April 29 2026 - St. Catherine of Siena (school mass) - The Courage to Encourage

 

Today, the Church celebrates a very courageous saint—St. Catherine from the Italian town of Siena.

St. Catherine was a member of a religious order called the Order of Preachers—the order founded by St. Dominic—also called the Dominicans.

St. Catherine possessed many gifts and virtues. She had a powerful intellect, she was a prolific writer, and for her great contributions to Church teaching has been named a Doctor of the Church. Catherin wasn’t just an intellectual though, she engaged in many great works of charity—she nursed the sick and visited prisoners in prison.

She also had many mystical, miraculous aspects of her life: she received the holy stigmata—the very wounds of Jesus’ crucifixion--on her hands, feet, and heart. She also had what is called the mystical gift of tears, she would weep in union with Jesus for the souls of sinners. For many years, she ate nothing, except, once a day she would receive the Lord’s body and blood—the eucharist.

Though she died in the year 1380—almost 650 years ago—her body has not deteriorated, but remains incorrupt. I’ve seen it, multiple time. I always go to visit the body of St. Catherine when I am in Rome.

But, I’d like to share with you today about St. Catherine’s courage. In the 1300s the King of France exerted tremendous political pressure upon the Church and convinced the Pope to move his residence from Rome to a city in France called Avignon.

So, instead of living in Rome, the place of Peter’s martyrdom, the Popes from 1309 to 1377 lived in France, during which time there was great turmoil in Europe—factions and violent hostility.

Each day, holy St. Catherine would make a pilgrimage to St. Peter basilica to pray for the Pope’s return to Rome, she wrote to the Pope and pleaded for his return. For 20 years, she prayed and wrote, until in the summer of 1376, she went to Avignon herself, and convinced Pope Gregory XI to return Rome despite the pressure of the French Cardinals who elected him.

“I beg of you, on behalf of Christ crucified, that you be not a timorous child but manly” she said…to the Pope. “Be a man”. Stand up and do what is right for the good of the Church.

It takes a lot of Courage to say something like that to the Pope, but she did so out of love for the Church, love for peace, love for souls. Catherine was not in competition with the Pope, she wanted Him to become the best man he could be. We must have the Courage to Encourage others.

Girls, ladies, please be like St. Catherine, encouraging the men in your life to be the best men they can be. And all of us, need to be like St. Catherine, who encourage each other to do what is right, even when we face earthly pressure. May each of us cultivate courage born of true holiness, in love of Jesus Christ, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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

 

For the shepherds of our souls, the pope, bishops, and clergy, that they may govern wisely the flock entrusted to them by the Good Shepherd, leading the Church in the increase in faith, hope, and love.

 

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.

June 11 2025 - St. Barnabas, apostle - Holy Encouragement

 After Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was stoned to death, Christian believers faced intense persecution in Jerusalem. Many fled Jerusalem and sought refuge in other cities. One of those cities was Antioch, one of the largest cities in the first-century Roman world, accommodating a population in between 100,000 and 300,000. .The persecuted Christians from Jerusalem preached the Gospel among the Jews in Antioch and made many converts.

In our first reading, we heard how a man named Barnabas was sent by the apostles to Antioch to help organize the Church there. And when he arrived he rejoiced to find the faith alive and well. 

He encouraged the Christians there to remain faithful to the Lord and he was filled with the Holy Spirit and faith, and through him a large number of people were added to the Lord.  

Who was this man named Barnabas, and why was he sent? Barnabas was a levite Jew originally from Cyprus.  He had settled in Jerusalem and was one of the first to embrace Christianity there after the Lord’s Resurrection.  The book of Acts tells us that Barnabas sold his field and gave the money to the Apostles for the Church’s needs.  

He is numbered among the apostles, because he was sent to organize and oversee—a ministry continued by our present day bishops.

From Antioch, Barnabas and Paul embarked on a missionary journey, Paul’s first of three. Barnabas completed the missionary journey with Paul and was present at the Council of Jerusalem, but after around the year 49 we lose track of him.

