6th Week of Easter 2025 - Friday - Weeping for the fallen-away

 These last few weeks of the easter season we’ve been reading from John chapters 13-17, Jesus’ address to the apostles at the Last Supper. And throughout these chapters, the Lord prepares his disciples for his passion and death on the cross, while also preparing them to take up their own crosses in the evangelizing mission.

The Lord offers a challenging teaching about discipleship in today’s passage: “You will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices.”  Christian discipleship will involve weeping and mourning. 

In the past few years especially, I have met with a number of parents who weep and mourn over children who have strayed from the practice of the faith. In many cases, their children even attended 12 years of Catholic school—the parents saw to their children’s reception of the sacraments, they attended mass together as a family, the parents sought to model the Christian faith for their children, they filled their home with prayer and charity. And now as adults, the children have fallen away.

They’ve stopped praying, they’ve stopped attending mass, they refuse to go to confession, they are in relationships marked by fornication. In some cases, the children view their former Christian faith as oppressive and hateful. 

And so parents weep and mourn for their children’s loss of faith—they worry about their souls, as they should. For parents have a duty to do what they can for their children’s salvation. 

Modern parents are not alone. St. Monica wept and prayed for decades for her son, Augustine to turn away from his licentious lifestyle and his involvement in cults. Bartolo Longo was an 19th century Catholic who in his youth got into drugs, alcohol, and even Satanic cults. No doubt his family wept and mourned and prayed for him.

And so we must remember that every tear shed, every prayer that is offered up out of authentic concern for another’s soul, has redemptive value, because they are a share in the redemptive sufferings of Christ. As Catholics, we believe that suffering, when united with Christ’s sacrifice, can contribute to personal holiness and the salvation of others. So, we must not stop praying because the fruit of prayer is not immediately visible.

The Lord promises weeping and mourning, but the second parts of his promise must not be forgotten: “You will grieve, but your grief will become joy” is a powerful promise that every sacrifice offered in love, every cross patiently borne becomes a seed of everlasting joy, for ourselves and others.

So, we continue to entrust to God our loved ones and all the souls of the earth who have turned away from the Lord. And we commit to doing what we can, even enduring crosses and tears, knowing that tears shed and suffering endured faithfully are powerful in bringing about conversions and sanctification for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

 - - - 

Trusting in the promises of God’s assistance, we offer our prayers with confidence in God’s mercy and providence:

For the Church, that all of her members may faithfully carry the cross of Christ and continue to proclaim the Gospel even in the face of sorrow and opposition

For parents and grandparents who mourn over children who have strayed from the faith, that their prayers and tears may bear fruit in the return of their loved ones to the practice of the faith.

For young people tempted by the false promises of the world, that they may encounter the truth of Jesus Christ and the love of God that alone can satisfy the heart

For our parish community, that we may encourage and support one another in faith, and remain faithful to prayer, even when the fruits are not immediately visible.

For all who bear heavy crosses—of illness, discouragement, or spiritual sorrow, that they may unite their sufferings to Christ and discover the redemptive power of the cross.

For the faithful departed, that through the mercy of God and the prayers of the Church, they may come to share in the joy of the resurrection, especially N.

Heavenly Father, you see every tear and hear every cry. Through the cross of your Son and the gift of your Spirit, transform our sorrows into joy and make our lives fruitful in your service. Through Christ our Lord.

6th Week of Easter 2025 - Wednesday - The Spirit of Truth

 “When he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.

“Truth” is an important concept in John’s Gospel, and for Christians. “He who practices the truth comes to the Light” the Lord says. “The truth will make you free” “I am the way, the Truth, and the life”. “My flesh is true food, my blood is true drink”. Those who believe in jesus will be known by God as true worshippers, who worship in Spirit and Truth. “Quid est veritas?” asks Pontius Pilate. What is truth? 

The Gospel notion is truth is not the same as the accumulation of scientific fact. The sending of the Holy Spirit isn’t so that we can understand quantum physics better or how an air conditioner works. 

But when the Lord speaks of the truth that “makes you free” he’s not talking about scientific knowledge. Rather, he’s speaking about the truth that frees us from moral, theological, and spiritual evil—the light of truth which frees us from darkness of sin and death.

The truth Jesus speaks of—the truth that sets us free—is not merely informational, it is transformational. It’s not just something we know; it’s someone we follow. Jesus says, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” To live in the truth, then, is to live in union with Him—to see reality as it really is, to understand who we are, what we are made for, and how we are to live.

And because the Holy Spirit is the “Spirit of Truth,” He helps us not only to recognize the truth but to remember it, to live it, and to proclaim it. He strengthens our consciences, enlightens our minds, and gives us courage to witness to the truth in a world that often prefers comfortable lies.

Living in the truth frees us from the slavery of sin—because once we know the truth about our dignity, about the mercy of God, about the purpose of life, we can no longer be content with mediocrity or the chains of sin and addiction. Truth makes us hunger for holiness. 

About three and a half centuries after the Gospel of John was written, St. Augustine wrote “Victoria Veritatis est caritas”—”the victory of truth is love”. Through Christ, God conquers the darkness of error which debilitates us and divides us from the life of God.

May the Truth of Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, bring victory in our lives and in our mission for the spread of the Gospel, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.  

- - -  

Knowing that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth who guides us, strengthens us, and sets us free, we offer our prayers to God with confidence:

For the Church, that she may always be a faithful teacher of the truth, leading all people into union with Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life

For those who govern nations and influence public life, that they may seek truth and justice in all their decisions and uphold the dignity of every human person

For those caught in the chains of sin, confusion, or addiction, that the truth of Jesus Christ may free them and restore them to new life

For our young people on summer vacation, that they may be kept safe from the poison of sin and strive to live in the freedom and truth of Christ. 

For the sick, the ill, the poor and afflicted, that the truth of God’s love, closeness, and mercy may abound in their lives and give them meaning and strength.

For the faithful departed, that they who strove to live by the truth may now behold the glory of God face to face

Father of Truth, hear the prayers of your people. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may we live in the truth that sets us free and walk always in your light. Through Christ our Lord.

May 27 2025 - St. Augustine of Canterbury - Small-steps for God

Today is the feast of an Italian Benedictine monk who is known as the “Apostle to the English”.  

Christianity had a rough time taking root in the British Isles. There were early missionary efforts going all the way back to the late 1st century. But, due to the Roman persecution of the Church, and the predominance of Paganism, Christianity failed to spread in England.

In the year 596, some 40 monks were sent by Pope Saint Gregory the Great from Rome to evangelize the Anglo-Saxons in England.  Leading the group was Augustine.

As they were about to set sail, Augustine and his band of monks heard stories of the ferocious Anglo-Saxons and the treacherous waters of the English Channel.  Augustine promptly made a “u-turn” back to Rome, where Pope Gregory the Great assured him of the importance of this mission.

Arriving in England, they constructed a church and monastery at Canterbury, on the site where the present and famous Canterbury Cathedral now stands. Augustine was consecrated its first Bishop, and by 597, thousands of people were coming to actively seek baptism.  

Most of us do not receive letters from the Pope telling us to go evangelize particular nations and regions, but all of us have received the commission of our Lord to go and make disciples of all nations. All of the baptized have the vocation of laboring for the spread of the Gospel.

We also live in a culture much like that which Augustine found upon his arrival to England: vestiges of the Christian faith mingled with pagan elements.  

In a letter to Augustine, Pope Gregory the Great wrote: "He who would climb to a lofty height must go by steps, not leaps."  

The task of evangelization might seem like a lofty mountain, and there will often be that temptation to return home out of fear with our task incomplete, but we can make great inroads through small steps: conversations with non-Catholics, small acts of charity towards strangers, imitating Christ in our attitudes and decisions.

Through the prayerful intercession and holy example of St. Augustine of Canterbury may we be faithful to all the Lord calls us to this day for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

- - - - 

With confidence in the God who desires the salvation of all people, let us bring our prayers before the Lord.

