Weekly Message September 22, 2024

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In the Gospel reading we will hear this coming Sunday from Luke 5:1-11, we are reminded of Jesus' call to Peter to “put out into the deep” and trust Him, even after a night of catching no fish. When Peter obeys, they haul in an abundant catch, and Jesus tells him that from now on, he will be a “fisher of men.” This passage is not just a story of faith for Peter but a lesson for our entire church community.

As we reflect on this, it’s important to remember that we, too, are called to go beyond what is familiar and reach out to others. Our historic church has a strong foundation, but just as Peter needed others to help bring in the overflowing catch, we need to work together to expand our community. We are called to share the light of our Orthodox faith, to open our doors wider, and to welcome those who seek a deeper relationship with Christ.

This Sunday’s Gospel encourages us to trust in Christ’s plan for growth, not just in numbers, but in spirit and unity. Let us take this message to heart as we continue to build and grow our parish for the future. Let us cast our nets wider and invite others to experience the beauty of the Orthodox faith with us.