The Together Campaign

03-31-2019Campaign News

Henri Nouwen, the author of an acclaimed book: A Spirituality of Fundraising offers us at Our Lady of the Lake some advice for our campaign.

“Fundraising is proclaiming what we believe in such a way that we offer other people an opportunity to participate with us in our vision and mission. Fundraising is precisely the opposite of begging. When we seek funds, we are declaring: we have a vision that is amazing and exciting. We are inviting you to invest yourself through the resources that God has given you - your energy, your prayers, and your money - in this work to which God has called us.”

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The Joy of Being Forgiven

03-27-2019Weekly ReflectionFr. Julius Kundi

I came across this piece while researching for this homily. It's about Mahatma Gandhi the father of the Indian nation. In his memoirs he humbly and frankly acknowledged that, when he was fifteen, he stole a little piece of gold from his brother. However a few days later, he felt very guilty and decided to come clean by confessing to his father. So, he took a paper, wrote down his fault, sincerely asked his father for forgiveness and promised never to repeat the offense. Taking that note to the bedroom of his father, the young Gandhi found him ill in bed. Very timidly he handed the note to his father without saying a word. His father sat up in bed and began reading the note. As he read it, the senior Gandhi was so deeply moved by the honesty, sincerity and courage of his son that tears began to stream from his eyes.

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A Call to Repentance

03-24-2019Weekly ReflectionFr. Julius Kundi

St. Francis of Assisi once invited a young friar to go with him into town to preach. Francis and the young friar spent all day walking through the streets and then came home. When the day’s journey was done, the young friar was disappointed and asked “Weren’t we supposed to preach today?” Francis replied, “Son, we have preached. We were preaching while we were walking. We were seen by many and our behavior was noted. It is of no use walking anywhere to preach unless we preach wherever as we walk!” He summed up his idea in these words “Preach the Gospel everywhere, and if necessary, use words.” To him witnessing to Jesus wasn’t merely quoting some words out of the Bible from time to time but one who lives by the word of God each day.

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The Together Campaign

03-24-2019Campaign News

As we begin the campaign we are asking each familyto pray about a 5 year pledge.

For most parishioners this is a manageable way tomake a gift that fits into their budget and allows eachfamily to plan ahead.

About 90% of parishioners who pledge choose amonthly payment plan.

We are hoping that every family would consider a “courageous pledge” and one that will help us build anew school, and a new outdoor gathering space.

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Obeying the Father by Imitating Christ

03-17-2019Weekly ReflectionFr. Julius Kundi

The readings of today give us a glimpse of how the power of God can transform the most ordinary life and lead a person into ways he never dreamt of.

The first reading describes the transformation of a pagan into a believer in the one God. God called Abraham, a childless wanderer and promised he will make him become Father of many nations and have a wonderful land of his own.

Abraham took God’s providence seriously and trusted confidently that he will fulfill His promise. His faith was strong and sustained. And all he did was to obey God’s commands.

Beloved in Christ, there is need to remind you here that throughout Scripture God has given man a multitude of promises: love, forgiveness, salvation, Holy Spirit, Everlasting life, peace, joy, freedom, growth, encouragement, excellence and strength.

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Campaign Update Mar 17, 2019

03-17-2019Campaign News

The Together Campaign

People have asked: “Why do we need a Campaign?” “Why are we conducting this campaign with the Diocese?” “I already make an offertory gift when the basket is passed, why would I give to this campaign also?”

Let me simply answer by saying:

  1. We are running out of classroom and meeting space. Our school continues to grow: adding a 2nd grade class in the Fall. Our goal is to add 1 grade each year until we are full K-8 school. The HFPC will become the Early Childhood Center as the older students move into the new classrooms.
  2. Conducting a “combined campaign" with the Diocese has been more than 2 years in the planning. Approximately 20 other parishes have very large building projects like ours. They are also conducting combined campaigns. There are many advantages to this approach.
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Commonly asked questions about the Together Let Us Go Forth-Juntos Sigamos Adelante Campaign

03-10-2019Campaign News

Question: What is the difference between the Together Campaign and the annual Charity Development Appeal (CDA)?

Answer: Every diocese in the United States has their own annual Bishop's Appeal to fund ongoing ministries throughout their diocese. Each diocese does this independently. Our annual campaign is called the CDA (Charity and Development Appeal). We announce it every year in early February.

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Our Faith is Strengthened in Lent

03-10-2019Weekly ReflectionFr. Julius Kundi

Last Wednesday we began the 40days program of Lent. A spiritual exercise organized by the church to bring us closer to God, to heal our broken relationships with Him and our fellow brothers and sisters. It is a special spiritual discipline also to strengthen our faith in the Lord Jesus, for Lent will mean nothing if we do not believe in Christ.

Indeed, Lent is a time to become more deeply aware of our faith and to deepen that faith by practical actions. The Book of Deuteronomy reminds us that our faith is in response to God’s action in our lives. And that means that once again we must face this question: Do I see that God has acted in my life? Our Jewish ancestors in the faith had no doubts that God had acted in their lives and in their history as a people.

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Growing in the Faith

03-03-2019Weekly ReflectionFr. Julius Kundi

As we get set this week to commence the discipline of LENT, l feel it's important we ask ourselves how we have been growing in the faith, and we do this by checking whether Jesus’ teaching is taking root in our hearts. A sincere self-examination of oneself l believe will help one to have a fruitful Lenten season. We always set aside this season to declare spiritual war against all our sinful inclinations. Today's readings have given us a lot to think and pray about.

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