For the Church throughout the world, that she may continue to carry out the Great Commission with courage and fidelity, proclaiming Christ to every people and nation, we pray to the Lord.

For bishops, priests, deacons, and all who labor in the vineyard of the Lord, that they may be strengthened by the Holy Spirit to evangelize with wisdom, patience, and love, we pray to the Lord.

For the conversion of hearts hardened or closed to the Gospel, that through the Church’s evangelizing efforts, Christ may transform hearts. 

For the needs of the sick, ill, poor and afflicted, may they know the help of God’s grace and the kindness and care of the Church in their trials. 

For the faithful departed, especially those who labored for the Gospel in this life, that they may rejoice forever in the presence of the Lord

God our Father, hear our prayers, and grant us the courage to bring Christ to the world and the perseverance to follow your call in all things.  

Memorial Day 2025 - Praying in the Catacombs

 

Today, there is a beautiful confluence of two calendars: our liturgical calendar and our civil calendar as Americans. On the liturgical calendar we celebrate today the Memorial of St. Philip Neri. Philip Neri was a priest in Rome in the 16th century. On the Civil calendar, we remember in a special way those who fought and died for our country’s freedom.

And we might think, what does this 16th century Italian saint have to do with an American holiday. Well, there really is a fascinating confluence.

Philip Niri was a holy priest, who was dedicated to those who were on the fringes: the youth, starving artists, struggling shopkeepers, people in trouble with the law. And he would try to impress upon them the truth, the beauty, and the importance of our Catholic faith.

To sustain him in his priestly ministry, Saint Philip Neri had the habit of going down into the catacombs of Rome to pray. It was there in the catacombs, his biographer tells us, that while he was praying, he would suddenly feel himself divinely filled with the power of the Spirit with such force that his heart began to palpitate within his body and he’d be inflamed with such love that he almost couldn’t stand it.

You see, Fr Philip would go to the places where the dead Christians were laid to rest, the heroes of our faith—the early Christians of Rome, who heroically practiced their faith in the face of persecution, and threat of arrest, torture, and death. And there he was inflamed to do what God called him to do.

Today, our nation, in a sense, goes to the catacombs for a similar purpose. We go to our version of the catacombs, today we go to our cemeteries, to honor our war dead. Americans go to the cemeteries that we might remember our civic heroes, those who laid down their life for us. But also, to be inflamed with civic pride to do what God calls us to do for our nation.

In my home town, on Memorial Day there is a grand parade concluding with a beautiful and powerful ceremony in proximity to a nearby memorial cemetery. And as the whole town, together gathers to honor our war dead, the heart just swells as we remember the cost of freedom and the sacrifice of our heroes. It is a sort of civic calibration, that seems more important these days than ever. 

I recommend making a trip to a cemetery today, to remember, to pray, and reflect, that our nation may be recalibrated to value what matters most—the laying down of our lives in service to God, family, and country for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

- - - -  

Let us pray to our Heavenly Father, confident that He is generous to those who call upon Him with faith.

On this Memorial Day, we pray that our nation may live with ever-greater gratitude for the sacrifice of those who fought and died for our freedom. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our President and all government workers, may the Holy Spirit grant them wisdom and guide them to promote authentic and lasting peace in the world, respect for religious freedom, and a greater reverence for the sanctity of Human Life. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the protection of all those who serve in our nation’s military, and for all wounded servicemen and women, for all those widowed and orphaned because of war. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our family, friends, and parish, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom, and for N… Let us pray to the Lord.

Gracious Father, hear the prayers of your pilgrim Church, grant us your grace and lead us to the glory of your kingdom, through Christ Our Lord.

6th Sunday of Easter 2025 - Truth and Peace

 Last Saturday, Bishop Malesic ordained 8 new priests for the Diocese of Cleveland. It was a beautiful liturgy. The Cathedral was absolutely packed with family members, friends, fellow parishioners of the new priests. A group of Catholics from El Salvador, where two of the men had served in the course of their seminary formation—had made their way to Cleveland to support them. There was a huge showing of the priests of the Diocese to welcome our new brothers into the presbyterate. 

It’s always deeply moving to attend those ordinations for me-- a reminder of my own ordination day, when we laid down on the marble, and knelt before the bishop, placing our hands in his, promising respect and obedience to him and his successors. A reminder of having all those priests lay hands on my head--that ancient gestures of imparting authority and blessing before being sent out into the world.

The recent ordination got me thinking about a quote from Pope Benedict XVI which I reflected upon prior to my ordination. He said, “On the eve of my priestly ordination, fifty-eight years ago, I opened the Sacred Scripture, because I wanted to receive once more a word from the Lord for that day and for my future journey as a priest. My gaze fell on this passage: 'Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth'. Then I realized: the Lord is speaking about me, and he is speaking to me. This very same thing will be accomplished tomorrow in me. When all is said and done, we are not consecrated by rites, even though rites are necessary. The bath in which the Lord immerses us is himself – the Truth in person. Priestly ordination means being immersed in him, immersed in the Truth. I belong in a new way to him and thus to others, 'that his Kingdom may come'.”

The Holy Father’s words resonated with me deeply as I prepared for my priestly ordination, and again during this ordination season. Priesthood means being immersed in the Truth of the Gospel. The Truth is to resound in my teaching, and preaching, and manner of life, so that those I serve as a priest, may too, be immersed in the Truth that sets us free.

That’s what the Lord is talking about in the Gospel today. “The Holy Spirit...will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” 

God wants us to be immersed in Truth. And so the Father has sent the Holy Spirit upon the Church to help us and teach us and be reminded of everything Jesus taught, so that we can live in the truth. 

Why is the Truth important? Without it, we are wandering in darkness, wandering in error, just following our impulses. And because of our fallen nature, our impulses don’t always point toward heaven.  We want too much of what we don’t need, and too little of what we do need. We impulsively eat too much, drink too much, doom scroll too much, hoard belongings too much. And we fast too little, pray too little, give to those in need too little. 

Following our impulses is not the way of discipleship. If our impulses led to heaven, Jesus wouldn’t have needed to teach anything. Rather, How do I know that I am walking faithfully as a disciple of Jesus? If my choices reflect the Truth of the Gospel taught by the Catholic Church. And that’s why Truth is a gift—the most valuable of gifts because it leads to Heaven.

Immediately after promising that the Holy Spirit will teach us, Jesus promises his peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.”

Truth and peace are linked by Jesus. Do you want peace? Peace of mind know that you are walking toward heaven? Ensure that moral, spiritual, and religious truths, taught by the Church are in place in your life. Ensure that you are adhering to truth as best as you can.

When Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you” (John 14:27), He is drawing a sharp contrast between the divine peace He offers and the superficial peace the world promises. 

The world offers peace through military power, gated communities, savings accounts, and insurance policies. It’s a peace that depends on having control over one’s environment and minimizing threats. But this peace is always vulnerable—wars break out, markets crash, disasters come. Christian peace is deeper than mere security.

The world promises peace through money and possessions. But peace through materialism is an insatiable quest. Those who make money their ultimate quest seem to “never have enough”. But the peace of Christ can be experienced in this life, when we stop seeking our peace and happiness in things, but in Him.

The world often equates peace with numbing distractions: drugs and alcohol, endless media and video games, offer temporary escape from our problems.  But these things leave us more fatigued and unsatisfied—hungover, overstimulated, unable to get a good night’s rest, and mentally exhausted, and often, enslaved to addiction. 

The peace of “worldly distraction” does not satisfy the soul; it leaves us empty after the thrill fades. Rather, the peace of Christ does bring emptiness, but fulfillment in not being lulled to sleep, but being alive in God—a living relationship with God where we understand we are loved, forgiven, and held in God's providence, even in suffering. 

