2018 Archived Pastor's Notes
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December 23 & 30, 2018
My Dear Parishioners and Friends,
As I started to write this message for Christmas Season 2018, two thoughts came to mind: Merry Christmas! and Come Home! Two special messages of love I want to convey to each and every one of you today.Merry Christmas!
Glory to God in the Highest and Peace to His people on earth! This truly is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad! A special Christmas greeting to all members of our parish, and a warm welcome to family members and friends who are visiting. May all feel the true presence of Christ in this our home.
Welcome home to those who may not be able to join us each week due to work schedules, or just have gotten out of the habit of coming to Mass. I pray your hearts will journey back to be with us each week, for we truly yearn for your presence. If there is anything I can do to help you on your journey back, please do not hesitate to ask.
For people of faith, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our Lord and Messiah, the Savior of the World. Christmas is also the birthday of Christ the Priest. A beautiful theology of the Church sees the womb of Mary, our Blessed Mother, as the splendid cathedral in which the Holy Spirit anointed Jesus as the Great High Priest.
Come Home!
When I wrote a letter of farewell to my previous parish 3½ years ago, I was struck by the sense of love that prevailed and how truly difficult it was to say goodbye. While I am not saying goodbye, I do recall vividly some of the thoughts that were foremost in that letter; they just seem so applicable today that I want to share some of them with you.
I do want to convey how much each of you means to me. We read in Sacred Scriptures that the greatest gift God gives to any of us is the gift of love. Each of you have been a true blessing to me. When we see the strife, the scandals, and difficulties our Church is facing, we must rely on one another and on the promises of Christ who says love never dies nor does it fade away. It is something that we can cherish forever.
One of the most important things we can do for one another is pray for each other. My prayer is that this parish will always be a Christ-centered parish of love and caring for each other, always be guided by the Holy Spirit and protected by our Blessed Mother.
Remember to pray for atonement, reconciliation, for world peace and to never be afraid of the truth…and above all never be afraid of God’s love and mercy in knowing we can come back to Him no matter what our past has been. Please do not let fear keep you from the love of the Lord. Stay close to the Sacraments and let God lead you through life.
Merry Christmas! Please Come Home!
Father Storey
A Time to Rejoice!
December 16, 2018
This is the Entrance Antiphon for today, Gaudete Sunday, the 3rd Sunday in Advent. We are just past the mid-point in our Advent journey preparing to celebrate the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ."Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near."
(Philippians 4:4-5)
“Gaudete” is one of the Latin words that means “rejoice.” On this Sunday the priest uses rose-colored vestments, and we light the rose-colored candle on the Advent wreath. Rose is a softening of violet, the liturgical color normally used during Advent. It is a foretaste of good things to come, and it anticipates the pure white that will be used at Christmas.
One of the best things we can do to prepare for the coming of Christ is to receive the Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation). There are still some opportunities today for Communal Penance Services in the Johnson County region. Times for individual confessions are also listed on the front page of this bulletin. Rejoice in this beautiful sacrament given to us by Jesus Christ.
Today’s readings are about rejoicing. In the first reading, the prophet Zephaniah instructs:
What reassuring words he wrote for these troubled people:“Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!”
On this day of rejoicing, I encourage you to look up at our crucifix hanging on the wall behind the altar. We see a God who is non-judgmental, a God who loves us. We, ourselves, must not be judgmental; we should be loving. God forgives us unconditionally and accepts all people just the way they are. Likewise, we must forgive one another and be more accepting of others. Let us seek the Father’s mercy and love, and then show that mercy and love to one another.“The Lord has removed judgment against you ... the King of Israel is in your midst, you have no
further misfortune to fear ... The Lord will renew you in his love.”
The Gospel (Luke 1:39-45) that we hear on December 23, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, follows directly Luke’s Gospel for December 8, Feast of the Immaculate Conception. John the Baptist, still an infant in the womb of his mother, leaped for joy when Elizabeth heard her cousin Mary’s voice. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out to Mary:
We rejoice with John the Baptist and his mother, Elizabeth. We also rejoice with Mary, the Mother of God.“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”
Indeed, the Lord is near!“Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
Father Storey
"Gaudete – Rejoice!"
December 9, 2018
Ordinarily, we celebrate only one Gaudete Sunday – the Third Sunday of Advent. This weekend the people of Curé of Ars Parish have another reason to say “Gaudete! Rejoice!” Sixty-four years ago, on December 8, Father Tony was ordained to the priesthood in Rome, Italy. As you know, this exceptional priest at 90 years of age, is still working providing priestly service for you and your souls.
When you see Father Tony this weekend, please take a moment to wish him “Happy Anniversary” and thank him for his dedication to our parish. Father Tony’s entry into his 65th year of priesthood reminds us of our own entry into this Advent season: we joyfully anticipate and prepare to celebrate a special event.
In the Blessing of the Advent Wreath last week, we asked the Lord God to let His blessing come upon us as we wait for the coming of our Savior. We asked that the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ’s promise, and we urged, “May He come quickly and not delay.”The Old Testament Readings for Advent in Year C come from a variety of prophets: Jeremiah, Baruch, Zephaniah, and Micah. Their writings are rich in meaning and symbolism, offering us hope and joyful anticipation. Soon we celebrate the ultimate gift of love. As Father Tony often reminds us
“God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son.” (John 3:16)
Let us all rejoice in celebrating Fr. Tony’s anniversary and in our preparation for the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
December through early January, we are privileged to celebrate three feast days of our Blessed Mother Mary: Dec. 8, the Solemn Feast of the Immaculate Conception; Dec. 12, Our Lady of Guadalupe; and Jan. 1, Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. The Immaculate Conception is the belief that Mary was protected from Original Sin, and that the Blessed Mother did NOT have a sinful nature. She was, in fact, sinless from the
moment of her conception in the womb of St. Anne. The Church teaches that Mary, the Blessed Mother of Jesus Christ, being kept free from Original Sin, is repairing the stain Eve brought into the world by giving in to temptation. The Church further teaches that Mary, by her Immaculate Conception, is the New Eve. She restores what woman destroyed in The Fall. Because she was kept from the poisons of Original Sin, Mary thus was prepared by God to bring Jesus Christ into the world.
Let us thank our Blessed Mother for the many favors we have received through her, and continue to ask for her intercession:“Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death.”
Father Storey
"Be Watchful!"
December 2, 2018
Last week I likened the Church’s Liturgical Year to a great symphony. We now hear the opening strains of the first movement of that symphony, Advent through Christmas. The First Sunday of Advent is the beginning of the Church’s Liturgical Year. This year we will use readings for Cycle C, and our Gospels primarily will come from St. Luke’s account of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
During Advent we wait to celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ, God made man, Who humbled Himself to become human like us. We also need to keep an awareness that He will come again as He promised. Luke’s Gospel (21:25-28, 34-36) for the First Sunday of Advent speaks to us about the end of time and the Last Judgment. He writes about the Second Coming of the Son of Man:
“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.’”
The Gospel for December 9, the Second Sunday of Advent, is from Luke 3:1-6. Describing the role of John the Baptist, Luke quotes from the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’”
John, the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, prepared the way for Jesus. He urged all to whom he spoke to be baptized and to repent.
Jesus came to call all sinners, you and me, to repentance. If we are to prepare a way for the Lord, to make straight a path, we must prepare our hearts and souls by removing guilt, shame, pain and sorrow, so that we can see the Lord for who He truly is. We must ask for the forgiveness He has promised us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance).
Curé of Ars’ Advent Penance Service will be Sunday, December 9 at 3:00 p.m. A schedule of Advent Penance Services throughout the Johnson County Region is below.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
During this Advent season, we also think about how our Blessed Mother must have felt, how joyful she was as she anticipated the birth of her Son. With her, we too should be overwhelmed with joy knowing that Jesus is truly the reason for Christmas.
Saturday, December 8, the Solemn Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is a Holy Day of Obligation. The Immaculate Conception is the belief that Mary was protected from Original Sin, and that the Blessed Mother did NOT have a sinful nature. She was, in fact, sinless from the moment of her conception in the womb of St. Anne, thus preparing her to become the Mother of God.
Masses for the Holy Day of Obligation are December 7 (Vigil) 6:00 p.m. and December 8 at 9:00 a.m.
The Mass at 4:00 p.m. Saturday is the Vigil Mass for the Second Sunday of Advent and does not fulfill
our obligation for the Holy Day.
Together let us prayerfully watch as we await the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and let us rejoice with His Blessed Mother Mary.Father Storey
Parish Penance Services
Sunday, December 9th
Curé of Ars 3:00 PM
Queen of the Holy Rosary, OP 3:00 PM
St. Agnes 3:00 PM
St. Paul 7:30 PM
Monday, December 10th
Holy Cross 7:00 PM
Holy Spirit 7:00 PM
Holy Trinity 7:00 PM
St. Michael 7:00 PM
Tuesday, December 11th
Prince of Peace 7:00 PM
St. Joseph 7:00 PM
Wednesday, December 12th
Good Shepherd 7:00 PM
Thursday, December 13th
Ascension 7:00 PM
Divine Mercy 7:00 PM
John Paul II 7:00 PM
Sacred Heart 7:00 PM
St. Piux X 7:00 PM
Sunday, December 16th
Queen of the Holy Rosary/ Wea 3:00 PM
St. Ann 3:00 PM
Nativity 7:30 PM
November 25, 2018
A Step Back in Time: Three years ago when I first came to Curé of Ars, I shared with you that the Church’s Liturgical Year could be likened to a symphony – a great symphony of love. Each year since then, we have built on this imagery. In the interim, many people have joined the parish, and they may not have seen the original Pastor’s Notes and consequently do not grasp the meanings and nuances of subsequent articles. Today, I want to repeat that Pastor’s Notes as it was first presented.
November 30 is the one year anniversary of the death of our brother priest, friend and mentor, Father Jerry Spencer, who was in residence here for several years. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen."A Symphony of Love in C Major"
Today we come to the end of the Church’s Liturgical Year. We celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King. Christ is placed on His throne, our true King. Next week we begin a new Liturgical Year wherein we will use readings from Year C.
The Church’s Year is like a great symphony with multiple movements, featuring a variety of tempos, keys, rhythmic patterns and harmonizing. We find our symphony reaching many pinnacles in a great flurry of sounds and rhythms. Why the key of C? For Christ, of course; though a case could be made for the key of G (God).
The first movement of any symphony is usually fairly fast, weighty in content and feeling. The great symphony of the Church Year begins with an Allegro con brio – lively with spirit – of Advent, and builds to a crescendo at Christmas. We experience Advent with its sense of urgency, praying that the Lord will hurry up and not delay. Those prayers are answered at Christmas with the Lord humbling Himself at the Incarnation, coming to us as God made Man. It is a time of great rejoicing and exhilaration.
Following the Christmas Season, our symphony builds as we progress in our Liturgical Year. Next is the low key, quiet Andante of Ordinary Time – the ordinary growth of Jesus. This leads us into Lent – starting with Ash Wednesday. We are called into the desert, called to repentance. Here we find ourselves in the deep, resonant sounds of the Lenten season.
Holy Week is a symphony within the symphony. A frenzy of emotions begins with the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem amid the waving of branches on Palm Sunday. We then experience the excitement of Holy Thursday, celebrating the institution of the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Then come the mournful sounds of the dirge of Good Friday as Christ is crucified and placed in the tomb. Finally, we have the triumphant elation of Easter Vigil and Easter when Christ rises from the dead. The next movement of our symphony, perhaps a Largo, embraces the days of the Easter Season and the Ascension of Jesus into heaven. Then we celebrate Pentecost – 50 days after Easter, the birthday of the Church; followed by the Feasts of the Most Holy Trinity, and the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.
Our final movement of the symphony, a Minuet, takes us back to Ordinary Time. The strings and reeds carry repeated melodies of miracles, parables, and love throughout. Clanging cymbals keynote high points; roaring drums, brass and bass mark the majestic and awesome occasions throughout the life of Christ. At the conclusion of Ordinary Time, once again we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King. “And He shall reign for ever and ever.” This is truly a Symphony of Love.
Father Storey
"Be Wise"
November 18, 2018
“But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only the Father.”
These are the concluding words of the Gospel for today, the 33rd and last numbered Sunday in Ordinary Time, concluding the Church’s Liturgical Year. All three Readings point to the end times: from Daniel in the Old Testament, continuing with St. Paul’s letter to the Hebrews and finally Mark’s discourse that ends with the quotation above.
Do we know when the end of time will be? Definitely no! But Jesus tells us to be vigilant. He told His disciples to observe the blooming of the fig tree that points to when summer is near. Likewise, He said we should observe the signs that indicate when the second coming of the Son of Man is near. He wants us to be wise.
“The wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament” Dan 12:3.
On November 22, we will celebrate one of our national holidays – Thanksgiving. We gather with family and friends, share a meal, maybe even watch a football game or two on TV. But do we really stop and reflect on what is truly important in our lives – the wonderful gifts that God has given to us? Among these gifts we count our families, our friends, the love we have for one another, and the beautiful gift of faith that God has given us.
In the Gospel according to St. Luke that we will proclaim on Thanksgiving Day, we hear about the lepers who met Jesus as He traveled on the road to Jerusalem, how they begged Him saying, “Master, have pity on us.”
All ten lepers were cleansed by Jesus, but only one of them, a foreigner – a Samaritan, came back to thank Jesus for healing him. Jesus told him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”
Do we take the time to say “Thank you” to God for His many gifts? Or does Jesus have reason to say to us, “Where are the other nine?” We owe thanks to God. In the dialogue at the beginning of the Eucharistic Prayer, the priest says, “Let us give thanks to the Lord our God,” and we respond, “It is right and just.” Yes, it is right and just; it is our duty to recognize the Source of all our being, all that we have and all that we are.
We give thanks for the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit, requested by the Son from His Father: God’s life dwelling among us; for His Presence guiding us and influencing us in our everyday life as we strive toward our ultimate goal, to see God face-to-face in heaven.
We give thanks for the awesome gift of the Eucharist; the True Presence of God, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. We are so privileged to hold in our own hands this True Presence every time we receive Communion.
Be wise! Take the time each and every day to be truly thankful for all your blessings. Look deep within yourself particularly on Thanksgiving Day. Recognize the special gifts with which you have been blessed, and give thanks to God for them. It is right and just!
Father Storey
"Love and Trust"
November 11, 2018
We continue our journey through Mark’s Gospel at the end of Ordinary Time in Cycle B. Only 2 numbered Sundays remain: 32 and 33 before we reach the culmination of our Liturgical Year on Sunday, Nov. 25, celebrating the Feast of Christ the King.
During these final weeks in Ordinary Time, we have learned many facets of the directive as to how we should relate to God: be humble; be sincere; trust God; maintain a child-like faith in God; love God above all things; love one another as we love ourselves. We saw several different people attempt to challenge Jesus. When Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment, He could have recited the individual laws given to Moses, which sound like rules. Instead, He summarized them and presented them as what they truly are: recipes for love.Today’s message centers about both trust and love. In the First Reading, a Phoenician widow is suffering through the drought which has overtaken her country. A stranger, Elijah, a visitor to her city Zarephath, asks for some water and a bit of bread. She had next to nothing in her meal container and her oil jar. She did not know Elijah, but she knew in her heart that she must care for others. She and her son shared what little they had with Elijah and trusted that God would take care of them. Because of her love and trust, the Lord kept His promise,
“The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the Lord sends rain upon the earth.”
In the Gospel, we see another widow, who sets an example for all of us. Jesus observed how the scribes put money in the treasury. When he witnessed the widow’s contribution of two small coins which amounted to almost nothing monetarily, He called His disciples together to learn a lesson from her gift. Jesus showed how the widow’s gift was so valuable compared to that of the rich people.
“For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”
Let us look deep within our hearts and evaluate: how do we give? Are we giving out of love for God, and for our fellow human beings? We must trust in God, and we know that God will not be out-done in generosity. After all, He gave His very Being for each of us.
Father Storey
"The Greatest Commandment: Love"
November 4, 2018
On this 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle B, we are rapidly approaching the end of the Church’s Liturgical Year. During this past year, we have learned many lessons from Mark’s Gospel. Soon we will celebrate the Solemn Feast of Christ the King, the last Sunday in the Liturgical Year on November 25. Then on December 2, the First Sunday of Advent, we will begin Cycle Year C, featuring the Gospel according to St. Luke.
