“I give you a new commandment: Love one another… This is how all will know that you are my disciples” (John 13:34-35).
Our Gospel reading emphasizes Jesus’ command to love one another. Like the early church in the Acts of the Apostles, we are invited to support each other as a community of faith. Paul and Barnabas encouraged the believers to remain true to the faith despite hardships and difficulties. St. John in Revelation assures us that: “God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them as their God” (Rev. 21:3). May we by our love for one another experience the closeness of God and His presence in our lives.
A special welcome to Sister Scovia Apiyo, of the Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu-LSMIG. As they share with us their missionary activities, may we support them financially to enable them witness to the love of Jesus Christ to the poor and most vulnerable members of the society, like the little refugee girls who have suffered sexual violence, which has left them pregnant, and have become child-mothers at age 13-15. Our generous financial support through the Mission Appeals will help the mission of the Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu in Uganda to break the cycle of child-motherhood in the refugee camps that they serve.
A second collection at all the weekend Masses will be for the above Mission Appeal. Checks should be made payable to the Parish: St. Thomas More/St. Mary’s with “Mission Appeals” or “LSMIG” in the memo. Thank you for your diverse support in the church’s mission and God bless everyone —Fr. Bosomafi