Another false promise of peace is that we can create peace ourselves through political action and activism, as if a certain policy or government will “fix everything” and turn society into a utopia. While justice and the common good matter deeply, peace that depends on politics alone quickly mutates into tyranny and corruption. 

Rather, Divine Truth, is the only real basis for peace. Truth that is not determined by a majority vote, mob rule, or a tyrant’s will. Truth is a person—unchanging yet fully attentive to the needs of the individual; Truth is Jesus Christ. Jesus says, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” 

And you can’t find that peace outside of the Church because only from within do we have access to His teachings, His sacraments, His Saints, the moral guidance needed for the complexities of life, and the prayer that keeps us and strengthens us in our union with Him. 

As we approach the Feast of Pentecost, may the Holy Spirit help us to be immersed in the Truth of Jesus Christ, and put the truths of our faith into action—in our love for God and neighbor. May the Holy Spirit continue to instruct us in the ways of holiness, and remind us of the Lord’s teachings and presence in our trials and joys, that we may know the gift of peace, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

5th Week of Easter 2025 - Wednesday - Spiritual pruning

 

These final weeks of the Easter season, we continue to read from the Lord’s Last Supper Farewell Address.

At this point, the Lord has spoken already about the importance of keeping His Commandments coming of the Holy Spirit, and the rich tapestry of the discourse continues to unfold as he speaks today about his desire for his disciples to bear fruit, and that can only happen if we remain connected to Him—as a vine to its branches--by loving him, following his teachings, and receiving his divine life through the sacraments.

Yet, the Lord also speaks today of pruning. “He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.”

Every gardener knows that the purpose of pruning is to encourage growth. The gardener prunes his plants by trimming away dead or overgrown branches to encourage growth. Pruning makes the plant healthier and more fruitful. 

So too with our spiritual lives. The Lord, as the Divine Gardener, permits trials, corrections, and even painful losses—not as punishments, but as moments of pruning meant to detach us from sin, pride, complacency, or anything that blocks His grace. At times, He cuts away our comforts, our illusions of control, or even relationships and routines that are not helping us grow in holiness.

The pruning may hurt. It may leave us feeling exposed or uncertain. But it is never pointless. It is the loving work of a Gardener who sees what we cannot—the fruit we are capable of bearing if we are purified, simplified, and reshaped by His hand.

The Church, too, undergoes seasons of pruning. When scandals, divisions, or worldly influences are stripped away, it can feel as though the vine is being cut back. Yet, through purification and renewal, the Church is drawn back to her mission, and her witness becomes more fruitful.

Let us not resist the pruning of the Lord but welcome it as an act of divine love. Let us cooperate with His grace, trusting that through whatever trials we endure, He is making us more like Christ and preparing us to bear abundant fruit—for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

- - - -  

Trusting in the loving care of the Divine Gardener, who prunes and purifies us so that we may bear lasting fruit, we lift our prayers to the Father.

For the Church, that in every season of purification and trial, she may remain firmly rooted in Christ and emerge more faithful and fruitful in her mission.

For the grace to detach from sin, selfishness, and anything hinders the life of God’s grace, so that we may more fully embrace His will

For those undergoing suffering, loss, or uncertainty, that they may recognize in their trials the loving hand of the Lord preparing them for greater growth in holiness.

For our beloved dead, that having remained in Christ during this life, they may now share in the eternal joy of His Kingdom.

Heavenly Father, lovingly tend and shape your people. Hear our prayers and grant that we may always remain in your Son, the True Vine, and bear fruit that endures to eternal life. Through Christ our Lord.

5th Week of Easter 2025 - Tuesday - Christ's Peace in the in-between time

 

Each of the four Gospels relate to us accounts of the Last Supper. In each of the four Gospels, the Lord Jesus gathers to celebrate the Passover meal with his apostles in the upper room.

St. John’s account of the Last Supper, from which we’ll read all this week, differs significantly from the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke in several key ways—both in content and in theological emphasis.

All three Synoptic Gospels explicitly describe Jesus instituting the Eucharist with the words, “This is my body… This is my blood…” during the Last Supper.

St. John omits the institution narrative entirely. St. John conveys the Eucharistic teachings of Jesus after the miracle of multiplication, in his Bread of Life discourse, where he teaches “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you”

Unique to John’s Gospel is the account of Jesus washing the disciples feet. That act of humble service serves as a profound reminder for us of the meaning of discipleship, love, and Christian leadership.

And four whole chapters of John’s Gospel, from which we read all this week, is the extended Farewell Discourse—where Jesus offers deep theological teaching and prays for his disciples the High Priestly Prayer.

The theologically and mystically profound Farewell Discourse prepares the disciples for the sorrow and scandal of the Crucifixion. 'I am going away and I will come back to you.' Jesus will die and be buried and then come back on the third day.

But these words also refer to the Lord’s Ascension and eventual return, in which Jesus will “go away” from us as he ascends into heaven, but will “come back” again when he returns in the Parousia.

We live in this in between time—in between the Lord’s Ascension and the Lord’s return—and so his instruction to the disciples at the Last Supper is an instruction for us. In this age of the Church, we are to return over and over to the teachings given at the Last Supper, because they are relevant to our current situation.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid” when you cannot see Jesus. “The Lord of the World”—the enemy—the anti-Christ—will have some power in this world—the powers of evil and malice will often attempt to obscure the Gospel and the abiding presence of God with his Church. “Do not let your hearts be troubled”. Have faith. Be filled with peace. God has equipped us with what we need for this in between time. We must simply make use of the time and the gifts that we have been given—His teachings, His example, and the gift of His Body and Blood--for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

- - - - - 

 

Trusting in the abiding presence of Christ, let us offer our prayers to God who is faithful in every age.

For Pope Leo, all bishops, priests, and deacons, that through humble service and fidelity to the Gospel, they may model the leadership of Christ who washed the feet of His disciples. Let us pray to the Lord.

For leaders of nations, that they may seek peace, serve the common good, and respect the dignity of all people entrusted to their care. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those who have wandered from the Church or grown lukewarm in their faith, that they may rediscover the power of the Eucharist and the love of Christ. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those burdened by illness, poverty, fear, anxiety, or uncertainty, that the abiding presence of Christ with the Church and his promises may console and strengthen them with peace. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our beloved dead, that through the power of Christ’s Resurrection, they may be welcomed into the fullness of joy and eternal life. Let us pray to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, your Son taught us how to abide in your peace. Strengthen us with your grace that we may serve faithfully and live in the hope of His coming. Through Christ our Lord.

5th Week of Easter 2025 - Monday - Being taught by the Holy Spirit

 Already we draw near to the end of the Easter Season and the great feast of Pentecost. Our Scripture readings have even begun to signal the coming feast of the Holy Spirit. 

In the Gospel today, the Lord announces, “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I told you.”

The Holy Spirit helps each Christian to be open to being taught continually by God and following in the footsteps of Jesus—of truly being his disciple.

The Holy Spirit helps us to remain humble enough to recognize that we do not have all the answers ourselves. He helps us to remain open to being corrected, instructed, guided in the ways of life, in the teachings of Jesus.

A Christian who has shut himself off from learning is no doubt obstructing--is no doubt hindering--the work of the Holy Spirit in his life. 

Rather, the Holy Spirit reminds us of the need to engage personally with Scripture, and  setting aside time for prayer and reflection, deliberately creating space in our lives for the Holy Spirit to speak to us and remind us of Christ’s words.

Furthermore, the Holy Spirit helps us to put the truths of our faith into action. It is not enough merely to know the teachings of Jesus intellectually—we must strive to embody them in our daily lives. When Jesus commands us to love our neighbors, to forgive others, and to serve those in need, the Holy Spirit empowers us to fulfill these commands concretely and generously.

The Holy Spirit, helps us to remember the teachings of Jesus especially when we need them most. When we are facing a difficulty, temptation, or trial, when we are confused about how we are to act as a Christian, the Holy Spirit reminds us of the Gospel: the demands of discipleship, the closeness of God, the perfection for which we are to strive. 

The Holy Spirit also helps us remember Jesus’ teaching when others need us to respond to their sufferings. He reminds us “that which you did for the least of my brothers, you did for” Jesus. 

As we prepare to celebrate Pentecost, let us consciously renew our openness to the Holy Spirit. May we humbly commit ourselves more deeply to the life-long process of being taught, reminded, and transformed by the Holy Spirit, so that our lives may continually reflect the teachings of Jesus, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

 

As we prepare to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, let us open our hearts to God’s grace and ask for the Spirit’s guidance in our lives.

For all Christians, that we may remain humble and open to the Spirit’s instruction, constantly growing in our understanding and practice of the faith, let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are struggling with confusion, doubt, or temptation, that the Holy Spirit may remind them of Christ’s nearness and strengthen them in holiness and hope, let us pray to the Lord.

For those who teach the faith—parents, catechists, clergy, and educators, that the Holy Spirit may guide their words and example, helping others to encounter Christ through them, let us pray to the Lord.

For the sick, the dying, and those in need of comfort, that the Holy Spirit, the Consoler, may fill them with peace and strength, let us pray to the Lord.

For our beloved dead, that the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead may bring them into eternal life, let us pray to the Lord.

Father, send your Holy Spirit into our hearts to teach us, remind us, and transform us in the image of your Son. Hear the prayers we offer today and grant us the grace to live as faithful disciples of Jesus. Through the same Christ our Lord.

5th Sunday of Easter 2025 - "To Preside in Love" (Announcing my new pastoral assignments)

Last week, I shared how it was such a delightful surprise when His Holiness Pope Leo XIV mentioned in his first homily as Pope our parish patron, St. Ignatius of Antioch,

The Holy Father alluded to how St. Ignatius bishop and martyr presided in charity over the flock, and acknowledge how he as Pope is now called to preside in Charity over the whole Church as Pope and with his life. 

To preside in charity. What a beautiful phrase for any bishop or priest to ponder.  Leadership in the Church must always rooted in love. On Friday, I celebrated the 16th anniversary of my priestly ordination, and I took some time to reflect on how the Lord has called me to preside in charity in my various assignments, particularly these last six and a half years at St. Ignatius of Antioch

It was also edifying to witness the ordination of 8 new priests for the diocese of Cleveland, Saturday morning in the Cathedral. The bishop, the priests and deacons, and religious, their families and friends and fellow Catholics gathered to pray for these 8 men as they begin a new chapter of their life—as they are called to preside in Charity over those flocks to which the Bishop is sending them. 

As the Father has sent me, so I send you. 

While I was down in Hocking Hills the week after easter, I received a call from the Bishop’s office. After consultation from the Clergy Personnel Board, the Bishop asked if I would be willing to be sent on a new assignment. And I said yes, of course. 

So, on June 30, I will be relinquishing the pastorate of St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish, and will take up the pastorates of two parishes, on the east side St. Clare of Assisi parish in Lyndhurst and Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in South Euclid.

Accepting the bishop’s request was not easy. Leaving you feels like breaking up a family, in a sense. But it isn’t. A pastorate is always temporary, but that doesn’t make it any less filled with love. 

And Bishop Malesic has not left this great parish without a leader. He has named Fr. John Schneider as the parish administrator. Fr. Schneider will function as parish administrator in addition to his role as pastor of St. Thomas More Parish just south of us in Brooklyn. 

Fr. Schneider is a very good priest friend of mine. He was there in Hocking Hills when I got the call from the Bishop’s office. And he volunteered his service to the Bishop to be sent here as administrator because he knows this parish to be full of life and faith. 

And it truly is. We’ve had more baptisms than funerals so far this year. We have many vibrant ministries. We have some of the most generous parishioners in the diocese..  We have two million dollars in the bank. We have more students in our school than St. Thomas More. I think our roof has less leaks. We have a competent and dedicated parish staff. And some of the most beautiful liturgical music in the diocese, and an extremely well-organized and generous outreach to the poor of our neighborhood. This parish is a community of Christians who take seriously the Lord’s commandment in the Gospel today: “love one another. As I have loved you, so you should love one another”.

And Fr. Schneider will serve you well. Before coming to St. Thomas More, he was pastor of two parishes. He was administrator of my home parish, when his uncle, a priest, had some health concerns. He is a graduate of St. Ignatius High School and Notre Dame University. And, he grew up something like a mile-and-a-half down the street. He knows the neighborhood, he knows parish finances and administration, and most importantly he knows Jesus Christ, and loves and serves Him.

Trust in the Lord that the new leadership  of St Ignatius will be sufficient for the needs of the parish. The Lord always provides for his people. Please pray for Fr. Schneider as he prepares to take up the reigns of St. Ignatius, and please pray for me, as I prepare for my new assignment on the east side. 

I still look forward to being with you until the end of June. So, we will be together for the Eucharistic Procession and Parish Picnic on the feast of Corpus Christi, and we will have a reception after my final masses that last weekend of June.

Thank you for your prayers, your kindness, and your love these past six and a half years. It has been such a wonder and joy to see God working in your lives and in the life of the parish. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide each of us as we each seek to serve the Lord in charity, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

May 14 2025 - St. Matthias - Apostolic Succession

 In the Creed each week, we profess, our belief “in One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church”. Today, we might say, is one of the great feasts of Apostolicity. For St. Matthias was the first to be appointed an Apostle after the death and resurrection of Jesus showing that apostolic mission would continue through the ages until the Lord’s return. 

In the first reading, we read that following the death of the fallen Apostle Judas, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the remaining eleven apostles elected Matthias to join them and share in the apostolic mission to tend the flock, to shepherd the People of God. 

St. Matthias was the first bishop of the Church named after the ascension. 

Some protestants will argue that the Catholic Church’s hierarchy was not intended by God, but Scripture is clear that the appointment of Matthias, and therefore every bishop after him, was due to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

The naming of apostolic successors is implicit in the Lord Jesus’ mandate to the apostles at the end of Matthew’s Gospel, when he says: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations... And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." The command to preach and teach until "the end of the age" implies a continuous apostolic mission—one that is meant to persist through successors.

The apostles understood clearly from Christ’s teachings and actions that their role was an office with specific authority and responsibilities that must persist. Matthias’s appointment thus illustrates the apostles’ understanding of their ministry as an ongoing office, not limited merely to their original twelve.

That apostolic ministry continues unbroken from the apostles to every Catholic bishop throughout history.  Hence we believe that "the bishops have by divine institution taken the place of the apostles as pastors of the Church, in such a way that whoever listens to them is listening to Christ and whoever despises them despises Christ and him who sent Christ."

We commend to God, today, all of the bishops, that through their preaching and teaching, the Christian faith may be spread and deepened, and that we may persevere in being faithful coworkers with them, in witnessing to the death and resurrection of Jesus, that we may be counted among the elect of heaven for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

- - - - 

Trusting in the guidance of the Holy Spirit and inspired by the apostolic witness of St. Matthias, we lift our prayers to our Heavenly Father.

For Pope Leo and all bishops, successors to the Apostles, that they may shepherd the Church with wisdom, courage, and fidelity to Christ’s teachings

For Christian unity, that the apostolic foundation of our faith may inspire greater unity among all who profess belief in Christ.

For our parish, that we may actively participate in the Church’s mission, joyfully witnessing to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in word and deed.

For those who experience doubt or confusion regarding Church teachings, that through the apostolic witness and clear guidance of Church leaders, they may find clarity, truth, and peace.

For the sick and the suffering, those in nursing homes and hospice care, those undergoing surgery, and all of the poor and afflicted, for the grace to carry their crosses with faith, hope, and love.

