Fishers of What?

Once or twice a year, my grandparents would charter a deep-sea fishing boat for our family. We would climb aboard the Sea Jay the night before and fall asleep in our bunks. The captain would depart around 3 a.m., and we would awake to the sunrise with bagels and cream cheese. We cast our rods (not nets) just off the Channel Islands' coast for the next six hours. If one of us got a big one on—everyone would reel in to watch and share in the excitement.

When Jesus invited the disciples to follow him, it wasn't a competition—he wasn't casting some biblical episode of Survivor. I'm sure they had their good days and their bad. And I'm sure that Jesus cheered them on in success and consoled them when they didn't have any bites.

So too, at St. Monica—whether celebrating a wedding or a baptism, consoling a bereaving family, or facing the spiritual and financial challenges of the pandemic—we strive to serve, support, and sustain everyone. We are cheering you on! It isn't a competition, and no one gets kicked off this island. Your presence, your outreach, and your generosity make that possible. As we finish this first month of 2021—I hope everything we do expresses our profound gratitude. Thank you! #StillStMonica