Nevertheless, Barnabas allowed the grace of God to transform him into a great, holy, and effective laborer for the Gospel

The name Barnabas means “son of encouragement” . Many souls came to follow Jesus through Barnabas’ encouragement.  We are all called to be a Barnabas aren’t we?  Every one of us is called to encourage—to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ io remain faithful to the Lord in times of doubt, to encourage the ignorant to learn their faith more deeply, to encourage the fallen away back to the Lord.

Encouragement changes lives—encouragement to go to confession, to become more active in a parish group or to attend daily mass, the encouragement to pray the rosary, or to consider a religious vocation, to trust in the Lord when their crosses become heavy. Do not be afraid to give encouragement. For through it we work for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. 

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As we honor St. Barnabas, let us present our prayers to the Father, asking for the grace to be faithful and encouraging disciples of Christ.

For the Church, especially her bishops and pastors: That, like St. Barnabas, they may be filled with the Holy Spirit and faith, joyfully strengthening the people of God and guiding them in truth.

For all who preach the Gospel, especially missionaries: That they may be courageous and effective in their proclamation of the Good News, bearing much fruit for the Kingdom.

For vocations to the priesthood and religious life: That many may be inspired by encouragement to follow the call of Christ wholeheartedly.

For the sick and the suffering, the poor and afflicted, and those who are discouraged, doubting, or spiritually weary: That they may be uplifted by the grace of God and by the support of loving Christian companions.

For the faithful departed, especially those who labored for the Gospel: That they may rejoice forever in the presence of the Lord.

Father, you raised up St. Barnabas to strengthen your Church and encourage the hearts of your people. Hear our prayers and help us, by your grace, to build up the Body of Christ in our time. Through Christ our Lord.

June 11 2024 - St. Barnabas - Son of Encouragement

 We celebrate today the feast of St. Barnabas. In the first reading today from the book of Acts, we heard how Barnabas encouraged people to remain faithful to Jesus. In times of challenge, Christians are to encourage each other. And that word, to describe the activity of Barnabas, was likely chosen very carefully. 

For earlier in the book of Acts, St. Luke writes that the name Barnabas means “son of encouragement”. His birth name, as a levite Jew, was Joseph. But the apostles named him “Barnabas”. And it sounds like Barnabas took that name seriously, encouraging Christians to remain faithful. 

We live in a broken world. Our bodies break down, our plans falter, our dreams die, our resolves weaken, our perspective dims. Dwelling on the state of our world can lead to despair. There’s plenty of reason to tend toward discouragement just from the world, but even the scriptures are clear that we will experience suffering, persecution, and trials of various kinds. 

But the Word of God teaches us to guard against discouragement. In the Gospel of John, Jesus warned that “in this world you will have trouble.” But then he offered a much needed word of encouragement: “But take heart; I have overcome the world”. In times of discouragement we are to meditate upon the victory of Christ over sin and evil and death.

But not only are we to personally meditate on the Word of God to fight off discouragement. We are to encouragement each other. The Letter to the Hebrews says, “Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

We all have the vocation, therefore, of being St. Barnabas’ to teach other. We are to encourage each other, as brothers and sisters in Christ to remain faithful to the Lord when we begin to doubt or when facing a terrible temptation.

When encouragement is absent from the life of a church people will feel unloved, unimportant, useless, and forgotten. So we are to encourage that they are loved by the Lord, that they are needed in the life of the Church, and that they are wanted.

Someone in this parish is likely waiting for your encouragement to really take an active role in the work that is being done here.  Or perhaps, some young person is waiting for your encouragement to take that next step in considering the Lord’s call to a religious vocation or to the priesthood.  Making an intention every day to send someone an encouraging note, email, text, or phone call is never a waste of time.

Each of us can make an invaluable contribution to renewing our parish and building up the Body of Christ, not only through prayer, but by actively encouraging our brothers and sisters to be faithful to the Lord in the mission of the Gospel for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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That during this month of June, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, all Christians may witness to the tender love of Christ through our prayer, fasting, and works of charity. 

For our young people beginning summer vacation, that they may be kept safe from the errors of our culture and kept in close friendship with Jesus through prayer and acts of mercy.

For all married couples, that they may be faithful to the Gospel in every dimension of their married life—and that single and celibate Christians may witness to the sacrificial, all-embracing love of Christ for all.

