We joyfully celebrate Catechetical Sunday this weekend. We recognize and honor our teachers for the good work that they do. I came across a few wise quotes that stress the importance of their vocation and the impact that they can have on others.

Patrice Tuohy, (who is the cofounder of TrueQuest Communications and the publisher of PREPARE THE WORD) recently shared a story of how people can be spiritually and emotionally paralyzed when they are unwilling to forgive. My hunch is that we all have already experienced similar stressful situations.

In the gospel that we hear at Mass this Sunday, Jesus is brutally honest with his disciples. He tells them the truth about where things are headed if they continue to follow him. He explains how he will suffer death, be buried, and then rise again on the third day.

It is great to have our parish choir back from their summer break. It is always a joy to join our voices with theirs as we offer our praise and worship to our loving God. Music is such an important part of our Sunday worship. Often the quality of music that is provided at Mass will determine if people will come back again next Sunday.

I graduated from Quigley North High School Seminary a long time ago, way back in 1976. The seminary that was at the corner of Rush and Chestnut is long gone. The historic gothic building was converted into the Pastoral Center for the Archdiocese of Chicago. It now serves as the central offices for many of the departments and ministries for our local church.