April 27, 2025
Peace Be With You!
Dear Friends in the Risen Lord,
On the Second Sunday of Easter, the Church contemplates the merciful heart of the Risen Christ. The Gospel draws us into that powerful evening encounter between Jesus and His disciples. It is the first day of the week. Though the doors were locked in fear, Jesus comes in peace. He shows them His wounds – not as a reminder of shame, but as signs of victory, love, and healing.
One disciple was missing: Thomas. When told of the Lord’s appearance, he declared, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in His hands and put my finger into the nail marks and my hand into His side, I will not believe.” A week later, Jesus appears again and speaks directly to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see My hands…. do not be unbelieving, but believe.”
Did Thomas touch Jesus?
“No” is the answer. Instead, Thomas cries out in faith, “My Lord and my God!” It was not the touch, but the encounter with Christ’s mercy that moved his heart. Jesus, far from rejecting his doubt, invites him into deeper faith. Then He blesses all who would come after, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
Divine Mercy Sunday reminds us that God meets us where we are - in fear, doubt, or sin - and offers peace. His mercy is not earned, but given freely. His wounds remain visible, not to condemn us, but to assure us: we are loved, we are forgiven, we are sent.
“Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them…” With these words, Jesus entrusted His mercy to the Church. In every confession, in every Eucharist, the Risen Lord breathes new life into us.
Let us echo Thomas’ humble and bold prayer, “My Lord and my God!”
Thank you,
Father Josuva
April 20, 2025
Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
Dear Friends in Christ,
Easter is here – and with it, the glorious news that Jesus Christ has conquered sin and death. Alleluia! This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!
The spiritual journey continues. We never stop our journey in discovering Jesus and the mercy of God. The Lent and the Holy Week have helped us to have a wonderful spiritual journey for our personal renewal and transformation. Thank God!
Holy Thursday reminds us of the institution of the Priesthood – and the priesthood of all the baptized to serve the people of the world (Jesus’ washing the feet of the disciples).
On Good Friday, the world saw a Savior crucified. But on Easter Sunday, the Church rejoices in the Savior glorified. The tomb is empty. Death has been defeated. Hope is alive.
This is not just a historical event – it’s a living reality. The resurrection of Jesus reminds us that no matter how dark the night, God always brings a new dawn. Whatever tombs we may feel trapped in – grief, fear, failure, doubt – the Risen Lord walks into them with His light and life. He is the Resurrection and the Life, and He offers that new life to each of us today.
Easter is the heart of our faith. Without the resurrection, there is no Gospel, no Church, and no hope. But with it, everything changes. This is why we sing “Alleluia!” not just today but throughout the season. The joy of Easter is too big for one day- it spills into fifty!
Let this be a season of renewal
for you and your family.
Come back to the sacraments
with hearts full of joy!
Let God’s mercy heal your wounds!
Let His love fill your homes!
And let the Risen Christ give you strength
to live as Easter people –
people of light, forgiveness, and mission!
May the Risen Lord bless you abundantly and fill your hearts with peace. Happy and Blessed Easter!
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen indeed!
Alleluia!
Father Josuva
April 13, 2025
Palm Sunday: From the Crowd to the Cross – A Journey Toward Eucharistic Glory
Invitation to Begin a Spiritual Pilgrimage
Dear Friends in Christ,
This Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most sacred time in our Church’s calendar. We begin with joyful shouts of “Hosanna!” as Jesus enters Jerusalem - but soon we walk with Him through His Passion and death. The Gospel leads us from glory to suffering, from the cheering crowd to the silence of the Cross. This week, the inner silence is very important to walk with Jesus. We are invited to maintain silence externally as well as internally.
Palm Sunday invites us to journey with Christ - not just to remember His suffering, but to allow it to transform us. As we enter this holiest of weeks, I invite you not only to walk with Jesus to Calvary, but also to begin a new journey of love, renewal, and commitment - a spiritual pilgrimage to the heart of the Eucharist.
As part of our parish’s preparation for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi (June 15, 2025), I invite you to join us in reading the Book - 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory. This inspiring book will guide us over 33 days through daily reflections, stories of Eucharistic saints, and short prayers that lead us closer to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
This pilgrimage is a powerful way to renew our faith in the Real Presence of Jesus - Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity - in the Eucharist. As the Church invites us into a time of Eucharistic Renewal, this book will help each of us rediscover the beauty, mystery, and life-changing power of the Mass.
We will begin the 33-day journey on Wednesday, May 14, so that we may all have our consecration together at Mass on Corpus Christi Sunday, June 15.
This book is an Easter Gift from our Bishop David L. Ricken. Our Bishop invites each one of us to read and have a spiritual pilgrimage with Jesus. The books will be at the back of the Church beginning Easter Vigil night. You are invited to take and participate in the journey with Jesus.
This is a personal journey, but it is also a community experience. We encourage families to read together, parish groups to discuss together, and individuals to share insights and graces received. As one Body in Christ, let us walk together toward a deeper appreciation of the Eucharist, the source and summit of our Christian life.
Consecration on Corpus Christi
At the end of the 33-day journey, we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ - Corpus Christi. On that day, we will have a special time of consecration during Mass.
This consecration is not just a moment - it’s a milestone. It is the fruit of your journey, a renewal of your baptismal promises, and a public witness to the world that you belong to Christ, and you believe in His Real Presence.
Take the book and start reading on May 14: Just 5-10 minutes a day of prayerful reading.
Make the journey your own: Reflect alone, with your family, or in a parish group.
Join the Consecration on Corpus Christi: A special moment to renew your love for Jesus in the Eucharist.
As we hold palms in our hands this Sunday, may we also hold a renewed desire in our hearts – to follow Christ more closely, to know worthily in the Eucharist. Let us take this step together, as one parish family, toward Eucharistic glory.
Wishing you a grace-filled Holy Week,
Father Josuva
April 6, 2025
Dear Friends in Christ,
In the Gospel passage John 8:1-11, we witness a profound narrative that encapsulates Jesus’ boundless mercy and his call for personal transformation. The scene unfolds with a woman caught in sin, brought before Jesus by the Scribes and the Pharisees. After her accusers, convicted by their own consciences, depart, Jesus addresses the woman directly, “Neither do I condemn you; Go, and from now on sin no more.”
This account serves as a compelling lesson on the importance of compassion and introspection in our daily interactions. The accusers were eager to enforce the law, highlighting the woman’s sin while overlooking their own. Jesus’ response redirects this judgmental fervor back onto the accusers, prompting them to recognize their own imperfections.
This teaches us that before we pass judgment on others, we must first examine our own lives and acknowledge our shortcomings. By fostering self-awareness, we can approach others with empathy and understanding, creating a more supportive and forgiving community. This approach aligns with the teachings of Christ and healthier relationships.
Spiritually, this passage reveals the depth and the transformative potential of divine mercy. Despite the woman’s undeniable guilt, Jesus chooses not to condemn her. Instead, he offers her an opportunity for renewal, instructing her to “Go, and from now on sin no more.” He offers a new path forward, free from sin.
This act underscores the principle that God’s grace is available to all, regardless of past transgressions. It invites us to accept this mercy whole-heartedly, to turn away from sinful behaviors, and to embark on a path of spiritual growth and holiness. This narrative reassures us that no matter our past, we are not beyond the reach of God’s forgiveness and the possibility of a new beginning.
In embracing both the practical lesson of compassionate self-reflection and the spiritual understanding of transformative mercy, we align ourselves more closely with the teaching of Christ. This alignment encourages us to build a more loving and forgiving world, reflecting the boundless grace that has been extended to us.
Blessings,
Father Josuva
March 30, 2025
Hear to Serve ...
HUMILITY 101
Every Lent we are encouraged to increase our prayer life. Devotionals like Stations of the Cross, Benediction, and the Rosary are wonderful ways for us to really build a better relationship with God through prayer. I wonder, though, if we should also think more about our attitude in prayer. I am going to suggest that during this Lenten season we think about praying for humility.
How many of us have people in our lives that annoy us? These people aren’t evil, or mean-spirited, but they are people that annoy us because of some of their little quirks. I used to pray for these people all the time. I would pray that they would change their ways and stop being jerks. Not exactly the attitude of one who believes in and follows Jesus Christ. Jesus would like us to pray for those we have difficulties with, but we should be praying that we can love them and accept them for who they are, because they really are not evil. Since I have shifted my focus to asking for a change in my own heart, I have a lot more peace. Believe me it took me a long time to figure this out.
Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val wrote the Litany of Humility and published it in 1880 under Pope Pius X. Due to space restrictions, here is part of the Litany:
Jesus meek and humble of heart hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being rebuked, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, Jesus.
Amen.
This is powerful stuff. Pray well, my brothers and sisters.
VIva Cristo Rey,
Deacon Gary
March 23, 2025
A Call to Repentance and Fruitfulness
In Luke 13:1-9, Jesus speaks of two tragic events – one involving Galileans killed by Pilate and another where eighteen people died when a tower collapsed. The people thought these victims must have been terrible sinners, but Jesus corrects them: “Do you think they were worse sinners than others? No, but unless you repent, you will be likewise perish.”
This is a powerful reminder that suffering and tragedy are not necessarily punishments for sin. Instead, they are moments that call us to reflect on our own lives. When we hear of disasters, sickness, or unexpected deaths, our first thought shouldn’t be, “Why did this happen to them?” but rather, “Am I ready to meet God? Am I bearing the fruits He desires?”
The Barren Fig Tree: God’s Patience and Mercy
Jesus follows this lesson with a parable about a barren fig tree. The owner, frustrated that the tree has produced no fruit for three years, wants to cut it down. But the gardener intercedes: “Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not, you can cut it down.”
This parable speaks of God’s mercy and patience. The fig tree represents our lives. God has planted us in His vineyard – the Church – and He expects us to bear fruit. Yet, like the tree, we sometimes remain spiritually stagnant, failing to grow in holiness, charity, and love.
But see how merciful God is! He does not immediately cut us down in judgment. Instead, Jesus – the Divine Gardener – pleads for more time, giving us grace, opportunities, and second chances. However, His patience is not endless. The tree was given another year, not an indefinite extension. Likewise, we are given time to repent and grow, but we do not know how long that time will be.
The Gospel challenges us in two ways:
Examining our hearts – Are we bearing fruit? Are we growing in love, prayer, and service to others? Or have we become spiritually lazy, assuming that God’s mercy will always wait?
Use God’s grace wisely – Lent is a season of “digging and fertilizing” our souls. God offers us the Eucharist, confession, Stations of the Cross, prayer, and acts of charity to help us grow. But it is up to us to respond.
If God comes today and looks at the tree of our lives, will He find fruit?
Blessings,
Father Josuva
March 16, 2025
A Journey from the Cross to Glory
Dear Friends in Christ,
Lent is often seen as a season of sacrifice, a time to give up something and walk the path of penance. But today’s Gospel of the Transfiguration invites us to see beyond suffering – to the glory that awaits us.
Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain, where they witness something incredible. His appearance changes, His clothes become dazzling white, and He stands with Moses and Elijah. Then, they hear a voice from heaven. “This is my chosen Son. Listen to Him.” Imagine the awe and wonder of this moment! Yet, despite this glorious vision, Jesus tells them not to speak of it until after His resurrection. Why? Because glory comes through the Cross.
This Gospel is a reminder that our faith journey is not just about trials but about transfiguration. Peter wanted to stay on the mountain, but Jesus led them back down to face the reality of suffering. We, too, may want to hold onto moments of joy and avoid hardships. However, Lent teaches us that through prayer, fasting, and acts of love, we are being prepared for something greater.
As we continue our Lenten journey, let’s ask ourselves: Are we truly listening to Jesus? Are we allowing Him to transform us, even in moments of struggle? Just as the disciples saw Christ’s glory, we, too, are called to experience His presence in our lives – not just in times of comfort, but even in the challenges.
This week, let’s take time to reflect: Where is Jesus leading us? How is He calling us to deeper faith? And most importantly, are we willing to follow Him not just to the mountain of glory, but through the valleys of sacrifice?
The Cross is not the end; it is the path to Resurrection.
Blessings,
Father Josuva
March 9, 2025
Lent: A Time of Renewal
Lent is a sacred period of 40 days observed by us worldwide, a time of prayer, penance, fasting, and almsgiving. These 40 days echo the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness before beginning His public ministry (Matthew 4:1-11). But Lent is not just about emulating Jesus’ sacrifice – it is a time to reflect deeply on the spiritual significance of the number 40, both in biblical history and in our lives today.
The number 40 holds profound meaning in the Bible. It marks the times of testing, purification, and transformation. For instance, the flood in Noah’s time lasted 40 days and 40 nights (Genesis 7:12), as God cleansed the earth of its corruption, giving humanity a chance for renewal. This event symbolizes God’s judgment and mercy – He cleansed the earth, but also preserved life, making way for new beginnings. In the same way, Lent provides us an opportunity to cleanse our hearts, to leave behind the “old” ways of sin, and to prepare ourselves for the “new” life in Christ.
Lent mirrors God’s original act of creation, as described in the first chapters of Genesis. In Genesis 1, God created the world out of chaos, bringing order, beauty, and life where there was none. But by Genesis 6-8, we see that humanity’s choices had upset this divine creation. The earth was filled with violence, and God’s heart was grieved (Genesis 6:5-6). Yet, even in His anger, God spared Noah and his family, preserving life and offering a chance to recreate what was broken. This story underscores the importance of repentance – turning away from sin and turning back to God for renewal.
As we embark on our 40 days of Lent, we too are called to recreate our souls. Just as God gave humanity a fresh start through Noah, He offers us a new beginning through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Lent invites us to reflect on how we may have disrupted our relationship with God, others, or ourselves, and to seek renewal through prayer, repentance, and forgiveness.
This Lent, let us remember that the 40 days are not just a time of sacrifice, but a time of recreation – a chance for us to reflect on how we can rebuild our lives in alignment with God’s will. As we reflect on the early chapters of Genesis, let us find hope in the truth that God is always ready to restore, renew, and recreate. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are given the opportunity for spiritual transformation and a renewed heart. Let us embrace this season of Lent as a sacred time to rebuild our souls and deepen our relationship with the Creator.
Thank you,
Father Josuva
March 2, 2025
Seeing Clearly with the Heart of Christ
Dear Friends in Christ, In this weekend’s Gospel, Jesus offers us profound wisdom on discipleship, self-awareness, and the fruitfulness of our lives. He begins with a simple yet striking question: “Can a blind person guide a blind person?” This reminds us that before we attempt to correct or lead others, we must first ensure that our own vision is clear. The plank in our own eyes must be removed before we can help our brothers and sisters with their splinters. This is a call to humility – recognizing our own faults before pointing out the fallings of others.
Jesus then speaks of a disciple not being above the teacher. This teaches us that we are all lifelong learners in faith. We must constantly seek to be formed by Christ, allowing His wisdom to shape us. Only when we imitate the Master can we be effective in guiding others. Finally, Jesus gives us the image of a tree and its fruit: “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit.” Our words and actions are the natural outflow of what fills our hearts. If our hearts are full of love, faith, and mercy, our lives will reflect those virtues. But if our hearts are filled with bitterness, pride, or judgment, that too will be evident.
This passage calls us to examine our hearts: Are we truly rooted in Christ? Are we nurturing our spiritual lives so that we bear good fruit? As we gather in faith each week, let us allow Christ to open our eyes, transform our hearts, and guide us to be beacons of His light in the world.
May our words, actions, and lives reflect the goodness of the One who teaches us!
God's Blessings!
Father Josuva
February 23, 2025
The Radical Call to Love
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus presents one of the most challenging teachings in all of Scripture: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” At first, this seems impossible. How can we love those who hurt us? How can we bless when we are wounded? Yet, this is precisely what makes Christian love different. Jesus is not asking for an ordinary love, but a divine love – the kind of love that transforms hearts, breaks down barriers, and heals wounds.
Loving those who love us is easy. But Jesus calls us higher. He calls us to reflect God’s own mercy, to love without counting the cost, to give without expecting in return. The world tells us to seek revenge, to hold grudges, to return insult for insult. But Jesus offers a different path – the path of mercy, forgiveness, and radical generosity. When we love in this way, we reveal the heart of God to the world.
The promise of Jesus is clear: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap.” Love multiplies when we give it away. Mercy comes back to us when we extend it to others. The more we forgive, the more we are set free.
As we reflect on this Gospel, let us ask ourselves: Is there someone in my life I need to forgive? Can I choose kindness over resentment? Can I bless instead of curse? This week let’s make a conscious effort to love as Jesus loves – to be instruments of mercy in our families, our workplaces, and our parish community.
May the Lord give us the grace to live out His radical call to love, so that we may become true witnesses of His mercy in the world.
God's Blessings!
Father Josuva
February 16, 2025
Hear to Serve ...
The Altar of Sports
In America, sports began as a form of entertainment and a change from the hectic work week, but they have evolved into a massive industry and, for some, an outright obsession. A drive on Lombardi Avenue reveals homes adorned in green and gold, and thousands of cars tailgating long before a game, demonstrating that for many, this has gone beyond mere entertainment.
This enthusiasm for sports is not limited to adults, and I have concerns about the impact this has on our children’s sports programs. Don’t misunderstand me; sports offer valuable lessons, teaching kids how to interact with different personalities and encouraging them to unplug from electronic devices. They provide many benefits, but at the youth level, particularly in grade school, sports have begun to dominate already busy lives. What should be a time for kids to learn skills and enjoy themselves has turned highly competitive. It is as if we expect every child to become a professional athlete. It’s no longer just about playing for school teams; there are now additional sports leagues sponsored by high schools (including Catholic high schools) and various organizations that occupy most of the year, not to mention summer camps.
