Weekend Wisdom, October 28-29th

From the desk of Fr. Josuva:

Hello everyone! May God's love and grace be with you forever! I hope that the change of seasons brings to you a lot of pretty things, amusements, blessings and graces from God. It has been four months now since I arrived in United States from India. The assignment as a new associate in our parishes at De Pere has given me more opportunities to learn about the culture and the nature of the people here. I see a lot of positive attitudes and vibrations around me and everywhere. The situation is no longer the same as it was when I arrived. Then it was "hot season" but now it is Fall.

In these four months that I have been through, I have a lot of new experiences about the culture, the food and the seasons. You have been helping me to get settled. Thanks for your support spiritually and materially. I rejoice in my being with you. I am amazed by your loving, caring supports and your humble conversations. I don't feel like I am in a new country and a new place. I feel good all the time. I believe I am blessed and I do believe that God's providence is with me and I am supported by your prayers.

I was ordained on the 4th of December, 2011, the day after the feast of St. Francis Xavier, one of our Patrons. I worked in my diocese for 12 years which includes my two years of studies in Biblical Theology. I had good experiences in the parishes and in the assignments I have been given in my diocese.

Now I would like to reflect on the goal set for our parishes by Fr. Mike. Although it is his goal for the parishes, it is not only for him and it is for us in a broader sense. "Sharing the love of Jesus with the people of Ledgeview and De Pere." To me personally, this is the heart of the gospel. This is the Good News.

This is the mission statement. God is calling each and everyone of us in the parish to respond to his call and to work together to achieve this goal. I would like to emphasize the words "work together." Jesus sent his disciples in two to proclaim the Good News. I see a lot of people coming forward to give their valuable time for the sake of God and his mission on earth. I appreciate their willingness to work with us. Before we try to share the love of Jesus with others, we must taste his love. To taste and to experience the love of Jesus, we must come to the Church regularly. I have no doubt that if you come to the Church, you will have the real experience of the love of Jesus.

In one of the bulletins this past June, there was a little introduction of me, in which, I emphasized the idea of the "omnipresence of God" - God is present everywhere. His presence is always with us - Immanuel. God sent down His only Son to dwell among us. We are invited to experience the Godly nature in each and everyone of us and in the nature.

And thus, I hope we will be able to share the love of Jesus with our people by word and example.

God's blessings!

Fr. Josuva