Dear Friends,

This weekend we celebrate the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. In the gospel reading below, we read of Peter challenging Jesus: “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” As Peter steps out of the boat into the water, he becomes frightened and doubts Jesus. Jesus saves Peter and once again reveals his identity. The good news of this story is that Peter’s challenge and doubt do not lead to his drowning; rather, the identity of Jesus is revealed.

Each of us faces “rough waters” in our lives. The gospel reading reminds us that even in times of great challenge, Jesus is with us. We are called to draw upon our faith in Jesus in order to “get out of the boat.”

We look forward to welcoming all our new families and their sponsor families to the New Family Welcome on Sunday, following the 9:30 am Mass. I hope that you have a blessed day and weekend to come.

God bless you,
Mrs. Katie Walsh

Gospel – Mt 14: 22-33

After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat
and precede him to the other side,
while he dismissed the crowds.
After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.
When it was evening he was there alone.
Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore,
was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them walking on the sea.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.
“It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear.
At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter said to him in reply,
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.”
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;
and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter,
and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,
“Truly, you are the Son of God.”