Pastor’s Corner

I. Support Our Catholic Schools! Tickets can be purchased at Bidpal.net/ocsvision for the 11th Annual Dinner and Auction at the Owensboro Convention Center on Saturday, February 18. After party includes live entertainment featuring Big Rain!

II. Forgiveness is a Gift!  Our children are preparing to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time on Sunday, February 12th at 2:00 p.m.  I ask you to pray for these young people, their families, and our parish family.  Do I appreciate and take advantage of this Sacrament of mercy and healing?

III. Owensboro Symphony Chamber Orchestra and Kentucky Wesleyan Singers!
Next Sunday, February 19th, at 4:00 p.m. in the church, Dr. Nick Palmer will conduct the chamber orchestra. This lovely chamber music will be enhanced by Dr. Bradley Naylor and the Kentucky Wesleyan singers. Our bishop, William f. Medley, has said, “As a cultural center, a cathedral can lift human spirits. . . .” We are proud that this series continues to grow and offer wonderful cultural opportunities not only to our parishioners but to the greater Owensboro community.  This concert is free and open to the public. Invite a friend/relative! This event is supported through our Arts at the Cathedral, to which you can support by donations. Envelopes are in the pews during February. Monetary gifts will ensure that future performance will continue here at the Cathedral. See you there!

IV. A Moral Way to Live: on his deathbed, the noted cynic an agnostic, W.C. Fields was discovered reading a Bible. When asked why his sudden interest in the Good Book, Fields explained, “I’m looking for a loophole.” Sirach’s words, from our first reading, (Sirach 15:15–20),  strike at the “loophole detector” in all of us!

The truth is—we must take responsibility for the choices we make in this life. Similarly, Jesus sermon in today’s Gospel (Matthew 5:17–37) makes clear that more is expected of us then the scrupulous following of the letter of the law. Jesus is stretching us beyond a “black and white” morality. God holds us accountable not only for what we do but for the sincerity of the love that motivates us. God looks beyond excuses and rationalizations to the selfishness, self-centeredness, within our hearts.

“If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you;
if you trust in God, you too shall live;
he has set before you fire and water
to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand.
Before man are life and death, good and evil,
whichever he chooses shall be given him.
Immense is the wisdom of the Lord;
he is mighty in power, and all-seeing.
The eyes of God are on those who fear him;
he understands man’s every deed.
No one does he command to act unjustly,
to none does he give license to sin.” Sirach 15: 15-20