Many times in our Gospel readings, we hear about Scribes and Pharisees confronting Jesus, trying to challenge Him with their barrage of questions and accusations. The scribe in today’s Gospel is different. He is sincere in his inquiry. He is not trying to trap Jesus. He really wants to know an answer to his question: which is the most important commandment?
In His reply, Jesus emphasized love and quoted from the Old Testament Law, Deuteronomy, as we heard in the First Reading: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.”
Jesus continued His answer with the second of the commandments: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The scribe then praised Jesus for the accuracy of His response and added that the value of this love far exceeded that of any sacrificial offering.
How do we love ourselves? We love ourselves by knowing who we are and whose we are. First of all, we belong to God; we are members of the Body of Christ. We must know ourselves with all our gifts, talents and flaws, and we must accept ourselves that way – not try to be someone who we are not. Then we can love others as we love ourselves.
When we reflect on the Feast of All Souls which we celebrated just two days ago, we are struck with the importance of love. Love never dies. In the Preface for the Mass of Christian Burial, we are comforted to hear the words that life is changed, not ended.
We recall from 1 John 4:8, “God is Love.” As members of the Body of Christ, let us emulate that love and pray for one another as well as for our brothers and sisters in purgatory.
Father Storey
"We Are ..."
October 28, 2018
This coming week, we will celebrate two very important Holy Days in the Church’s Calendar of Feasts: Nov. 1, the Feast of All Saints, a Holy Day of Obligation, and Nov. 2, All Souls Day. To make it as convenient as possible for all to attend, Mass times for those days are scheduled as follows:
Oct. 31 (Vigil of All Saints): 6:00 pm
Nov. 1 (All Saints): 6:30 am, 8:15 am, 12:10 pm and 6 pm
Nov. 2 (All Souls): 6:30 am, 8:15 amAs baptized Christians, we are part of a vast family known as the Communion of Saints. Each year the Church honors those who have gone before us in faith, especially those whose brave and unwavering witness to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit has inspired us to live a life more committed to the Triune God.
Since his election as Pope in 2013, Pope Francis has canonized many saints. On October 14, 2018, he elevated seven more to the status of Sanctus (saint). Among these are a pope, Paul VI, and an archbishop, Oscar Romero who was martyred while celebrating Mass in San Salvador. Archbishop Romero was known for his speaking out against social injustice and violence. Also canonized were two women: one from Germany, Mother Catherine Kasper, and another from Spain, Nazaria Ignacia March Mesa, who were founders of religious orders. Included in the group of seven were two Italian priests, Fr. Francesco Spinelli and Fr. Vincenzo Romano.
Completing the group was a teenager from Naples, Nunzio Sulprizio, who died in 1836. He was beatified by Pope Paul VI, and now they both were formally named saints in the same canonization ceremony.
Not all saints are formally canonized – but we can all strive to become saints, to achieve a place in the Kingdom of Heaven. We believe that our final destiny is to be with the God who created us. When the soul unites with its Creator, only then will we be at true peace.
There are three stages of the Kingdom, i.e. three stages of the Mystical Body of Christ, of His only Church: the Church Militant (we Christians who live on earth), the Church Triumphant (our brothers and sisters who have died and whose souls are already in heaven for eternity) and the Church Purifying (Christians who have died and are in purgatory).
Thus we have the Communion of Saints. All members of the three stages of the Church live in the same Body of Christ. Those in heaven already, the Angels and Saints, can help us. We are called to pray for our brothers and sisters in purgatory. As we celebrate these very Holy Days, we the Church Militant, ask for the Saints’ intercessions, and we assure those in the Church Purifying of our prayers. Together we are the Body of Christ.
As members of the Body of Christ, let us make attending Mass on these Holy Days a top priority.
Father Storey
October 21, 2018Lovely Lady
Lovely Lady dressed in blue –
Teach me how to pray!
God was just your little boy,
Tell me what to say!
Did you lift Him up, sometimes,
Gently on your knee?
Did you sing to Him the way
Mother does to me?
Did you hold His hand at night?
Did you ever try
Telling stories of the world?
O! And did He cry?
Do you really think He cares
If I tell Him things –
Little things that happen? And
Do the Angels’ wings
Make a noise? And can He hear
Me if I speak low?
Does He understand me now?
Tell me – for you know.
Lovely Lady dressed in blue –
Teach me how to pray!
God was just your little boy,
And you know the way.The above prayer-poem by Mary Dixon Thayer may bring back memories for you. It was made popular by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen in the mid-1950s on his television show, Life Is Worth Living. It is beautiful in its simplicity.
During these past few weeks in Ordinary Time Cycle B, we have heard Jesus speak of the beauty of the faith of the young – that we should become more childlike in our openness to the love of God. So whether you are young, or just young at heart, open your heart and let the love you have for our Blessed Mother and her Son Jesus pour out as in the words of this poem. May God bless you!
Father Storey
"October Month of the Rosary"
October 14, 2018
October is the month traditionally dedicated to our Blessed Mother under the title Queen of the Holy Rosary. As human beings, children of God, our hearts and souls long to be at peace with Him Who created us. It is through our Blessed Mother that we can achieve this more easily.
When we pray the Rosary, we focus on events in the lives of Christ and His Blessed Mother. We also concentrate on the promises of Jesus Christ, God who humbly takes on human flesh to share in our humanity. The Rosary helps us meditate and come to appreciate more fully the birth, the suffering, the death, and the Resurrection, and the miracles of His life while He was with us here on earth. The Rosary – literally, a garland of roses – is not meant to be boring in its repetition, but rather to help us delve into the mysteries of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His Mother, Mary.
The traditional 15 Mysteries of the Rosary were standardized, based on long-standing custom, by Pope St. Pius V in the 16th century. The Mysteries were grouped into three sets: the Joyful, the Sorrowful and the Glorious Mysteries. In 2002, Pope St. John Paul II announced five new Mysteries, the Luminous Mysteries, bringing the total number to 20 mysteries.
The Rosary helps us pray for the things we need. We all long for peace in the world and in our families. When praying the Rosary, we pray that we remain strong in our marriages or in our single lives, and that priests and religious stay focused to their vocation calling.
Pope Francis is convinced that the devil is trying to undermine and destroy the Catholic Church, its leadership (including the Pope himself) and members alike. To counter this attack, Pope Francis has asked Catholics throughout the world to pray the Rosary daily during October and to conclude with a prayer invoking the aid of the Archangel Michael for protection from the forces of sin and evil in the world.St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou, O Prince of heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan, and all evil spirits,
who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
AmenFather Storey
"Guided by the Evangelist Mark"
October 7, 2018
Mark’s was the first of the Gospels, written some thirty years after the Resurrection. It is also the shortest and is the featured Gospel in Liturgical Cycle Year B. Mark is guiding us in these last few Sundays in Ordinary Time, concentrating on the personal side of Jesus as He teaches us how to be good disciples. Mark gives us intimate glimpses of Jesus, wanting us to know Him personally.
Jesus was all inclusive in His teachings, denouncing factions and discrimination in the community. When the disciples complained that people who were not “one of us” would teach or drive out demons, Jesus reminded them that “whoever is not against us is for us.” Jesus emphasized that we are all part of one body.
A couple of weeks ago the disciples (and we) learned the folly of wanting to be “first” in everything. Rather we must exercise humility and simplicity, becoming childlike if we want to find the path to the Father in heaven. In today’s Gospel, Mark again presents the notion of a child being a model for a good Christian life.
When the disciples tried to prevent people from bringing their children to Jesus, He became indignant and chastised the disciples saying“Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
For emphasis, He added,
“Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.”
As we continue on our journey to the new Jerusalem, the road will get rough. Jesus did not promise that it would be easy, but He did promise to ask the Father to send an Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to be with us and remind us of all that Jesus had taught. Let us try to become more childlike in our faith and love. Let us approach the Father with humility and simplicity as modeled by the children whom Jesus held so dear. Spirit of the Living God, shed Your Light on us.
Father Storey
"In Humble Service"
September 23, 2018
I would guess each of us has had one of those embarrassing moments when someone has overheard us say something that was intended only for others. That happened to the disciples one day within the hearing of Jesus. In a debate amongst themselves, the apostles were arguing about who was the most important. When Jesus later asked them about it, they were embarrassed into silence.
The amazing thing about their argument was that Jesus had just explained that He was going to be delivered into the hands of men who would put Him to death. As the humble servant of His Father, Jesus was willing to undergo death, in contrast to those whose only thought was to rise to importance and power. He said to the apostles,“If anyone wishes to rank first, he must remain the last one of all and the servant of all.”
The disciples failed to comprehend Jesus’ words. To help them understand, Jesus resorted to using a favorite example. In a very poignant scene, He put His arm around a youth and said,
“Whoever welcomes a child such as this for my sake welcomes me.”
Children are a living example of the humility and simplicity we are called to practice.
At an early age, humility and simplicity lead most children to take for granted, in the best sense, that they are loveable. Usually, this age is before they go to school and encounter the world of competition. The sad truth is, in school some children begin to lose confidence in themselves. There may be exaggerated expectations to produce, to get good grades. Perhaps they hear, “Why can’t you be more like your brother (or sister) who gets all A’s.” This kind of competition can make one doubt oneself.
As Christians, we must be aware of what is happening in the world today. A mainstay of modern TV is the “Reality Show” where members considered not as good as other cast members are “voted off.” We are saturated with sports, which again is full of competition. Don’t get me wrong, sports is not a problem in itself. But when things become “cut throat,” we need to stop and recognize God’s system of values.
We live in a world where greed and power make a person important. We must remember that we are children of the perfect Father, Who indeed loves us for who we are. We must never doubt that His love for us is the source of our worth and our value. Our goal must be to build up the Body of Christ, but not by being divisive, trying to determine who is most important while here on earth. Rather we must follow the example of Jesus, and work together in humble service. For in heaven we are all ONE!
Father Storey
"Our Cross Will Be Grace Filled"
September 16, 2018
Many of us recall the events that took place on September 11, 2001. We recall how so many innocent lives were stripped away by the hideous acts of terrorists. We also recall the heroic men and women who jumped in to help save thousands of lives, without regard for the perils that were posed to themselves.
What motivates people to take a risk, to overcome fear, to embark on a dangerous venture? The motive of the terrorists was to make a point. In contrast, the reason many men and women freely offered help was they knew it was the right thing to do.
Jesus was not a fatalist, but He knew how His life would end. It was His Father’s will that Jesus should die on the cross; not so He could make a point, but so He could bring us the gift of eternal life. Jesus willingly climbed the mountain of Calvary to open His arms on the cross to embrace all of us in His divine love. His death was not a disaster; it was the accomplishment of His mission on this earth.
There was no risk for Jesus. Risk means a chance of injury or death. For Jesus, death was a certainty. When Peter, with the best of intentions, tried to dissuade Him from following the way of the cross, Jesus responded harshly. He told Peter that he was not thinking according to God’s standards. In God’s plan, the death of His own Son was necessary for our salvation. God had been offended by the sinful acts of man. The Son of God, made Man, had to atone for the sins of mankind.
We may feel that there is a risk in following Jesus, but this is not so. It is a certainty. If we are to follow Him faithfully, we must deny our very selves, take up our cross, and follow in His steps. Then our cross will be grace filled.
We understand that the cross for us may be the loss of a job, or grave illness, or the necessity of making significant sacrifices to care for a family member. The cross for parents may be seeing their children leave the Church and take on the worship of drugs or other things. The cross for children may be the grief of living with alcoholic parents, or the sorrow that divorce inflicts. The cross for all of us is the death of a loved one.
The cross in our life may not be dramatic. It probably will not warrant national attention. Most importantly, the cross will not bring on tragedy. It will not mean disaster. Instead, enduring our cross in accord with the will of God will lead to everlasting life. The cross means living in union with Jesus. It means sharing in His suffering and death, which will grant us the Father’s gift of eternal happiness in our heavenly home.
We should not fear the cross. When we follow Christ’s foot steps, our cross can be grace filled, a way to live life to the fullest.Father Storey
"Ephphatha! Be Opened"
September 9, 2018
“Be opened!” These words in today’s Gospel were spoken by Jesus Christ to a deaf man who had a speech impediment, and the man then could hear and speak clearly.
Jesus had been traveling with His disciples throughout His homeland Galilee teaching, healing illnesses and casting out demons. Then they left, passing through Sidon into a hostile region in the north, the Decapolis, known for its sinfulness and idolatry. Some people brought the deaf man to Jesus. Taking him aside, Jesus reached out to the man. Jesus opened the man’s ears and removed his speech impediment so that the man could both hear and speak.
The Evangelist Mark shows us how Christ fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that we heard in the First Reading:“Here is your God ... he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared, ... then the tongue of the mute will sing.”
Jesus Christ says to each of us, “Ephphatha – be opened.” He asks each of us to embrace Him! In Baptism, we are anointed with Holy Oils, accompanied by the words:“The Lord Jesus made the deaf hear and the dumb speak. May He touch your ears to receive His word, and your mouth to proclaim His faith, to the praise and glory of God the Father.”
We are all called to be His disciples. We live in a broken society – surrounded by plagues of indifference, sinfulness, and evil. As disciples are our eyes blind to illness? Are our ears shutting out truths that need to be ascertained? Are there afflictions that need to be addressed? What can we as individuals do to help bring about healing and enlightenment?
We, individually and collectively, should pray that these plagues be broken; that their deadly effects be mitigated. We can do acts of reparation. We can reach out to others and assist those who are suffering. We can offer a helping hand wherever we see a need.
We must be open to truly hearing the Word of God, and speaking clearly through our words and actions. May we always embrace Our Savior. Father, may our eyes, ears, mouths, and hearts be open that we may be true witnesses in order to proclaim faith to your praise and glory.
Father Storey
"St. Joseph, a Just Man"
September 2, 2018
The Church has long celebrated March 19 as the Feast Day of St. Joseph, husband of Mary, foster father of Jesus, and patron of the universal Church. In 1955 Pope Pius XII created a new feast: May 1 – the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. St. Joseph was a humble servant who did not seek to be served, but to serve. In Matthew (1:19), he is called a “just” man. When creating this feast day, Pope Pius XII described a just man as one who prays, lives by faith, and seeks to do good in every circumstance of life.
We rarely hear about St. Joseph in sacred scripture, and when we do he is always in the back ground. St. Joseph provided well for his family, and not just the things that are needed to physically survive, but more importantly he provided for their spiritual needs. His labor was truly a labor of love. It also exemplified his love for God, for he knew that his wife, Mary, bore the Son of God; and he, Joseph himself, gave the Child the name provided by an angel of God, Jesus.
St. Joseph sets an inspirational example for us. He was a family man. He was a just man. This year, as we are celebrating Labor Day, we are drawn once again to St. Joseph. Labor Day is a time off from work – it gives us more time for our own labor of love, more time for our families. Let us model our lives after that of St. Joseph – a just man.
Prayer for the Spirit of Work
Glorious St. Joseph, model of all who pass their life in labor, obtain for me the grace to work in a spirit of penance to atone for my many sins; to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my own inclinations; to work with gratitude and joy, considering it an honor to use and develop by my labor the gifts I have received from God; to work with order, peace, moderation, and patience, without ever recoiling before weariness or difficulties.
Help me to work, above all, with purity of intention and with detachment from self, having always before my eyes the hour of death and the accounting which I must render of time lost, talents wasted, good omitted, and vain complacency in success, which is so fatal to the work of God. All for Jesus, all for Mary, all after your example, O Patriarch Joseph! This shall be my watchword in life and death. Amen.Father Storey
"My Soul Proclaims the Greatness of the Lord"
August 12, 2018
August 15, the Solemn Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is a Holy Day of Obligation. We recognize and honor our Blessed Mother Mary as Queen of the Universe. In his Papal Bull Munificentissimus Deus, November 1, 1950, Pope Pius XII, infallibly proclaimed the dogma of the Assumption:By the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and by our own authority, we pronounce, declare, and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma: that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.
