Newsletter July 13, 2020

DISCERNERS LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST

Before electronic calendars on cell phones there were palm pilots and before palm pilots there

were bulky planners that people bought from office supply stores. I still buy pocket-sized

calendars requiring a pen or pencil to record details. But the

root of them all is discernment, a process at least as old as

the Church itself. Whereas calendars and planners help us

navigate the details of life, discernment helps us with the

bigger decisions which will shape the details of life. To

handle this bigger task, discernment is more than asking

God a few specific questions in prayer. Discernment

involves a bigger sense of what brings us toward God and

what gets in the way of the Gospel in our lives. Discernment

is an ongoing process intertwined with an active and ongoing prayer life. So there is a kind of

detachment that goes on in discernment. There is detachment from only the present seeking to

map out the future. The past is included as well. There is detachment from the need, sometimes

the panic, to make a decision right now. There is detachment from just my thoughts and my

feelings and instead an invitation to place them in a larger context, a God-centered context.

Once detached and living in the context of God, community, and me, we are better able to

accurately assess our thoughts and feelings. We see understand more through the eyes of God and

the Scriptures. In this state we are better able to ponder the questions that can overwhelm us when

we attempt to make a decision of greater importance: what impact will the present decision have

on family and friends? Am I good at assessing impacts on my family and friends? What talents

do I honestly have? When am I more likely to exaggerate good or bad in my life? Do I like making

decisions on this level? Will I have to do more of something in which I am talented or will I have

to stretch to develop other talents?

It is easy to rationalize these types

of questions. So it becomes more

important to take time with them. John

Cassian (360-435) also recommends that

we bring these questions, as well as

questions regarding our spiritual state, to

someone we trust. To be effective, it is

important to bring up embarrassing aspects

of these questions or those elements we

find negative and even shameful. Anyone

who has celebrated a good Confession

knows that once these harder parts of

honest questions have been revealed, the negativity or difficulty loses some of its impact and

sometimes a great deal of its impact. At the end of it all we have a better sense of our own

limitations and are more tuned into the fact that God really is in charge.

This kind of detachment is the first “D” of discernment. It usually also takes the most time

when discerning. The other two “Ds” of discernment are decision and doing.

Decision grows out of detachment. We are ready to make a decision when we truly realize

that there is often no one decision that is beyond a doubt the absolutely best decision; when the

sign we were looking for from God is understood as the fruit of being detached; and when one

possibility out of many is more promising than the others. Even at this stage there may be things

holding us back from making a final decision. One is a fear of

being wrong. To combat this it is worthwhile recalling that even

if we do make a bad decision God will still be with us and God

can and frequently does bring good out of bad. Fear of being

wrong is worse than actually being wrong in many cases.

Another barrier to decision making is second-guessing

ourselves. This can be paralyzing, frustrating, and

energy-depleting. It is important to remember that the best-

looking decision, not the perfect one, is the goal. A third barrier

to making a decision is trouble letting go of options. It is

common for us to want to have a fallback position in case our

decision goes awry. This can easily mean we look for a decision that keeps all our options open.

Yet a decision by its very nature does away with some options, even some attractive ones.

Searching for a decision which somehow, someway keeps all the options open is a vain search.

The last “D” of discernment is doing or following through with the decision. It is important

that initial setbacks don’t derail the decision. A larger goal of ongoing discernment is to gather

enough experience so that we can intelligently adjust decisions when the need arises. Setbacks are

part of the process.

Discernment is a lot of work but it illuminates the present and builds the future.

GRATITUDE AND THANKS

Last Saturday it was about 108º during drive-through confessions. One of the neighbors came

over with three cold Coke cans, one for Shelly Reynolds who was in charge of traffic flow and the

other two for the two priests. It was a nice gesture and it helped cut the heat. This kindness came

from the folks on the southeast corner of 200 West and 200 North (182 North 200 West).

Thanks also for all who continue to participate in drive-through confessions. It is important

to maintain the regular practice of the Sacrament. Even so, drive-through confessions aren’t for

everyone. We offer confessions by appointment in the office. Just give the office a call.

GIVING AND SUSTAINING

In the days before Covid-19, we could have up to 3,000 people a weekend at Mass. Because these

people were generous, our parish was able to pay its way. In these days of Covid-19 we have up

to 450 people at weekend Masses. Needless to say our collections are down. But we are able to

make things work because of spending reductions, these same collections, parishioners who send

their donations to the office and those who participate in on-line giving. These last two groups are

proof that absence does not always make the heart wander. Absence can make the heart grow

fonder. Those who can continue to come to Mass are proof that we can survive and even thrive.

We all are in their debt.

EVENTS FOR FATHER SASA’S FAREWELL

Despite problems with social distancing, several opportunities exist for bidding farewell to Fr.

Sebastian:

 A book containing over 200 notes and photos to Father is now being assembled.

 Izabel Miquel is accepting video clips from well-wishers that will be gathered together and edited. Try to get these

videos in by July 18.

 During Monday, July 20, representatives of parish groups will have lunch with Fr. Sebastian.

 On Friday, July 24 at the 6:00 p.m. Spanish Mass some of the children of the parish will sing, read the readings, and

present tributes to Fr. Sasa.

 In San Pablo (Byrl Junction) on July 25 children will receive their First Communion and this will be combined

with a small reception for Fr. Sebastian.

 On Sunday, July 26, Fr. Sasa is scheduled to celebrate the 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Masses. These will be the last weekend Masses Fr. Sebastian will celebrate with us. After these

two Masses gifts will be offered to Fr. Sasa as well as some farewell songs.

 Fr. Sebastian’s last Mass in San Pablo (Byrl Junction) will be July 25 and his last Mass in St. Paul (Hurricane) will be July 19.

Those with questions should call Fr. Dave at the office. Please keep Fr. Sasa in your prayers and

please keep us all in your prayers.

A BRIEF NOTE CONCERNING CONFIRMATION

The current plan is to schedule four Confirmation Masses so that parents, those to be confirmed,

and the sponsors of the confirmed can all be at the same Mass. We are considering July 31 and

August 1 as the dates of these four Masses, two Masses per day. This is possible because First

Communions which had been set for August 1 were cancelled. More information on specific times

of Confirmation Masses and rehearsals will follow.

MASKS FOR ALL

Diocesan policy has changed a bit. It’s moved the use of masks during Mass from “highly

recommended” to required. The Bishop’s works are: “In accord with current public health

recommendations, the people (except liturgical ministers in the sanctuary) must wear cloth face

coverings (masks) upon entering the church until they depart. Masks will remain on their face

throughout the whole Mass except for when receiving communion.” Thanks to those who honor

the Bishop’s words.

A MESSAGE OF UNITY FROM THE DDD (DIOCESAN DEVELOPMENT DRIVE)

“Unprecedented times lead to unprecedented need, which leads to unprecedented Love, Unity, and

Generosity. Now more than ever our Church needs your support. Join the Mission of Christ in

Utah, and help us reach our goal of $100,000 by August 30th. Together we’ll preserve and grow

our faith.” We are the Body of Christ. When one hurts, we all hurt. When one rejoices, we all

rejoice. See the video at https://youtu.be/B