Pope Francis often teaches us, like Jesus did, with his actions as much as his words. Jesus demonstrates to all Christians, with the humble act of washing the feet of the disciples, that he wants everyone to serve others with love, said Pope Francis. "This is the legacy that Jesus left us," and wants us to pass this legacy on to all who come after us by a loving service to others, he said. Pope Francis washed the feet of four women and eight men with physical limitations, during the evening Mass held at a rehabilitation center on the outskirts of Rome. Nine patients were Italian, one was a Muslim from Libya, one was a woman from Ethiopia, and a young man from Cape Verde (an island off the western coast of Africa).  Service to others can take many forms - cooking, cleaning, teaching, listening, praying. "Lord, help us to follow your example in serving our brothers and sisters." - - - Fr. Jim

Sometimes the best thing a pastor can do is plant a few seeds and see which ones take root and grow. This past week as I was preparing the financial summary for Our Lady of Victory I saw that, even though more people are coming to Mass, we still barely have enough monthly income to meet our regular expenses – payroll, utilities, building maintenance, taxes, RE supplies, etc. It was very depressing, and I almost started crying in my iced tea! [Note: many people give generously outside of the Sunday collection.] And then, as I was praying about it, a thought struck me. Perhaps we are not giving enough as a Church? Pope Francis is giving us a vision of a Church “that is poor and for the poor” and ministers to the most marginal of society. Perhaps we as a parish should tithe by giving 10% of our income each month to a worthy organization that is serving the poor locally – e.g., the Ministerial Alliance, a food bank, a shelter for homeless, Habitat for Humanity. What a witness it could be if OLV could lead all the other churches in generosity! But more importantly, we would be living our true vocation as Church and setting an example to each of our households to tithe as well. Just another crazy idea from Fr. Jim? Perhaps. Send me your thoughts and ideas via phone or email. Let’s see if this seed is meant to take root and grow. - - - Fr. Jim

Even as an observer, most of us have felt the exhilaration of a sharp header goal or a last-second jump shot that won the game. Sports are organized play. They are an integral part of modern life, but they have been a part of Catholic life since the Middle Ages. Catholic colleges have long promoted the concept that sports are necessary for fostering community building, an active lifestyle, and the spiritual life. The Immaculate College “Mighty Macs” (Pennsylvania) won the first women’s national basketball championship in 1972, and the next two years as well! In our parishes today, we have young people playing softball for Purcell High School and football for Wayne, and old guys riding long bike rides and running marathons! Sports provide an excellent combination of personal discipline and play, and play is a forerunner of contemplation, lifting us out of ourselves into a world of transcendence. Indeed, St. Thomas Aquinas felt that “it was possible to sin by having too little play in one’s life”.  It is only when sports becomes a job or a business, or becomes out of balance with the rest of one’s life, that it is no longer a virtue. Anything that leads us to wholeness also leads us to holiness. Play in joy; pray in joy! - - - Fr. Jim