“But above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or earth or with any other oath, but let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No,’ that you may not incur condemnation.” – Jas 5:12

Saint James is, perhaps, setting a high standard here, but he’s justified in doing so for two reasons.  The first is that this command is not new.  Jesus also commands that our yes mean yes and no mean no, because anything more is from the evil one (Mt. 5:37).  The other reason is that we can achieve this.  We don’t have to be people that are afraid to take a stand or worried about what others will think.  We can be people that are bold in their proclamation of the truth because of how we are made.  Remember that we were all created in the image and likeness of God.  Our intellect, then, has a natural inclination towards the Truth, and if we seek it, then we can preach it.

What are you preaching this week?  What do your ‘yes’ and ‘no’ mean?

Some news and notes…

PRAYERS:  Your prayers are requested for Avery and Olivia Bishop, who will be baptized tomorrow, and for Lincoln McDade, who will be baptized on Sunday.  And, as it is Memorial Day weekend, please pray also for all those who have died in service of our country.

MEMORIAL DAY:  Speaking of Memorial Day, the parish offices will be closed on Monday.  There will be Mass at 9 AM.

RUMMAGE SALE:  Maybe you’ll be using the long weekend to do some spring cleaning.  Maybe you’ve already done it.  Either way, you probably have some stuff around the house that you know you don’t need or want anymore.  Why not donate it to the Rummage Sale?  The drop-off period continues all next week (starting Tuesday) from 10 AM until 4 PM.  May 30 and 31, drop-off will be open until 9 PM.  The sale itself is June 8 and 9.

APPALACHIA:  Our Appalachia Mission team will be collecting donations in the narthex after all Masses this weekend.  Please be generous.

MARRIAGE PREP:  Engaged and soon-to-be engaged couples, join us for ‘Joy-filled Marriage’, a lively, insightful, and resourceful weekend experience.  For more information, visit www.renewtheido.org

K OF C FLAG COLLECTION & RETIREMENT:  The Knights of Columbus are collecting unserviceable and discarded flags between May 26^th  through the July 8^th Look for an appropriately marked (red, white, & blue) Drop Box (for Flags only) in the Narthex.  Please dispose of your flagstaff or pole separately.

SAVE THE DATE:  On June 23, Seminarian Ming will be ordained a deacon at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland.  The parish will be arranging for a bus, so that we can all be part of the celebration.  More details to follow.

THANK YOU:  As you’ll read in the bulletin this week, Diane Rudolph, our director of music ministry, has decided to retire.  Diane submitted her request prior to Thanksgiving, and has very generously stayed on until now.  A search committee has been formed and has interviewed several candidates, but we haven’t found the right fit yet.  I will keep you posted as the search progresses.  In the meantime, please be sure to thank Diane for everything she’s done to build up the music program at Saint Richard, and wish her well as she begins her very well-deserved retirement.

And I think that’s all.  Enjoy the holiday weekend, be safe, and know that you are loved.  See you at Mass!

Peace,

Fr. Mike