This situation presents two major issues. First of all, it detracts from the Lord’s Day. Our churches are empty, while the bleachers are packed, forcing parents into difficult choices. It’s not just Sundays. Wednesday evenings, once reserved for Religious Education, are also being affected.
As parents, when we baptize our children, we make a commitment to raise them as children of God and to nurture their place in His Divine Family. It’s easy to say, “Just go to Mass,” but life is challenging. We must recognize the importance of dedicating Sundays to God. Sundays are for worship and expressing gratitude, receiving Jesus in His Word and in the Eucharist, and filling the deep longings of our hearts and souls with Him.
While sports offer many benefits to children, they cannot provide the inner peace that we all crave as human beings. This is why many kids experience burnout by high school. They end up deflated like a basketball that has sat untouched in a garage for years. As St. Augustine said, “Our hearts are restless till they rest in you, Lord.” We were created in God’s image, and only He can satisfy the desires within us.
Our readings this weekend remind us that we are to set our hearts and actions on what is most pleasing to God. We are to put first the things of God and not put our hope in the things of the flesh. We are to teach our children that the reward of eternal life is more important than any trophy won in a sports tournament.
Maybe it is time for Catholic parents with children in sports to come together and firmly request that Sunday mornings (at least) be free of practices, games, and tournaments. As for the rest of the week, keep Christ at the center of your family life.
Let us all pray that we find the right Altar to worship at.
VIva Cristo Rey,
Deacon Gary
February 9, 2025
“They left everything and followed Him” (Luke 5:11)
Dear Friends in Christ,
In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls Simon Peter, James, and John to follow Him. After witnessing the miraculous catch of fish, they leave everything behind – their boats, their nets, their livelihood – and follow Jesus without hesitation. This moment is not just abandoning possessions but about a radical trust in Christ. They step into the unknown, guided by faith rather than certainty.
What does it mean for us today to “leave everything and follow Him”? While not everyone is called to leave their jobs or homes, every Christian is invited to place Christ at the center of their lives. Following Jesus means surrendering our fears, doubts, and personal plans to embrace His will. It means choosing faith over worry, love over resentment, and selflessness over personal gain.
We follow Jesus in our daily lives when we make time for prayer, when we serve the poor and the suffering, when we forgive those who wrong us, and when we trust God even in uncertainty. Sometimes, following Jesus requires leaving behind our pride, bad habits, or distractions that keep us from growing in faith.
Jesus’ invitation is as real today as it was on the shores of Galilee. He calls us to a deeper relationship with Him, to let go of whatever holds us back, and to trust in His providence. This week, take a moment to reflect: What is Jesus asking me to leave behind so that I can follow Him more closely? May we, like the first disciples, have the courage to say “yes” to His call and walk in faith.
God Bless,
Father Josuva
February 2, 2025
Dear Friends in Christ,
In the Gospel, we see Mary and Joseph presenting the infant Jesus in the temple after 40 days of his birth, fulfilling the Jewish law. As part of this sacred moment, they offer “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” a humble sacrifice prescribed for those unable to afford a lamb. This offering, though simple, was filled with deep devotion, gratitude, and obedience to God’s covenant. It reminds us that every gift we present to God carries the intention of our hearts and reflects our faith.
This act of offering finds a striking parallel in the beautiful traditions of Indian Christian communities, especially in Tamil Nadu. During the offertory in the Holy Mass, families bring gifts such as rice, eggs, vegetables, and other items, presenting them with great reverence to the priest. In some special occasions, families offer a goat or a cock as an offering to God for His providence. These offerings symbolize the fruits of their labor, their gratitude for God’s blessings, and their commitment to the Church.
In many parishes, these offerings are brought to the altar, where the priest blesses them. Afterward, they are used to support the needs of the Church or distributed to the poor, demonstrating the communal aspect of faith and the call to share our blessings with others. Just as Mary and Joseph offered Jesus in the temple, the faithful today present their gifts to God as a sign of their love and dedication.
This sacred tradition is not about the material value of the offering but the spirit in which it is given. Whether it is two doves, a lamb, even a small portion of rice, what matters is the heart that offers it. These gifts remind us that all we have comes from God, and returning a portion to Him is an act of thanksgiving and trust in His providence.
As we reflect on the Presentation of the Lord, let us be inspired by Mary and Joseph’s humility and obedience. Let us also honor the heritage of our faith through our own acts of offering. May every gift we present—whether material or spiritual—be a reflection of our gratitude, love, and faithfulness to God. Through these sacred customs, we are not just giving something to God; we are giving ourselves.
Bishop’s Appeal:
“Support our diocese today! Don’t wait for the last moment, for ‘last’ is rarely the best in life. Be first to make a difference!”
Thank you,
Father Josuva
January 26, 2025
Dear Friends in Christ,
The third Sunday’s Gospel presents a profound encounter between the risen Christ and His disciples, offering us a clear reminder of fruitless fishing, Jesus appears, guiding the disciples to an abundant catch. This moment reveals that success in mission comes not from our efforts alone but from trusting and following the Lord.
At this miracle, Jesus turns to Peter, asking, “Do you love me,” three times, echoing Peter’s threefold denial. Each time, Peter affirms his love, and Jesus responds with a mission: “Feed my lambs. Tend my sheep.” This dialogue restores Peter and commissions him as the leader of the early Church. It’s a reminder that no matter our past failings, Jesus calls us to love Him and live out His mission with renewed purpose.
Last week, I read a book written by Tim Glemkowski. His book “Made for Mission – Renewing Your Parish Culture,” aligns beautifully with this Gospel. The author challenges us to recognize that our parishes are not simple places of maintenance or routine worship but vibrant communities called to be missionaries. He also mentions about the ‘New Evangelization’ of St. John Paul II. The New Evangelization is a call by Saint John Paul II for Catholics to deepen their faith and proclaim the Gospel to others. It's a call to evangelize those who have already been baptized, and to reach out to people who are in need of a new encounter with Christ.
As a parish, we are invited to embrace a culture of mission, where every person feels equipped and inspired to share the Gospel in their daily lives. This starts with encountering Jesus ourselves, growing in love for Him, and then stepping out to serve others – our families, coworkers, neighbors, and beyond.
Just as Jesus called Peter and the disciples to “cast their nets” in new ways, He calls each of us to move beyond complacency and live as intentional disciples.
Let us reflect today: Where is Jesus asking us to cast our nets? How can we, as individuals and as a parish, respond to His call to feed His sheep and renew our mission? Trust that with Christ’s guidance, our efforts will bear fruit in abundance.
In Christ,
Father Josuva
January 19, 2025
Hear to Serve ...
ROSARY IN A YEAR
Last year, one of the things I felt Jesus was telling me to do was to pray the Rosary. This year, I felt Jesus telling me to go deeper. So, I started listening to a podcast called Rosary in a Year. It is from Ascension Press and is presented by Father Mark-Mary Ames. These are the same people who brought us Bible in a Year which became the number one podcast for several years.
I was happy to learn that Rosary in a Year just isn’t some podcast that prays the Rosary with you for 365 days. It’s been designed to begin with the foundation of the Rosary, the how, the why, and the history. It is intended to help us build our relationship with the Trinity, with Mary, and with all the saints.
Each episode is about 15 minutes. If you miss a day, you can always go back and catch up. The other nice thing about these podcasts are that you can repeat them as many times as you want. The year is divided into six stages.
Stage 1: The first part is about forming relationships: with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, along with Mary and all the Saints. Fr. Mark-Mary gives an explanation followed by praying one Our Father, three Hail Mary’s and one Glory Be.
Stage 2: Biblical Roots: Fr. Mark-Mary goes over the biblical roots of the Rosary, covering the scripture verses for the Mysteries and the prayers associated with the Rosary. I am looking forward to this because it sounds interesting and may be helpful to defend our faith and to help us explain the Rosary to those who misunderstand it.
Stage 3: Meditation on the Mysteries: They will look at the Mysteries individually, the scripture associated with each Mystery and then pray Lectio Divina for each Mystery. The focus will be one Mystery a day.
Stage 4: Prayer and focus: By spending just 10 minutes, meditating on one Mystery and praying that Mystery we will put into practice what we have learned so far.
Stage 5: Building up the Decades: We are going to start building our prayer muscle by praying two decades a day. By the end of this stage, we will be doing a whole rosary.
Stage 6: The final stage is praying the whole Rosary every day until the end of the year.
I don’t know about you but I think this will be great for Rosary veterans and newbies alike to grow in prayer. I am looking forward to having more insights into the Mysteries and a greater appreciation of the Rosary. If I develop a deeper relationship with the Trinity and Mary, what could be better than that?
I am glad I listened to Jesus and began praying the Rosary. If you want to join me, go to ascensionpress.com/riy. Hopefully, we can become Rosary Warriors who have the strength and courage to listen to Mary’s words in today’s Gospel, “Do whatever He tells you.”
VIva Cristo Rey,
Deacon Gary
January 12, 2025
Dear Friends in Christ,
This Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, commemorating Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. This significant event marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry and serves as a profound reminder of our own baptismal promises.
In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah proclaims a message of comfort and hope, announcing the coming of the Lord who will shepherd His people with care. This reading reminds us that through baptism, we are brought into a relationship with God, who lovingly guides and strengthens us on our journey.
St. Paul, in today’s second reading, reminds us that the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all. Through the waters of baptism, we are reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit, called to live upright and godly lives while awaiting the blessed hope of eternal life.
In the Gospel, we hear of Jesus’ baptism, where the heavens open, the Holy Spirit descends like a dove, and the voice of the Father declares, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” This event highlights the transformative power of baptism, calling us to live as beloved children of God.
As we reflect on these readings, let us renew our commitment to our baptismal promises:
- Reject Sin: Turn away from anything that separates us from God’s love.
- Embrace Grace: Live as people transformed by the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
- Be a light to others: Share the love and mercy of Christ with everyone we encounter.
May this feast enkindle in us the joy of our baptism and inspire us to live out our faith with hope, love, and service.
In Christ,
Father Josuva
January 5, 2025
Dear Friends in Christ!
Happy Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord!
This weekend, we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. We reflect on the journey of the Magi—wise men who followed a star to find the newborn King. Tradition gives us the names of these three Magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar.
Caspar, often depicted as a younger man, brought frankincense, symbolizing Jesus’ divinity and priestly role.
Melchior, an older figure, presented gold, acknowledging Christ as King.
Balthazar, with darker features, offered myrrh, foreshadowing Jesus’ suffering and death.
These men came from diverse lands—Persia, Arabia, and possibly India—representing the nations of the world being drawn to the light of Christ. Their gifts expressed the fullness of Jesus’ identity: God, King, and Savior.
A fascinating legend speaks of a fourth Magi named Artaban, who also set out to find the Savior. Artaban carried gifts of rare gems for Jesus. However, his journey was interrupted by numerous acts of charity—helping the poor, the sick, and the needy. Because of these delays, he never reached Bethlehem in time to see the Christ Child.
Yet Artaban’s story teaches us an important lesson. Though he did not meet Jesus in the manger, he encountered Him in the faces of those he served along the way. His journey was one of love, and his life became an offering to Christ through acts of kindness and mercy.
The story of the fourth Magi challenges us to reflect on how we seek Jesus in our lives. Like the Magi, we are called to bring our gifts to Christ. But Artaban reminds us that our true worship lies in daily acts of love and compassion.
As we gaze at the star this Epiphany, let us ask: Where is Christ calling us to bring His light? May we, like the Magi, be guided by faith, and may our offering reflect hearts transformed by love.
Blessings on our journey of Faith,
Father Josuva
December 29, 2024
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A FAMILY SNAPSHOT
For years, it was a struggle to get a good family portrait. I would beg the children for, “just one good picture, please.” I longed for that picture perfect moment to send out to family and friends; that picture perfect moment of our not-so picture perfect family.
The Feast of the Holy Family brings to mind perfect images of Mary, Joseph, and young Jesus. There is a lot of romantic artwork of the Holy Family, illustrating a calm, happy family of three. However, I am not so sure that this was the reality of life for Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
The first snapshot in the Holy Family’s album would probably show the faces of Joseph and of Mary’s parents as Mary tells them that she had agreed to God’s plan, announced by an angel, that she is to become the mother of the Savior. Can you see their expressions? This was not the way things were “supposed” to happen. What would the neighbors and relatives think? It took a great deal of trust for Mary and Joseph to conform their lives to the will of the Lord.
The next snapshot would be of the stable in Bethlehem filled with the animals of travelers. There was no room for them in an inn. They did not have the money or the prestige for better accommodations. They were a family who had to watch their pennies. They were only able to afford the smallest of offerings for the temple sacrifice. They had to rely on the Lord’s providence.
What kind of picture would Mary and Joseph have of their hasty departure to Egypt? Can you imagine the talk among the relatives and villagers when Mary and Joseph packed their things for fear of Herod? When they returned years later to Nazareth, were they greeted with open arms or were they viewed with a little fear and suspicion? In times of great difficulty and fear, the Holy Family had to trust that the Lord would protect and guide them.
Mary and Joseph were very human parents. The Gospel reading today gives us a glimpse of an ordinary mother’s reaction to finding her son after three days of frantic searching. Mary says to Jesus, “Son, why did you do this to us?” Can you see the picture of Mary hugging Jesus while crying tears of relief? There is a lot of uncertainty and soul-searching that comes with being a parent. Mary and Joseph were raising their son to be a man who would be able to complete his mission of salvation. Mary and Joseph had to trust that even though they did not understand the details, Jesus was created for greatness.
There are no picture-perfect families. However, through prayer and worship we can all strive to be a holy family. A holy family recognizes that they are under the authority and loving care of God. Whatever events or circumstances they find themselves in, they place everything into God’s care. A holy family sees the hand of God moving throughout the events of days, weeks, and years. A home where God is invited to dwell and where each person is encouraged to pursue their calling, is the home of a holy family.
While we don’t always rejoice in those less than picture perfect moments, let us rejoice in knowing that God is always at work in our families. Ponder that.
Merry Christmas,
Dcn Gary and Patty
December 22, 2024
Dear Beloved Friends,
As we approach the holy season of Christmas, our hearts are filled with joy at the promise of Emmanuel – “God with us.” This sacred time reminds us that hope was born in a humble manger, bringing light to a world overshadowed by darkness.
The birth of Christ is not just a historical event; it is a living reality that renews our hope each day. In a world often marked by challenges, uncertainties, and brokenness, Christmas calls us to lift our gaze to the God who came down to dwell among us. Jesus Christ is our ultimate hope, the one who makes all things new.
This year, let us embrace the message of Christmas as a Year of Hope. His Holiness Pope Francis has announced Jubilee 2025 as the “Year of Hope”. The 2025 Jubilee will be centered on the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.” His Holiness Pope Francis has beautifully expressed it in the following way: “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.”
The Jubilee begins on December 24, 2024, with the official opening of the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica, and continues until January 6, 2026, the Feast Day of Epiphany, with the closing of the Holy Door. Hope inspires us to see beyond our struggles, trust in God’s providence, and actively work to bring His love to others. As the shepherds were filled with wonder and joy at the angel’s message, may we, too, carry this good news into our homes, neighborhoods, and the world in the coming years.
Let this season be a time of renewal:
- Renewing our faith by being Pilgrims of Hope and by spending time in prayer and adoration.
- Renewing our relationships by offering forgiveness and love.
- Renewing our commitment to serve the less fortunate, following Christ’s example of humility.
Together, as a parish family, let us light the way for others, showing them the hope that comes from knowing Jesus. May our hearts echo the song of the angels: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of goodwill.”
Wishing you a Christmas filled with hope, peace, and God’s abundant blessings!
Father Josuva
December 15, 2024
Advent: A Season of Hope, Preparation, and Joy
Dear Friends,
We begin our third week in the season of Advent. This Sunday is known as Gaudete Sunday, we light the Shepherd’s candle, a pink candle on our Advent wreath, symbolizing joy. It’s a joyful reminder that the coming of Christ is near, and we are called to prepare our hearts with gratitude and rejoicing.
So, why do we call this the Shepherd’s candle? The Shepherds in the Christmas event were ordinary people, yet they were the first to hear the angel’s message: “Do not be afraid; I bring you good news of great joy for all the people.” Despite their humble status, they became witnesses to God’s glory, showing that God’s joy is for everyone -no matter how simple or lowly.
In the Gospel for this week, John the Baptist calls for a life of repentance demonstrated through acts of justice and generosity. He urges the crowd to share with those in need, to avoid greed, and to act with integrity in their work. John’s fiery preaching reminds us that repentance isn’t just about feeling sorry for our sins but about a complete transformation of heart and action. He points to Jesus, the one mightier than he, who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. This challenges us to prepare for Christ by living lives of compassion, fairness, and spiritual renewal.
As we reflect on this theme, let us ask ourselves: How can we, like the shepherds, share the joy of Christ with others? Can we offer encouragement to a struggling neighbor, share the Good News with someone searching for meaning, or simply bring a smile to a weary face?
This Advent, as the pink candle brightens our wreath, let it also brighten our hearts. Let us rejoice in the Lord’s closeness and spread that joy to those around us. True joy is not just felt but shared, drawing others into the light and love of Christ.
