Message from Deacon John Ross

A quick read of the Bible informs us of the importance and university of sacrifice. For the chosen people, sacrifice expresses their personal and collective piety. So, for the Old Testament writers, sacrifice was an essential part of their religious life. Of course, in the New Testament sacrifice will become consecrated and take on a whole new meaning.

Closely linked with sacrifice is the act of sharing ones possessions with those less fortunate. The closet phrase we have for this is "alms giving" which can mean either an expression of God's mercy or justice or the mercy of one human being for another which allows one to give material aid to those who are in need. This action mustn't be seen as purely a philanthropic activity but rather a religious gesture. It is an extension of the sacrifice offered to God. In sharing our material goods with another we make a treasury of ourselves.

With Christ, sacrifice and sharing one's possessions with another takes on a whole new meaning. Christ requires that His followers should never remain deaf to any call and even if we have nothing left of our own we still have the duty of sharing the gifts of Christ and to work to provide for those who are in need.

The members of this community understand the meaning of sacrifice and giving all too well. They have been most generous in sacrificing and giving of their time, talents, and money. Just as the members of this community have been generous in their sacrificing and giving, it is now time for the parish as a whole to imitate the actions of the individual members. With the start of the fiscal year, St. Patrick's Parish will begin a program of sacrificial giving. Sacrificial giving means that the parish will set aside five per cent of its income to be distributed to those in need – members of the parish, and others in the local community who are in need of assistance. More details will follow in the coming weeks.

– Deacon John Ross

July 9, 2006