Where is Our Hope?

Today, we learned who our next president will be. For better or worse, it’s all part of the American “experiment.” As Christians, we’re called to love one another—not just despite our differences, but through them. Jesus commands us to love each other and even our enemies. We can be a church divided by politics or united by Christ. I urge you to choose latter. Clothe yourself in Christ’s compassion. Don’t gloat over victory or lash out in anger; both will only deepen division and pain. Instead, choose to love—love that binds us together in unity, peace, and hope.

I was grateful to start with Mass the day after the election, recentering my thoughts, heart, and hope on what matters most. Our ultimate hope is not in who governs us, our favorite sports team, or what we own. Our hope is in Jesus Christ who suffered, died, and rose again—so that for us, death is not the end but the beginning of life in the heavenly kingdom.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

Dear Parishioners,

Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! Alleluia! On behalf of all our staff here at Holy Trinity, I wish you and your family a blessed and joyful Easter Day and season. I pray that all our hearts are open and receptive to our Risen Lord’s presence as he gathers us together “by his love, and when, as once for the disciples, so now for us, he opens the Scriptures and breaks the bread” (Eucharistic Prayer for Masses of Various Needs). This important reality should set us on fire once again to go out and share this Good News.

For some, this is also a time of remembrance of Easters’ past and a reminder of those who have gone before us. Without faith, these thoughts would be simply sad and possibly lead to despair — but we are a resurrection people! We place our hope in Jesus’ glorious Resurrection from the dead and his desire to bring all creation to himself. So take heart! God’s got this. He’s in charge. He has done all the heavy lifting. We simply need to let him into our hearts and change us.

As this is my first Easter with all of you, I am especially excited to celebrate all of the special liturgies surrounding this time. It’s hard to believe I’ve been here for nine months now! I am both inspired and spoiled by your love and support (as is Snickers). As I write these words, my thoughts turn toward the proclamation from the Scriptures (Ps 118:24 & Is 25:9): “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad!”

Blessing,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Encountering God's Grace In A New Year

Dear Parishioners,

Happy New Year!  With the beginning of a new year, we recognize that all time is only possible by the grace of God.  Thus we call 2017, and indeed each year, a Year Of Grace. So, welcome to the Year of Grace 2017! Grace can be likened to the power of God given freely to us.  One writer from Catholic Answers (http://www.catholic.com/tracts/grace-what-it-is-and-what-it-does) called it a “supernatural kick in the pants.”  With such grace available to us, consider making that part of your plan, your new year’s resolution, to encounter God’s grace with ever day that is given, for we certainly need it.  

As we begin this year, we have hope that it will be a good year.  We must also be aware that it will also bring great challenges.  So, borrowing from a Facebook post (https://www.facebook.com/kyleld) by Fr. Kyle Doustou of the Diocese of Portland, Maine, here’s some suggestions for the new year:

• If you don’t pray, start. If you do pray, pray more. Beef up your devotional life.
• If you don’t fast, start. If you do fast, fast more. Strengthen your will. Get better at saying “no” to your appetites and passions.
• If you’re lax about Mass attendance, get your priorities straight. Go every Sunday and Holy Day – nothing is more important. Nothing.
• If you don’t go to confession, go. Regularly. Stop waiting. Stop making excuses.
• Get more intentional about knowing your faith. Study it. Learn it. Share it. Defend it.
• Spend more time at home with your family. Eat together. Work together. Play together. Pray together.
• Cut out the non-essentials. Simplify your homes and your lives.
• Give more of yourself (your prayers and your time, but also your money and your skills) to those who need help. If you don’t know who needs help, trot down to your local parish office – your priest can give you a list, I’m sure.

A relationship with Christ is not ethereal and it’s not simply an “internal” reality. It is something that is lived out, day by day, in mind, body, and soul. It is not a given and it can never be taken for granted. Now is the time.

So, may the Year of Grace 2017 be a time of encounter and growth in the Lord.  May he enrich your life and vivify you so that the grace given you will shine like a light which draws all to Him!

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor