SUMMER PROJECTS UPDATE
It’s hard to believe that summer is coming to an end; I hope you’ve enjoyed some time for rest and relaxation! As we do every year, we have undertaken a number of projects throughout our parish facilities over the summer months. After addressing the ongoing leaks that have occurred in the parish center for more than a decade by patching the flat roof, we finally replaced it this summer. It was 26 years old and well beyond its life expectancy. This was one of the projects we had planned to [...]
SOCIETY OF THE DIVINE WORD ANNUAL MISSIONARY COOPERATIVE
In this Sunday’s gospel account, we hear of Jesus healing the daughter of a Canaanite woman after declaring “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” (Mt 15:28). Even though Jesus had, at first, turned her away, explaining that “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” he acceded to the woman’s pleas due to her strong faith in him. Then, after his Resurrection, as he prepared to return to the Father, Jesus commanded his disciples to make [...]
ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
This coming Saturday, 15 August, we will join with the universal Church in celebrating the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus, into heaven. It is not a Holy Day of Obligation this year since it is celebrated on a Saturday. It will be celebrated at our regular 8:00am Mass on Saturday but, since it is the principal feast day of the Blessed Mother, I would like to offer you some reflections on it. We in the Western Church celebrate the Solemnity of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin [...]
Catholic University of America Collection/Transfiguration of the Lord
CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA COLLECTION Last May, Pope Leo XIV promulgated his first encyclical letter. Entitled Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence, it addresses familiar concerns about AI. The title, Latin for “magnificent humanity,” points to the document’s teaching that no machine can replace the God-given magnificence of the human person. Pope Leo writes: “We must lovingly safeguard the grandeur of humanity bestowed upon us and revealed in its fullness in Christ, the splendor of which no machine can ever replace” (§15). This [...]
“AND HE CURED THEIR SICK”
Over the past two weeks, we have heard several parables in the Sunday gospels. As I explained last week, Jesus used these parables to teach his followers about the kingdom of heaven. Over the next few weeks, we will hear several accounts of Jesus performing miracles. We will hear him cure the sick, feed vast crowds and even calm the sea. These miracles are also opportunities for Jesus to teach his followers – then and now. Not only do they demonstrated God’s mercy and compassion but they all point to [...]
“AND JESUS SPOKE TO THEM IN PARABLES.”
This week and next, we will hear several parables in the Sunday gospels. Jesus often spoke in parables to teach his followers. In fact, there are over 100 parables in the Bible and Jesus uses at least 35 parables in his teachings. About 20 of them are found in Matthew’s Gospel - the one that is featured this liturgical year - so it’s especially helpful this year to understand them. But what exactly is a parable and why did Jesus choose to use them as a teaching tool? The English [...]