For the faithful departed, for the departed members of our families friends and parish, for deceased bishops, priests, and those who dedicated their lives to apostolic service, that they may share in the eternal joy of heaven…

Loving Father, through the prayers of St. Matthias, hear our petitions and guide your Church in steadfast fidelity to Christ and the apostolic mission. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May 13 2025 - Our Lady of Fatima - Pray, do penance, seek conversion

 

Between May 13 and October 13, 1917, three Portuguese children received apparitions of Our Lady, near Fatima, a city 110 miles north of Lisbon.  The Blessed Virgin asked the children to pray the rosary for world peace, for the end of World War I, for sinners and for the conversion of atheistic Russia.  

Many have heard of the three secrets of Fatima which Our Lady imparted to the shepherd children, and those secrets have been interpreted in a variety of ways over the last century. Whatever the meaning of these three Fatima secrets, the central meaning of the message of Fatima is no different from what the Church has always taught: as Pope Benedict the XVI put it, the message of Fatima is “the exhortation to prayer as the path of “salvation for souls” and, likewise, the summons to penance and conversion.”

Prayer, penance, and conversion. During the Easter season we consider how each of us are called to engage in the mission of the Church, and no doubt the message of Fatima gives us some insight into what that personal engagement looks like. Prayer, penance, and conversion. We are to pray for the salvation of souls, particularly the rosary. We are to do penance for the salvation of souls—as we do during the season of Lent, all year round there needs to be some penance done by each of us. And conversion—each of us are to seek personal conversion of sin—for a holy soul is a magnetic soul, a soul which draws others to Christ.

Many have felt Fatima to be a sort of wake-up call from our Mother Mary, to recommit to the Gospel in order to avoid unnecessary evil and suffering. Sadly, we’ve seen Our Lady’s message ignored—atheism, hedonism, violence, ignorance of Christ have spread not just in Russia but in our corner of the world, in our neighborhood. 

And yet, we take solace in what is perhaps the most well-known utterance of Fatima, in which Our Lady promised that no matter what, in the end, her “Immaculate Heart will triumph”. Pope Benedict interpreted this utterance as follows: “The Heart open to God, purified by contemplation of God, is stronger than guns and weapons of every kind. The fiat of Mary, the word of her heart, has changed the history of the world, because it brought the Savior into the world—because, thanks to her Yes, God could become man in our world and remains so for all time. The Evil One has power in this world, as we see and experience continually; he has power because our freedom continually lets itself be led away from God. But since God himself took a human heart and has thus steered human freedom towards what is good, the freedom to choose evil no longer has the last word.”

With the help of Our Lady may we be faithful, as we prayed in the opening prayer, to persevere in penance and prayer for the salvation of the world, that we may further more effectively each day the reign of Christ.” For the glory of God and salvation of souls.

- - -  

Trusting in the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and inspired by her call to prayer, penance, and conversion, we bring our prayers before the Lord:

For the holy Church of God, that she may always heed Our Lady’s message of Fatima by proclaiming and living out the call to prayer, penance, and conversion with renewed fervor,

For peace in our world, that through the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima, hatred may give way to reconciliation, violence to justice, and war to enduring peace,

For the conversion of sinners and the renewal of faith in our world, especially in places darkened by atheism, hedonism, and indifference to Christ,

For those who suffer, especially the poor, the persecuted, and the forgotten, that they may know the comfort of Mary’s maternal heart and the strength of her Son’s redeeming love, 

For the dead, that they may be received into the glory of heaven where Mary reigns as Queen

O God, who chose the Blessed Virgin Mary to bring your Son into the world, hear our prayers and strengthen us in faith, hope, and charity, that we may one day share in the triumph of her Immaculate Heart. Through Christ our Lord.

4th Week of Easter 2025 - Monday - Jesus the Good Shepherd

 Yesterday, we heard the very short Gospel passage—just three verses from the middle of John Chapter 10—in which Jesus the Lord spoke about how his sheep recognize his voice and follow Him. This morning, we read from the beginning of chapter 10, beginning what is often called the Good Shepherd discourse.

Good Shepherds are found throughout Scripture.  Abel, son of Adam, was the first shepherd in human history.  Abraham was a shepherd, as was Jacob.  Joseph was shepherding his father’s flock when he was arrested and betrayed by his brothers.  Moses was shepherding his Father-in-law’s flock when he stumbled across the burning bush. Before becoming King of Israel, David was a shepherd.  And the prophet Amos was a shepherd before being sent by God to denounce Israel’s idolatry and hallow prosperity.

Scripture describes God Himself as a Shepherd.   As his father Jacob lay dying, Joseph knelt at his father’s bedside and recalled how God had been his shepherd every day since his birth.  And the 23rd Psalm tenderly describes God’s shepherding care: God is the Shepherd who feeds us in green pastures, who leads us to safety, who protects us in dark valleys.  

In the passage this morning the Lord describes the profound relationship Jesus has with each of us sheep. He knows us intimately, calls us by name, and leads us with love and care through the landscapes of our lives. The Good Shepherd also seeks to protect us from thieves and robbers who would steal us away from that relationship of love.

But, that is a choice that is up to us: will we heed his voice, or will we fall for the counterfeit voices of those thieves and robbers—the voice of temptation. 

He calls out to us, he calls us by name, he feeds us, he fends off thieves and robbers because he desires that we have life and have it to abundance—a life full of blessing and spiritual gifts, a life that involves becoming the people God made us to be.

But for that to happen, we must listen intently to the voice of the Good Shepherd, following in his footsteps, allowing him to teach us, feed us, protect us, lead us and guide us in the ways of righteousness, goodness, and love, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

- - - -  

Filled with Paschal joy, let us turn earnestly to God, to graciously hear our prayers and supplications.

For the shepherds of our souls, for newly elected Pope Leo, for all  bishops and clergy, that they may govern wisely the flock entrusted to them by the Good Shepherd

For the whole world, that it may truly know the peace of the Risen Christ.

That our parish may bear witness with great confidence to the Resurrection of Christ, and that the newly initiated hold fast to the faith they have received. 

For our brothers and sisters who suffer, that their sorrow may be turned to gladness through the Christian faith.

That all of our beloved dead and all the souls in purgatory may come to the glory of the Resurrection.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the desires of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our lord.

4th Sunday of Easter 2025 - Pope Leo XIV and St. Ignatius of Antioch

 

Just last Sunday, in light of the passing of dear Pope Francis we considered the words of our Lord to St. Peter, “Peter, if you love me, feed my sheep”. Those words rang true for a Pope who no doubt loved the Lord and the flock he had been chosen to watch over. And now, a week later, Habemus Papam, we have a new Pope.

Late Thursday morning, we saw images of the white smoke billowing from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel where the Cardinals gathered to vote. And within about an hour and a half, we saw the new Pope emerge , the first Pope born in this great nation—Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost had been elected as Supreme Pontiff and took the name, Leo, as had thirteen popes before him, the most recent being Pope Leo XIII , the fourth longest reigning Pope who was elected in 1878.

What a delightful surprise to see the American Pope emerge onto the loggia of St. Peter’s and repeat the same words our blessed Lord spoke when entering the upper room after his resurrection: “Peace be with you”.

“Dearest brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd who laid down his life for the flock of God. I too would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families, to all people, wherever they may be, to all nations, to the whole earth. Peace be with you!”

Back here in West Blvd, about 10 minutes after the Pope concluded his blessing, we had the school children coming over to church to light candles as part of our Light for Love program. They must have been one of the first catholic schools on the planet to gather together in church to pray following the election of the Pope. And pray we did, lighting candles for family and for the world and for the church.

And then the next day, Friday, came another surprise. Friday morning, Holy Father Pope Leo gathered with the cardinals in the Sistine chapel to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. And when it came time for his homily, he began to speak, not in Italian, but in english. He had given his opening address in Italian of course, he then spoke in Spanish, a special word particularly for the faithful in the diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, where he served as bishop. Apparently, he is fluent in Spanish, Italian, French, german, and Portuguese. He can read latin, of course. But, to hear him speaking in unbroken english, was another delightful surprise.

