Pastor's Letter

Giving Leads to Receiving

Today, we’ll hear the story of the rich, young man as told in the gospel of Mark.  The young man is committed to doing God’s will in the world.  He follows the commandments, he knows what God asks of him, but Jesus also helps him see what he lacks. 
 
Mark tells us Jesus loved the young man, but that doesn’t mean he stopped short of challenging him, just like the gospel continually challenges us.
 
When Jesus challenges him to give up all that he has to follow him, the young man goes away sad.  He couldn’t do it.  He lacked the freedom to surrender to God’s infinite desire to take care of him.  He held onto things.
 
The young man desired eternal life, but didn’t seem to realize that we don’t take things to Jesus when the time comes, we take ourselves—who we are as people.  We our kindness, compassion, mercy, gratitude, integrity, and how we think about and care for others.  We take ourselves, and hopefully the people we’ve inspired to follow Christ, too.
 
Jesus told the apostles, who did give up everything to follow him, that God won’t overlook it; instead he notices it.  Those who give will receive—both now and in the life to come. It’s one of the universal laws of generosity that never seems to make logical sense, but somehow, in some mysterious way, works.  Givers, who freely give, receive a lot more in return.  With God, what might seem impossible or counterintuitive becomes possible.
 
Our 2020 Vision: It’s Becoming Clearer & Clearer!
We are pleased to announce that, as of this week, we have raised over 75% of our goal: just over $1.8 million!  We are extremely grateful to the hundreds of families who are keeping us focused on the 2020s, so that we are able to keep our buildings safe, functional, and well maintained.  What seemed to be an impossible goal, is becoming possible because the burden isn’t left to one person to hold.  When we do things together for the good of all, good things happen.  Thank you, very sincerely!
 
For those of you who haven’t had an opportunity to complete a pledge, you will have a chance to do so today during Mass.
 
St. Hubert has been a center of Catholic education, faith, hope and charity in the Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg area for almost 60 years.  We have benefited from the sacrifices of the families that helped us build our community and get to where we are.  Now we are in a period of preserving and maintaining what we have for us, and the next generation, who will carry on the work of the gospel.
 
So, thank you for considering making a pledge or a gift, whatever your decision is.  Thank you to those of you, who despite a fixed income and a lot of concern for making ends meet, gave a gift because you wanted to help.  Your kindness and love for the people of St. Hubert and those we help mean everything.  Thank you to those who responded and said you wanted to help, but just can’t right now for a number of reasons.  What’s most important is your presence in our community and your prayer.  We need
to support each other.
 
We put our community into God’s hands and trust in his infinite care.