For the past three weeks, I have been writing a column entitled “For the Sake of the Gospel.” Thus far, I have made the following points. First, what we do for the gospel, we do for Christ. Second, the gospel is the good news of what God has done in Christ as well as the good news that Christ proclaimed: the kingdom of God. Third, the kingdom of God refers to God’s rule over our lives. Today, I turn my attention to another question: If we are to give ourselves to the gospel for the sake of Christ, then how should we live? What does it mean to live in light of the kingdom of God? The answer to this question is found in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Click on the title to read more.

I will be away the weekend of July 28-29, as well as Monday and Tuesday, July 30-31. During those days I will be attending the 75th annual meeting of the Catholic Biblical Association of America at Notre Dame University, where I will be delivering a paper, participating in a seminar on Saint Paul, and meeting with former and present doctoral students. I apologize for being absent so soon after arriving, but this is a commitment that was made in the spring before I knew I would be appointed Pastor of St. Mary’s. My classmate and friend, Msgr. Gerard Schmitz will fill in for me during these days. Please welcome him and do all you can to assist him, especially at daily Mass. It is always difficult to find things in a new parish. I will be back in the office on Wednesday morning. Thank you for your understanding. Father Matera

I wish to express my sincere thanks to all of you for the “Welcome Reception” that the Social Committee held for me when I arrived at St. Mary's. It was a joy to meet and speak with so many of you. Each of you, without exception, made me feel immediately at home and a part of your Parish Family. One refrain appeared again and again in your words of welcome to me: “If there is anything I can do to help please let me know.” In the weeks and months ahead, I will need your help, but for the moment I simply want to say thank you for making me feel at home. It is good to be at St. Mary’s. Finally, I offer a special word of thanks to the members of the Social Committee who made the welcome reception possible: Annemarie Brimmer, Debbie and Peter Corbett, Helen and Uli Decher, Christine Egan, Peggy Furey, Camille Kilgore, Rhoda & Lou Obermeier, Jay Reynolds, and Jean Verdecchia. Thank for your work. I look forward to working with you in the weeks and months ahead. Sincerely, Fr. Frank Matera

In last week’s column I highlighted the relationship between the gospel and the kingdom of God. The gospel is the good news about Jesus as well as the good news that Jesus proclaimed. The good news that Jesus proclaims is that the kingdom of God is making its appearance in his ministry. Consequently, the gospel that Jesus proclaims is the good news about God’s kingdom. Click the title to read more.

Last week I began a series of columns entitled “For the Sake of the Gospel.” In my first column I explained that what we do for the sake of the gospel we do for the sake of Christ, and what we do for the sake of Christ we do for the sake of the gospel. But what do we mean by the gospel? What is this gospel that is so important that what we do for the sake of the gospel we do for Christ? Click the title to read more.

Scripture encourages us to pray for one another and to cast all our cares on the Lord. Because we firmly believe in the power of prayer, St. Mary’s has an active Prayer Line. We invite and encourage parishioners—men and women—to join us in prayer and/or to call us with any special prayer requests you might want lifted up to our Lord. Please call Louise Carroll at 860-653-4088 or Carol Locandro at 860-658-2118 for information or with prayer requests.

DEFENDING OUR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY Pope Benedict XVI has declared a Year of Faith from October 11, 2012 to November 24, 2013. It will be a unique time for Catholics to revitalize our faith and enter into a deeper relationship with Jesus. Consider your profound commitment over the past several months to defend our religious freedom, as a stepping stone to pursue this yearlong journey to reaffirm our Catholic faith.

St. Mary’s Ladies Bridge Group is looking for new players for the 2012-2013 season. Meet old friends and make new friends, possibly even win a prize. Contract bridge rules are followed. There are groups forming for both daytime and evening. All levels welcome. For additional information, please call Judy Goff at 860-653-7747.

For the moment, I have chosen the title “For the Sake of the Gospel” for this column. This phrase comes from the Gospel of Mark, where Jesus tells his disciples that “the one who wants to save his life will lose it, whereas the one who loses his life for my sake and for the sake of the gospel will save it” (Mark 8:35). What is interesting about this phrase is the relation Jesus draws between himself and the gospel that he preaches: those who give their life for the sake of gospel are giving their life for the sake of Jesus, and those who give their life for sake of Jesus are giving their life for the sake of the gospel. In other the Jesus and the gospel that he preaches are so closely related that to give your life for one is to give your life for the other. Click the title to read more.