For the sick, the impoverished, the lonely, those suffering from mental illness, those most in need, and those near death: may God, through the mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, be close to them in their trials

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord

Easter Octave Wednesday 2024 - Communal Witness, Shared Mission

The end of the Emmaus story, as recounted in the Gospel of Luke, captures a moment of profound revelation and communal joy among the disciples. After recognizing Jesus in the breaking of the bread and realizing He had been with them all along, the two disciples from Emmaus couldn't contain their excitement. Their hearts burning within them was both a metaphor for spiritual awakening but also a visceral, emotional response to encountering the Risen Lord.

Imagine their hurried journey back to Jerusalem, fueled by an urgency to share their experience. The roads that seemed so long and desolate before were now pathways of purpose and hope. Upon arriving, they find the Eleven and others gathered—sharing how the Lord appeared to Simon. Hearing this confirmation, coming from such a trusted source within their community, would only amplify their joy and astonishment.

Imagine how they were encouraged to share their own account—words tumbling over each other, hands gesturing vividly, their faces alight with awe—their excitement would be infectious. They recount every detail: their initial failure to recognize Jesus, His explanation of the Scriptures, and the moment of revelation at the dinner table. Each word would add to the growing sense of amazement and joy among the listeners.

The shared experiences of encountering the Risen Christ would forge a deep, communal bond among the disciples, uniting them in a shared mission and a renewed sense of purpose.

This Gospel is not simply about individual encounters with the Risen Christ but also about the formation of a community of believers, transformed by their experiences of the Resurrection. 

This narrative illustrates how individual faith journeys are enriched and given meaning within the context of communal belief and shared mission.

Each of us have our own faith journeys, but they are inextricably linked to each other’s. Easter is not just about my faith, but our faith—not just about my mission to witness, but our mission to witness. The Church is stronger when we are encouraging one another, praying with one another, sharing our faith with one another, and helping each other identify and strengthen our spiritual gifts.

As members of the Church, Easter invites us to reflect on our role within our communal mission. How do we contribute to the sense of community in our parish? In what ways can we support one another in our journey of faith? 

The Emmaus story reminds us that our faith is not a solitary endeavor but a communal journey towards encountering the living God. It calls us to recognize Jesus in each other, to share our stories of faith--our encounters with the Risen Lord--and to walk together in the mission entrusted to us by the Risen Lord, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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

For the shepherds of our souls, that they may have the strength to 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. 

For our own community, that it 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.

10th Week in Ordinary Time 2023 - Monday - Instruments of Encouragement

 Today’s Gospel is one of the most famous passages of the New Testament, if not the entire bible—the beatitudes.  Yet, I’d like to focus on the first reading, from the Second Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, because we’ll be reading second Corinthians for the next two weeks.  

Paul founded the church at Corinth around 50 AD, spending about 18 months there establishing a community of believers consisting of both Gentiles and converts from Judaism.  And II Corinthians was written as a sort of prelude to Paul’s third and final visit to Corinth, in which Paul expresses great joy that the Gospel was finally beginning to take real root in the hearts of the Christians there. There had been some real spiritual progress in the community: some of the divisions had been healed, some of the moral issues had been overcome. So Paul writes to encourage the Corinthians to keep the momentum going, while also addressing some of the enduring pastoral issues and problems which afflicted the Church.

Encouragement. Several times, just in the opening lines of the letter, Paul mentions encouragement.

Paul writes, “God encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God.”

All Christians experience affliction of some form or another. Illness, financial troubles, temptations, hostility from the world or even from family members. All of us, share in the sufferings of Christ, all of us have some share in the cross. Paul, is certainly speaking from personal experience here. Later in this very letter he’ll explain: “Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.”

But Paul also testifies that God encourages us in our afflictions: He strengthens us, he heals our wounded hearts, he shows us the way forward, he helps us to keep our hearts focused on reaching our eternal goal.

And Paul explains that God encourages us in our afflictions, so that we may encourage others in their afflictions with the encouragement we have received. Our afflictions aren’t meaningless. The healing and wisdom we gain is meant to be passed on to others. 

