Readings: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b; Matthew 22:15-21

Nobody enjoys paying taxes. Despite our displeasure in being forced to do so, we also realize that the monies generated from taxes allows governments to provide essential services for its people. Corruption really gets into our nerves, however. When we witness wrong doing, especially by a public official (malfeasance), overspending, irresponsibility, and dishonesty in governmental spending, the grave injustices make an already unpleasant and arduous task even more difficult. The inappropriate distribution and use of hard-earned monies can leave a person quite angry and disconnected. It’s bad enough the government wants something from me, now God does, too? 

God is not concerned necessarily with our money, although its proper use does factor into our faith life. As the payment of secular taxes speaks of our allegiance to the government, our return to God speaks of our allegiance to God. All of creation, even the entire universe, is 

fashioned in the image and likeness of God. What speaks to God and has meaning and relevance to Him? All of creation and indeed our very selves! God delights in us and when we present ourselves back to Him, He delights even more! As the payment of secular taxes is

designed to secure the equitable distribution of goods and services to all people, so is our return of ourselves to God in gratitude meant to advance God’s kingdom here on earth. When our exclusive and sincere allegiance is given to God, God can use us to set things right

and straight again. The wounds of sin distort our relationship and disorder our world. By giving ourselves and all of creation back to God in gratitude, we acknowledge the proper Creator and Author of life for who He is and devote our labors exclusively to God’s kingdom and the justice, peace, or order God envisions. In giving back to God all that belongs to God, we set the axis of our lives correctly and put our priorities in proper order. All of our relationships, especially with God and all of creation are perceived more clearly as they really are. Using, accumulating, wasting, exploiting, hoarding, and self-preservation are no longer necessary.

Blessings!

I am continuing to say Mass Live via Facebook Live on Saturday evenings at 5:00 pm on the Tri-Parish Catholic Community page.  Please join me if you can.  Here is the link to our Facebook page: Tri-Parish Catholic Community 

https://www.facebook.com/Tri-Parish-Catholic-Community-111569390503132

Preview YouTube video How Should Catholics Respond to the Coronavirus Pandemic? 

Copy and paste the following link into your browser:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTP5P9PtYwA&pp=QADQAwE%3D 

Fr. Mike gives us some advice about how we should respond to the coronavirus pandemic. He begins with the story of the recent pilgrimage he took to Israel am... 

Please keep the following sick, hospitalized & home-bound Tri-Parish members in your prayers.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Al Stier – St. Finbarr Parish  

Erna Tart – St. Ignatius Parish 

Dean Stern – St. Patrick Parish

Cassidy Pravecek – St. Ignatius Parish 

Loretta Ascheman – St. Ignatius Parish  

Sandy Erding Dose – St. Ignatius Parish  

Lois Gehling – St. Finbarr Parish 

Doc Doolittle 

 Isabella Morse – St. Patrick Parish 

Kurt Fuhrmann Jr. - St. Patrick Parish

Janelle Sunnes - St. Patrick Parish

Tanya Warmka  

 Josh Steichen 

Ida Rowe - St. Patrick Parish

Ella Bridge - St. Patrick Parish

Leon Steinkamp - St. Finbarr Parish

Kassidy Kirtz

Anna Christianson – St. Patrick Parish

Arlene Bastian – St. Patrick Parish

Jeanie Landree 

 Jenna Bentzin

Mariah Weiss

Paul Snyder - St. Finbarr Parish

If you would like to add someone to the prayer chain send an email to  triparishsecretary@gmail.com

St. Patrick in LeRoy                   $1,258.00

 St. Ignatius in Spring Valley     $1,038.00

St. Finbarr in Grand Meadow  $1,435.00

                                         St. Finbarr           St. Patrick            St. Ignatius

Goal                                 $8,500.00           $7,150.00             $9,900.00

Total Received YTD      $8,930.00            $7,720.00            $9,839.16 

$  To Meet Goal             $430.00 over      $570.00 over       $60.84

https://catholicfsmn.org/parish-resourceshttps://catholicfsmn.org/parish-resources

In addition to our goal to help keep people safe and healthy during this difficult time, we are also committed to meeting our other financial obligations. Please continue your financial support of your Parish by sending a check to your parish. The tri-parish church addresses can be found on the the right side of this page. Thank you.

Mass Time:  Saturday Evenings @ 5:00 pm

Mass Time:  Sunday Mornings @ 8:30 am

Mass Time:  Sunday Mornings @ 10:30 am

Access our FREE Tri-Parish subscription to quality Catholic movies, MP3s, series, eBooks and more!  FORMED provides amazing content 24/7 for you to grow in your faith.  It’s FREE and EASY to Register!  Go to: www.formed.org click on Register(lower right of page), Enter Parish Access Code: PZGRTC, Enter your email and create a password(you need this to login later). This is an incredible Online gateway, all in one place!

Fr. Marreddy Pothireddy