys had their eyesight adjusted for this game, drawing a large number of walks and scoring a "mercy-rule shortened" 18-6 Win over Grazies this past Monday night. The Keys started off strong with 10 runs in the 1^st inning, with the help of walks and only 2 hits. With some more standout defense, the team cruised from there.

-This was the Keys 4^th straight win. A win next week guarantees the Keys at least a tie for 1^st Place in the 2^nd Half!

God bless you!

Phil Lawson

For more information on St. Peters check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com

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