From the Desk of Father David

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

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As we gather this weekend to celebrate the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, I would like to reflect on two beautiful themes from this Sunday's Gospel. At the beginning of the Gospel, Jesus proclaims: "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones." (Mt 11:25)

Interestingly, some Biblical translations use the word "thanks" instead of "praise." Whether praising or thanking the Father, Jesus reminds us that God's truth is revealed not to those who rely solely on their own wisdom or accomplishments, but to those who approach Him with humble and open hearts. It is this childlike trust and humility that allows us to receive God's Word.

As our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary this weekend, we join together in giving thanks to God for the countless blessings and freedoms we enjoy. We are deeply grateful to the generations of men and women whose service and sacrifice have helped shape our country into one of the world's great nations.

At the same time, we recognize that our work is not finished. We continue striving to build a society that truly upholds the dignity of every human person. I want to sincerely thank all who participated in our 250 Hours of Adoration and 250 Works of Mercy initiatives, praying and working for healing, unity, and compassion throughout our nation. May we never tire of promoting life, liberty, justice, and peace for all, while working to eliminate every form of discrimination, including racism, sexism, and ageism.

This week, Bishop Brendan J. Cahill, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Migration, reflected on our Christian responsibility in light of the government's recent decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti and Syria. He stated:

"Revoking the legal status of hundreds of thousands of people residing in our country creates a moral crisis when returning to their country of origin is not a safe or reasonable option. If we are truly to affirm the Godgiven dignity of every human person, we as a nation cannot turn a blind eye to such an injustice and the impossible choices it will create for families and communities."

This decision has deeply affected many members of our Haitian community here at St. Peter the Apostle. I ask you to keep them and their families in your prayers during this difficult time.

The second theme I would like to highlight is Jesus' invitation: "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves." (Mt 11:29)

Jesus invites us not only to follow Him but to become like Him – meek, humble, and compassionate. When we remain humble, our hearts stay open to God's voice. The deadly sin of pride, however, can blind us, convincing us that we already have all the answers. By taking on Christ's yoke, we allow Him to guide our lives, helping us become instruments of His love, mercy, and peace in the world.

In parish news, thank you to everyone who generously supported our Youth Group's Coffee and Donuts fundraiser last weekend. Thanks to your kindness, they raised more than $2,000 to support their upcoming activities.

This weekend, I also encourage you to support our St. John Paul II Young Adult Group. They will be hosting a food sale after most Sunday Masses to help fund their annual retreat in September. Please stop by after Mass and enjoy the wonderful selection of food and beverages they have prepared.

As hurricane season continues, we will host a Hurricane Preparedness Event on Wednesday, July 9th at 10:00am in the Spirit Center. Represenatitives from the Collier County Emergency Management Team will share valuable information on hurricane preparedness, and the first fifty people to register will receive a

complimentary emergency preparedness kit.

Lastly, I ask your continued prayers for Bishop-elect Emilio Biosca Agüero and for our Diocese of Venice. Bishop-elect Biosca Agüero will be ordained and installed as the third Bishop of the Diocese of Venice on July 11th at St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers.

Please know that you are always in my prayers. I ask that you continue to pray for me, our clergy, and our nation. May God bless you with a safe, peaceful, and joyful Independence Day weekend.

In Christ,

Fr. David