But then came another surprise. In the course of his homily, he expounded upon the question the Lord poses to the apostles in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 16: “who do you say the son of man is”. We know how Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God”. The holy Father reflected upon how that is a question posed to every single person, and there are really only two ways you can answer it. There is the way of the world: finding the presence of the Lord irksome and challenging the world does not hesitate to reject Christ, to silence him, to eliminate him. That’s one answer: to oppose Him.

But the other way, the answer of Peter—is that of discipleship—to recognize Jesus as the Christ—the one worth listening to, heeding, and following, as challenging as that might be—to trust that he has the words of everlasting life.

And if that’s how we answer, the Holy Father explained then our commitment to Jesus  is not a once in a lifetime commitment we make at baptism, but a commitment we must make every day.

And then here comes the surprise. The Pope, claiming that discipleship is a commitment we must make every day, then said, “I say this first of all to myself, as the Successor of Peter, as I begin my mission as Bishop of Rome and, according to the well-known expression of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, am called to preside in charity over the universal Church.”

What a delightful surprise to find the words of our patron saint on the lips of the newly elected Holy Father, on his first full day on the job. Of all the saints he could have quoted, he drew the world’s attention to St. Ignatius of Antioch.

“Saint Ignatius” the Pope said, “who was led in chains to this city (meaning Rome), the place of his impending sacrifice, wrote to the Christians there: “Then I will truly be a disciple of Jesus Christ, when the world no longer sees my body”. Ignatius was speaking about being devoured by wild beasts in the arena (traditionally the wild beasts are depicted as Lions, and what does the name Leo mean?) — and so it happened — but his words apply more generally to an indispensable commitment for all those in the Church who exercise a ministry of authority. It is to move aside so that Christ may remain, to make oneself small so that he may be known and glorified (cf. John 3:30), to spend oneself to the utmost so that all may have the opportunity to know and love him.

What a powerful reflection for all of us to consider: how even the Pope recognizes the importance of decreasing so that Christ may increase in us, of learning to push aside our own will that the will of God might take priority, so that God may be known and loved by others.

In the Gospel today, Jesus says, my sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. And here is Pope Leo saying, I’m one of the sheep too. I need to listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd, so that I may follow him faithfully. And we look to the saints, like St. Ignatius of Antioch, to see marvelous examples of ordinary men and women like us, following Christ in heroic ways.

How are you, how am I, called to listen to the voice of the Lord and follow Him faithfully every day? No doubt this involves prayer. We cannot hear his voice unless we incline our ear in his direction. Prayerfully read some scripture every day—listen to God’s Word which pierces the heart. Consider how God’s word applies in the concrete details of your life: in your challenges, in your sorrows, in your joys, in your loneliness, in the confusing details. What does it mean to follow Jesus more faithfully in all of the chaos? Not just faithfully, but more faithfully. We can always be more faithful, more patient, more gentle, more joyful, more self-controlled, more forgiving.

In the first reading, “The Gentiles were delighted when they heard the Word of the Lord preached to them, and they glorified the word of the Lord.” Having heard the Word of God speaking to you in your daily prayer, thank God, glorify God by allowing God’s word to transform your mind and your heart and your attitudes and behaviors. Bring that word into your decisions, your conversations, how you treat people, and when you, like Ignatius, are called to suffer—patiently, trustingly, and with faith, that You may decrease so that Christ may increase, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

3rd Week of Easter 2025 - Friday - The Bread of Life Nourishes, Cleanses, Strengthens, and Sanctifies

 

Last week, remember, we read through the Lord’s conversation with Nicodemus in which Jesus speaks of supernatural birth for his followers, a second birth, in which we are born anew to the supernatural life of the Spirit. 

This week, we’ve read through the Bread of Life discourse in which Jesus teaches us not of supernatural rebirth, but supernatural food—food that will sustain the life of the spirit.

This morning, our newly elected Pope, Leo XIV celebrated the Eucharist with his Cardinals because the Eucharist truly is the bread of life; the Eucharist produces life in us because the Eucharist IS Jesus Christ who is Our Life

The Eucharist sustains the supernatural life begun at baptism. When the body is deprived of food it languishes and dies; and it is the same with the soul, the Eucharist sustains supernatural life in us, as Jesus says, “unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you do not have life within you.”

The Eucharist is our pledge of eternal life and resurrection: He who receives Eucharist, Christ will “raise up on the last day”. St. Ignatius of Antioch said is “the food that makes us live forever in Jesus Christ”, it is the “remedy for our mortality”.

The Eucharist restores the soul which has become weakened by venial sin. St. Ambrose said Holy Communion “is a remedy for our daily infirmities”. The damage we do to our souls through venial sin is restored through Holy Communion.

The Eucharist strengthens us to give witness to Christ and persevere in faith. St. Cyprian, writing in the early third century, describes how Christians imprisoned for their faith, awaiting trial at which they would likely receive a death sentence,  would plead for Holy Communion. “Give me Communion, so I’ll be able to resist.” 

The Eucharist helps us to persevere in faith at the hour of our death. This is why the Eucharist is brought to the dying. “Whoever eats this bread will live forever”, what a powerful promise to recall as one lay dying.

And the Eucharist increases sanctifying grace in our souls: helping us to love with the heart of Christ, making our lives more pleasing to God.

Through the Eucharist, may the life of Christ in us continue to be sustained, nourished, strengthened, and increased for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

 

By offering His Body and Blood for us, Jesus reconciles the world to the Father. Therefore, we present our needs to God with confidence.

- - - - 

For newly elected Pope Leo XIV that the Eucharist may sustain, nourish and protect him in his new ministry for which we pray to be filled with many blessings and the unending guidance of the Holy Spirit.

That Christians may always approach the Eucharist worthily, in full communion with the teachings and practices of the Church. 

For Catholics who have fallen away from the Eucharist, that they may know the grace of sincere repentance and return to the table of the Lord.

That all God's children may have sufficient bread for their physical life and the Bread of Life for their spiritual life. 

That those who have died may share the eternal life that Jesus promised to those who feed on the Bread from Heaven. 

Gracious Father, hear our prayers. Nourish us continually with your Son’s presence in the Eucharist, and grant us the grace to lead others to this divine source of eternal life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

3rd Week of Easter 2025 - Wednesday - Hungering for the Bread of Life

 

One of the things that perennially draws people to join the Catholic Church is the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Even amidst scandals and abuses, when the imperfections of the members of the Church are on display, Jesus draws people to the Catholic faith through the Eucharist. 

Why is the Eucharist so powerful in drawing souls to God? St. John Vianney said, “The soul hungers for God, and nothing but God can satiate it.  Therefore He came to dwell on earth and assumed a Body in order that this Body might become the Food of our souls" 

God has placed a deep hunger within our souls, a hunger for himself. And our good God has provided the food to satisfy that hunger. The world offers many artificial alternatives to God, but the Eucharist is the food that truly satisfies.

Isaiah the prophet asked, “Why spend money on that which is not bread, and wages on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods” Little did Isaiah know of the bread which God would give in the Eucharist, the supersubstantial bread that truly satisfies and delights our souls. 

A few years ago, on the feast of Corpus Christi, the late Holy Father Pope Francis said, “Let us choose this food of life! Let us make Mass our priority! Let us rediscover Eucharistic adoration in our communities! Let us implore the grace to hunger for God, with an insatiable desire to receive what he has prepared for us”

In the Gospel today, the Lord makes the invitation to all people: "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst”. Again, during the Easter Season, we consider how we are called to extend that invitation to the spiritually starving. If we don’t extend the invitation, they will go from one unsatisfying pursuit to the other until they starve to death.

May we respond generously to the Easter summons to go out to the world, to teach and make disciples, to help souls longing, searching, and hungering for God to find Him here, and to share communion with Him for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

- - - -  

Trusting in Christ’s true presence among us in the Eucharist, we present our prayers and petitions to our Heavenly Father.