This principle is utilized in programs like Alcoholics Anonymous. Addicts who have found wisdom and courage and strength to face their addictions share that wisdom, courage, and strength with new addicts. Similarly in many Christian bereavement programs: those who have experienced healing from grief, share that healing with others. 

God makes us into his instruments through the trials we face. Always be ready to share the lessons and wisdom and strength and encouragement you have gained through your trials with others for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For the whole Christian people, that the beatitudes of Christ may animate our lives. 

That our nation may be united by God’s Spirit, guarded from terror, observant of God’s Holy Laws, and vigilant against threats to our freedom, peace, and well-being. May the Wisdom of God guide our government leaders and legislators, our families, businesses, civil institutions, and all our domestic affairs

For our young people beginning summer vacation, that they may be kept close to the truth and heart of Jesus; that young people may live in faith-filled homes where the Gospel is cherished, studied, and lived-out.

For the sick, the impoverished, the lonely, those suffering from mental illness, those most in need, and those near death: may God, through the mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, be close to them in their trials. 

For our departed loved ones and all of the souls in purgatory, and for N. for whom this Mass is offered. 

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord

June 11 2018 - St. Barnabas - Words of Encouragement

Though he was not one of the twelve, the liturgy and tradition gives St. Barnabas the title of Apostle. Barbabas was a levite Jew born in Cyprus. His birth name was Joseph and was changed when he was given a share in the apostolic mission to “Barnabas”. The book of Acts tells us the name Barnabas means “the son of encouragement”

We heard in today’s reading how Barnabas was sent to Antioch and rejoiced and encouraged the Christians there to remain faithful to the Lord and he was filled with the Holy Spirit and faith, and through him a large number of people were added to the Lord. 

After Antioch, Barnabas met up with Paul and accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey, through very dangerous territories. After completing the missionary journey, Barnabas and Paul attended the Council of Jerusalem, after which, the scriptures are silent about him.

Some Church writers believe him to be the others of the letter to the Hebrews since he was a levite and the letter to the Hebrews often uses very priestly language. 

Tradition holds that he returned to Cyprus, and was stoned to death while preaching the Gospel on the steps of a Jewish synogogue in the ancient Cyprian city of Salamis. His body was recovered by his cousin St. Mark, and brought to Constantinople, where it is venerated to this day.

Barnabas, the “son of encouragement” is a model for all Christians. We are all to be about the business of encouragement. We are to encourage our fellow Christians to remain faithful to the Gospel, to live more fully for the Gospel. 

“But encourage one another daily…so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness,” those words from the letter to the Hebrews, as I mentioned, were perhaps written by the “son of encouragement”, St. Barnabas himself. Paul writes, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.”

Through the encouragement of Barnabas, the apostle Paul was first accepted by the church in Jerusalem (Acts 9:27). Through the encouragement of Barnabas, Mark was given a second chance after an abject failure (Acts 13:13; 15:39).

Mutual encouragement is essential to Gospel living, for as Jesus himself in the Gospels says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” Being a Christian in this fallen world is difficult business. The world hates us, temptation seeks to overcome us, perseverance is difficult, and we are caught in the crosshairs of spiritual battle.

Whether you have the highest ecclesiastical office, newly baptized, a widow, spouse, or single person, we need encouragement, that we may remember that our sufferings for the Gospel are meaningful, that we are not abandoned by God when suffering seems to overwhelm us.

Encouragement helps us through times of discipline and testing (Hebrews 12:5). Encouragement nurtures patience and kindness (see 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and Galatians 5:22-26). Encouragement makes it easier to sacrifice our own desires for the advancement of God’s kingdom.

To borrow from proverbs, Encouraging words are “a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing down to the bone”. May we be sensitive to all those in need of encouragement today, and respond generously to them for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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For all the priests of our diocese who will be changing assignments this week, and for their parishes, that we may all be encouraged for the continuing work of the Gospel.

For those experiencing discouragement or despair, that they may know the goodness and closeness of God through the charity of faithful Christians.

For the unity of the Church, for the conversion of those in error, for those who deny God’s existence or despair of his mercy.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord