09/04/2026
“If your brother [or sister] sins against you …” Gospels laid out week after week create very interesting connections. We skip a couple moments in the narrative to wrestle with a “hypothetical” that is not theoretical at all. It is most practical. The same writer who used “Church” (ecclesia, assembly) earlier uses it now again. “If”? Matthew knows better. This is why he adds plan b (take two folks along), plan c (tell the whole Church) and plan d (hmm, start from scratch. Conflict and bruised feelings and egos are part of who we are as flesh and blood. What do we do with conflict. Does it eat us up and result in mutiny or do we learn how to lift and lower sails and learn from our mistakes? What we hold on to is retained and what we let loose is let go. Jesus has hit on the key. Show responsibility, adapt and learn to let go (what’s the old phrase, don’t sweat the small stuff?). this is no longer just at higher levels of leadership like Peter and the apostles. It’s us as the family and domestic church and parish. I read an article about AI and toys which brought this out. Toy is sold now which is both cuddly (like a teddy bear or favorite stuffed animal) and can be programed to “relate to the child.” The problem? AI parrots’ conversation and repeats what we want to hear. Normal conflict and scuffles teach us how to relate to one another. A few tears are not the end of the world. They may be how we learn to live, love and forgive.
Happy Labor Day to one and all. The Church has a rich and profound teaching on labor’s role in stewardship of creation and how society is called to encourage work and protect the dignity of workers.
Disciple Maker Index Survey will wrap this week. Their goal is at least 20% of our 600 or so Mass goers. We are short of that. Though we do now have the QR Code ready and attached to this email. There’s also a link on parish page. Every parishioner is invited to respond. Parishioners may answer in English, Spanish or Vietnamese. Responses are confidential and aggregated solely for data.
Religious Formation starts after Labor Day:
1. Children’s Sacramental Preparation led by Maria Muñoz will meet Sundays between Masses and Wednesdays before Masses. Remember our parish is implementing Bishop David’s pastoral plan for Restored Order, that is young people will prepare for First Communion and Confirmation at the same time—better Confirmation and Communion. It will be a two-year process with family involvement and a connection to parish Masses. This is for young people in elementary and middle school.
2. Youth Sacramental Preparation led by Sergio will be on Thursday evenings. It will also begin the combined Restored Order.
3. Sunday Children’s Liturgy of the Word will be at our Noon Misa en Español led by Maria.
4. OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for adults seeking baptism, confirmation and Communion (or perhaps Confirmation and/or Communion) will have two opportunities:
1. Sunday Mornings between Masses (English) in Church with Fr. Mike, Deacon James and Ken Coughlin
2. Thursday Evenings (Spanish) with Sergio
5. Sunday Breaking Open the Word (English) with Ken Coughlin will meet on announced days one Sunday a month
6. Estudios Biblicos (español) meets Wednesdays after Misa with Diacono Pedro
7. Our Youth Groups have started included Bible Study too with Gigi on Wednesdays starting with Misa at 7pm.
Members of our Parish Finance Council spoke at Sunday Masses this week and Summary Reports were distributed to parishioners. These are available at the parish. Those with additional questions may visit with a member of the Finance Council, Debbi or myself,
The Diocese is sponsoring both a Men’s and a Women’s Conferences on different weekends. Details via Diocesan or Parish Facebook.
Friday Night Lights at home for the BK Comets this week as we host Bishop McGuinness from OKC. Blessings to all our parishioners in fall sports and band.
Parishioner Edmee has reconnected with Key Elementary, and several parishioners are working towards restarting our Tutoring Relationship there. Given current TPS Policies, tutoring will need to be there on campus and not at our location (recall years ago tutoring was here so that students wouldn’t have to cross 51st in the dark). Please call the office to be included as a Tutor.
Resurrection has hosted a baby shower for Madonna House for some 20 years. This year we are focusing on the weekend Sep 12-13.
Pope Leo (continued)
164. In practical terms, in the age of AI and robotics, ensuring that the economy favors human dignity means adopting certain criteria for firm action. First, transparency and accountability: when data and algorithms influence credit distribution, personnel selection or access to services and opportunities, it is necessary that decisions be understandable, contestable and subject to oversight, so that individuals are not reduced to mere profiles. Second, inclusion and access: the benefits of innovation must be paired with investments in skills, infrastructure and essential services to ensure that technology does not widen the gap between those who have and those who have not. Finally, measures to ensure equity: taxation, social protection and industrial policies must correct the imbalances created by the concentration of wealth and power. Indeed, these criteria do not constitute a curb on innovation; instead, they make it civilized and humane
Blessings, one and all.
![“If your brother [or sister] sins against you …” Gospels laid out week after week create very interesting connections. ...](https://img5.prayers1.com/071/199/1514490570711998.jpg)