That the Church around the world may be a visible sign of the light of the Risen Lord calling all people to new life and communion with Him, and for the Holy Spirit’s guidance for the college of Cardinals in the conclave for the papal election.

For leaders of nations, that they may be guided by the wisdom and love revealed in Christ’s Eucharistic sacrifice, promoting justice, peace, and dignity for all people.

For priests and those preparing for priestly ministry, that their hearts may be strengthened and their lives continually transformed by the Eucharist, the source of their joy and priestly identity, and for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.

For married couples and families, that the self-giving love of Christ made present in the Eucharist may inspire and sustain their love and fidelity to one another.

For those experiencing spiritual hunger, loneliness, or despair, that they may encounter Christ, finding in him nourishment, peace, and fulfillment for their souls.

For those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, that they may draw comfort and strength from Christ’s presence in the Eucharist and from the charitable giving of the Body of Christ.

For our beloved dead, especially Pope Francis, that they may share in that eternal life promised to those who ate and drank the body and blood of Christ. 

Gracious Father, hear our prayers. Nourish us continually with your Son’s presence in the Eucharist, and grant us the grace to lead others to this divine source of eternal life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

3rd Week of Easter 2025 - Tuesday - "What sign can you do that we might believe?"

 

What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you?

In today’s Gospel the people were asking for a sign so they could believe that Jesus was really sent by God.

And Jesus said, I’ll give you a sign: bread. But not just any bread. Bread that is my flesh. Bread that is my body and blood and soul and divinity.

Pope Benedict XVI wrote about the Eucharist that “The Eucharist means God has answered:  The Eucharist is God as an answer, as an answering presence.”

In the Eucharist, God answers our prayers to know that He is with us in our challenges, crosses, temptations, doubts, and disappointments. He is with us in our struggle to love our enemies, forgive those who hurt us, give to those who ask of us. The Eucharist is God’s answer to man’s question “where can I find God, now, and believe in him”. 

In the Eucharist, the Word become flesh has made his dwelling among us, and we can see his glory. In the Eucharist, the Lord’s teaching is fulfilled that, “behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age”. In the Eucharist, we come to understand how Jesus is Emmanuel, God-with-us.

The Church’s use of John Chapter six during this easter season is so fitting, therefore, because it answers how the risen Christ, who appeared to the disciples, can now be glimpsed and approached and adored and received by us, by all people.

So many of our contemporaries are starving for God; they go from one unsatisfying pursuit to another, searching for God—even to the point of self-destruction in some cases. All the while, God is here, present on the altar, present in the tabernacle, able to be received by those who believe in Him. God has given the sign for all those able and willing to see.

During the Easter season we certainly pray for a deeper appreciation and gratitude for God’s answer to humanity’s longing, which is now such a source of strength and joy for the Church. But we also  consider how our Easter mission is to lead souls here—how God’s grace impels us into the world, to help souls find Christ in the Eucharist—so they like us can find the answer to desires and longing for God, for wholeness, and peace, and joy, and the promise of eternal life, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

- - - - 

 

Trusting in Christ’s true presence among us in the Eucharist, we present our prayers and petitions to our Heavenly Father.

That the Church around the world may be a visible sign of the light of the Risen Lord calling all people to new life and communion with Him, and for the Holy Spirit’s guidance for the college of Cardinals as they prepare for the conclave and the papal election.

For leaders of nations, that they may be guided by the wisdom and love revealed in Christ’s Eucharistic sacrifice, promoting justice, peace, and dignity for all people.

For priests and those preparing for priestly ministry, that their hearts may be strengthened and their lives continually transformed by the Eucharist, the source of their joy and priestly identity, and for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.

For married couples and families, that the self-giving love of Christ made present in the Eucharist may inspire and sustain their love and fidelity to one another.

For those experiencing spiritual hunger, loneliness, or despair, that they may encounter Christ, finding in him nourishment, peace, and fulfillment for their souls.

For those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, that they may draw comfort and strength from Christ’s presence in the Eucharist and from the charitable giving of the Body of Christ.

For our beloved dead, especially Pope Francis, that they may share in that eternal life promised to those who ate and drank the body and blood of Christ.

Gracious Father, hear our prayers. Nourish us continually with your Son’s presence in the Eucharist, and grant us the grace to lead others to this divine source of eternal life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

3rd Week of Easter 2025 - Monday - Do not work for food that perishes

“Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life.”  The word used for “work” in this passage is the Greek word, ergon, a word that denotes hard labor and physical exertion.  Here Jesus is saying that the way of righteousness is no easy matter; Christian discipleship requires more than merely emotional or intellectual assent.  Daily we are called to the ergon—the hard work—of the Gospel—of turning away from our sins and embracing Jesus' commands.  Daily, we are called to the hard work of bringing our hearts, which so love independence and self-reliance, before the throne of God to submit to his will.

This command to work for food that endures is a reversal of how we normally think and act. The unconverted soul exerts tremendous effort—the entirety of his effort—pursuing his own aims—worshipping his false gods. 

The Bishop who ordained me a deacon and priest, Bishop Lennon once wrote that when our lives are focused on false Gods of prosperity, prestige, or the pursuit of what our secular world calls the good life, we will likely reap a harvest of unhappiness and exhaustion.  Yet, when God is at the center of our lives, when we fulfill all of our responsibilities as ways of serving Him, when He is included in our meals, chores, conversations, parenting, work, vacations, civic responsibilities, decisions, problems, crises, accomplishments, and losses—then the whole of our lives become charged and changed with God's presence.  

Food that perishes ultimately leave us unsatisfied, but the food of eternal life—the food of eternal life—the nourishment of mind and heart and soul that comes from God—will not only sustain us in this life, changes us, transforms us, converts us, and opens us to eternity.

Working with all of our hearts to serve God does not bring exhaustion and unhappiness, rather it brings new life and joy.

The Easter season is certainly the time of the Church year when we consider how we are being called to serve God, to witness to the Gospel in our words and deeds. Our Easter mission entails hard work, and we should not shy away from that hard work because it ultimately sustains and fulfills us. But that hard work is a personal responsibility—it requires each of us to assess our gifts, to prayerfully consider how those gifts can be utilized for the work of the kingdom, and to put those gifts into action.

“Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life” for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.  

- - - - -  

Trusting in God's strength as we strive to labor for food that endures to eternal life, we bring our prayers and petitions before our Heavenly Father.

That the Church around the world may be a visible sign of the light of the Risen Lord calling all people to new life and communion with Him, and for the Holy Spirit’s guidance for the college of Cardinals as they prepare for the conclave and the papal election.

For world leaders and those in authority, that their efforts and decisions may reflect a commitment to truth, justice, and service to the common good for a society that values the pursuit of holiness and eternal life.

For families, communities, and workplaces, that they may be transformed and sanctified by placing God at the center of daily responsibilities and interactions.

For those who experience spiritual dryness, fatigue, or discouragement, that the Eucharist—the food of eternal life—may refresh their souls and renew their commitment to Christ, we pray to the Lord.

For our beloved deceased, especially Pope Francis, that their faithful labors on earth may lead them to everlasting rest and joy in God's eternal kingdom, and for N.

Father of all goodness, hear these prayers and strengthen us in our daily labors to serve you wholeheartedly, seeking always the nourishment that endures forever. We ask this through Christ our Lord. 

 

3rd Sunday of Easter 2025 - Papal Funeral - "Feed my Sheep"

 

In this week’s bulletin, I included excerpts from the funeral homily for Pope Francis, delivered by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals. His homily was a touching, reverent, and insightful reflection on the late pontiff’s life and legacy.