The dogma was stated again by Pope Paul VI in the Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium, November 21, 1964 (Documents of Vatican II):Finally, the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all guilt of original sin, on the completion of her earthly sojourn, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen of the universe (n. 59).
These documents closely align the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception with that of the Assumption. Mary, always free from Original Sin, was assumed, body and soul, by God to heaven as Queen. In the Responsorial Psalm for the Feast of the Assumption, we sing the prophetic words of the Psalmist David: “The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.”
Even in the Gospel proclaimed for the Assumption, we see a continuation of St. Luke’s Gospel used for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a narrative of Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth in Judah.
When Mary arrives at the home of Zechariah, she excitedly greets Elizabeth. Elizabeth, inspired by the Holy Spirit, says to Mary the words that are now a central part of our beloved prayer, the Hail Mary: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Mary responds to Elizabeth’s greeting with these words:“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is His Name.”
We ask the Blessed Mother to intercede on our behalf, that we may come to know and love her Son, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World; and that we may someday merit to be sharers of her glory in heaven.
Holy Day Masses will be celebrated Wednesday, August 15 at 6:30 a.m., 8:15 a.m., 12:10 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Please note there will not be an evening Mass on the Vigil, August 14.
Father Storey
"Bread from Heaven"
August 5, 2018
In the readings for today, the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, we continue our quest for the meaning of the Holy Eucharist, and through His teaching, Our Lord gives us some deep insights.The First and Second Readings beautifully set the stage for the Gospel. In Exodus, Chapter 16, we hear the Israelites grumbling about their current conditions and berating Moses and Aaron for bringing them to the brink of famine in the desert, seemingly making matters even worse than what they had experienced in captivity in Egypt. Then the Lord told Moses that He would provide nourishment for the Israelites, “so that you may know that I, the Lord, am your God.”
St. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians, Chapter 4, tells us that we should “put away the old self ... and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, putting on the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth.” This advice prepares us for absorbing the truths that we are about to encounter in John’s Gospel.
We find Jesus and His disciples at the synagogue in Capernaum where the crowds have tracked Him. Jesus challenges their motives, telling them they have come, not because they have seen signs, but because they ate their fill of the miraculous loaves and fish. He urges them to seek food for their souls that will endure for eternal life. What is this food that Jesus is alluding to? Where can we get it? How can we get it? I can give no better explanation than the succinct words of Jesus Himself: The crowd pressed Him for a sign, citing the experience of their ancestors: “What sign can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”
Jesus said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven.”
We witness Our Lord satisfy not only the physical hunger of the crowds that gather around Him, but their spiritual hunger as well. Now He feeds us with His own Body and Blood.
If we look at God solely as a human, we reduce Him to humanity and never experience His true Divinity. Thus, we eat the Bread from Heaven – yes, Heaven here on earth, not the broken flesh and blood of our fractured humanity. In His Divinity, He offers each of us an abundance: “Come all you who are burdened and I will give you rest. Recline and eat.”
Father Storey
July 29, 2018
Today’s Gospel, John 6:1-15, was written some 60 years after the death and Resurrection of Jesus. Celebration of the Eucharist had been established as an expression of what it means to be a disciple of Christ. John constructed this 6th chapter in such a way that readers would see their Sunday observance reflected in his Gospel. Almost 20 centuries later, we see this same reflection in our Liturgy.
The chapter opens with a narrative of how Jesus fed five thousand people with just five barley loaves and two fish. John is showing us the Mass is not a private devotion or the privilege of only a select few. It is a celebration of ‘all’ who choose to participate throughout the world.
John mentions that the Jewish feast of Passover was near. That was not so much a designation of time as it was an indication of the meaning of the Eucharist. The Eucharist is our Christian Passover: the celebration of the sacrifice which has given us the gift of freedom from sin and established us as God’s people.
When it was time to feed the people, a boy came forward with five loaves and two fish and gave them to Jesus. It seemed like almost nothing considering the need of so many. In the same way at Mass, representatives of the people bring forward bread and wine to begin the preparation of the gifts. They are that boy of the Gospel, and the gifts presented to the priest seem insignificant in comparison with what they will become.
Jesus performed Eucharistic actions. He took the loaves of bread and gave thanks (the very word Eucharist means to give thanks). Matthew in his narrative of the same event provides an important detail. He states that after Jesus looked up to heaven and gave thanks, He broke the bread and gave the loaves to His disciples, who distributed the bread among the people. That looks exactly like what happens at Mass. The fish? They are not part of our Eucharistic meal, but a fish is an ancient, and still current, Christian symbol. The initial letters in Greek for “Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior” form an acronym which spells out the Greek word for fish: “ICHTHUS.”
God has truly blessed us with this great gift of His Body and Blood, the Most Holy Eucharist.
Father Storey
“I Am the Good Shepherd”
July 22, 2018
If you have ever had an opportunity to go to Rome, you may have visited the catacombs. The catacombs had small rooms where early Christians gathered to worship. One of the earliest representations of Jesus Christ found in the catacombs is that of the Good Shepherd. We can visualize through this image Christ our Shepherd. We are the sheep of His flock.“When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things”
(Mark 6:34)These concluding words of today’s Gospel give us a deep insight into the great compassion of Jesus Christ. Jesus had been trying to protect His disciples who had not even had time to eat, He urged them to go by themselves to a deserted place to rest and get refreshment. When the people learned of this, they gathered from all the surrounding towns and arrived there on foot before Jesus and His disciples.
John, in (10:27), gives us an example of a good shepherd. “My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.” What happens to sheep that do not have a shepherd?
Without a faithful and dedicated shepherd who is willing to lay down his life, the sheep will always go astray. A good shepherd is not afraid to know himself, to admit who he really is. A good shepherd thus lives in truth, even if the truth hurts.
Christ died fighting for truth. He came to call us and He died for us believing in the truth of this His mission. He teaches us there is no greater love than this. Jesus gave His disciples their mission to preach and teach all whether Gentile or Jew. Now He invites us to fulfill our mission, to serve others with compassion even those who are different from us. How will we respond to our call to serve? How can we faithfully follow our Good Shepherd and respond in love and compassion?
Jesus felt compassion for those who wanted so badly to find truth in God. He satisfies their spiritual hunger by His teaching. Next week we will witness His satisfying their physical hunger by the miracle of the fish and the barley loaves.Father Storey
Deacon's Reflections"Mission"
July 15, 2018
“It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain” (Jn 15:16). God chooses and calls each of us in a unique and special way to carry out His mission. Are we ready to accept the mission He has chosen for us?
As we often see in our First Readings during Ordinary Time, Old Testament prophets were chosen by God to prophesy to His people, the Israelites. Last week, we learned about the reluctant prophet Ezekiel; next week it will be Jeremiah. Today we hear Amaziah, priest of Bethel, forbid the prophet Amos to carry out his mission, saying “Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah! … never again prophesy in Bethel.” Amos protested to Amaziah that he was just “a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores.”
In the Gospel, St. Mark relates how Jesus gave His disciples authority over unclean spirits and sent them two by two to heal wounds, cure the sick, preach the good news and call for repentance.
He sent them in pairs so they could be true witnesses to Christian values in how they respect, treat and support each other. They tolerated one another’s weaknesses; they sustained each other in good times and in bad. They understood and listened to each other; they were willing to forgive each other.
Jesus dispatched His disciples knowing they would face many challenges. He instructed them “take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money, and not a second tunic.” Jesus taught them to trust totally in Him and depend on Him and others.
God invites each of us to undertake our own personal mission, knowing it will not be without obstacles. He asks us to place our trust in Him. He gives us the where-with-all to overcome these challenges. God has given us many gifts and talents; He has given us faith and compassion. He has given us the sacraments, especially the sacraments of the Most Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation.
We should be mindful of the missions of Amos and the disciples. They overcame challenges and rejection. Wherever we may be at any point in our lives, we must strive to do God’s will. He asks us to glorify Him in our thoughts, our words, our actions.
We pray to God for the faith that we will always totally trust in Him. May He give us the strength to overcome any challenges we might encounter in our mission. May we live our life as a joyful witness to His mercy and love.Deacon Phillip Nguyen
Lord, Grant Us Faith and Grace
July 8, 2017Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Please join me in offering deepest condolences to Fr. Tony Lickteig and his family. Fr. Tony’s sister, Rita Peterson, passed away Friday, June 22. Her funeral was at St. John’s Church in Greeley, KS on Tuesday, June 26. Rita was a woman of great faith and grace. May she rest in peace. Amen.
