St. Hilary Dinner Auction is coming! 

Reserve the date, February 17, at Monastero’s Restaurant. 

The auction items will amaze you! 

    With the anxieties of our age, it is easy to relate to Job.  He was under a lot of pressure.  His song in today's reading is the lament of a person without a center, someone who has completely lost his focus.
    In today's gospel we hear the story of Jesus at one of those significant moments in his life.  He had spent the night healing and teaching at the home of Peter.  People came from all around.  It was a great beginning for his ministry.  Early in the morning Jesus went off alone to pray.  Part of him may have wanted to stay and enjoy the success.  In his conversation with the Father it became clear that he must move on -- for that was what he was all about! 
    All of us need a center in our lives.  At our center we can be real.  We can look at ourselves honestly and examine our options.  Some people do not discover the importance of their center until a crisis drives them to seek help.  For many, the twelve-step programs provide the first mention of the search for a center.  Anyone who has struggled to re-locate their center knows that it is a difficult task.  It is even harder to stay in touch with your center.  Our Catholic tradition calls us back to be centered in God.  It takes prayer.  It takes time.  It takes an effort.  But only in God do we discover who we truly are and what we are truly about.

    Next week our Archbishop Francis Cardinal George will address us on behalf of the Annual Catholic Appeal.  In his message the Cardinal will remind us that we should turn to Jesus for healing and forgiveness, especially in times of trouble.  Often we may find the Lord’s powerful presence in the Church.  Through the Word of God, the sacraments, and the other ministries of the Church, Christ touches all of us, the people he loves.
    The Annual Appeal provides monetary support for important ministries of the archdiocese throughout the counties of Cook and Lake.  The archdiocese covers parishes in debt and helps them recover.  It maintains the Office of Catholic Schools and Office of Catechesis and Youth that support parish schools, CCD, and youth programs. It maintains marriage preparation and support programs through the Office of Family Ministries.  The Marriage Tribunal examines broken marriages.  The list goes on because the Annual Appeal supports so many other important offices that in turn support the parishes.  
    God has been very good to us.  Next week please join the Cardinal and me in making a significant pledge to support the local Church that makes Christ present in our metropolitan area.