All proceeds go to local Knights of Columbus Chartity Fund

Where:  Community Center, Irish Oaks Golf Course, 401 Kenneally Blvd. Gladstone, MI

When:   February 18, 2012

Registration- 9:00 AM EST

Race- 10:00 AM EST

Fees:  Kids 12 and unde $15.00, all other $19.00, Families $45.00

After February 4, 2012 $20.00 No t-shirt $10.00

Awards are given to the top overall Male and Femail and the top two finishers in each competitive division.

Ribbons to all runners and walkers.

Information:  Mike Klimkowski, 5718 Main Street, Wells, MI 49894

Dklimkowski@charter.net   906-233-9466

4:30 P.M.
10:00 P.M.

Sunday, Dec 25, Christmas Day:

8:30 A.M
10:30 A.M

This weekend’s gospel passage tells of the miraculous cure of a blind man.  The first reading deals with God’s choice of a new king of Israel.  The second reading records Paul’s exhortation to his Christian flock to live in the light of Christ.  Underlying all of these is a message about the power of God’s grace to overcome the darkness of evil in the world.

This is Laetare or Rejoice Sunday, the midpoint of our Lenten journey.  Learning to see as God sees is a lifelong pursuit.  Our readings today present us with the choice of turning more fully to the light of Christ or to following our own path, perhaps unaware of how the darkness of sin can cloud our decisions.

Our first reading tells that while in the desert the Israelites complain of thirst and question God’s presence with them.  In the second reading, we are reminded that Jesus died for us when we were still sinners.  This reveals the depths of God’s love for us.  In the Gospel, Jesus offers a Samaritan woman the living water that wells up to eternal life

There is not a more basic human need than for water.  It is essential for life.  Still, there is a thirst that goes beyond this physical need.  That is a thirst for meaning to our lives and for union with our Creator.  Through Jesus Christ, God satisfied our deepest thirsts.  When we open our hearts to Christ, we receive living water, which can bring us to eternal life.

In today’s first reading, God promises to make of Abraham a great nation.  The second reading calls for Timothy to bear his share of hardship for the sake of the gospel.  God’s grace, given through Christ, will provide the strength to do this.  The Gospel recounts the Transfiguration of Jesus, giving a glimpse of his resurrected glory.

Jesus may call us to turn away from a life that has become familiar and comfortable.  He may ask us to bear hardship for the sake of his teachings.  But with fidelity and compassion, he sustains us and reminds us of the glory that awaits us if we trust in him and go where he leads us.

Our first reading recounts the sin of Adm and Eve, with the serpent speaking for Satan, their tempter.  The second reading identifies Jesus as the new Adam, who pays the price for the sin of the first Adam, and brings salvation to our world.  In the gospel, Jesus is tempted in the desert, but does not give in to the devil’s temptations.

During this penitential season, let us use the Lenten disciplines of fasting, prayer and almsgiving to follow more closely the example of Jesus in the desert.  Let us do our part to confront evil and sin in the world, seek God’s help in overcoming temptation in our own lives, and ask him to help persevere in faith.

In the first reading, Moses urges the people to obey the commandments of God, a blessing on their lives.  The second reading reminds us that redemption is a gift from God to all people, brought about through the blood of Jesus.  The Gospel compares those who practice the teachings of Jesus to a wise man who builds his house firmly anchored on a foundation of rock.

We know that we fool no one when we say one thing but do the opposite.  Promises made to a boss, a spouse or a friend ring hollow when the action that follows does not bear them out.  God is the last person we should try to fool with empty words.  God knows what is in our hearts.  When we profess love for God, we must also act in loving ways.

In today’s first reading, we are assured that God will never forget us.  In the second reading, we hear that we are to be servants of Christ, subject to his judgment alone.  In the gospel, Jesus teaches that our heavenly Father knows all that we need, and will lovingly provide for us.

As servants of the Lord, we are confident that he remembers us and keeps us close to him.  While the lilies of the field and the wild flowers spoken of in today’s Gospel are beautiful gifts from our heavenly Father, we are told that our lives are much more valuable.  Hence, let us serve him alone, and put our lives into his care!