USA 234 !!!!!!!!!! COMMEMORATING OUR FREEDOM, LIBERTY, JUSTICE, AND FAITH ON THE 14TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME..........

This 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2010, is far from ordinary, as it is Independence Day, the 234th anniversary of the day, July 4, 1776, when the United States of America came into existence as a sovereign nation; and it is also the first Sunday I am the new Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Del Paso Heights / Rio Linda, in the Diocese of Sacramento. As American citizens we celebrate today the hard fought for freedom gained for us by our forebearers in the 18th Century, that is the foundation stone of our democracy. That Freedom, is inherent in the liberty our country has assured its citizens for more than two and a third centuries. A Liberty based on justice for all, no matter their station, status, or significance. American Justice is defined as being, "blind", for regardless of who you are , or what you possess, in power, privilege, and propensity, our founders and the Declaration and Constitution they bequeathed us, is meant to be equal, fair, and just. Our Freedom, Liberty, and Justice, as citizens of the United States of America, are guarantees of our right to Faith as Believers in God and Disciples of Jesus the Christ. The Christ who has saved and redeemed us, providing for us through His Paschal Mystery, the promise and hope of Everlasting Life in the Kingdom of God. In the Gospel Proclamation at Mass today, from Luke 12:1-10; 17-20; Jesus sends forth into the wider world, 72 Disciples to supplement the Apostles and his first Disciples. They are teamed in twos, as no one is alone in building up the Christian Community and God's Kingdom. Thus the People of God in Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, and every other community of believers throughout the world are empowered together to be and to do the the work of the Body of Christ with one another and for others. As you, your familes, friends, and fellow believers, observe this 4th of July holiday may you be ever grateful for, and responsive to, those you are teamed to serve. And may you embrace your share in the ministry of Jesus, and the citizenry of our country, with eagerness and loyalty, to serve the common good and glorify the supremacy of the Divine..........For It Is In God We Trust, Live, Move, And Have Our Being, Fr. Troy

>>> Present at the 8:30 am Mass at OLOL this morning were my longtime friends and former parishioners, Ray Riehle and John Williams. It was affirming that on my first Sunday here as Pastor that these two men would be in attendance at Mass in Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, coming from Orangevale and Sonora, to do so.<<<