Clergy Corner 

I always marvel at the little moments in our lives that teach important lessons. I also am amazed at the intricacies of God’s creation and especially about the wonders of nature.

When these two things overlap it's even more amazing to me. So where is this leading? To a story of course! 

Recently my wife, Sharon, and I returned from a vacation to the Sierra Mountains. While visiting Yosemite National Park we signed up for an early morning “birding” hike to discover the various birds that inhabit Yosemite. We saw a variety of different types of Wood Peckers, Gross Beaks, Steller’s Jays, Yellow Rumped warblers (that’s really their name), and about 40 other species of birds including Ravens, lots of Ravens.

We learned that Ravens are more than just intelligent, they are downright devious. Park conservationists have watched Ravens drop acorns into the middle of the road ways in the park. Why would they do this one might ask?  Well, obviously to have the acorns run over by the local traffic in order to break the acorns open to get to the meat of the nut…right?  Nope!

That’s no it at all. Did I mention that the Ravens were devious? They drop the acorns into the roadway in order to bait the local squirrel population to run into traffic to retrieve said nutty morsels. The squirrels then get hit by the cars and the Ravens feast on the squirrels. The squirrels don’t even realize that they are being played for fools, they just know they like acorns.

So here is what my lesson in the character of Ravens reminded me of. The devil is not just a nuisance, he is smart and devious. He baits us with pleasant look temptations and then waits for us to risk our morality by focusing on the pleasure that the temptations promise us, without realizing the danger that awaits us. 

In our brokenness we often fail to see the danger that our sin holds in store for us. 

Simply put. The devil is smarter than we give him credit for, and all he really wants to is feed on our errors. We need to remember when he baits us through temptation, that we need to be smarter than a squirrel. 

Dcn. Al

Upcoming Ultreyas

Local

July Ultreya at St. Mary's (527 W. Jackson, Bloomington) @6:30 PM, family mass and potluck to follow

Diocesan

October 28th at Holy Trinity Church,  time TBD

Coordinators Needed

We have an urgent need for a Cursillista, Cursillo couple or reunion group to help in the following roles. This is a wonderful way to do Palanca for the Cursillo community!

HOTEL COORDINATOR - The HOTEL COORDINATOR works with the Facilities Committee Chairpersons (Angie & Rich Thomas) in the days preceding each Cursillo weekend, to ensure hotel keys have been picked up for distribution on Thursday night, hotel rooms are prepared for the Team and Candidates, snacks are purchased and Hospitality volunteers for each evening are in place.  Any questions and feedback about each weekend would be discussed with the Facilities Committee Chairpersons.  Please contact Angie & Rich Thomas at raarthomas@hotmail.com for more information.

CONFERENCE ROOM COORDINATOR - The CONFERENCE ROOM COORDINATOR works with the Facilities Committee Chairpersons (Angie & Rich Thomas). This role includes purchasing supplies for use in the Conference Room during each weekend, setting up the Conference Room on Thursday evening, cleaning up the room each evening after Team and Candidates have left the Parish Center, and cleaning up on Sunday after the Team and Candidates have left the Parish Center for the last time. Any questions and feedback about each weekend would be discussed with the Facilities Committee Chairpersons.  Please contact Angie & Rich Thomas at raarthomas@hotmail.com for more information.

Help Needed in the Parish Center During Our Next Cursillo Weekend

Many hands make light work… and that definitely applies during a Cursillo weekend.  Please consider signing-up to help manage the Parish Center during the upcoming weekend for Cursillo #1215.  We need help with cleaning, arranging the conference room, and much more.  Details about these opportunities are in the sign-up section in the Cursillistas tab on our website. 

 Women's Cursillo #1215

June 8 - 11, 2023

Holy Trinity Parish Center, 711 N Main Street, Bloomington, IL 61701

Friday

8:40 AM  IDEAL -------------------------------Marilee Bracero (Bernardo)

10:00 AM  SANCTIFYING GRACE ------------ Fr Greg Nelson

1:00 PM Lunch

2:00 PM  LAYMAN IN THE CHURCH ---------- Anne Colloton (Ed)

3:20 PM  ACTUAL GRACE ---------------------Dcn Al Lundy (Sharon)

5:10 PM Dinner

6:45 PM  PIETY ---------------------------------Teresa Morris (Troy)

Saturday

8:20 AM  STUDY -------------------------------Judy Nunnery (Gary)

9:55 AM  SACRAMENTAL GRACE -------------Dcn Gary Koerner (Connie)

12:30 PM Lunch

2:30 PM  ACTION -------------------------------Karrie Ingalsbe (Steve)

4:00 PM  OBSTACLES TO GRACE --------------Rev. Jack Moody

5:20 PM Dinner

6:10 PM  LEADERS -----------------------------Diana Ropp

7:30 – 9:00 PM Apostolic Hour - Holy Trinity Church

Sunday

8:10 AM  ENVIRONMENT -----------------------Leila Bussan (Matt)

8:55 AM  LIFE IN GRACE ----------------------Deacon Dan Froelich (Deb)

9:40 AM  CCIA -----------------------------------Anna McKinzie (Kirk)

10:35 PM  TOTAL SECURITY --------------------Lisa Finch (Tom)

11:55 PM  FOURTH DAY ------------------------Traci Freitag (Bob)

12:40 PM Agape Meal

3:00 PM Clausura - Holy Trinity Church

4:30 PM - Dismissal (No Social)

Auxiliaries

Judy Busch (Peter)

Jennifer Carter (Steve)

Jennifer Coppersmith (Kevin)

Teresa Dubravec (Paul)

Marta Mason

Rebecca Scott (Bobby)

Rector ---------------------Lisa Finch (Tom)

Assistant ----------------- Antonia (AJ) Abrahamsen (Christian)

Assistant ----------------- Mary Wilkey (Trent)

Technical Asst. ----------- Crystal Beemsterboer (John)

Board Advisor ------------ Gretchen Furler (Jeff)

Lay Coordinator ---------- Larry Mester (Mary)