On July 20 I’m going to Ireland and Italy for 4 weeks. I’m attending a meeting in each country and taking some vacation time in between. I will still be here next weekend, but the weekend after that I’ll be at the other St. Munchin Church in Limerick, Ireland. While I’m away Father Aloysius Kasoma will be staying here, and he’ll do anything he can to help you out.

I’ve hired Dennis Altschul to help us with music and liturgy. Dennis directs the music at St. Ann’s Parish in Plattsburg, where he lives with his family. He will schedule and rehearse our musicians. We won’t see much of Dennis during the weekend masses because of his responsibilities at St. Ann’s, but he is anxious to help out, and I think he’ll be great. Dennis will do some of the work Pat Maier and Maureen Foster have done. Pat will continue to sing for us on Sunday mornings, and Maureen will continue to offer pastoral care for those in nursing homes and hospitals. But Dennis will be the paid staff member responsible for music.

Next week I’ll give you a fuller update on the building project. The low bid is high, so we’re meeting this week to determine what to do. I’ve seen some figures and some potential adjustments to our plan, but I need the advice of our building committee before we go on. I’m still optimistic that we’re going to have a much improved church thanks to your generosity, and that groundbreaking is imminent. Keep your shovels ready.

The work of a parish continues the work of Jesus and his disciples. In last week’s gospel we heard about Jesus setting his face toward Jerusalem and beginning the slow march there. He called a few disciples, but it quickly became apparent that following Jesus would be no picnic.

In today’s gospel he sends out 72 disciples to work miracles and announce the kingdom of God. Jesus knows his cross is near, and he needs to train his disciples so they can carry on without him. He sends them out with practical advice: Travel light, and don’t greet anyone along the way. At first this sounds unrealistic. I can’t drive from Cameron to Maysville without greeting other drivers all along the road. But last week’s gospel indicated Jesus was on his way to Samaria, an area that was hostile to him. The people the disciples would meet on the road would not be friendly. Jesus said don’t even greet them.

Some people would welcome the gospel; others would not. Jesus says just preach the message. Wish them peace. If they refuse peace, it will disturb them; don’t let it disturb you. Don’t get excited about your success either, he says. Rejoice instead that your names are written in heaven. Don’t let praise or criticism affect you. Those things happen on the outside. Inside, have the right spirit; inside rejoice that God loves you.

Sometimes you mean well, but people take it the wrong way; they criticize you unfairly, they call you names, or hurt your image. Jesus says let it go. The kingdom of God is at hand. It is within you and around you. Whether things go right or wrong, rejoice in this: Jesus is here, the kingdom is at hand.