This Sunday we are continuing the theme of God's call to service, this time in the not always pleasant circumstances. In the Old Testament prophet Jonah, not quite satisfied with the decision of God, goes to preach repentance to the people of the pagan city of Nineveh, which is - strangely enough! - Under the influence of his calling to convert. In Mark’s Gospel we read that Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Word of God. “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel.” As he passed by the Sea of Galilee he called Simon and Andrew and the brothers James and John, sons of Zebedee. This came to be after the imprisonment of John the Baptist, as these men had been disciples of John. Appointment of the apostles from a fishing environment indicates the nature of their ministry for the Lord. Their intended task was to serve by bringing the grace of conversion given by God, not as fishermen of the sea but as “fishers of men.” It is important here to emphasize these men became instruments of God, in the form of consent of the will of God's messengers, and the primary task performance above all the will of God, through which comes to us the grace of repentance as a fruit of the Lord’s sacrificial work. Also significant here is that the call was following by a radical decision: immediately leaving everything and followed Jesus. As you probably know, last year, Pope Benedict XVI announced the celebration of the Holy Year of the Faith, in which, according to a long standing tradition of the Church, we may receive the saving grace of a plenary indulgence for our deceased loved ones by drawing from the cross of Christ. The Holy Year of the Faith will begin on October 11, 2012 and celebrations will continue through the Feast of Christ the King, November 24, 2013. Accordingly, the Holy Sea issued on January 5, 2012, forty specific proposals to celebrate the Holy Year of the Faith. Distinguished in the four planes depending on the scope of the event: 1) Universal Church, 2) Episcopal Conferences, 3) Dioceses and 4) Parishes, Communities, Associations and Movements. A few specific suggestions are given below. Along with the solemn opening celebration for the Holy Year of Faith other events in which the Holy Father will participate in are the Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, WYD 2013, various ecumenical initiatives which are being planned aimed at "the restoration of unity among all Christians". On the level of Episcopal Conferences, attention will be given to the quality of catechesis, and efforts will be made to examine local catechisms and various catechetical supplements in use in the particular Churches…to ensure their complete conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It is also hoped that use will be made of the language of the mass media and art, with television and radio transmissions, films and publications focusing on the faith, its principles and content, as well as on the ecclesial significance of Vatican Council II. At the diocesan level, the Holy Year of the Faith is considered, among other things, as an occasion for renewed creative dialogue between faith and reason in the academic and artistic communities, through symposia, meetings and days of study, especially at Catholic universities, and as a favorable time for penitential celebrations. At the parish level the focus remains on the celebration of the faith in the liturgy, especially in the Eucharist, because in the Eucharist, the mystery of faith and the source of the new evangelization, the faith of the Church is proclaimed, celebrated and strengthened. May God bless you! Fr. Richard