St James Catholic Church

Wow, what a busy weekend we had last week.  Oshkosh experimental aircraft meeting, the Brewers playing the Chicago Cubs (2 out of 3, not bad), air and water show here, German Fest, county fairs, as well as parish festivals.  If you were bored, it was your own fault.  But the greatest of all the events was our annual Parish celebration of our patronal feast of St. James.  Thanks to Bernie and his crew, we had a delicious chicken dinner after all the Masses.  Carl, the choirs, and cantors lead us in inspiring music.  Ushers, greeters, lectors, acolytes, and Eucharistic ministers enabled our Masses.  And of course, enlightening homilies (I hope).  We are grateful for our entire parish for its service in this area of the Archdiocese.

Here in these lazy days of summer, it is tempting to sit back, relax and enjoy the fruits of our labor.  With the heat of summer, who can blame us for congratulating ourselves for the work we have done and taking a well-deserved break?

But the way the world defines success is not the way God would.

Today’s parable of the rich man and the bountiful harvest warns us all who store up treasures for themselves.  Imagine how the ending would be different if the rich man, seeing he had more grain than storage space, decided to give the bounty to the poor and needy.  It is his selfishness that is completely opposed to what matters to God.  So we ask, do our possessions control us or do we control them?  What is the biggest obstacle that I need to overcome to become generous with all that I have?

Love, Peace, Joy

Fr. Bob