It began by acknowledging our sorrow. It is indeed sad when a Pope dies—the Church mourns the loss of Pope Francis’ leadership, his kindness, and his Christian witness. But, as with all good Christian funeral homilies, Cardinal Re quickly reframed that grief through the lens of our hope in Christ. We grieve, yes—but we do not grieve as those without hope. We are sustained by the certainty of faith: that death is not the end, but that, through the Resurrection of Christ, eternal life awaits all who place their trust in Him. That hope is for the Pope—and for each one of us.

You can find the full text of the homily online, but I want to share with you a powerful image that I did not include in the bulletin.

In his homily, Cardinal Re invoked the powerful image of the last time the world saw Pope Francis. Despite his serious ailments, and doctors telling him it was not a good idea, Pope Francis insisted on blessing the pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday.

What a powerful image of the Paschal Mystery—the Pope, imitating Christ in both his suffering and his service. And. what a fitting final image of Pope Francis: still serving, still giving, still loving the Church to the very end.

Cardinal Re then communicated the following, referencing the Gospel we just proclaimed today. He said, “We are enlightened and guided by the passage of the Gospel in which the very voice of Christ resounded, asking the first of the apostles: “Peter, do you love me more than these?” Peter’s answer was prompt and sincere: “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you!” Jesus then entrusted him with the great mission: “Feed my sheep.” This will be the constant task of Peter and his successors, a service of love in the footsteps of Christ, our master and lord, who “came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many”.

Notice how Cardinal Re gave a beautiful job description for Popes: the Pontificate is a service of love—a love of Christ’s flock, the Church, rooted in what must be the Pope’s personal love of Christ.

What a beautiful and fitting description of the papal office. The Pope does not Lord his authority over the Church. Rather, he is, as tradition calls him, the servant of the servants of God. The Pope serves the Church so that all people may come to know Christ and the salvation He won for us.

This coming Wednesday, the College of Cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel for the Papal Conclave. They will elect a new Pope, and we must pray for them—that the Holy Spirit will guide their deliberations and raise up a shepherd who will love and serve the Church with the heart of Christ.

From Peter to Pope Francis, every pope has faced unique challenges throughout the centuries—times of persecution, division, war, and scandal. By the end of the week, we will likely have a new Pope, and he too will face great challenges. That’s why we must pray for him—daily.

The Church prays for the Pope at every Mass, but we should also remember him in our personal prayers. One beautiful tradition is to offer the three extra Hail Marys at the end of the Rosary for the Pope and his intentions. 

Praying for the Pope is important because of the enormous responsibility he bears: the visible sign of unity in the Church, the guardian of the apostolic faith, and the supreme shepherd of God’s people. As Christ said to Peter, “Feed my sheep,” the Pope is called to help the Church live out her mission in this unique moment in history—to give the Church what is truly good: the nourishment of God’s Word, the truth of the Gospel, and the visible witness of Christ’s love in the world. 

So we pray pray for the Pope—that he may love and feed the flock of Christ with courage, clarity, and compassion—and not flee in the face of wolves.

But let us not forget: we too have heard the voice of Christ in the Gospel today. We too are asked, “Do you love me?” And if we dare to answer like Peter, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you,” then the command that follows is for us also: “Feed my sheep.”.

That command is not reserved only for popes and priests. It belongs to all of us—parents, teachers, workers, students, retirees, young and old alike. Each of us, through baptism, has been entrusted with a share in Christ’s mission. And so we are called, like Peter, to “put out into deep waters”—to go beyond what is safe or comfortable, and to live our faith with purpose.

What does that look like in daily life?

If you’re a parent, “feed my sheep” means teaching your children to pray, bringing them to Mass, and showing them what Christian love looks like in how you treat one another at home.

If you’re elderly, it might mean using your wisdom to encourage the younger generation, offering your suffering as intercession for the Church, or simply being a faithful presence at daily Mass and in prayer.

If you work in the world, it may mean acting with integrity in your business dealings, bringing compassion into conversations, or witnessing to your faith in subtle but sincere ways—making Christ known by how you carry yourself.

And for all of us, putting out into the deep might mean volunteering in the parish, reaching out to a lapsed Catholic, helping at the food pantry, or forgiving someone we’ve been reluctant to forgive.

The Church is not nourished by professionals alone. It is nourished by ordinary believers doing ordinary things with great love. That is how we "feed the sheep"—by making the Gospel visible in the way we live, love, and serve.

So yes, pray for the Pope—daily. But also ask the Lord: “How do you want me to love and feed today?”

Let our lives become a kind of blessing—like that final image of Pope Francis on Easter Sunday: frail perhaps, but faithful; worn, perhaps, but willing; quietly proclaiming by our actions that Christ is alive and still feeding His people through us.

“Do you love me?” Then feed my sheep. And put out into the deep for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

May 2 2025 - St. Athanasius - Light of Truth or Darkness of Error

 

For the past two weeks of the easter season, we have been reading from the acts of the apostles. We’ve heard Peter preaching in the streets of Jerusalem, and Peter and John being arrested for preaching about Jesus Christ, and how the Church began to grow as thousands and thousands of people began to believe that Jesus Christ truly rose from the dead and by believing in Him we might have eternal life.

As the Church began to grow in those early centuries, the successors of the apostles, the bishops of the Church continued to preach and teach and lead the Church in Jesus’ name. Sadly, there arose preachers and teachers who did not hold fast to the teachings of the apostles. 

Writing just a few decades after the death and resurrection of Jesus, St. Paul wrote about divisions in the Church in places like Corinth and warned the Church about deviating from the teaching of the Apostles. To depart from apostolic teaching about Jesus meant preaching a different Christ—worshipping a false notion of Christ.

Fast forward three hundred years. The Christian faith spread from Jerusalem, through Asia Minor and Greece, into Europe and Africa. With Church growth also came division. Christians, even bishops did not heed the warnings of Paul.

Things got so bad that the Roman emperor, Constantine I, who wasn’t even baptized, merely a catechumen on the road to baptism, called all the bishops of the world together in a place called Nicaea, to deal with a particularly pernicious error called Arianism, which claimed that Jesus was not God, merely a creature like us. 

And at this Council, the Council of Nicaea, one of the most important figures was today’s saint, St. Athanasius. St. Athanasius reminded the bishops, many of whom had become Arian, to hold fast to the teaching of the apostles—that Jesus Christ is truly God in the flesh, who became man, so that we can be rejoined to God. 

Athanasius, only a deacon at the time, stood up to those in error and defended the truth about Jesus Christ. Now, he made a lot of enemies because of this. After the council, Athanasius was made the Bishop of Alexandria, and his enemies would see to it that he was exiled 5 times. But even from exile, he continued to teach the fullness of the truth about Jesus Christ.

What you believe about Jesus Christ matters. Will you believe the truth about him or error? Will you allow the light of truth to fill your minds rather than the darkness of error?

May St. Athanasius help us to believe rightly, that we might walk rightly in the light of the truth, the light of Christ, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

- - - - - - 

Inspired by the courage and fidelity of St. Athanasius, we present our prayers to our Heavenly Father.

For the Church and her leaders, for teachers of the faith, theologians and catechists, that they may steadfastly proclaim the fullness of truth about Jesus Christ, faithfully teaching the Gospel received through the apostles.

For the Holy Spirit’s guidance for the college of Cardinals as they prepare for the conclave and the papal election that they may elect a Pope with courage and conviction to defend and teach the Catholic faith.

For unity within the Church, that divisions and errors may be healed through the power of the Holy Spirit and the faithful witness of believers.

For those who struggle with doubt or confusion about their faith, that the Holy Spirit may lead them into the fullness of truth revealed in Christ Jesus.

For those who suffer persecution for their commitment to Christ, and for all of the sick and suffering.

For God’s departed servant Pope Francis, and for the faithful departed, that having embraced the truth about Christ in this life, they may enter into the eternal light and peace of God's kingdom.

That during this month of May dedicated to devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, all people may come turn to her example of faith and know her heavenly intercession.

Heavenly Father, hear our prayers. Strengthen our faith and deepen our love for your Son. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.