As we approach the 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time, the Gospel and the first reading present a powerful and timely message for our personal reflection. Both passages emphasize the significance of seeking true wisdom from God and living our lives in accordance with His divine guidance. The Gospel passage encourages us to recognize the incomparable value of God's kingdom and be willing to prioritize it above all else. Meanwhile, the first reading highlights the importance of humbly seeking wisdom from God to make righteous decisions. In reflecting on the scripture passages of Matthew 13:44-46 and 1st Kings 3:5, 7-12, I am struck by the profound message of prioritizing and seeking true wisdom and the kingdom of God. In Matthew, the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value emphasize the incomparable worth of God's kingdom. Just like the merchants who joyfully sold everything they had to possess these treasures, we are reminded to wholeheartedly pursue and invest in our relationship with God, putting Him above all else. Meanwhile, in the 1st Kings, Solomon's humble request for wisdom over personal gain demonstrates the right attitude towards leadership and decision-making. It teaches us that God honors those who seek His guidance sincerely, seeking wisdom to discern between right and wrong.

With the upcoming raffle just around the corner, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Jack O'Melia and the entire team for their tireless efforts in organizing and promoting this event. I was particularly impressed by Jack's captivating presentation during last week's masses, which emphasized the significance of the raffle for our church community. This year, we have an exciting plan in store as the raffle will coincide with the parish festival, promising to be a joyous occasion on October 8th. One of the festival's highlights will be the diverse and scrumptious food from various cultures, following the theme of "We Are the World."

It's crucial to remember that the proceeds from the raffle hold great significance for our parish. This year's funds will be dedicated to replacing the roof of our rectory. While we were asked to consider replacing it five years ago, diligent maintenance allowed us to prolong its life. Now, with the proceeds from this year's raffle, we can finally undertake this much-needed project, ensuring the rectory's durability for another 25 years.

I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to actively participate in various ways to ensure the resounding success of this year's raffle. Whether it's joining teams to sell tickets, purchasing tickets yourselves, or contributing in any other creative manner, your involvement is vital in making this event truly exceptional. Together, let us unite our efforts and enthusiasm to support our church community, knowing that every contribution, big or small, plays a significant role in achieving our goals. Let's come together as one, embracing the spirit of giving, and make this raffle an unforgettable triumph for our parish. You can buy raffle tickets from our newly launched website, through the mail, and after weekend masses.

We are seeking assistance with stuffing envelopes for sending out our raffle mailing to all our parishioners of St. Jerome. If any of you can spare some time after daily Mass on Monday (9:30 AM), please come to the office and lend a hand. Your help in this task will be greatly appreciated as it will enable us to send out the envelopes promptly to all the recipients. Together, let's ensure a smooth distribution process and make this raffle a wonderful event for our community.

Once again thank you for your continued support and dedication to our parish. Yours lovingly ~ Fr. Rojin