Throughout Ordinary Time in the Church’s Liturgical Year, we celebrate many events of the life of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and are given a blueprint for living our lives as His disciples. Our First Readings, from the Old Testament, enlighten us as to the time before Christ was born and give a glimpse at what will follow in the Gospel. Conversely, the Second Readings depict the time after His birth and reinforce the message of the Gospel.
In the First Reading for this, the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B), the Lord has His work cut out with the reluctant prophet Ezekiel. Despite Ezekiel’s best efforts to resist, the Spirit entered into him and set him on his feet. Then we hear the Lord speaking to Ezekiel, “I am sending you to the Israelites, rebels who have rebelled against me...Hard of face and obstinate of heart.” The Lord continues, “They shall know that a prophet has been among them.”
Hard of face? Obstinate of heart? These are very apt descriptions of the townsfolk we find in the Gospel. Jesus has returned to his hometown of Nazareth and is teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath. Many who heard Him refused to believe Him or His works. They objected that these could not come from one they knew to be a carpenter who had grown up among them, the son of Mary. It was just beyond their ability or desire to comprehend. He seemed to be so different from them.
Then Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” In the end, Jesus’ full healing power could not take effect in Nazareth because of the people’s lack of faith.
If we look deep within ourselves, we might be shocked at what we see. How do we treat our fellow persons? Are our faces hard and our hearts obstinate? Do we treat others poorly for no reason other than they are different from us. Let us ask the Lord God to open our hearts and soften our outlook. May He grant us the faith and grace to view and treat others the way that He would.
Father Storey
A New Advent
June 24, 2018“Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’” On the Second Sunday of Advent, we heard this proclamation from the prophet Isaiah that Mark uses to introduce John the Baptist (Mark 1:1-2).
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. The priests and deacons wear white instead of the green that we are accustomed to seeing because a solemn feast will take precedence when it falls on a Sunday in Ordinary Time.
John was born to elderly parents Zacharias and Elizabeth. His birth was foretold to Zacharias during his serving in the Lord’s sanctuary by the angel Gabriel who specified that the baby be called John, which means “the Lord has shown favor.” At the time our Blessed Mother Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth in the hill country of Judea, Elizabeth was in her sixth month of pregnancy. John, himself, became a prophet when he “leapt for joy” in his mother’s womb in the presence of our Blessed Mother and the Child she bore.
The Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist was set on June 24, near the time when the amount of hours of daylight is at its yearly peak. Contrast this with six months later when the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated near a day when the fewest number of hours of daylight occurs.
John’s coming and his mission were foretold in the Old Testament, particularly by the prophets Isaiah and Malachi. Before John began his public mission of preaching and performing a baptism of repentance, he spent some time in the desert, living on locusts and wild honey. John had a following of disciples, and Jesus was among the recipients of his rite of baptism. The evangelist John wrote that John the Baptist came from God in order to “bear witness of the light,” i.e., Christ (Jn 1:7-8).
Today, we might consider a new season of Advent – apart from the hustle and bustle and commercialization of Christmas. Just a time for spiritual recollection, renewal and growth. John tells us that we must decrease so Christ can increase.
Consider what is occurring in our natural world at the same time as these spiritual celebrations are taking place. The amount of daylight will soon begin to diminish – becoming less and less until six months from now, near Christmas time, daylight will once again begin to increase. We celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Light of the World. Into this darkness He brings light. We bask in this light, and reflect His light to others. May we rejoice in this new Advent.Fr. Storey
Have You Heard a Good Story Recently?
June 17, 2018When we were growing up, we probably heard many stories about the past from our parents, grandparents or other relatives. These were our heritage – how we learned details about our family history and sometimes to what we could aspire in the future. As we grew older and matured, we may have reminisced about some of these stories and saw new meanings, new messages in them.
We are once again in the numbered (ordinal) Sundays of our Liturgical Year. The priests and deacons wear green vestments – a sign of hope and new life. Our readings speak of miracles, parables and love that was portrayed in Christ’s ordinary life.
We might wonder why Jesus so often taught in parables. The evangelist Mark gives us a very lucid explanation. Because the average person in the crowds that gathered to hear Jesus did not have a formal education, Mark tells us, “With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand.” Then Mark contrasts the approach that Jesus used with His disciples, “Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.” (Mark 4:33-34)
In today’s Gospel, Jesus uses two short parables – a seed growing secretly and a mustard seed – to simply explain the kingdom of heaven. The first parable fosters trust in Jesus because in Him, God’s kingdom is already taking root and growing. Invisible at first, the seeds will sprout; from an initial small blade, the seed will develop in stages into full growth.
Have you ever held a mustard seed in your hand? It is so small that you almost need a magnifying glass to see it. Yet from this tiniest of seeds, once sown in the ground, comes a magnificent plant with branches so large that birds can come rest in its shade. The small seed implies the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, while the huge tree symbolizes the fulfillment of God’s kingdom. These parables gave the crowd something concrete to which they could relate, a message to ponder, while trying to understand the mystery of the kingdom of heaven.
As we progress on our journey through Ordinary Time, we grow in our faith and love of the Lord. Let us revisit the stories (parables) that Jesus relates. Where we are in our lives right now may lead us to find new messages or a deeper meaning in the stories that Jesus so masterfully weaves together.
In faith, hope and love!Fr. Storey
Who Is His Family?
June 10, 2018Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Please join me in offering deepest condolences to our Deacon Phillip Nguyen and his family. Phillip’s mother, Elizabeth Lo Hoang passed away Thursday, May 31. Her funeral was here at Curé of Ars on Saturday, June 9.
Elizabeth and her husband Peter Nguyen were the parents of 10 children. They are the embodiment of the family which Jesus speaks of in today’s Gospel when He says, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:25)
Elizabeth and Peter, along with seven children ranging from 18 to 2 years of age, escaped Vietnam on May 22, 1982. They were fleeing from Vietnam to seek peace and freedom. They wanted to be able to practice their Catholic faith and do God’s will without governmental hindrances and interferences. After 8 days on an overcrowded boat, with supplies and provisions running out, they finally sighted land – the Philippines. They spent 14 months in three different refuge camps in the Philippines before they arrived in the United States.
Thirty-six years later, God freed Elizabeth from the suffering and travails of this life to reach her reward of eternal life in His glory. Elizabeth, in sacrificing so much in order to try to do God’s will, was truly a part of God’s family.
In Jewish society, family relationships are very important. A family ate together and helped one another. In today’s Gospel, Jesus uses this vital reality of family to urge His followers to judge their relationships in terms of the Father’s will. After being informed that His mother and other relatives were outside asking for Him, Jesus posed the question, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” Pulling everyone in with His gaze, He answered, “Whoever does the will of God.” Thus, Jesus established who is His family.
To the Vietnamese people, families are also extremely important. To them togetherness is above everything. Every Sunday afternoon, after the noon Mass, Phillip and all his siblings who live in the area would gather at their parents’ home to share a meal. The Nguyen family is not broken because Elizabeth has left this world; rather they are reinforced by her passing. They basked in her love and in God’s love. Elizabeth and her family alike knew that love never dies.
We, too, must always remember that love never dies. We must not be afraid, because Jesus has promised that He will come back and lead the way to the Father. Like Elizabeth, let us reach out to others and to the Lord. Let us live according to God’s will, and be the Lord's family.Fr. Storey
The Covenant is Fulfilled
June 3, 2018Where charity and love prevail,
There God is ever found;
Brought here together by Christ’s love,
By love are we thus bound.Songs of praise, thanksgiving and supplication are an integral part of our liturgies. This opening verse of a hymn written by Paul Benoit, OSB, keeps coming to the forefront of my mind when I think about our theme of these past few weeks: “Love never dies.” We are sustained by this love: the love God has for us; the love we have for God, and the love we have for one another.