May the Shepherd’s candle inspire us to carry joy into our homes, our community, and the world.
Father Josuva
December 8, 2024
Advent: A Season of Hope, Preparation, and Joy
Dear Friends,
The season of Advent invites us to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. It is a time of joyful anticipation and spiritual renewal as we await the celebration of His birth at Christmas and His second coming in glory.
Central to our Advent journey is the Advent wreath, a profound symbol in our liturgy and daily lives. The circular shape represents eternity and God’s unending love, and the evergreens signify eternal life. Each of the four candles, lit weekly, highlights a virtue: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. The light grows brighter each week, reminding us of Christ, the Light of the World, who dispels the darkness of sin.
Advent is also a time to engage in acts of charity and share joy. Our parish activities include the Christmas children’s choir, which spreads the message of Christ through melodious carols. Let the music of Christmas resonate in our hearts!
The Christmas Crib, a cherished tradition, reminds us of the humble birth of our Savior in a manger. Setting up the crib is an opportunity to teach children about the simplicity, love and humility of the first Christmas night.
Santa Claus is a symbol of generosity and kindness. His cheerful presence reminds us to give selflessly and bring joy to others, especially the less fortunate.
Let us make this Advent a season of true preparation, turning away from distractions and focusing on the spiritual meaning of Christmas. Attend Mass, partake in the sacraments, and deepen our faith through prayer and reflection. Together, let us make room in our hearts for Emmanuel – God with us.
May this Advent season fill you and your families with hope, love and peace!
Father Josuva
December 1, 2024
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DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A GODPARENT OR A SPONSOR?
One of the most beautiful traditions in the Catholic Church is Godparents. The role of a godparent is one of great responsibility. A godparent assists the parents in making sure that the child is living a life that will get that child to heaven. Godparents, even though may not directly teach the child, must set an example for the child of living out the Catholic Faith, of living a holy life. Being a Godparent is not a social award in the Catholic Church. Therefore, there are qualifications to be a Godparent.
Usually there are two godparents for Baptism, but you only need one. When there are two, you must have one male and one female. Henceforth the terms Godmother and Godfather. A godparent must be over the age of 16.
There are situations where sometimes one of the persons asked is not Catholic. That person is called a Christian Witness, and they must have been baptized with Baptism that conforms with a Catholic Baptism.
All Catholics who are asked to be godparents need to be in full communion with the Catholic Church which means they have been baptized; they have received the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion; they have to have been Confirmed. If they are married, they have to have been married in the Catholic Church, or have gotten permission from the Bishop for other arrangements. Catholics who are not married may not be “living together.”
A Confirmation sponsor has the same requirements as that of a Catholic godparent. The sponsor must have received all Sacraments of Initiation and be an example of living out the sacramental Catholic life. The role of the Confirmation sponsor is to walk with the Confirmand in living a life firmly rooted in the Catholic faith.
Sometimes people we love and respect do not meet the qualifications of godparent or sponsor. This is not meant to be harsh or exclusionary. Like I said, this isn’t a social award. Being a godparent or sponsor is about helping someone through the pitfalls of the world and being a living example of the Catholic life. We cannot expect a person to do all of this if they are not living their own life in a Catholic way. These rules are Canon Law. They are laws that a parish, deacon, priest, and bishop must follow.
I am bringing this up to avoid confusion and hurt feelings. In the past, things may have slipped by, or the right questions were not asked. It is important for parents to know the qualifications before asking someone to be a godparent to their child. It is also important for all of us to know what is required of us to be a godparent or sponsor.
Now, if you find yourself short on sacraments, do not dismay! If you have not received the Sacrament of Confirmation or if you do not have a sacramental marriage, or any other sacrament, these things can be fixed. Call your parish office, talk to Father Joshua, or talk to me. The Church is happy to make sure you receive the graces given by the sacraments.
VIva Cristo Rey,
Deacon Gary
November 17, 2024
As we approach the end of the liturgical year, the Gospel for this Sunday directs our gaze to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises. Jesus speaks of His glorious return, when the heavens will be shaken, and the Son of Man will come in great power.
This dramatic imagery calls us to reflect on the depth of God’s plan – a plan that brings Heaven to earth and ushers in the fullness of God’s kingdom.
This Gospel echoes our theme for this season: Heaven coming down. The promise of Emmanuel – God with us – is not just about Christ’s birth at Christmas but also about His promised return.
The prophets awaited the Messiah with longing – The Root of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1), The Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53), The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), The Shepherd of the Flock (Ezekiel 34:23), The Sun of Righteousness (Psalm 118:22), The New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34) and The King Riding on a Donkey (Zechariah 9:9) - and as we near Advent, we too are called to prepare our hearts, not only for the celebration of Christ’s first coming but for His return.
Each Christmas, we are reminded that God’s love has already reached into our world through Jesus, yet we also look forward to the day when Heaven’s fullness will break into our lives completely.
In these days, let us live with a heightened sense of anticipation. Let the message of this Gospel, with its call to stay vigilant, help us recognize that God is already with us in the quiet moments and that Christ’s return will complete the promise begun in Bethlehem.
May we, with hearts open, prepare ourselves to receive God’s greatest gift – Emmanuel – and rejoice in knowing that Heaven is indeed drawing closer every day.
In Christ’s love,
Father Josuva
November 10, 2024
My dear friends in Jesus Christ!
As we reflect on the Gospel for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, we encounter Jesus’ teaching on generosity and humility through the story of the widow’s offering. While others gave from their abundance, this poor widow offered two small coins- everything she had to live on. Jesus observed her, not with pity, but with admiration for her deep trust in God. Her gift was small by worldly standards, yet it held immense value in God’s eyes.
This passage invites us to examine our own giving. In a society that often measures generosity by size or display, Jesus turns our attention to the heart of giving. The widow’s offering shows us that God looks not at the amount but at the love, faith, and sacrifice behind it. True generosity flows from a heart fully trusting in God, willing to give without counting the cost, because it understands that everything we have is a gift from Him.
As we journey together as one family with two homes (St. Gregory and Holy Trinity), let’s ask ourselves: Are we giving God the best of our time, talent, and the resources, or only what’s left over? Are we willing to step out in faith, even when it feels uncomfortable? Like the widow, may we embrace a spirit of radical trust and generosity.
May this week inspire us all to deepen our faith in God’s providence and find new ways to offer our lives more fully to Him. Whether through acts of kindness, volunteering, or supporting our parish, let’s remember that every small act of love counts in the Kingdom of God.
Each time I walk past the Tree of Souls in the Church, I am reminded to lift my heart in prayer for all the departed.
In Christ’s love,
Father Josuva
November 3, 2024
Greetings to all in the gracious name of our Lord Jesus!
It has now been two months since I was blessed to join this vibrant community. In reflecting upon these months, I can only thank God for the abundant grace that He has shown me through each of you. When I first arrived, the fields stretched before us, lush and green, like a living tapestry woven by God’s own hand, brimming harvest. It was a sight that refreshed the eyes and lifted the heart.
Now, as the harvest season has come to an end, the fields have taken on a quieter, more reflective beauty. The different colors of fall bloom on our trees, though these hues, like all earthly things, are fleeting and will soon yield to the rhythm of the coming winter.
As we journey together, we have already shared beautiful moments that have strengthened our bonds of faith and love. Last Week’s Rosary procession with our faith formation children was a powerful witness to their budding devotion and the legacy of prayer we pass on. Our pilgrimage to the seven churches in our parishes’ territory, alongside the cherished St. Nazianz’s parade, wove together a tapestry of unity and tradition that speaks deeply to who we are as a people of faith.
Looking ahead, we anticipate the meaningful events of November with hope and joy. May these gatherings be opportunities for grace and growth, drawing us ever closer as a parish family and strengthening our resolve to serve one another and build up our beloved community.
God Bless,
Fr. Josuva
October 27, 2024
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Who Determines Value and Truth?
Not too long ago, a young man asked me several questions about how our religious values affect our personal value. He wanted to know if and how our Catholic beliefs should be expressed through our political values. He got me thinking about who determines our values and who determines what is truth, not just for the election year but for life in general.
It is pretty easy to see how society has taken life down to a disposable commodity. Values have become very lax. Couples living together with no commitment is now the norm. Political correctness in areas such as gender ideology seems to be expected. Placing personal comfort and security first and having power is what matters. We have come to believe that we can live a life of duplicity, with one set of values for God and His Church, and another set to guide politics and everyday life. Just these few examples pretty much show me that society has turned to itself. We have come to believe that human beings are in charge of setting our own values and proclaiming what truth is. Our world seems to have put aside turning towards God to be the guiding principle in determining our values. We no longer look to God to lead us to truth and life.
Mankind’s fall from God’s Divine Grace so long ago should be the only example we need to understand that we humans are incapable of guiding ourselves to a higher moral path. Adam and Eve couldn’t guide themselves in God’s Grace in the Garden, so, how can we expect to do better after being expelled?
The values, what we have learned from our religious education, from the teachings of the Church, and from the Gospels of Jesus, are what we must allow to guide us in our political values and in our everyday lives. There really can be no separation of our religious values, of God’s law and our personal values. When we separate our lives into compartments, we find ourselves on the wide, easy road that Jesus warns us about. This wide road has no speed limits, and no stop signs. It is a dangerous road that is a one-way road to you-know-where.
We have to realize, we have to cry out like Bartimaeus, that it is only Jesus who will give us truth. It is only Jesus that gives value to our lives. In our first reading from Jerimiah, we hear that it is the Lord who has delivered His people. It is the Lord who promised to gather the lame and the blind, and it is the Lord who will console and guide them. Bartimaeus knew this too. He knew he had to cry out to Jesus. And even when the crowds tried to shush him, he knew that if his life was to have value, if he were to see the truth, he would have to cry even louder.
So, on this Thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time, in this year of political promises that usually fall way short of the truth, when the madness of political rhetoric shout from every tv and printed ad, we have to be even louder in our actions. We have to remember that like Jesus we must be concerned with leading souls to the truth of the Gospel. It is only Jesus Christ who can give us the truth and who sets the standard of our values. May Jesus say to all of us, “Go your way, your faith has saved you.”
VIva Cristo Rey,
Deacon Gary
October 20, 2024
For the time being, Fr. Joshua has offered to share his weekly homily in this space. May these words, along with the Holy Spirit, guide us on our personal faith journey as we together grow and build our faith communities.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ,
Today’s readings tie beautifully into the theme of World Mission Sunday, a day that emphasizes the Church’s mission to spread the Gospel to all nations.
As we celebrate World Mission Sunday, let us remember that we are all called to participate in the mission of the Church through our Baptism. Jesus invites us not to seek power or privilege, but to humbly serve.
Today’s Gospel shows us James and John seeking greatness in the Kingdom of God by asking for privileged places at Jesus’ side. But Jesus responds with a profound lesson: greatness in God’s eyes comes not from status or power but through service and sacrifice. “Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant,” He says, and Jesus Himself models this by offering His life as a ransom for many.
On this World Mission Sunday, we are reminded that the Church is called to share this very message of service and sacrifice with the world. The mission of the Church is not simply to build structures or institutions but to bring the love of Christ to every corner of the earth. It is about serving others, especially those in need, just as Christ served us.
In the first reading, Isaiah speaks of the Suffering Servant who gives his life for many. This prefigures Christ, whose ultimate mission was to give His life for our salvation. As missionaries, we are called to imitate Christ by living lives of self-giving love.
The second reading reminds us that Jesus is a high priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses. His mission was one of compassion and understanding, entering into our struggles. As missionaries we must also enter into the struggles of those whom we serve.
In the Gospel, Jesus makes it clear that His mission was not to be served but to serve. This is the essence of Christian mission: to serve others. On this Mission Sunday, we are invited to reflect on how we, too, can serve in our daily lives. We may not all be called to go to other countries, but we are all called to be missionaries of God’s love where we are. Whether in our families, workplaces, or communities, we are sent to serve others with the same love that Christ has shown us.
My dear friends, let us take to the heart the words of Jesus, “The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Today, let us recommit ourselves to being missionaries of His love. Amen.
Fr. Josuva
October 13, 2024
For the time being, Fr. Joshua has offered to share his weekly homily in this space. May these words, along with the Holy Spirit, guide us on our personal faith journey as we together grow and build our faith communities.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ,
Today’s readings invite us to give priority to God in our lives, not to our possessions. Most of the time, the things that we have often possess us. When we give our “things” top priority in our lives, we become the prisoners of our possessions.
The first reading advises us to use the God-given virtue of prudence to seek true wisdom and to distinguish them from vanishing earthly realities, like riches or political and social influence. Solomon chose Wisdom before everything else — and he received “everything else” along with it! In the Responsorial Psalm, we beg God to teach us how to make proper judgments and choices in our lives that we may live with Him forever.
The second reading warns us that we are accountable to God for our use or misuse of His blessings, and that the living and effective word of God must be our guide in evaluating our use of His blessings.
In today’s Gospel, we find three sections: a narrative about Jesus’ encounter with a rich man, Jesus’ sayings about wealth as a possible obstacle to discipleship, and Jesus’ promise of reward for those who share their material possessions with the needy. Here, Jesus reminds the rich man of the commandments that deal with relationships with other people. He challenged him to sell what he had, and to give the money to the poor. The disciples were shocked by this challenge. But Jesus declared that true religion consisted in one’s sharing one’s blessings with others rather than hoarding or getting inordinately attached to them.
Today’s readings invite us to make a check list of our priorities and attachments, and give God top priority: Are anger, lust, gluttony, evil habits, addictions, jealousy, holding grudges, infidelity, or cheating among our habits as priorities? Let us invite God into our lives daily by praying for His strengthening grace and the anointing of His Holy Spirit so that we may give God top priority, keeping the Bible as our guide. We need to gain eternal life by living out our Faith in Jesus as our God and Savior, and, with God’s strengthening grace, detaching ourselves from unnecessary attachments.
Fr. Josuva
October 6, 2024
For the time being, Fr. Joshua has offered to share his weekly homily in this space. May these words, along with the Holy Spirit, guide us on our personal faith journey as we together grow and build our faith communities.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ,
Today's liturgy and the readings reveal the importance of married life and God's purpose for creation.
Marriage is not just a human institution; it also possesses a divine nature. It is a sacred institution, a divine covenant established by God from the beginning of Creation. Man and woman, united as one, reflect the image of God. God’s plan for man and woman is to depend on and to embrace each other in their actions.
In the first reading, we see that God created woman as a companion for man, emphasizing that it is not good for man to be alone. The union of man and woman in marriage reflects God’s design for human relationships — built on mutual love, respect, and equality. The phrase “they become one flesh” signifies a deep, inseparable bond that goes beyond the physical, uniting couples emotionally and spiritually. In marriage, two individuals commit to walking together through life, supporting and completing each other as they mirror the love and unity intended by God.
In the Gospel, Jesus responds to the Pharisee’s question by pointing back to the original design for marriage in Genesis, emphasizing that “what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Jesus reaffirms the sacredness and permanence of marriage as intended from the beginning.
God created man as male and female. This is the mystery of creation. The man becomes Christ, and the woman becomes the Church; this is the mystery of redemption, marital love becomes a symbol of God’s enduring love. This idea profoundly reveals the divine meaning of marriage. God not only created man as male and female but also established the bond of marriage as a reflection of His eternal love. Marital love is a small reflection of God’s eternal love, and it carries a sacred and spiritual significance in human life.
There are two kinds of love: Possessive love and Submissive love. Possessive love seeks to control and own the other person, while submissive love willingly surrenders and serves the other’s needs out of genuine care. Christ’s love for the Church is not possessive love but submissive love.
If there is sacrificial love between spouses like Christ’s, problems will not arise between them, and even if they do, they can be resolved very easily.
Fr. Josuva
September 29, 2024
MARRIAGE MADE IN HEAVEN
Recently when Patty and I were on vacation we spent a day in New York City. We visited St Patrick’s Cathedral. To say the least, it was impressive, I don’t believe we could even build something like that today. While we were at the Cathedral, a wedding took place and it got me thinking about the Sacrament of Marriage.
We have to realize that marriage is not about “me.” If we are getting married to find happiness, then we should not get married. Marriage is about helping each other get to heaven, that’s why Christ gave us this Sacrament, to help us get to Heaven. Marriage is about working for the good of the other and submitting to the needs of the other first.
St. Paul told us in his Letter to the Ephesians, we are to be subordinate to each other out of our love for Christ. Christ should be the center of our marriage. The more we love Jesus the more we love each other. In the case of marriage, submitting to the other is a voluntary choice. We are taught that Christ is the bridegroom and we, the Church, are the bride. Christ voluntarily died for the Church, for us. He wasn’t forced by the Father to come to earth and die. He chose to do so because it was for our greatest good. And so, it goes for marriage, we choose to be subordinate, we choose to bring happiness to the other.
Our vocation of marriage should be an anchor of holiness for the Church, for our family, and for the world. So often when we think of the greater Church, of holy people, we think of priests, bishops, or sisters, but let us go back to Genesis, “God created man in His image, in His divine image he created him, male and female He created them.” We all know this was the first marriage when God created Adam and Eve, and this shows us that marriage is the anchor for unity, for holiness, in the Church, in the family, and in the world. God made man and wife first.
Out of a marriage comes children, and the parents should be the primary teachers, the ones who hand down the faith. The Church is there to assist you as parents. Good, healthy, holy marriages are good for family life, marriages are good for the Church, and for the world.
Marriage was designed by God, not man, it was designed to help get us to heaven. But over the centuries man has tried to redesign this gift of God’s by shifting to an earthly selfish focus. This has resulted in an attack on men, women, and the family. Also, our society suffers unnecessary heartaches because of this breakdown of marriage.
In the grandeur of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, we said a prayer for the newly married couple. Let us all pray for the vocation, for the Sacrament, for the gift of marriage. Let us remember that we get married because we want to love Christ more. We marry to give happiness and not to receive happiness. Let us remember that marriage is the anchor of holiness for the Church, for our families and the world.
Register soon for the Day of Prayer that will be held on October 19. The theme this year is vocations. There are a lot of great speakers coming from all over the Diocese. This is the perfect time for us to learn more about and pray for all of the vocations of the Church including Holy Matrimony.
Deacon Gary
September 22, 2024
For the time being, Fr. Joshua has offered to share his weekly homily in this space. May these words, along with the Holy Spirit, guide us on our personal faith journey as we together grow and build our faith communities.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ,
In today’s readings, we are given a clear contrast between two ways of living: one driven by selfish ambition and the pursuit of worldly greatness and another based on humility and service.
The first reading describes the way of the wicked, who are disturbed by the presence of the righteous person. The wicked plot to test and destroy the just one because his goodness is a reproach to their way of life. The just person, by their very existence, challenges the wicked to reflect on their actions, but instead of changing, they choose to destroy the righteous person.
This reading prepares us for the Gospel where Jesus again predicts His own suffering and death. Like the righteous person in Wisdom, Jesus, the truly just One, will be rejected and crucified by those who cannot accept His way of humility and service. While He speaks of His suffering, the disciples are focused on their own selfish ambitions, arguing about who is the greatest.
Jesus takes this moment to teach them - and us - that greatness in His Kingdom is entirely different from what the world values. He tells them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” True greatness, in the eyes of God, comes through service and humility, not through power and status.
The second reading reinforces this idea. James warns about the dangers of jealousy, selfish ambition, and the disorder they bring. Jesus illustrates humility by placing a child before His disciples. The child represents the vulnerable and powerless—those whom society often overlooks. In welcoming and serving them, we are, in fact, welcoming and serving Christ Himself.
This week, let us strive to live out the wisdom of God by being peacemakers, serving those around us, especially those who have no power or influence. In doing so, we follow Jesus on the path of true greatness, not seeking to be served, but to serve, and to give our lives in humble love for others. Amen.
Fr. Josuva
September 15, 2024
For the time being, Fr. Joshua has offered to share his weekly homily in this space. May these words, along with the Holy Spirit, guide us on our personal faith journey as we together grow and build our faith communities.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ,
In today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus asking His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” This question is echoed in the other readings.
The first reading presents the image of the suffering servant who says, “The Lord God opens my ear that I may hear.” This servant faces suffering and opposition but remains steadfast in trust. When Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?” the suffering servant of Isaiah helps us see that Jesus is not just a powerful king or prophet. He is the one who suffers and gives Himself for others. Are we ready to accept a Messiah who suffers, and are we willing to suffer with Him?
In the second reading, we are challenged to make our faith active: “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?” When we proclaim that Jesus is the Christ, it cannot just be in words. If we say, “You are the Christ,” then our lives should reflect that faith.
The Gospel brings it all together. Peter’s declaration is followed by Jesus explaining that He must suffer, be rejected, and die. Peter is shocked and struggled to understand what kind of Messiah Jesus was. Jesus’ mission is not about earthly glory but sacrificial love.
Peter’s bold proclamation leads to a deeper question for each of us: Who is Jesus for me? Is He just a figure in history, or is He truly the Lord of my life? Our personal response to this question defines our relationship with Him.
Reflect on your answer to Jesus’ question. Let it be more than words. Let it transform your life. As Jesus said, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.” The cross is not a burdenit is a way to life. What cross is Jesus asking you to carry, and how will your faith in Him shape your journey?
Fr. Josuva
September 8, 2024
For the time being, Fr. Joshua has offered to share his weekly homily in this space. May these words, along with the Holy Spirit, guide us on our personal faith journey as we together grow and build our faith communities.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ,
Today’s readings invite us to be open to God’s grace and share His love at home.
In the first reading, Isaiah’s words, “Be strong, fear not!” echo through time, reminding us that God’s presence brings renewal and hope. He promises to open what is closed and to bring life where there is barrenness.
In the second reading, James warns against partiality, urging us to see the dignity in every person. True faith is lived out in our love and respect for others, especially the marginalized.
In the Gospel, we encounter the powerful word “Ephphatha” - “Be opened.” Here Jesus restores the man’s ability to hear and speak as well as He invites us into a deeper understanding of what it means to be open to God’s grace.
In the Mass, God speaks to us through the Scriptures, the prayers, and the Eucharist. Each part of the Liturgy is an opportunity for our hearts to be opened, just as Jesus opened the ears and mouth of the man in the Gospel. But this openness is not passive; it calls for our active participation. When we engage fully in the Mass—singing, praying, listening, and offering—we allow God to work in us—transforming us into instruments of this love.
This transformation is not meant to stay within the walls of the church. The grace we receive at Mass is a gift to be shared, especially with those closest to us—our families. The home is the first place where faith is lived out.
Think of the man in the Gospel today. After his healing, he didn’t keep the miracle to himself. He shared it, and the news spread. We too are called to share the miracle of God’s love with our families. This means taking time to pray together, discussing what we have heard at Mass, and living out our faith in tangible ways. It’s about creating an atmosphere of openness—where God’s voice can be heard in our conversations, and His love can be seen in our actions. Amen.
Fr. Josuva
September 1, 2024
For the time being, Fr. Joshua has offered to share his weekly homily in this space. May these words, along with the Holy Spirit, guide us on our personal faith journey as we together grow and build our faith communities.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ,
It is with great joy and humility that I stand before you today as your new pastor. This is my first assignment as a pastor, and I am deeply grateful to be here with you as we begin this journey together. I want to assure you of my dedication to serving you with all my heart, mind, and strength, guided by the teachings of Christ and the love we share as His body, the Church.
As we reflect on today's readings, I am reminded of the importance of beginning this ministry with a heart centered on God and His word.
In the first reading, Moses speaks to the Israelites, urging them to observe the commandments of the Lord carefully. This is not just a call to follow rules but a call to wisdom and understanding, to live in a way that reflects God's love and presence among His people. As we embark on this journey together, let us also commit ourselves to living faithfully according to God's word, allowing His commandments to shape our lives and our community.
In the Gospel, Jesus challenges the Pharisees and Scribes, who focus more on outward rituals than the inner disposition of the heart. Jesus reminds us that what truly matters is not what goes into a person from the outside but what comes from within. It is our hearts, filled with love, mercy, and integrity, that reflect true holiness.
As your new pastor, I am committed to leading with a heart that seeks God first. I want to encourage all of us to examine our own hearts and motivations. Are we living our faith out of genuine love for God and neighbor, or are we sometimes more concerned with appearances?
The readings today challenge us to live with authenticity. Just as Moses called the Israelites to be a witness to the nations, we are called to be a light in this community. Our actions, rooted in a deep and sincere faith, should speak to others about the love and mercy of God. Together, we can build a parish community that is welcoming, compassionate, and a true reflection of Christ's love.
As I begin my ministry here, I know I have much to learn from each of you. I ask for your prayers, your patience, and your support. I am excited to listen to your stories, share in your joys and sorrows, and grow together in faith. Let us journey together, following the example of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve. Thank you for welcoming me into your community. I look forward to walking this path of faith with all of you. Together, let us trust in God's guidance and grace as we begin this new chapter. Amen.
Fr. Josuva
August 18, 2024
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WISDOM OR FOOLISHNESS?
In this week’s reading from the Book of Proverbs, we hear of Wisdom. Wisdom is portrayed as a woman who has prepared a feast for us, who has readied her house and invites us in to eat of her food and to drink of her wine as we shelter ourselves from the storms outside. All of this is offered as a free gift. We have to ask ourselves if we have partaken in the deep gifts of Wisdom or if we have preferred to feed our lives with the superficial delights of foolishness.
We need Wisdom, Wisdom from God, if we want to be happy. We need Wisdom from God if we want to be good and if we want to be saved. Wisdom from God is what keeps us on the road to true happiness. True happiness will be found when we rest in God’s presence. It’s like the old joke: If a car is traveling east at 40 mph, and another car is traveling west at 65 mph, which car will reach its destination first? The correct answer is: the car that’s traveling in the right direction. That is what Wisdom does for us—it keeps us in the right direction. Sometimes the right direction is not the smoothest road. The spiritual road is not always wide and easy.
Wisdom is knowledge of what is truly good. Wisdom just doesn’t rely on facts to keep us on the true road, but wisdom relies on values. Human values based on absolute truth. Wisdom is our light so we can see the correct path, so we can see the important values in life. Without light in the world, we would be blind. There is a reason that the first thing God created was light in the world.
As I said in the beginning Wisdom is free but there are a few prerequisites we need to obtain it. First of all, we need humility. We have to be humble enough to admit we lack Wisdom. As Jesus told us, the healthy don’t need a physician but the sick do. Jesus is our physician. The saints knew they were sinners. They were wise to know they were foolish and in need of healing.
Next, we need to have faith. We have to believe there is Wisdom for us, and that God wants us to partake in it. We need to have hope. While we actively pursue it, we cannot become pessimistic and think it’s unattainable. We can never lose hope. Remember the best things in life are worth working for.
Then, we have to love Wisdom. We have to desire it. We have to willfully pursue it, not just in our minds but with our hearts. It’s like when we were young and in love, we would have done anything to be with that person, and so it goes for our love of wisdom.
There you have it. Humility, faith, hope, and love are prerequisites for Wisdom. These are things that are worth striving for; things that are worth working for. On the other hand, we can follow the ways of the world and Satan by having pride, faithlessness, hopelessness, and lovelessness handed to us. These things are the prerequisites of foolishness.
We have to decide whose house will we rest in and whose banquet we will partake in-- Wisdom’s or foolishness’s.
VIva Cristo Rey,
Deacon Gary
July 14, 2024
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FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT
In this week’s Gospel, Jesus sent out the Apostles two by two. What is the first thing Jesus assigns them to do? They are to fight unclean spirits. The first thing the Apostles do in a pastoral capacity is to cast out demons.
Back in the 60’s and 70’s, talk of demons and unclean spirits were dismissed as nothing more than superstition. The devil was downplayed as something we made up in our minds as an excuse for our bad behavior. This is still a very common belief today when we talk about the devil. We have made the devil something very abstract. By doing this, we have played into his hands. When we see families, societies, communities, and parishes collapsing, we no doubt will find a plethora of accusation and division. You can be sure that this is the devil at work. We would be fools to front and center. He is clandestine. He likes to use suggestion, temptation, and influence to get us to do his will. Very seldom is the devil’s work like that movie The Exorcist. No one’s head is spinning 360 degrees, and we’re not floating in the air above our beds.
The devil is much more subtle. One of his greatest devices is to scatter and pull apart causing division and lack of peace and understanding. Another trick is accusation. If we think about it, how often do we find ourselves thinking otherwise.
But Jesus through His Death and Resurrection has won for us a victory over these dark forces. He has given us the weapons to fight them. As we follow the Apostolic succession, we come to our own Bishop David Ricken. He too recognizes the need to fight these unclean spirits, to fight the devil. This is one of the reasons that he instituted the Five Alive practices in our Diocese. He wants us to renew our lives with weapons that we have forgotten about, or we have dismissed, to fight the devil. These weapons are the Mass, Lectio Divina, Eucharistic Adoration, Confession and praying the Rosary. Now, I know you have all heard about these practices before, but on this 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time it is a good time to reflect. Have we made any effort to bring these practices alive in our lives? Have we made them a relevant part of our lives to help fight against these attacks of the devil?
If we haven’t done that yet, now is a good time to start. The devil is not going to go away by us ignoring him, or by us thinking we can battle him on our own. We need these tools given to us by Christ and His Church to help us.
Let us use the tools given to us by Christ and His Church to Fight the Good Fight.
Deacon Gary
June 30, 2024
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
For my last bulletin column, I will offer the words when I announced by reassignment back in April.
These two parishes are amazing, and God will continue to do amazing things here. With the level of personal investment and initiative that so many parishioners have, I am confident that there will be continued growth and new life at both of these parishes.
As I reflect on my two years of ministry at both of these parishes, I will be filled with gratitude. At the end of my service in the navy, I was worn out, and found School Hill and St. Nazianz to be a place where I have healed, and really rediscovered the joy of being a priest. My heart is filled with gratitude that God has given me the time here that He has. Your welcome and hospitality, support and prayers, have all been much more than I deserve. Thank you.
Looking to the future, have confidence. God will continue to do amazing things here. In cooperation with the grace that God has given to these communities, I do ask for the following: be generous with your service to the parishes. Numerous parishioners have taken real ownership in outreach, evangelization, and faith enrichment. Continue to do the good work that God has inspired you to do. Some of this work may seem like a spark, but the Holy Spirit can fan it into a blazing fire, if you keep at it.
Let the promotion of priestly vocations be a central focus of these parishes. Unfortunately, in the church, we do not always talk as directly as we should. So let's be direct, the main reason that parishes in the diocese of Green Bay do not have the stability of longterm pastors is the continued shortage of priests. Pray for more vocations to the priesthood. Encourage your sons, grandsons, and nephews to be priests. I am convinced that there are four priestly vocations among the young men and boys at St. Gregory Parish, and two priestly vocations among the young men and boys at Holy Trinity Parish. It will be a joy for me to return to these parishes multiple times to share in the celebration of the first Mass of the priest sons from these parishes.
God has done great things here and will continue to do great things, if we continue strong in faith and confident in hope.
Blessings and Gratitude,
Fr. Bill
June 23, 2024
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This is my second to last column for you. When I arrived, I was told to expect to be with you for five years. If I would have known that my time was going to be cut short, I would have taken a different approach to my mission here. I would have still loved you all the same, but it is not right to leave projects open ended.
Shortly after my arrival, both parishes relaunched the One-by-One campaign. Both parishes made their goal. Both parishes have good projects that the money raised will support.
Will these projects be completed? I do not know, but you are owed a status update.
The main project for Holy Trinity was to reconfigure the offices so that parishioners can be better welcomed for funeral and wedding planning, for pastoral counseling and meeting with the priest, to provide a better working environment for our administrative assistant, and to have a place to store records rather than the parish garage. The septic system was a higher priority, and once that is completed, a committee will be formed to develop some proposals.
The main project for St. Gregory was to make a final decision about the status of the rectory building. The buildings and grounds committee has hired a home inspector to get a better idea of the scope of required work, and pending the outcome of that inspection, a decision will be made. Both remodeling or demolition are significant expenses. The decision will be determined by the scope of the work that is required. If maintaining the rectory is a financially viable project, it would provide a pastor a choice about where to live.
I will be honest, the current rectory at Holy Trinity feels like I am living in a fishbowl. I have shared with the financial and pastoral councils of both parishes that there has to be a long term plan developed for providing a living space for the pastor that truly provides him a home with adequate privacy.
Blessings,
Fr. Bill
June 16, 2024
“We walk by faith and not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This weekend you will receive the last monthly prayer card. At the beginning of the third millennium, Pope St. John Paul the Second wrote a message to all Christians, and indeed to the whole world. In that message, he expressed the earnest desire that parishes become genuine schools of prayer and that all Christians become serious disciples of the great Catholic traditions of prayer.
Leading a parish is a complicated business. It is all too easy to get lost in the details. At these times we forget our mission. Our mission is not to make a profit. We do not manufacture any product. We do not grow any crops. Jesus Christ gives us the mission: “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-6, the Gospel for Ascension Sunday). Our mission is to first become disciples, and then to make more disciples. And by the clear words of Jesus, this mission affects the eternal salvation of souls.
Prayer keeps us focused on the mission. Without prayer, we inevitably get distracted by the minutia that simply does not have any eternal significance. Prayer is the only way to truly be a friend of Jesus. Without prayer, there is no friendship with Jesus. If we are not a friend of Jesus, how can we invite other people to join us?
Prayer is the only thing that Jesus asked for from his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus told his disciples that it was only by prayer and fasting that demons could be driven out. Last weekend I preached about “spiritual combat.” The battle is real. Without prayer, we are going into this battle without weapons and without armor.
Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary were rare in the early church but have been increasing. In each apparition, she shows great concern that countless souls are being lost and that evil is increasing. And at each apparition she calls us to greater prayer. Mary is preparing us, her children, for battle.
Blessings and prayer,
Fr. Bill
* A selection of some of the more famous approved apparitions: Guadalupe, Mexico (1531), Laus, France (1664-1718), Rue de Boc, Paris, France (1830), La Salette, France (1846), Lourdes, France (1858), Champion, Wisconsin (1859), Filippsdorf, Czech Republic (1866), Fatima, Portugal (1917), Beauraing, Belgium (1932), Knock, Ireland (1936), Akita, Japan (1973), Kibeho, Rwanda (1981-1989).
Book recommendations: Philippe, Fr. Jacques. Nine Days to Rediscover the Joy of Prayer. Martin, Ralph. Fulfillment of All Desires. Dubay, Fr. Thomas. Prayer Primer.
June 9, 2024
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
At the end of the Gospel this weekend, it seems like Jesus treats His own family quite harshly. They are outside, and they are calling for Him. But He seems to ignore them.
