The Rev. Bill Promesso of Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Lake Orion reflected on a reading from Romans 8 in the Aug. 2 church bulletin from the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time. 

The reading is about the teachings of Paul and delivers the message that nothing can separate Christ’s followers from His love. While some may try to ingratiate themselves through certain actions, that is not how Christ loves, the pastor wrote. 

“But the love of God through Jesus Christ is not something for which we must be worthy,” Promesso said in his Random Thoughts column. “We even declare before joining in holy communion, ‘Lord I am not worthy to receive you.’”

The Rev. Bill Promesso | http://www.ctredeemer.org/

While the COVID-19 pandemic may have distanced us socially from one another, it is vital to remember that we are unable to escape God’s love. 

“Most of us don’t need to be reminded of God’s love, but some do because we have not always reached out in love to build bridges instead of constructing barriers,” Promesso wrote. 

Promesso also shared some parish news in his column, explaining that a new Families of Parishes (FoP) plan is being launched to fill the void created by a shortage of priests, people and resources due to the coronavirus. 

“I’ve been involved in three meetings this week regarding the plan of the archbishop to gather every three to six parishes together throughout the archdiocese into groups called Families of Parishes,” Promesso wrote. “The FoP plan will significantly change how the whole archdiocese is organized. It will also deeply affect how our parish functions within the larger family. I encourage you to check out FamiliesOfParishes.org to be informed and grow in understanding. You’ll be hearing much more about this as we enter the autumn months.”

Finally, the Name of the Weekend Bulletin contest has attracted 37 names, from which the final winner will be chosen. The winner will be announced following Labor Day. 

“The winner will receive a special-order CTR logo-wear item,” Promesso wrote.