In the greatest act of love of all time, God gave to us the Gift of His only Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Redeemer, our Savior. We see in this week’s Gospel for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, a manifestation of this love in the words spoken by Jesus at the Last Supper: “He took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, ‘Take it; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them...He said to them, ‘This is my blood of the covenant which will be shed for many.’” (Mark 14:22-26)
St. Paul, in writing of these same events of the Last Supper in a letter to the Corinthians, relates how Jesus took bread, broke it and gave it to the disciples saying, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Then Jesus gave them the cup of wine: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” In the magnificence of the Most Holy Eucharist, His Body and Blood, we are nourished and renewed in Christ. We eat, we drink, and we are satisfied!
The covenant is fulfilled. The Body and Blood sacrifice of Christ on the Cross redeems and restores our relationship with God permanently. The fifth verse of the Benoit hymn illustrates our relationship:Let us recall that in our midst
Dwells God’s begotten Son;
As members of His Body joined,
We are in Christ made one.
Together we recall: “Love never dies.”Fr. Storey
The Holy Trinity, a Relationship of Love
May 27, 2018Today we celebrate the feast of the Most Holy Trinity, three Divine Persons in one God. Every Mass, every sacramental rite we celebrate, begins with the Sign of the Cross: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!” This concept of the Holy Trinity is a profound mystery that we will never fully understand while we are here on earth.
Yet, Christ Himself gave us a small glimpse of the Trinitarian relationship. In John 14, He says, “If you know me, you know my Father too. You must believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me... I shall ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever, that Spirit of truth.” This is an exquisite interaction of love that exists within the Holy Trinity.
Today’s Gospel is the concluding verses of St. Matthew’s account: dynamic, precise lines that offer the clearest expression in the New Testament of the Triune relationship. Jesus directs the eleven disciples to convene on a mountain in Galilee, then tells them: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
The disciples saw the risen Christ and worshiped Him, but they still were doubtful. Yet Jesus entrusted them with His mission to teach and baptize people of all nations, not just that of Israel, and He promised to be with them always to the end of the age. They were the first evangelists.
Pope Francis encourages all of us in his Apostolic Exhortation: Evangelii Gaudium to be joyful evangelists. “I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting Him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day...no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord.” On this feast of the Holy Trinity, let’s renew our own efforts to be joyful evangelizers and heed the words of St. Francis: “Always preach the gospel ... use words if necessary.”
I like to use the outline of a heart to describe the relationship of love that exists within the Trinity: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The love emanates from the Father, forming one side of a heart as He sends His Son to be our Redeemer. Jesus then asks His Father to send another Advocate, the Spirit, to guide and lead us back to the Father, thus completing the image of the heart. We flourish in that love. Love never dies.Fr. Storey
Love Never Dies
May 20, 2018Today we celebrate the great feast of Pentecost – the birthday of the Church. The word “Pentecost” means 50th day – 50 days after Easter. A week ago, we celebrated the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ into heaven. This event completed the great act of what was started on Good Friday when Christ suffered, died, then rose again and now ascends into heaven. He is going before us to prepare a place for us.
Jesus promised to be with us always even to the end of time. He said He would ask His Father to send His Spirit to us. St. Luke paints a magnificent verbal portrait for us in Chapter 2 in the Acts of the Apostles. We learn that the Apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary are in the Upper Room in Jerusalem, gathered to celebrate Pentecost – in the Jewish tradition, the 50th day after Passover.“Suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2: 2-3)
Thus was fulfilled Christ’s promise: this was the birth of the Church. In the readings during the time since Easter, we have seen so many facets of Jesus Christ: the kind, caring, benevolent, merciful, forgiving Master, Leader, Teacher and Shepherd who truly loves us. Knowing how fearful His disciples were concerning His leaving, Jesus reassured them “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in God; have faith also in me.” He continued, “I am going to prepare a place for you. I will come back and take you to Myself. I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” (John 14:1-6)
Jesus told His disciples, “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in My love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in My love...This is My commandment: love one another as I love you.” (John 15:9-12)
This is what sustains us: the love Jesus has for us; the love we have for Jesus, and the love we have for one another. Love never dies.Fr. Storey
Two Reasons to Celebrate
May 13, 2018Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension. It was formerly celebrated on Thursday, 40 days after Easter. Because of its importance as a feast day, it was made a diocesan option in the United States to celebrate the Ascension on the traditional Thursday or on the following Sunday.
Through the different Evangelists, we learn that Jesus appeared to His disciples and to others multiple times during the forty days following His Resurrection, but they did not know Him. It was only when their eyes were opened that they recognized the Lord. Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene on Easter Sunday. He met with Cleophas and another follower on the road to Emmaus. Another time, Jesus appeared to some of the disciples gathered together in a room in Jerusalem, but they did not recognize Him. John recounts how Jesus appeared in the early morning hours on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias and provided a huge catch for the seven disciples who were fishing there.
Just before He ascended into heaven, Jesus commissioned the disciples to go preach to all nations, to baptize and to live what He had taught them. He told them to stay in Jerusalem to wait for the promise of the Father because in a few days they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Then He was lifted up and taken from their sight.Lord, open our eyes to see; open our ears to hear; open our hearts to love as you loved us, that we may one day join You in heaven.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Today we reflect on the three Mothers in our lives: Mary, the Mother of God; our Holy Mother Church; and, of course, the mothers with whom God has gifted our lives.
For over 700 years, the Catholic Church has had the custom of dedicating the month of May to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary is the model for all mothers; she is also the model for the Church. At times you will hear people refer to the Church as “Holy Mother Church,” a most appropriate title because what Mary did for Jesus, the Church does for us. Mary, like all mothers, carried her Baby in her womb, gave birth from her body, nourished Him, taught Him the customs of the Jewish faith, and taught Him about life.
Last week we ended Pastor’s Notes thinking about the words spoken by Jesus to His beloved disciple, John. Today let us recall the counterpart to those words. Mary stood at the foot of the cross and listened to the words: “Woman, behold, your son.” (John 19:26) Not only did Jesus give Mary, His mother, to John, but He aboth living and deceased, this day! May He keep each of you in His care. May he also gave her to us, His Church.
May God bless our mothers, you cherish the great vocation to which each of you has been called, and your importance not only to your children, but to the entire Church.Fr. Storey
Lessons in Love
May 5, 2018As we near the end of the Easter Season, we continue our journey through Chapter 15 of John’s Gospel. We see a progression as Jesus reveals Himself to us. During Lent, when Jesus was asked “Who are you?” He would skirt the issue. Then closer to the Crucifixion He stated, “I am in the Father, and He is in Me.” Now Jesus envelopes us in His response, “I am in you and you are in Me.” What a beautiful expression of Jesus’ love for us.
Today we are treated to a three-fold tutorial on love. Each reading gives us a slightly different glimpse as to what love truly is. In Acts, prior to today’s 1st Reading, the Roman centurion Cornelius has a vision that prompts him to seek a meeting with Peter. About the same time in Poppa, Peter also has a vision about being ordered to eat unclean animals; it’s meaning eludes him. Peter, a Jew, has a deep-seated aversion for Gentiles, but he accepts the invitation of Cornelius. Cornelius welcomes Peter by falling to his knees in homage. This causes Peter to protest that he is only human. During the process, however, Peter understands the meaning of his own vision.
Each man experiences a conversion: Cornelius to belief in Christ, and Peter to acceptance that Gentiles are to be welcomed in the community. He points out a truth: “God shows no partiality.” True love is given without bias or reservation. God loves each of us just as we are.
The poem that is today’s 2nd Reading, 1 John 4:7-10, is sometimes chosen for weddings or funerals. It is not meant so much to instruct, as it is to draw those who hear it into a loving relationship with God. The continuation of John’s letter is used for the 7th Sunday of Easter: “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another. No one has ever seen God. Yet if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is brought to perfection in us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.” (1 John 4:11-12,16)
The Gospel, John 15:9-17, continues last week’s narrative in which Jesus teaches His disciples the Parable of the vine and branches: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love.”
John is such a perfect writer to analyze God’s love for us. He was humble and never used his given name; rather he referred to himself as the beloved disciple. John was steadfast in his love for Jesus. He was one of the three disciples to witness the Transfiguration. At the Last Supper, seated to the left of Jesus, he put his head on Jesus’ heart as they sat at table. He never abandoned Jesus. He went to the Garden of Gethsemane to keep watch. John stood at the foot of cross with the three women. He heard the words of Jesus on the cross: “Son, behold your Mother;” and “Mother, behold your son.” He accepted the responsibility of caring for Mary, our Mother. John took her into his home at Ephesus where he cared for her the rest of her earthly life. John never wavered in his love of Christ and His Mother, Mary.
