From Our Pastor

“God has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). A few weeks ago, 74 of our parishioners received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time.  Two weeks ago, many of our Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) students took advantage of the opportunity to go to confession during their class time.  And, on Tuesday of Holy Week, the students in our school will be given time to go to confession.  This Wednesday, everyone in the parish is encouraged to attend our [...]

LAETARE SUNDAY Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; Exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast. (Is 66:10:11) Today, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, is also known as Laetare Sunday.  It gets this name from the first word of the Entrance Antiphon used at Mass when there is no music; you will see it quoted above.  In Latin, the antiphon begins with the word “Laetare,” which, as you see above, translates into “Rejoice.”  As we quickly approach the end of Lent – [...]

I love our church building.  It is both a handsome structure and a wonderful place to worship.  The mica schist walls, with their crystals that glisten in the light, are both strong and lively, and our stunning stained glass windows depict Salvation History so well, from the first moment of creation to the Church of today.  Our granite altars – with their two pedestals that remind me of both the two tablets of the Ten Commandments and Christ’s two-fold law of love of God and neighbor – are extraordinarily worthy [...]

  Eleven years ago, our parish joined with all other parishes throughout the Archdiocese in the Heritage of Faith – Vision of Hope Capital Campaign.  Cardinal Justin Rigali, who was our Ordinary at that time, launched this Campaign in 2008 to assist parishes and Catholic schools that were struggling financially, provide much-needed repairs to Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral and St. Charles Seminary and minister to the needy throughout the Archdiocese.  This campaign raised around $125 million.  Our parish contributed almost $1.7 million – that’s 1.36% of the total funds [...]

After a crazy winter, with wide temperature swings and some dangerous storms, I imagine you’re ready for spring; I know I am!  Who knows what Mother Nature will bring us over the next few weeks but liturgically, Lent – which means “spring” – is almost here; it begins this week with Ash Wednesday.  Just as the natural world is reawakened and renewed every spring, each year, the Church, in her wisdom, offers us this liturgical Season of Lent, a season for reconciliation and renewal.   This Wednesday - Ash Wednesday [...]

            As your pastor, I am constantly impressed and edified by the love I see expressed in the families of this great parish.  As I’m sure you realize, families are the backbone of this parish, indeed, of any parish and of the Church.  As far back as Tertullian, a 3rd century Christian author, the family has been seen as the domestic Church.  Yet, as the Universal Church is today struggling with the tragic clergy sex abuse scandal, families are struggling with the tragedy of pornography due to easy access through [...]