But is this what is really going on?
The Gospel passage ends with these words, “whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:35, ESV). Rather than rejecting His family members, Jesus is expanding who can be in His family. Family relationships with Jesus are no longer limited by “blood and law.” Rather, anyone who does the will of God, now has the full right to call themselves the sons and daughters of God.
Is this not what we pray for when we pray, “Our Father, Who art in heaven… Thy will be done…”?
At times in our lives, we can feel like the relatives of Jesus in today’s Gospel. We feel outside of His presence, and we are calling, but He seems to ignore us. As we reflect on this, we need to ask, “Am I trying to conform my will to the Lord’s will or am I trying to impose my own will on the Lord?”
It is difficult to do, but the inner peace that we seek is not found by trying to impose our own will, but rather by saying “Yes” to God’s will. When we do this, we find that we are brought into the Lord’s “inner circle” and close to His presence.
This is modeled for us by the Blessed Virgin Mary. How did she respond when she received the amazing message from the Archangel Gabriel, “You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus” (Luke 1:31, ESV)? She could have easily responded, “But I have a plan to get married, and have a family with Joseph.” She could have sought to do her own will. But she did not respond this way. Rather, she says, “Behold, I am the servant[f] of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38, ESV).
By Mary’s “Yes” to God’s plan for her life, she became the Mother of God, both spiritually and bodily. We too, can follow her example, and by our “Yes” to God’s plan, truly be called brothers and sisters of Christ.
Blessings,
Fr. Bill
Book recommendation: Nine Days to Welcome Peace by Fr. Jacques Philippe
June 2, 2024
“Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
At the conclusion of last week’s Gospel, we heard this promise from our Lord Jesus, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” However, mere moments after saying these words, He ascended into heaven, leaving behind Mary, the Apostles and the other disciples.
How can He promise to be with us even as He seems to depart from us? The Lord leaves us in body, but remains with us by grace. He remains present in His Church, especially when her members are gathered in praise and prayer (see Matthew 18:20). Through the gift of the Holy Spirit that we received at Baptism and Confirmation, He dwells in our hearts (see John 15:4). But He is especially present to us in the Eucharist.
This is difficult to understand, and in fact it surpasses understanding. Where explanation falls short, we turn to the words of the Lord Himself, and with trust, we listen, “This is my body… this is my blood” (see Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 19-20). There are Christians of good will that will read these words, and say that the Lord was not speaking literally, but was rather using figurative language. Leaving aside the fact that this is probably the only passage of the Gospels that other Christians will not read literally, we need to ask, how did the Lord himself understand these words that He was leaving us?
The Lord did not choose just any meal to share the ritual of bread and wine, but rather He chose a Passover celebration. When Jews in Jesus’ day, along with Jews in our own day, gather to celebrate the Passover, their celebration is not merely remembering what the Lord God did for them roughly 3,200 years ago, rather they see their celebration as a real participation in the Lord God’s saving actions. They do not pray, “we remember the night that the Lord God led our people out of Egypt… across the Red Sea.” But rather they pray, “this is the night that the Lord God leads us out of Egypt… this is the night that He leads us through the Red Sea.” They understand that through their rituals, they are able to participate in the saving events accomplished many centuries ago.
Jesus, the Son of God, is greater than Moses, a mere prophet. If the Passover instituted by Moses has such power, would not the Eucharist instituted by the Lord have even greater power? This is the understanding of the Apostle Paul, who writes to the Christians in Corinth a mere twenty years after the Resurrection, “Is not the cup we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 10:16).
Who will have a better understanding of the words of Christ: the Apostle Paul writing twenty years after the Resurrection or the Protestant reformers who are writing fifteen centuries after the Resurrection?
Blessings,
Fr. Bill
“Truth himself speaks truly, or there’s nothing true.” Eucharistic Hymn: “Adoro Te Devote”
May 26, 2024
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PSALM 33
During this celebration of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, we have Psalm 33 as our Responsorial Psalm. While a lot of the Psalms are prayers for help against our enemies, for deliverance from our woes, or remission of our sins, Psalm 33 is entirely to do with our praise to God’s power and providence.
How many times have we been told that we need to have a relationship with God and that we need to understand what that relationship is based on? Is our relationship with God based on our ideas, our feelings, or our knowledge? No, our relationship should be based on all that God has done for us. It is based on God’s relationship to us. That is the point of today’s psalm. It is based on the goodness, the power, and the wisdom of God.
God is all good. He is totally trustworthy. God loves justice and is righteous. He is full of kindness, and He is perfect love. We hope in God, not because we are good, but because He is.
God is all powerful. God always was; nothing created God. By His mere word He created the universe and all that is in it, out of nothing.
God is all knowing. His wisdom is unsurpassed. He makes no mistakes. For God always knows what we need, and we do not.
These three attributes of God, total Goodness, power, and wisdom make up the perfect love. St. John tells us, “Perfect love drives out all fear.” No matter how hard we try, our love is never perfect, but God’s love is always perfect.
Let us remember on this Trinity Sunday that there is One God, but He is three persons. All three persons of the Trinity possess all of these attributes. These divine and perfect attributes can be broken down in a matter of speaking. Divine power is associated with the Father, the Creator of Heaven and earth. Wisdom is associated with the Son, the Word. He was in the beginning with the Father, all things came to be through Him. The Father and the Son’s perfect love for each other is the Holy Spirit. Can you imagine a love so perfect it becomes a real person?
These perfect attributes of God allow us to have the attributes of Faith, Hope and Love, which are directed at all Three Persons of the Trinity. We should turn our faith towards the Father, the Creator and Ruler of all things. Let us turn our Hope towards the Son who is our Savior. Our Love should be credited to the Holy Spirit because it’s the Holy Spirit that gives us a share in the Divine Love of the Father and the Son.
So, this Trinity Sunday as we proclaim our Responsorial Psalm let us be reminded of God’s enduring kindness to us, not only of His past kindness and present kindness in our lives. Let us trust in God’s future kindness, and let us pray for awareness of God’s kindness in those times that we do not see.
Deo Gratias,
Deacon Gary
May 19, 2024
“For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Romans 8:25b (ESV)
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Today the Church celebrates the feast of Pentecost, and I will also conclude my reflections on the Rosary.
“The Spirit himself intercedes for us…” Prayer is not primarily dependent on our effort. Prayer is primarily the work of the Holy Spirit. This is certainly true when we pray during Mass, but it is also true in our personal prayers, especially the Rosary. When prayer seems dry or dull, it is important to pause, and ask oneself, “Am I letting the Spirit lead me in my prayer?” The Spirit can be “a low whisper,” like it was for the Prophet Elijah (see 1 Kings 19:9-18), or “a mighty rushing wind” (see today’s first reading, Acts 2:1-4). In either case, the presence of the Holy Spirit gives power to our prayer.
This is modeled by the Blessed Virgin Mary. We see in Mary that her greatest accomplishments were not done by her own effort. Rather, she accomplished the most by being both receptive and responsive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. By adopting the same attitude of being receptive and responsive to the presence and promptings of the Holy Spirit, the Rosary becomes a powerful prayer.
To put this into practice, take a long pause before beginning the Rosary, or any prayer. Since you are baptized and confirmed, you have received the gift of the Holy Spirit. During this pause, recall that the Spirit of God dwells within you. Invite the Holy Spirit to be present with you and to lead you in prayer.
As you pray the Rosary, recall how the Spirit led Mary in her mission of being the Mother of Jesus. The Spirit is present in every Mystery of the Rosary, even if He is not explicitly mentioned. Reflect on how the Spirit is present as you pray each Mystery. As you pray the Rosary, when you find that you have gotten distracted, depend not upon your own effort, but rather pray, “Come, Holy Spirit,” and let the Spirit lead you back into prayer.
The Spirit is unpredictable, so I cannot promise you where the Holy Spirit will lead you, if you let Him lead your prayers. But where the Spirit is, there is life. I can assure you that if you let the Spirit lead your prayers, you will find New Life awaken within you.
Prayers & blessings,
Fr. Bill Brunner
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” Luke 1:35b (ESV)
May 12, 2024
“When people love and pray the Rosary, they find it makes them better.” St. Anthony Mary Claret
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
One of the motivations to pray the Rosary is that throughout its 800 year history the Rosary has been associated with signs and wonders. Most famously, was the miraculous victory of the Catholic forces over the Muslims forces at the battle of Lepanto in 1571. In 1858 at Lourdes, France, the Blessed Virgin Mary encouraged St. Bernadette to pray the Rosary, and later revealed to her the location to dig and unleashed a miraculous spring of water that has been associated with countless healing miracles ever since. In 1917, over 70,000 people witnessed the miracle of Fatima when the sun danced in the sky. The Blessed Virgin Mary promised this sign to the three shepherd children as a proof that she really appeared to them and exhorted them to pray the Rosary for peace.
There are many other miracles, signs and wonders associated with the Rosary. These three examples serve to remind us that the Rosary promises victory in the battle, healing in times of hurt, and strengthening of faith in times of doubt.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes many aspects of the Christian life as a battle. “There is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual battle (paragraph 2015). “Prayer is a battle. Against whom? Against ourselves and against the wiles of the tempter who does all he can to turn man away from prayer, away from union with God. We pray as we live, because we live as we pray. If we do not want to act habitually according to the Spirit of Christ, neither can we pray habitually in his name. The ‘spiritual battle’ of the Christian's new life is inseparable from the ‘battle of prayer’” (paragraph 2725). The Christian way of life is not an easy road, since it is following Christ as He carried the Cross. If Mary gave victory to the Catholic forces at Lepanto through the praying of the Rosary, can we not expect the Rosary to lead us to victory in the battles of Christian life?
Every person is in need of healing. Some are in need of physical healing. All of us carry some emotional and spiritual wounds. Unforgiveness is an epidemic striking at the heart of many families. Regret due to past sins is a heavy burden that most people carry. Many people who have bathed in the waters at Lourdes and prayed the Rosary have experienced miraculous healing. Can we not expect that Mary will bring healing to us, her spiritual children, when we have a devotion to the Rosary?
Lastly, for many reasons it seems like it is more difficult to believe in contemporary culture. We seem to live in an age of doubt. In the face of great doubts, Mary revealed a sign at Fatima to confirm the three children in their faith, along with the 70,000 witnesses who had gathered that day. Can we not expect that the regular and devoted recitation of the Rosary cannot help to strengthen our own faith?
Blessings,
Fr. Bill Brunner
“The Rosary is a weapon.” - St. Padre Pio
May 5, 2024
“The greatest method of praying is to pray the Rosary.” St. Francis de Sales
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We continue with the “Five Alive Practices” recommended by Bishop Ricken in his pastoral letter, Encountering Jesus in the Eucharist. The month of May is traditionally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, so naturally, we will be looking at praying the Rosary.
As a quick and helpful introduction, I would recommend looking at the booklet by Catholic Answers: “20 Answers: The Rosary.” Here is their explanation of the Rosary:
“The rosary is a prayer in which we meditate on key events or ‘mysteries’ in the life of Jesus Christ and his Blessed Mother while invoking the prayerful assistance of both our Lord and Our Lady in witnessing their love to the world. The events are organized into four groups of five mysteries: Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious. The faithful pray one ‘Our Father’ (Lord’s Prayer) and ten ‘Hail Marys’ while meditating on each mystery of a group, for a total of fifty Hail Marys per group. The repeated prayers not only help Christians focus their minds while meditating on each mystery but also enable a believer to better hear how Christ may be speaking to them in their individual lives regarding particular relationships, work, other issues, etc. In this light, before beginning and while praying the rosary, Christians should keep in mind the prophet Samuel’s wise response to the Lord: ‘Speak, for your servant is listening’ (1 Sam. 3:10). People lose heart in praying the rosary when they forget that an important part of prayer is listening to God.”
The Rosary begins with vocal prayer, which is the beginning of all prayer. Vocal prayers are beautiful in their simplicity, but we must keep in mind the warning of Jesus about prayer, “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do” (Matthew 6:7). Like all prayers, the Rosary must engage in the mind and heart. Before you begin, take a moment to call to mind WHO you are praying to and WHAT you are saying. I also take a moment to think about an intention for each decade. This helps me to pray the Rosary with both care and attention.
The Rosary benefits from consistency. If one is not in the habit of praying the Rosary on a regular basis, it is unsurprising that it is prayed dully. “Even the highest mountains can be climbed one step at a time.” The change is not immediate. But when the Rosary has become a habit, each Rosary, each decade, and indeed each Hail Mary becomes a step on the mountain of holiness. The beginning can take effort and a push of will power, but with consistency the Rosary never fails to be fruitful.
We will continue to reflect on the Rosary for the following weeks of May.
Blessings,
Fr. Bill
“Say the Holy Rosary. Blessed be that monotony of Hail Mary's which purifies the monotony of your sins!” - St. Josemaria Escriva
April 28, 2024
“But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
On Monday, a number of parishioners from both parishes gathered to discuss parish outreach. I was very encouraged by the meeting and extend my gratitude to everyone who participated. With this kind of commitment and sense of ownership, the good things that God has started here, will continue.
Changing parish leadership is always challenging. What I have seen and experienced during my time here is that these parishes rise to the challenges before them. Both parishes routinely complete their respective Bishop Appeal goals in record time. Both parishes completed the one-by-One goal.
This week, I lay another challenge before you. This is not asking for money. This is asking for time and talent. Both parishes are looking for additional members for their Pastoral Councils. The purpose of these councils is to provide guidance and advice to the pastor and to translate good ideas into good actions. A Pastoral Council can have up to twelve members and both parishes should have full councils.
In addition, each parish has specific committee needs. Holy Trinity Parish needs two additional members for the buildings and grounds committee. St. Gregory needs four to five members for the cemetery committee.
Ask yourself about the gifts you received and how you can use them to make these parishes a better place. If you are interested in any of these councils or committees, contact your respective parish office. We will be gathering nominations for pastoral council members at all the Masses on the weekend of May 11-12, 2024, but names can be submitted earlier.
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.” 1 Peter 4:10
Thank you in advance for your generous service.
Blessings,
Fr. Bill Brunner
April 21, 2024
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In this Sunday’s Gospel, we hear the words of Jesus, “I am the Good Shepherd.” I find these words difficult this year. I have been your shepherd for nearly three years, and now I am being sent to be a shepherd for another parish.
I am given comfort by recalling my first words to you when I arrived in October 2021. I started with a question: “Who owns this parish?” Is the parish owned by the priest? Or is it owned by the people? Both answers are wrong.
Christ owns the parish. It is His Word that we hear proclaimed every Sunday. It is His Body and Blood that we receive in the Eucharist every Sunday. And it is on His mission that we are sent out at the end of Mass, “Go and glorify the Lord by your life.”
Even though I am being moved, Christ will remain here to be your Shepherd.
The Gospel passage for this Sunday also talks about hearing the voice of Christ. Are we listening for His voice? What is He telling us? And where is He leading us?
If we are a people of prayer, especially meditative and contemplative prayer, He will lead us. And if we respond to His voice, and go where He leads, He will lead these parishes to green pastures and flowing waters.
There is anxiety about having an international priest. But even in this, Christ wants to teach us, lead us, and feed us. Here is some of what I have been hearing Christ speak to my heart in prayer:
“I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35b). As anxious as we are about having an international priest, he is probably just as nervous about being sent on mission to serve us. How are we preparing to welcome him as a brother in Christ? Are we grateful that he is willing to leave home and family, and everything that is familiar and comfortable to come and serve us?
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Matthew 9:37b). There really is only one reason why we are dependent on international priests: there are not enough men becoming priests. Are we determined in our prayer and spiritual sacrifices to beg God to raise up priestly vocations from our own parishes and our own families? Are we encouraging our own sons, grandsons, and nephews to consider a call to the priesthood?
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38). What is the reason that we are coming to church? Some priests are more gifted. Some are less gifted. Some priests are easy to understand. Some are more difficult to understand. I hope that you are not coming to church for the priest, rather I hope that you are coming to church for Christ. Last week, I wrote about how I was warmly welcomed here. Over the last two weeks, I have received numerous notes of appreciation. All of this deeply touches my heart, and will make it all the more difficult to depart. However, the greatest gift that you can give me is if you can truly say that you are closer to Jesus and love Him more now then when I first arrived.
We continue to keep each other in prayer.
Blessings,
Fr. Bill
April 14, 2024
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LOCKING YOUR DOORS
It seems the older I get in life, the more things I lock up. Is it me getting older? Is it the fact that there is more crime in the world? Maybe it is a little bit of both. I remember when we moved to Manitowoc. I never locked the garage. If our car was in the driveway, I certainly didn’t bother locking it during the day, and maybe not even at night. We never used the deadbolt on the door to the house. But now you can bet things are locked up and there are even a few motion-detection lights up around the yard because there are more unsavory people in the world than there used to be. I need to be able to sleep at night.
This week’s Responsorial Psalm, Psalm 4, talks about David falling peacefully asleep because the Lord is bringing security to his dwelling. I guess David was worried about His household security as much as I am about mine. But the psalmist is talking about much more than security in his house. Just as there are unsavory characters in the physical world, there are some unsavory characters in the spiritual world. There are demons who are prowling the world searching for souls to ruin.
Believe it or not there is spiritual warfare going on around us all of the time. No matter how hard we try, we will always be tempted by the devil. Jesus was tempted by the devil, why shouldn’t we expect the same? But God is always there to help us, and we have to decide who we are going to open the door of our soul to, to let them in, and who we are going to lock the door of our soul to, to keep them out.
The psalmist tells us, “When I call, answer me, my just God.” “It’s you who relieves me when I am in distress.” For he knows it’s God who provides the true security for our souls. It’s God who is all wise and all good who will help us lock the doors of our soul to guard against attacks of the devil, and all his evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of our souls.
In our time of temptation, in our time of doubt, we have to keep our faith. Even when Jesus faced death and asked His father to remove this cup, Jesus kept faith in His Father’s plan. So should we because our faith is not just feelings. We can base our faith in facts. The facts are that Jesus died for our sins; He rose from the dead to show us eternal life, and He also awaits us.
So, when we feel afraid, when we have doubts, when we have worries, and when we don’t feel secure in this world, we do not have to struggle alone. We can put our hope and trust in the Lord. Let us follow Jesus’ examples here on earth. Jesus continually prayed and so should we. Jesus gave us the sacraments. Let us boldly use them!
When those times of doubt, fear, and insecurity come, we do not have to worry if we have shut the windows, locked the doors, and reset the security alarm. We have a God who calls us into a relationship with Him. He asks us to bring all things to Him in prayer and sacrament. If we lay the security of our souls in His care, you and I will be able to fall peacefully asleep because it is, “You alone O Lord who brings security to my soul.”
Viva Cristo Rey,
Deacon Gary
April 7, 2024
“Therefore, every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” Matthew 13:52
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This month’s prayer card is an act of “spiritual communion.”
The practice of spiritual communion may be familiar to some older Catholics but unheard of by most younger Catholics.
Spiritual communion is the expression of desire to be in union with Jesus Christ, specifically to be in union with Christ as if one was receiving the Holy Eucharist.
There are a number of reasons to make an act of spiritual communion. In times and places of persecution, participation in the celebration of the Mass was often unavailable to most Catholics. Historically, this included times such as Poland under Communist rule. In present times, this includes Catholics in countries such as Saudi Arabia and China.
There are also places where the shortage of priests means that Mass is only available infrequently. Historically, this includes Catholics in early America. In present times, this often includes Catholics living in mission territories.
Recently, in our own time, when parishes were closed during COVID, many Catholics expressed a desire to receive Jesus in Holy Communion but were unable to receive Him.
No matter the reason why a Catholic may not be able to receive Holy Communion, they can always make an act of spiritual communion, and even make an act of spiritual communion multiple times a day.
Spiritual communion is not only for times of persecution, scarcity of priests, or epidemics. We should desire to always have Jesus dwelling in our hearts. For this reason, great saints of the Church have encouraged Catholics to frequently make acts of spiritual communion. Here are some examples:
“When you do not receive communion and you do not attend Mass, you can make a spiritual communion, which is a most beneficial practice; by it the love of God will be greatly impressed on you,” St. Teresa of Avila.
“If we are deprived of Sacramental Communion, let us replace it, as far as we can, by spiritual communion, which we can make every moment; for we ought to have always a burning desire to receive the good God,” St. John Vianney.
“What a source of grace there is in Spiritual Communion! Practice it frequently and you'll have more presence of God and closer union with him in your life,” St. Josemaria Escriva.
“It is good to cultivate in our hearts a constant desire for the sacrament of the Eucharist. This was the origin of the practice of ‘spiritual communion,’ which has happily been established in the Church for centuries and recommended by saints who were masters of the spiritual life,” Pope St. John Paul the Second.
The practice of spiritual communion is an effective way to prepare for Mass, and also to deepen a sense of God’s presence throughout our day and our week.
Blessings,
Fr. Bill Brunner
March 31, 2024
“He is not here.” Mark 16:6
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
Most Christian churches make the claim that you can find the Lord here, but there is one very important church that makes the opposite claim, “He is not here.” This is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, located in Jerusalem over the site of the Crucifixion and tomb of our Lord Jesus.
Even to this day, pilgrims to this church can enter the tomb and see that it is empty. There are gold letters above the slab where His body was buried that proudly proclaim, “He is risen; He is not here” (Mark 16:6).
These were the words that the angel addressed to the women who were coming to the tomb to anoint the Lord’s body. They were expecting to find the body of the Lord in the place where He was buried. These women were among the few of our Lord’s loyal followers who remained with Him, even to the foot of the Cross. They knew which tomb to go to, for they witnessed His burial (see Mark 15:40-41 and Mark 15:47).
They were the first witnesses to the Lord’s Resurrection. They were the first to rejoice in the great news that Christ has conquered death.
It is natural to question, where were the other disciples? The Gospel of Luke tells us two of them were fleeing Jerusalem, and the Gospel of John tells us that the others were hiding in the upper room. Fear kept them from going to the Lord’s tomb. Fear kept them from hearing the Good News of the Resurrection. But even if they, somehow, overcame their fear, they would not have been able to find the tomb. They were not at the foot of the Cross, and they did not witness where the Lord was buried. So, they would not have known where to find Him.
We see that there is a connection between the Cross and the Resurrection. Those who followed the Lord, even to the foot of the Cross, are the first to receive the Good News of the Resurrection. They were the first to see that the tomb was empty. This is an important lesson for us. Those who embrace the crosses of their lives, often experience the greater joy at Easter. If we run from the crosses that life brings our way, we are also running away from our share in the Resurrection.
The celebration of Easter is that joyful confidence, and bold proclamation, that God transforms the darkness of Good Friday into the light of Easter morning. It is the steady belief that God transforms the darkness of our sorrows into the joy that the world cannot take away.
“So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” John 16:22
Jesus is Risen!
Blessings,
Fr. Bill Brunner
March 24 2024
“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” The Jesus Prayer
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Again we return to Holy Week with the celebration of “Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion.” It’s long and awkward to say, so usually we abbreviate it as “Palm Sunday.” We need to balance both the jubilant and welcoming cheers of the crowds upon Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, and the loneliness of his death on the cross with only the companionship of two criminals. We are quick to welcome the Lord when times are good, but are steadfast in the face of challenges?
Usually the deacon or the priest proclaims the Gospel during the liturgy, but on two days every member of the congregation shares the Gospel: Palm Sunday and Good Friday. This emphasizes the fact that each of us takes a part in the judgment, suffering and death of the Lord. It was for our sins that he died. He suffered the punishment that we deserve for our sins. So, as we together proclaim the “Passion of the Lord” this Palm Sunday, we also examine our own hearts and lives.
When have I been like Judas, and sacrificed our principles and convictions, for the sake of gain and profit?
When have I been like Peter, rash to promise the Lord our loyalty but fall away when I am challenged? Being a faithful Catholic in today’s world requires courage and conviction, but when have I let fear overcome my faith?
When have I been like the disciples in the garden, who are sleepy and drowsy in fulfilling their duties to the Lord? When have I been slothful in my prayers? When have I been neglectful of my religious duties?
Again, when have I been like Judas, who betrayed the Lord with a kiss? When have I given an outward show of piety, but in reality my heart has been far from God?
When have I been like the chief priests who judged Jesus? They could not convict him except by resorting to lies and distortions. Have I been honest and truthful?
Pilate knew the truth of the matter, and he knew what was right. Yet, he was swayed by the heckle of the crowds, and allowed pragmatism to triumph over what is right. When have I allowed social pressures to overwhelm my convictions about right and wrong, good and evil?
Simon helped Christ to carry his cross. In serving the poor, the weak, and the oppressed, we too help Christ to carry his cross. How have I responded to the call to serve the poor?
The centurion risked everything by boldly proclaiming, “Truly this man was a Son of God.” Have I been willing to take a risk for the faith?
In response to the ways that I have shared in the Passion of the Lord, I can only respond with the prayer of the publican, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (see Luke 18:9-14).
Blessings,
Father Bill
March 17, 2024
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8
“For the wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I concluded my column two weeks ago with the observation that vibrant parishes have a healthy appreciation of the sacrament of reconciliation. This observation makes sense. Sin kills the life of grace, and without grace there is no spiritual life.
The most common objection to the sacrament of reconciliation is the assertion that one can confess directly to God.
Since we are biblical Christians, where do we find that assertion in the Bible?
The Apostle James makes it clear, “Confess to one another…” (James 5:16).
Throughout the Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments, God shows a strong preference to work through the cooperation of human mediators. God could have directly acted to free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, yet God chose to work through Moses and Aaron. God could have chosen by divine decree to simply remit the sins of humanity, but he chose to send His Son into the world, “Incarnate by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary,” to suffer and die in the flesh for our redemption. God could have chosen to directly inspire the words of the Gospel into the hearts of all men and women, but He chose to send the Apostles to every corner of the world to preach that the Kingdom of God was at hand.
From the first verses of Genesis through the last verse of Revelation, God shows an unwavering preference to work through human agency and through human cooperation. He does not want to simply impose redemption from above. He does not want us to be merely passive spectators in the drama of our own salvation. He elevates our dignity by calling us to cooperate with His saving actions.
In the age of the church, that is from Pentecost until now (and really until the Second Coming), our cooperation with God’s saving actions is expressed through the sacraments. At the beginning of life, one cannot baptize himself. At the hour of death, one cannot anoint oneself. At both birth and death, God mediates His grace through a sacrament. Why would it be any different in those moments when we have offended Him by our sins and have need of His mercy?
Blessings,
Father Bill
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
March 10, 2024
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LAETARE SUNDAY - “Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast.” Is 66:10-11
Our opening Entrance Antiphon for Mass on this Fourth Sunday in Lent is where the theme for Laetare Sunday comes from. Laetare is a Latin word meaning rejoice. We celebrate Laetare Sunday midway through our Lenten season with 21 days left until Easter.
On Laetare Sunday, the Church takes a breather from the penitential Lenten practices. It’s a day where the clergy put away the purple vestments which signify penance and put on rose-colored vestments. (A nice way of saying pink.) The color rose symbolizes joy for the Church.
There are several traditions that go along with Laetare Sunday. The wearing of rose-colored vestments goes back to an ancient tradition of the Pope carrying a golden rose when he left Mass. The golden rose was part of a cluster of golden roses that the pope would bless and then have distributed to Catholic heads of state, churches, and shrines as a symbol of outstanding service to the Church. Normally, during the Season of Lent, there are no flowers on the Altar or in the Sanctuary, but it is permitted to decorate with flowers, preferably with roses, on this Sunday of joy.
A tradition that started in ancient times and still continues is that Catechumens on this day are given a sacred copy of the Apostles Creed, signifying they would soon come into full communion with the Church on the Easter Vigil. On the Easter Vigil, as we know, catechumens receive Baptism, the Eucharist, and Confirmation, making them full members in the Church. This is a time for rejoicing among the Church.
Other traditions practiced on Laetare Sunday begin with visiting one’s Mother Church, the parish where you were baptized. In some parts of the world, Laetare Sunday is also known as Mothering Sunday. Adult children make it a point to visit their mothers and plant a rose bush. They have a family brunch or dinner and decorate the table with roses.
However we celebrate Laetare Sunday, we should take a break from the somber mood of Lent. Today is a day to reflect on the joy of Easter to come, before we face the darkness of Good Friday and Holy Saturday. It is also a good day to reflect on our Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving and to take some silent time to let God speak to us and tell us what we need to change in our practices to make this a truly blessed Lent.
As we celebrate Laetare Sunday, let us keep our eye on the prize and not lose focus of the joy of Christ’s Resurrection. Let us link our sufferings to Christ’s suffering on the Cross for us, and let us remember we are an Easter people. Rejoice!
Viva Cristo Rey,
Deacon Gary
March 3, 2024
“Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.” 1 Corinthians 11:28-30
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Peace be with you. The next Five Alive practice that we will look at is the Sacrament of Reconciliation, also called the Sacrament of Penance or Confession.
Before we look at an explanation of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we will look at how our parishes will be offering this sacrament during the season of Lent.
Confessions will continue to be offered at the usual times. On Saturdays, starting at 3:00pm at St. Gregory. On Sunday, starting at 7:30am and again starting at 6:30pm at Holy Trinity. Additional times for Confession will be offered on Monday evenings of March from 4:00 to 7:00pm. During that time there will be the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, so anyone can come and pray during that time. You can come at any point during those times. You do not need to be there at the beginning. The priests will stay until 7:00pm, even if no one is waiting in line.
March 4 and March 18 will be at Holy Trinity.
March 11 and March 25 will be at St. Gregory.
We did a similar approach during Advent. And it worked really well. In fact, the second time Confession was offered, it was a steady stream of penitents for the entire three hours. Wow! Lots of Mercy was given that evening. A difference for Lent will be that extra priests will be available on March 11, March 18 and March 25, so the lines should move faster, and you will have the opportunity to go to Confession to someone besides your pastor.
Very few people will consider Confession to be their favorite sacrament. However, this sacrament of Mercy is a powerhouse of parish renewal. The most vibrant parishes in the diocese have a vibrant appreciation of this sacrament.
Blessings,
Father Bill
“And the people came to Moses and said, ‘We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.’ … And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a brazen serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.’ So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.” Numbers 21:7-9
February 25, 2024
“If lectio divina is effectively promoted, this practice will bring to the Church - I am convinced of it – a new spiritual springtime.” ~Pope Benedict XVI
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As we have looked at the practice of “lectio divina,” how has God’s Word spoken to you?
When we are prayerfully attentive to God’s Word, we hear Him truly speaking to our heart. This cannot be a hurried reading. This cannot be a distracted reading. This is also not the way a scholar would read the Word. It is the way that the Spirit guides us in reading.
As we have read God’s Word attentively and prayerfully, our mind and our heart should have been drawn to particular words or phrases from scripture. As we ponder these words, we are naturally led into meditation.
Now as we meditate on scripture, we get to a point where we can meditate no longer. At this point, have we exhausted what God can tell us through His Word? NO! The longer we apply our heart to “lectio divina,” the more we discover that His Word is an ever-flowing font of wisdom that nourishes the soul. One cannot exhaust the depths of God’s Word. When we come to the point where we can meditate no longer, it’s not a shortcoming of God’s Word, but rather a shortcoming of our ability to pray.
At this point, our work of prayer is not finished. Now it is time for the third step of “lectio divina,” that is ORATIO. ORATIO is the Latin word for “prayer.” This can be confusing, since all of “lectio divina” is a prayer, so how is this step different? In the first step, “lectio” that is reading, God is speaking to us through His Word. In the second step, “meditatio,” we enter into our “inner room” to ponder. Now with ORATIO, we RESPOND to God’s Word, and enter into a conversation with the Lord about His Word.
How has the Word comforted you? Share that with the Lord in your own words. How has the Word challenged you? Share that with the Lord in your own words. Ask the Lord for the graces you need to rise to these challenges. Has the Word of God moved you to action? Make a resolution to act on His Word. Speak to the Lord from your heart.
The last step of “lectio divina” is “contemplatio.” “Contemplatio” means to simply rest in the Lord’s Word. Think about a couple who has been married for years. After a while they often grow quiet in each other’s presence. But even without words, they have lived together and loved each other for so long that they can share a conversation of love through their silence. “Contemplatio” is this same prayerful resting in God’s Word. Since “contemplatio” requires the least action on our part, it can feel like we aren’t doing anything. However, in prayer “not doing anything” is not a waste of time. Rather, it is time that we let the Word of God soak into the depths of our heart, and let God’s Word do something in us. “Contemplatio” is giving time to God to act in our heart.
“It is especially necessary that listening to the Word of God should become a life-giving encounter.” ~Pope Saint John Paul II
Blessings,
Father Bill
February 18, 2024
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We return to the guidance about “Lectio Divina.” The first step is reading. This type of reading is “listening with the heart” rather than an analysis.
The second step is “meditatio” or meditation.
If one reads scripture with attention and an interior attitude of recollection, your focus will be drawn to a specific word or phrase or verse of scripture. This may not be the main point of the passage, and in fact, may even seem like an insignificant detail to the wider passage. However, every word of scripture can nourish the soul. The word to which your heart is drawn is the word that God wishes to use to speak to your heart.
In speaking about meditation, the monks would use words like “chewing,” or “savoring.” They liked the image of a cow chewing her cud and drawing all the nourishment from it that is available. We let the Word linger with us.
At this point we reflect over it. Meditation can in fact be active. We ask questions, such as “Imagine what it would feel like for Jesus to speak TO ME in that way?” Or, if we notice something unexpected or even unsettling in scripture, we can ponder, “Why would Jesus do that or say something in that way?” Ponder and reflect over the word.
Meditation is also noticing how the word echoes in our hearts and minds. Sometimes the Word of God helps us to recall a memory, triggers a thought or insight, or we have an emotional response to the word. These responses can be comforting and reassuring. They can also be uncomfortable. Either way, rest in how your mind and heart respond to the word. Let it take root. Let it take you deeper into your insight, memory, or feeling.
Part of meditation is considering how the words relate to your life today. Ask yourself, “Have I ever been in a similar situation?” Or, “How can I relate to this passage?”
Each word of scripture can be nourishing, if we give it the attention, focus, and time for the word to take root, and reveal itself to us.
There are times in my own prayer, when I return to a familiar passage of scripture, and it speaks to me again. It’s as if I am hearing it for the first time. When we meditate on scripture through lectio divina, the scriptures do speak to us anew.
Blessings,
Father Bill
February 11, 2024
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LORD, MAKE US CLEAN
Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to be part of a presentation to our Confirmation Candidates about sexual morality. This is a topic that they have heard about before, but it is one that truly needs to be addressed many times because there is a war going on between Church teaching and what is being practiced in society. Since the sexual revolution of the 60’s, we have become a sex-obsessed culture. While sexual immorality has existed since the beginning of time, our society is the first society in history that believes sexual freedom trumps all other moral laws. We like to believe that sexual freedom is subjective and personal; there is no absolute truth when it comes to sexual issues.
We know there is truth. In the beginning God created Adam and Eve in His Divine Image, male and female. God blessed them saying, “Be fertile and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it.” This was the first marriage, this was God’s Prime Directive to us, to be fruitful and multiply. It was a union of souls in communion with God.
But our society has turned sex into parade candy. Remember parades when we were young? As they went down the street people on the floats would throw candy out to everyone and anyone standing on the side. We would try to catch the candy, but so much of it landed on the street and in the gutter, where it become dirty, but it was still picked up and consumed. That is exactly what has become of the gift of sex from God. We made it dirty, but we still consume it.
Jesus has given us seven sacraments, seven life giving sacraments, seven ways to help us achieve the ultimate life with the Father. The sexual revolution and organizations like Planned Parenthood have also given us a sacrament, a sacrament of death called abortion.
There is a growing number of people in this country that view abortion as “reproductive health care.” Abortion is often treated as backup contraception, and all contraception in any form is allowing us is to have sex without the responsibility of having children. We know it is nothing but pure and simple murder. When we use contraceptives, when we partake in abortion, we are going against God’s Prime Directive for us, when we kill babies in the womb and we are also killing off our immortal souls. Worst of all, we are attacking God Himself.
The sexual revolution, contraception, and abortion are destroying the very core of our society, the family. A stable, faithful family is the bedrock that holds society together. God designed marriage and the family to be the primary way to keep us from our natural tendency to be self-centered. Marriage teaches us to be self-giving to another, to society, and to God. Marriage teaches us to be open to giving and nurturing life.
If you think I have sounded harsh, you’re probably right, but our society has twisted what God has planned for us, for our bodies. We have personally attacked God, and we have committed murder all in the name of personal freedom.
The Good News is that Jesus Christ wants to heal us. Jesus offers us mercy and salvation through the life giving sacrament of Confession if we choose. There is no sin that we cannot repent of and ask forgiveness for. There is no sin greater than the power of Jesus Christ.
Let us follow the advice of St. Paul and “Do everything for the glory of God.” Let us pray that our young people learn the lifegiving values of the Church. Let us pray for strong marriages that are fruitful. Let us pray for those who have had abortions that they may repent and be restored to life. And let us remember the leper in today’s gospel and ask to be healed from everything that keeps us from God’s eternal love and life. “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.”
Viva Cristo Rey,
Deacon Gary
February 4, 2024
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We continue looking at Bishop Ricken’s “Five Alive Practices for Getting More Out of the Mass,” from his pastoral letter, “Encountering Jesus in the Eucharist.” The second practice we will look at is “lectio divina.” This phrase is Latin for “divine reading.” In the simplest terms, lectio divina is a careful reading of Scripture and approaching it as a living Word that still has the ability to speak to our hearts. My spiritual director in seminary would say that lectio divina is reading Scripture with the heart, more than with the head.
The classic Catholic text about lectio divina is “The Ladder of Monks” by the monk Guido the Second. Even though it was written nearly 850 years ago, it is still easy to read and understand.*
Lectio divina is divided into four steps: (1) reading (2) meditating (3) praying and (4) contemplating. Over the Sundays of February, we will look at each of these steps in turn.
The first step is reading. A good starting point is to begin with the Gospel reading for Mass for the upcoming Sunday.
The first thing to understand is that this is reading to hear what God is saying. Just as Elijah only heard God in the still small voice (see 1 Kings 19:12), in order to hear the voice of God speaking to us through these sacred words, we need to quiet both our room and the inner room of our heart. Begin by placing yourself in the presence of God, take a few deep breaths, and then begin reading. This is not speed reading. As your mind and heart ponders the words, if your heart is drawn to a particular word or phrase, pause there. Repeat that phrase a few times. Then continue.
It is helpful to read the passage out loud. This may seem strange at first when you are alone, but it does make a difference. After reading the passage, pause for a moment of prayerful rest, then read the passage again. Read it through in the same deliberate way three or four times.
This is reading for “quality,” not “quantity.” This type of reading is seeking to find how the depths of the Word of God speaks to the depth of your heart. It is alright, and perhaps even better, if the reader only ponders a few verses of scripture during their time of lectio divina.
Blessings,
Father Bill
* This booklet can be accessed for free online at https://nds.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/The-Ladder-of-Monks.pdf
January 28, 2024
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We continue our discussion of Sunday Mass as we look at Bishop’s “Five Alive” practices from his pastoral letter, “Encountering Jesus in the Eucharist: Disciples Called to Worship.”
In the letter, the Bishop reminds us that participating in Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation is a grave responsibility. This obligation is not just a rule imposed by the church but reflects our understanding of who God is and what He expects from us.
Each Sunday, we begin the Creed with these words, “I believe in One God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.” Since these words are repeated so frequently, their impact can be muted.
But what are we saying with these words? By proclaiming Him as Creator, we are proclaiming that without God, we simply would not exist. He created us, and we belong to Him. By proclaiming Him as Father Almighty, we are proclaiming that He has given us life, provides for our needs, and enriches us with His blessings.
From God comes our existence, our life, all that we have, and all that we cherish. We do not deserve it. We have not earned it. He was not obligated to create us. He was not obligated to breathe life into our mortal bodies and to bless us with His grace. It naturally follows that we owe Him a debt of gratitude.
Religion is a virtue. St. Thomas Aquinas does not place the virtue of religion under the theological virtues, Faith, Hope and Love. He places religion under the virtue of justice. The basic definition of justice is “to give to each what is owed to them.” For example, we owe our employer an honest day’s work, and our employer owes us an honest day’s pay. The virtue of patriotism recognizes that we owe honor and respect to our nation and those who hold office in our nation. The virtue of religion recognizes that we owe God a debt of gratitude and praise. The act by which we repay to God the debt of gratitude and praise is called the act of worship.
Now, when we owe a debt to another, we do not get to decide how that debt is repaid. The bank would not be amused if one attempted to pay their mortgage with seashells, even if it was explained that seashells were once used as currency in Papua, New Guinea.
In the same way, God gets to determine the shape of our worship. In the Ten Commandments, He commands (not suggests), “Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.” Further in the Old Testament, the Lord gives detailed instructions to Moses about how sacrifices are to be offered.
This is reflected in the New Testament. Because the Lord was Resurrected on a Sunday, and hence He conquered sin and death on a Sunday, for Christians the Lord’s day is Sunday. Further, Jesus institutes how worship is offered in the New Covenant, when He gives us these words at the Last Supper, “He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood’” (Luke 22:19-20, ESV).
If we take the Word of God seriously, we understand the significance of the Sunday obligation. Why should we celebrate the Eucharist on Sunday? Because God commands it.
Blessings,
Father Bill
January 21, 2024
From January through May 2024, we will be looking at the “Five Alive Practices” from Bishop Ricken’s Pastoral Letter, “Encountering Jesus in the Eucharist.” During the month of January we will be looking at the Sunday Mass.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We continue our discussion of Sunday Mass as we look at Bishop’s “Five Alive” practices from his pastoral letter, “Encountering Jesus in the Eucharist: Disciples Called to Worship.”
Last week, we looked at stories, from different times and different places, of great sacrifices that Catholics have made in order to participate in the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist. What is so valuable about Sunday Eucharist that Catholics, even in the present day, risk their livelihood, freedom, and even their life in order to take part in the Eucharist?
It is true that God is present everywhere. We call this the dogma of God’s omnipresence. But even if God is present everywhere, nonetheless, God chooses to manifest His divine presence in particular times and places. We see numerous examples in the Bible itself. Moses and the Hebrew people met God at Mount Sinai, where his presence was so strong that the summit of the mountain had to be shrouded in cloud and smoke. Later, God will make His dwelling within the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. In the New Testament, Jesus chooses to be present in one place, the Holy Land, and one particular time, for the first thirty-three years of the first millennium. Everyone who encountered Jesus recognized that He was a unique divine presence that could not be found anyplace else.
So it is also true with coming to church on Sunday. You can, and in fact should, pray at home, but the Lord is not present there the way He is present in the church. Jesus, Himself, teaches that where two or three are gathered in His name, He is present among them. The church gathers in His name, and He is truly present. He is present in His Word, especially when it is proclaimed by a person of faith to a people assembled in Faith. The Second Vatican Council is even as bold as to say that when the Sacred Word is proclaimed in the Sacred Assembly, God is speaking again. Lastly, and most importantly, in the Catholic Church, Jesus is encountered in the Eucharist, and the Eucharist cannot be found anyplace else. Before the Eucharist, we are in the presence of the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus.
Our brothers and sisters in Christ that continue to suffer persecutions for their beliefs, continue to risk everything for Sunday, since they know on Sunday they encounter Jesus in a way that they do not encounter Him any place else.
Having Mass broadcasted over TV and the internet is part of the reality of our world. It is a blessing for the sick and homebound. But it does not substitute for being physically and personally present at the celebration of the Mass for those who are not physically or medically impeded. Imagine if you were invited to a friend’s house for dinner, and instead of finding a banquet laid out before you, they had you watch a cooking show and showed you photographs of food. Your hunger would not be satisfied. Simply watching Mass on TV cannot satisfy the hunger of the soul.
Blessings,
Father Bill
January 14, 2024
From January through May 2024, we will be looking at the “Five Alive Practices” from Bishop Ricken’s Pastoral Letter, “Encountering Jesus in the Eucharist.” During the month of January we will be looking at the Sunday Mass.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As many of you know, I was sent to Rome for my studies for the priesthood. One of the best parts of that experience was meeting Catholics from all over the world. These included Catholics from modern day Iraq. It might surprise you to learn that there are Catholics in Iraq, but it is one of the most ancient Christian communities in the world. Their language, culture, and spirituality is called Chaldean. Although the population of Chaldean Catholics in Iraq is ancient, the years of war, persecution, and terrorism have driven them from their home. Now there are very few Chaldeans left in Iraq, but there are sizable Chaldean Catholic populations in San Diego and Detroit.
Among my classmates were two young Chaldean men studying to be priests with the intention of returning to Iraq to preach the Gospel and celebrate the sacraments. They returned home. They were both ordained. They were both killed for being priests. They were killed on a Sunday. Those who persecute the Church, look for Christians on Sunday, since they know that Christians go to church on Sunday. This includes churches being attacked on First Communion Sunday in Baghdad, Chinese Communist police arresting Christians in their churches on Sundays, or St. Oscar Romero, the well-known Archbishop from El Salvador, who was assassinated while celebrating Sunday Mass by agents of the Salvadoran government in 1980.
All these modern day Christians, who suffer for the faith, remind us that the age of the martyrs is not something remembered in the history books but is the reality for many Catholics today. They echo the words of the martyrs of Abitene, who were killed by the Roman Empire in northern Africa in 303 A.D. When asked why they risked gathering on a Sunday to celebrate the Eucharist, they simply responded, “We cannot live without Sunday.”
In our culture that is relatively prosperous, it costs us nothing to participate in Sunday Mass. Because Sunday costs us nothing, I am afraid that we treat it as something cheap. But the poor, especially the working poor in places such as Bahrain or Dubai, show us the value of Sunday since they lose their wages and risk their jobs to go to Sunday Mass.
In our culture that is relatively peaceful, it involves no danger to gather for Sunday Mass. Since it involves no danger and no risk, Sunday Mass can all too easily become something optional rather than something essential. But my Iraqi classmates from Rome, along with so many persecuted Catholics today, show us that Sunday Mass is essential, worth literally risking life and limb, since they “cannot live without Sunday.”
This week, I ask you to reflect on the importance of Sunday. Ask yourself why persecuted Christians will risk so much for the opportunity to gather for Sunday Mass? Ponder, why do they say, by both word and action, “We cannot live without Sunday”?
Sunday's blessings be with you,
Father Bill
January 6, 2024
Hear to Serve ...
PSALM 72 - A PRAYER FOR THE KING
I strongly recommend reading and rereading the Responsorial Psalm for each Sunday Mass. Get out your Bible and look up the entire Psalm. The Psalms are filled with every human emotion and contain wisdom that is much needed in our world.
Psalm 72 begins as a prayer for Solomon and a hope for prosperity for his nation now and in the future. The Psalm is really much deeper than that. It is about the coming of the Messiah. It is a prayer of longing for the coming of the King of the Universe, the only King who can rule the whole world with wisdom, justice and mercy. It is a hope far beyond what a human ruler is capable of.
This is the hope that we have for our country. Isn’t that what all people hope for in their countries throughout the world? We want our country to be lands of prosperity and abundance. We want leaders that rule with justice, wisdom, and mercy. As we talk about leaders ruling with justice, wisdom, and mercy, that just isn’t for our political leaders, this includes our Church leadership as well.
In the world today it seems more prevalent than ever that there is poverty, injustices, wars, and corrupt leadership. There is a breakdown of families, a breakdown of people’s faith in the Church and its leadership. While anxiety and stress seem to be on the rise, all these problems in society and in our lives have become holes that keep getting bigger and bigger.
Well, Solomon’s reign did not go well, and Israel was split by civil war. Solomon’s sin was that while he did love God, he didn’t love God with his whole heart. God warned the Israelites not to marry people from other nations. Solomon didn’t listen to God. He had many wives; he had wives that worshipped pagan god’s and they corrupted Solomon into filling the holes in his life with idol worship.
Have we not seen world leaders get power hungry and instead of ruling their country with wisdom, justice, and mercy they become more concerned about their reputations? They seek personal wealth and power; they want to rule the world. History has shown us they will never be happy. They will never be satisfied.
In our personal lives, what pagan god’s do we try fill the holes in our lives with … bigger houses, bigger bank accounts, pleasures of the world?
We have to love God with our whole heart. Filling our lives with these pagan gods will never truly satisfy us. There will always be an emptiness in our lives. It’s only when we let the only true King Jesus the Christ take control of our hearts and minds, then these holes will be filled and we will find peace. Our hearts and minds will become filled with an abundance of wisdom, justice, and mercy for our neighbor.
Let us pray for our world leaders; let us pray for our Church leaders; and let us pray for ourselves, that we have learned a lesson from Solomon. Let’s take some time and rid ourselves of any idols in our lives. Then we can give our hearts and minds and lives to Jesus the Christ, the King of Heaven and Earth. He is the King of true justice and peace who will reign over us in His eternal Heavenly Kingdom. Amen.
Viva Cristo Rey,
Deacon Gary
December 31, 2023
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The Sunday between Christmas and the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God (January 1) is the Sunday of the Holy Family. Squeezed between these two great celebrations, the Holy Family is often overlooked, but taking the extra effort to reflect on this feast provides us with a richer understanding of what it means to be a holy family of faith in the world today.
As we celebrate the Holy Family, the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac gives us an example of what it means to trust God with the protection and blessing of our family. God does not simply do these things, he does them with abundance. The faith of Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac provides a model for all families to trust in God’s providence in every moment of their lives, especially at pivotal moments of discernment or crisis. Like Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac, we too are called to form families of faith who trust and believe in God’s promise of his continued presence in our lives. Remembering that God has kept his promises in the past, we can trust that he will continue to keep his promises for us in the present day. This trust provides the foundation for our obedience as we continually discern God’s will for ourselves and our families.
The story of Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac also shows us how to recognize that every good we have comes from God and ultimately belongs to him. Since every good we have comes from God, we are called to use the good gifts he has given us according to his plan. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8). Often as we discern how God calls us to make use of the gifts, goods and blessings that he provides us, we are challenged, since the ways of God and the ways of the world often run in opposite directions. When God asked for Isaac in sacrifice, the way of the world would have led Abraham to turn away from God. And although Abraham was greatly grieved, he followed the way of trust. And by his trust, “he received Isaac back” (Hebrews 11:19) and was greatly blessed.
To be a holy family of faith often requires trust in God’s plan, but the examples of the many holy families that go before us, give us a reason to trust that God keeps his promises when what he asks seems difficult or even impossible. Our Father in heaven is a father who always keeps his promises.
Blessings and Merry Christmas,
Father Bill
December 31, 2023
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.” - Titus 2:11-12 from the second reading for Midnight Christmas Mass
A Christmas Message
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Each Christmas, we recall how our Lord and God chose to enter the world. Although he could have entered our world on clouds of awe and majesty, the Son of God chose to be born of a humble maiden. Although, as King of Kings, he could have been born in a palace surrounded by splendor and riches; he chose to be born in the poverty of the stable.
Many people hesitate to approach God. Perhaps they are afraid, or they feel unworthy. However, a newborn baby draws almost everyone to the side of the crib. By being born as the infant son of Mary, our Lord Jesus shows us that we should not be afraid to draw close to God.
By choosing to be born into a poor and humble family, our Lord Jesus shows us that he has come to be a God for the poor, for the lowly, for the humble. As his mother sang in her song, often called the “Magnificat,” the Lord God “had filled the hungry with good things, but the rich he has sent away empty” (see Luke 1:46-55). So, we do not need to come to God trying to impress him with our accomplishments or our status. Rather we can come to him with our needs, our shortcomings, and even our failures. This is what we mean by coming to him in our poverty and hunger. And indeed, the greater our hunger when we come to him, even greater will we be filled with the good things that he wishes to give us.
Christmas is often a time that people feel intense competition and the stress of high expectations. But what does Jesus expect from you? All he wants is for you to draw close to the side of his manger. We do not need to try to impress him, but we do have to have room in our hearts to welcome him.
This Christmas, my prayer is that each of you find the empty place in your heart, and prepare it to welcome our Lord. There you will experience the joy of the shepherds when they found the Lord in Bethlehem.
Blessings and Merry Christmas,
Father Bill
December 24, 2023
Hear to Serve ...
PRAISE BE TO GOD
As we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent, our time of preparation is coming to a close. It should be a time to start to relax, start taking it easy, because we have accomplished our goals. We readied ourselves for the second coming of Jesus. We increased our prayer life; we’ve been to confession and Eucharistic Adoration. We started to pray more at home. We can now have peace and joy in our hearts. Or once again, did we get caught up in the season? Have we focused only on commemorating the coming of Jesus the first time? Did we get caught up in the season of gift giving, decorating the house, and getting all the Christmas cookies baked in time for this weekend? Well, if you’re like your Deacon, you did try to increase your preparation for the second coming of Christ, and sometimes you succeeded, and sometimes you did not. Sometimes the secular overtook the spiritual in our lives no matter how many good intentions we may have had.
St. Paul in his letter to the Romans today reminds us what to be grateful for. St. Paul tells us how we need to be faithful and obedient if we are to be successful in our endeavors to get to heaven.
St. Paul talks about the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages but now manifested according to the command of God and made known to all nations. St. Paul is talking about the Gospel, the Good News, the saving deed God the Father did in sending us Jesus Christ.
I’m not telling you anything new. We all know that so often we fall into the trap of desiring what the world gives us. We fall victim to giving ourselves credit for all the good that has happened in our lives. We become addicted to the desires of the world and give praise and glory to ourselves. We go through life forgetting about the Creator who is really responsible for all that is good.
St. Paul is reminding the Romans and telling us that it’s through this mystery, the one the world waited so long for, that God is going to save us from ourselves. Jesus Christ and His Gospel is what we have to put our faith in and give our obedience to if we want to be saved from the wages of sin which is eternal death.
As God strengthens us through His Son Jesus Christ and Jesus’s Gospel, this is where we owe our thankfulness, our praise. God is who receives the glory for all that is good in our lives. Not ourselves, not the rest of the world.
So, as we struggle to fight off desires of the world, as we continue to fight off giving ourselves credit and praise for all that is good, let us remember what St. Paul tells us. We need to have that obedience of faith and to have that obedience to the Gospel and Jesus Christ. It’s through our faith and obedience the Good News comes alive for us. Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins, and we will receive a righteousness from God that cannot be attained by any other means, any other source, or from any other creature. It is through Jesus Christ that we receive a place in the Divine life forever and ever. Amen.
Viva Cristo Rey,
Deacon Gary
December 17, 2023
“The dawn from on high shall break upon us and shine on those who dwell in darkness and guide our feet in the way of peace.”
Luke 1:78-79
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In today’s Gospel, we hear the testimony of John the Baptist. That he came to testify to the light.
His days were days of confusion and darkness. There were wars and rumors of war. His nation was quickly dividing into various factions. Many people were feeling oppressed. The hopes, dreams, and aspirations of the “small guy” were getting lost in the midst of all this confusion. Most people did not know what to believe or who to trust.
Does any of this sound familiar?
But in the midst of this darkness, John the Baptist testified to the light. That light is the Light of Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In Christ’s preaching and ministry, people heard the Good News that they were first of all called to be sons and daughters of God the Most High. The voice of Christ was clear in calling people to goodness and holiness. They were challenged with these words, “If anyone would like to be my disciple, he must take up his cross and follow me.” The challenge of the Cross does call us to sacrifice, but in giving our lives to a mission that is larger than ourselves, we find meaning and purpose.
Finally, in his final sacrifice on Calvary, Christ showed our value, when he offered his Body and his Blood to redeem us from sin and death. Sin and death are the deepest darkness that we experience, and in the Resurrection of Christ, we see that his Light drives out the dark.
Our days are not much different from the days of John the Baptist. People in his day found meaning, purpose, and hope when they turned their hearts and minds towards Christ, who is the true light of the world. So in our day, Christ can and will drive out the darkness. It is our mission as Christians in these confusing times to follow the model laid out for us by John the Baptist. Just as he testified to the light, so we too should testify to the light.
Blessings,
Father Bill
December 10, 2023
“May Christ dwell in your hearts through Faith.” Ephesians 3:17
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
One of my favorite places to pray is the Loretto chapel. It’s peaceful. If today was not a Sunday, it would be the liturgical Memorial of Our Lady of Loretto. Fr. Oschwald brought the statue of Our Lady of Loretto with him when he emigrated from Germany. Later, he had a chapel built to house this statue.
Loretto is a town in Italy. In the center of that town is a large church that contains the house where Jesus lived with Mary and Joseph in Nazareth. The holy house of Jesus, Mary and Joseph was in danger of being destroyed by Islamic armies when they re-took the Holy Land, so it was transported to Italy for its preservation in 1294. It has been venerated as the Holy House ever since.
The legendary story is that angels picked up the house and carried it first to Greece and later to Italy. This miracle is depicted in the artwork in the church in Loretto. In addition to this miraculous story is historical documentation that a merchant family by the name of DE ANGELI lent the use of one of their ships and paid for the house to be moved to Italy.
In either case, whether by miracle or by an act of generosity of the De Angeli family, archeologists have studied the house in Loretto. They have found that it is made of stone that comes from the area around Nazareth, and that it is constructed in the style and with the techniques that were common in Galilee in the time of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. In addition, the outline of the house matches the remains of a foundation in Nazareth that has been venerated as the location of the house of the Holy Family since ancient times.
What’s more important than the authenticity of the Holy House, is that it reminds us that Jesus chose to make a home with us here on earth. As we recite in the Profession of Faith each Sunday, Jesus is “God from God, light from light, true God from true God…” yet, “was Incarnate by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary and became man.”
In Jesus, the Lord God makes His home with us. He is close to us.
This calls for a response on our part. Just as Mary and Joseph prepared a home for Jesus, we are called to prepare a home for Jesus. He no longer needs a crib or a roof over his head, but rather he makes his home in the hearts of those who are prepared to receive him. We welcome him by meditating upon His Word in Sacred Scripture, especially the Gospels. We welcome him when we receive the sacraments, especially the Eucharist in a worthy and reverent manner. We welcome him in our prayer, when he comes to dwell in the tabernacle of our hearts.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus shares this promise: “Dwell in me, and I will dwell in you” (John 15:4). Christ does come to make his home in us by the power of His Word, His presence in the Sacraments, and the fulfillment of His promise in our Prayers.
Blessings,
Father Bill
December 3, 2023
Year of Mary
October 1, 2022 to December 8, 2023
“At morn — at noon — at twilight dim
Maria! thou hast heard my hymn!
In joy and woe — in good and ill
Mother of God, be with me still!”
From Edgar Allan Poe’s “Hymn to Mary”
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Part of my daily prayer is a Catholic devotion called the Angelus. It is traditionally prayed three times a day: at 6 a.m., 12 noon, and 6 p.m., accompanied by the ringing of the church bells. This devotion only takes a minute or two and consists of three verses from the Gospels, each followed by a Hail Mary, and a closing prayer. The verses narrate the Annunciation of the archangel Gabriel to Mary, her humble consent to God's will, and the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us (see Luke 1:26-38 and John 1:14).
The Angelus is a simple and beautiful way to sanctify our day by pausing for a moment of prayer and remembering that “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (see John 3:16). As Pope St. John Paul II taught: "The Angelus invites us to meditate on the Mystery of the Incarnation, encouraging Christians to take Mary as a point of reference in the various moments of their day, so as to imitate her in her readiness to carry out the divine plan of salvation" (Pope John Paul II, General Audience on November 5, 1997).
By praying the Angelus, we contemplate the role of Mary as the Mother of God and our Mother. In this prayer, we join our voices with the angel who greeted Mary with the words: "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (see Luke 1:28). And we echo the words of Elizabeth, who exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb" (see Luke 1:42). We ask for the grace to follow Mary's example of obedience and surrender to God's plan for our lives as we pray: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word" (see Luke 1:38). And we implore the intercession of Mary, who is the "cause of our joy", to help us share in the glory of Christ's Resurrection as we pray: "Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ."
I heartily recommend the Angelus, especially as we prepare to celebrate the Birth of Christ on Christmas, the very day that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Cards with Angelus on them will be distributed after Mass. It can also be found on page 273 of the Heritage Missal. It will be prayed after Communion during Advent and through the Christmas season.
Come, Lord Jesus!
Father Bill
November 26, 2023
Year of Mary
October 1, 2022 to December 8, 2023
Hear to Serve ...
TO THE LIFEBOATS
How about that Pope Francis everyone? Have you ever seen a guy who liked to rock the boat so much? Certainly, seems from some of the comments I’ve heard from people, and the internet, that Pope Francis has rocked the boat really well this time with the dismissal of Bishop Strickland.
In this secular world today of “There is no absolute truth.” Anything goes. To what we deem as bad leadership in the Church, seems to me that people are worried
that the boat (The Catholic Church) is taking on water and going to sink. People are ready to abandon the boat before she goes down.
The first thing you need to realize is the boat is not going to sink; it can’t. It’s unsinkable. We have had bad captains, bad navigators in the past. That is undeniable.
But Jesus told us the boat will not sink when He said to Peter, “And I tell you Peter, on this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail.” So even if you deem the navigational skills of our leadership to be wanting, do not doubt the words of Jesus, and seaworthiness of the Catholic Church.
Our faith should not be determined by decisions of our leaders. Our faith is in Jesus the Christ. We don’t come to Mass every Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation
just because we like Father Bill. And we don’t give praise and worship to our Pope, our Bishop, or even the Deacon do we?
No, we come to give thanks to God, to give praise and worship to God, and to receive Jesus even if we don’t like our priest, or we think the Bishops and Pope are wrong in their decision.
So, if you think the seas are turbulent right now, and your faith is being shaken, don’t get out of the boat and try swimming on your own. If you want to calm the
seas and strengthen your faith you have to be persistent in your faith and do your part before making the call of a sinking ship.
Do you have a good personal prayer life? Do you not just go to Mass and Holy Days of obligation, but do you participate? Mass is not the time for silence. Do you participate in the Sacraments, especially confession so you can get the graces from the sacrament of the Eucharist? Have you fed the hungry, clothed the naked? Did you care for the ill and visit those in prison? This is what gives us the strength to stay with the boat.
We have to be careful that our pride does not lay a smoke screen when we try to navigate through these times. Remember pride can be a gift from the devil. The first of the deadly sins, pride opens the door for all the other deadly sins.
Instead pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. These gifts are the oil that will light our navigational lamps so we can set a better course in our life.
So before we declare the boat is sinking and bail out, before we point an accusing finger, let us make sure we do what we are supposed to do. Believe the Words of
Jesus. Stay in the boat and live our faith. Jesus will separate the goats from the sheep for us.
Viva Cristo Rey,
Deacon Gary
November 19, 2023
Year of Mary
October 1, 2022 to December 8, 2023
“In light of the hour of judgment, the grace of being a Christian becomes all the more clear to me. It grants me knowledge, and indeed friendship, with the judge of my life, and thus allows me to pass confidently through the dark door of death.” Pope Benedict XVI
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Peace be with you. This will be the last column about Catholic funerals.
After the Reception of the Body which begins the funeral Mass, the Mass continues in the usual manner with the Liturgy of the Word. The funeral Mass is one of the few occasions when the Church does not assign readings for Mass, but allows the family members and friends of the deceased to select appropriate readings.
Following the readings, the priest (or deacon) preaches the homily. The guidance for the homily is that it should dwell on God’s compassionate love and the paschal mystery of the Lord. The homily should not be a eulogy of the deceased. The appropriate time for a eulogy is at the Vigil or if necessary, immediately before the beginning of the funeral Mass.
The Church encourages a funeral Mass since in partaking of the Body of Christ in the Eucharist, all are given a foretaste of eternal life in Christ and are united with Christ, with each other, and with all the faithful, living and dead: “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread” (see 1 Corinthians 10:17).
And the funeral Mass concludes with the Final Commendation. In the Commendation, the body of the deceased is honored with incense, which signifies respect for the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit. In the prayer of commendation the community calls upon God’s mercy for the benefit of the deceased.
The last part of the Catholic funeral liturgy is the Committal. The Committal is the “graveside service.” It is the final act of the community of Faith in caring for the body of the deceased and expresses the hope that the deceased awaits the glory of the Resurrection. With this act, the community of Faith proclaims that the grave, once a sign of futility and despair, has been transformed by Christ’s own death and Resurrection into a sign of hope and promise.
Since the Committal usually comes at the end of a period of visitation, a Vigil, and a funeral Mass, it is designed to be brief. The grave is blessed, when possible the mortal remains are lowered into the grave while a prayer is recited, and those who are gathered are blessed. Although this ritual is short, it provides the opportunity for a final good-bye, and assists family members and friends of the deceased to find final closure.
Four bulletin columns have focused on the funeral liturgy, there has not been adequate space to address all the common questions. Next year, we will revisit the Catholic understanding of death, and our liturgical practices associated with death. The FORMED APP has a series about the Catholic understanding about death called “Eternal Rest: The Art of Dying Well.”
Blessings,
Father Bill
November 12, 2023
Year of Mary
October 1, 2022 to December 8, 2023
“For I trust, in whatever manner I die,
that I shall not be deprived
of the mercy of my God.” St. Gertrude
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We continue our review of the funeral practices and traditions of Catholics.
When a Catholic dies, the Church encourages the celebration of a funeral Mass. There are two primary reasons to offer a funeral Mass: to give praise and thanks to God for Christ’s victory over sin and death, and to commend the deceased to God’s tender mercy and compassion.
The funeral Mass begins with the reception of the body. In receiving the body of the deceased with honor, the Christian community acknowledges the deceased as one of their own, as one who was welcomed in baptism and who held a place in the assembly. The body is sprinkled with Holy Water, covered with a white funeral pall, and brought close to the Easter Candle. The Church uses these three symbols to intentionally recall the sacrament of Baptism.
The Holy Water recalls the waters of baptism. In the waters of baptism, the seed of eternal life was planted in the soul of the deceased, and at the funeral, we pray that the deceased will experience the fullness of eternal life in the heavenly banquet.
The white funeral pall recalls the white baptismal gown. At baptism the baptismal garment is blessed with these words, “See in this white garment the outward sign of your Christian dignity. With family and friends to help you by word and example, bring that dignity unstained into the everlasting life of heaven.” The white funeral pall also represents the white garment worn by the elders in heaven (see Revelation 4:4).
The Easter Candle is a symbol with numerous meanings. At the Easter Vigil, it is carried as the only light into the darkened church. This represents the column of fire that guided the Israelites in the desert as they journeyed to the Promised Land (see Exodus 13:21). Christ is the light of the world (see John 8:12). So the Easter Candle represents the Light of Christ that leads the deceased from the darkness of death to the light of the Promised Land of the heavenly kingdom.
The Easter Candle also recalls the baptismal candle. At baptism, the candle is lit from the Easter Candle and handed to the newly baptized with these words, “This light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly… when the Lord comes, may he (she) go out to meet the Lord with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom.” In this sense, the Easter Candle represents the gift of faith that the deceased received at Baptism. “You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works, and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (see Matthew 5:14-16).
Blessings,
Father Bill
November 5, 2023
Year of Mary
October 1, 2022 to December 8, 2023
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers,
[a] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1 (ESV)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning? Do you check your phone or hit the snooze button? Or do you start your day by acknowledging the presence of God and offering Him everything that you are and have?
For many Catholics, the Morning Offering is a prayer that helps them begin their day with God in mind. The Morning Offering is a prayer that consecrates oneself to Jesus Christ through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It expresses the desire to unite one's thoughts, words, actions, joys, and sufferings with the sacrifice of Jesus in the Mass, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. It also entrusts oneself to the care of Mary, who is the mother of Jesus and our mother in the order of Grace.
The Morning Offering is not a new prayer. It has been practiced by many saints and faithful Catholics throughout history. It is promoted by the Apostleship of Prayer, a worldwide movement that promotes a daily spiritual communion with Jesus and His mission.
The Morning Offering can be prayed at any time of the day, but it is most fitting to pray it as soon as possible after waking up. This way, we can dedicate our whole day to God and make every moment an opportunity to serve Him and love Him. The Morning Offering helps us to grow in virtue and holiness, as we strive to imitate Jesus and Mary in everything we do.
The Morning Offering is a simple but powerful prayer that can transform our lives. By praying it daily, we become more aware of God's presence and action in our lives. We also become more generous and faithful in offering ourselves to Him and cooperating in His mission of saving souls.
If you have not yet made the Morning Offering a part of your daily routine, why not start today? There are a number of different versions of the Morning Offering. This weekend after Mass, prayer cards with the version used by the Apostleship of Prayer will be distributed after Mass, but you can use any version that appeals to you or create your own. The important thing is to pray the Offering with sincerity and devotion. You can also invite your family and friends to join you in this prayer. By doing so, you will be giving God the gift He desires most: yourself.
Blessings,
Father Bill
P.S. I will continue my series on the Catholic funeral liturgies next week.