Lord, help us to be like John; may we remain in the love of Jesus Christ, keeping His commandments, and may we love one another as He loved us.Fr. Storey
Remain in Me
April 29, 2018You are on a tour bus in California’s wine growing region, or on a river boat cruising down the Rhine River in Germany, with grape vines climbing like a wall, covering the hills that seem to soar straight up from the river. Look closely at a vine. Each has a single, sturdy stem from which emanate multiple branches that can bear many bunches of grapes. Jesus Christ often used familiar objects to illustrate the knowledge that He was imparting to His listeners. We can easily visualize the image of a vine as we hear Jesus speaking to His disciples in today’s readings.
We have a rare opportunity on this the Fifth Sunday of Easter to hear two different Readings from the same writer: Reading II is 1 John 3:18-24, and the Gospel is John 15:1-8. A key theological and verbal link between Reading II and the Gospel is the word “remain.” Reading II concludes, “Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them, and the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit he gave us. Similarly, we hear in the Gospel, “Remain in me, as I remain in you...Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.”
In his letter, John masterfully weaves together the themes of love, truth, belief and obedience. Central throughout this epistle is “love.” John states, “Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.” The community to which he is writing is beloved, signifying both their intimate union with God who is love (1 John 4:8,16), and the love they have for one another. John tells us our actions must bear witness to this love. We are given a two-part commandment: believe in Jesus, and love one another as He commanded.
The metaphor of the vine has long been a part of the Jewish tradition. The Prophets Jeremiah and Isaiah both wrote of a covenant relationship that had gone wrong. God had planted a choice vine, but Israel became a wild, untamed vine instead. Whereas the old vine did not produce good fruit, Jesus presents a new image of the vine: “I am the true vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit ... I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.”
On this, one of the last Sundays of the Easter Season, we are leading up to a celebration of Pentecost, when God’s promise to send the Holy Spirit was fulfilled. Jesus created a connectivity with His disciples. Because they remained in Him, and His words remained in them, His disciples were able to bear fruit. Without Him, they could do nothing.
Let us renew ourselves in Christ. Let us strive to maintain connectivity with Him, and remain in Him. We can bear much fruit; our prayers will be answered. Our ministries will be fruitful. We too can become true disciples of Christ. We must let His words remain in us, and love as He commanded us.
Fr. Storey
Hunger
April 22, 2018No matter which Liturgical Year we are in, during the Easter Season we hear from the books written by Luke: the Acts of the Apostles and Luke’s Gospel. These books were written as a unified, one volume work near the end of the first century. While Luke was not an eye-witness to the life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus, he was an associate of some who were; he was also very close to Our Blessed Mother, Mary. We gain much from his perspective.
Hunger is acute awareness of something missing. It is a discomfort or weakness caused by having little or nothing to eat; it is any strong craving or desire. We hear in the readings from Luke and John during the Easter Season that the disciples were anxious, confused, longing for the presence of Christ. When He appeared to them, they did not recognize Him until He ate a meal with them; they saw Him in the breaking of the bread.
Throughout His ministry we witness occasions of Christ feeding the people. It is only natural that He should reveal Himself to His followers through food, especially the breaking of bread. On one occasion He fed 5000 with only 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread. Another time in the early dawn hours, He provided for the hungry Apostles. They had been fishing for hours, yet had nothing to show for their efforts. Jesus told them to cast their net to the other side of the boat, resulting in a catch that nearly burst their net.
The Disciples hungered for the presence of Jesus. Without Him, they were fearful, afraid of the Jews. They hungered for truth, justice, peace. When Christ entered the upper room in Jerusalem, He said to the Disciples, “Peace be with you!” He opened their minds teaching them as He did before. Even Thomas hungered. He hungered to see Christ so that he could believe.
We hunger – for truth, justice, freedom, peace. We hunger for the True Presence of Christ here on earth. The Eucharist is what unites us; it should never divide us. Jesus says to us, “Peace be with you;” not “Shame on you and go away hungry.” He tells us to go share the Good News with others. Evangelism is our responsibility as good Christians.
Let’s allow Christ to lead us to these gifts: peace, the Holy Spirit, penance, and especially to the True Presence of Christ here on earth. It is through Our Lord and Savior that we can find satisfaction for our hunger; though this hunger will never truly be sated until we are in heaven. Jesus feeds us with knowledge of His Father’s will. He will lead us to His Father. Jesus is present as the risen Messiah. He has fulfilled the Scriptures; the Paschal Mystery is the lens to understand the Scriptures. We will meet Him when we gather together particularly in the Eucharist.
The truth of Christ will set us free. Free to love as Christ loves. Alleluia! Jesus is Risen!
Fr. Storey
"PEACE BE WITH YOU!”
April 15, 2018In the readings for Easter and the next few Sundays, we see a departure from the usual. For Reading I, we now have selections from the Acts of the Apostles, a book written by St. Luke. Instead of Gospel readings from the featured evangelist for the current Liturgical Cycle Year, we hear primarily selections from St. John, the Beloved Disciple, with a smattering of selection from St. Luke. John tells us of the immense outpouring of love that God has for us, His sinful people.
At the Last Supper, Jesus knowing full well what lay ahead, gave us the wonderful gift of Himself in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. He took some bread from the table; broke it, and gave it to His Apostles saying, “Take and eat – this is My Body.” Likewise, with the cup of wine, He urged them to partake saying, “This is My Blood....” He then commanded the Apostles, “Do this in memory of Me.” The words, actions and events of the next few hours and days are etched in our minds. The Apostles went with Jesus to the Garden of Gethsemane where He prayed. Some didn’t pay full attention when asked to keep watch with Him in the garden. They followed to Pilate’s courtyard after Jesus had been arrested. They were close to Jesus, but they distanced themselves. Peter denied Him three times.
Before dawn on Easter, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and found it empty. She ran to find Simon Peter and John and told them of her discovery. Peter and John raced to the tomb also, only to find it empty of all but the burial cloths. Frightened, confused and feeling very much abandoned, the disciples retreated to the room in Jerusalem. They locked the doors because they were afraid of the Jews.
That Sunday evening, in spite of the secured latches, Jesus entered the room and greeted His disciples. The disciples cowered in fear, but Jesus did not berate them; He did not yell, scream, or shout. He lovingly said, “Peace be with you!” assuring his fearful disciples that He was victorious over death, and He fulfilled the promises He made at the Last Supper. Peace was His farewell gift to them. He imparted the Holy Spirit to them, and gave them the power to forgive sins.
With all love and forgiveness, Christ gave the gifts of peace and the Holy Spirit to the disciples who had abandoned Him during His Passion. Then He instructed them to go share His love and forgiveness with all the world.
What do we do in our lives? Do we stay close to Jesus? Or do we sometimes distance ourselves from Him by thoughtless words or actions? And what does Jesus say to us? In His Divine Mercy, He offers forgiveness to us. Not once, not three times, but as often as we need it. He tells us lovingly, “Your sins are forgiven. Go in peace.”
Father Storey
A Gift from St. John Paul II
April 8, 2018April 30, 2000, on the occasion of the canonization of St. Faustina, then Pope John Paul II granted the Feast of Divine Mercy to the Universal Church, to be celebrated the first Sunday after Easter. Fourteen years later, on April 27, he was canonized and henceforth would be known as St. John Paul II, or St. Pope John Paul II.
“Like newborn infants, you must long for the pure, spiritual milk, that in Him you may grow to salvation, alleluia.” These profound words, from St. Peter’s 1st Epistle, form the Entrance Antiphon for today, Divine Mercy Sunday. The Divine Mercy devotion is based on the diary of St. Faustina Kowalska, a young Polish nun who died in 1938. At the direction of her spiritual director, St. Faustina wrote almost 600 pages describing the messages of mercy she received from Jesus Christ, beginning on February 22, 1931, and continuing throughout the remainder of her life.
The messages were a reinforcement of what Christ always taught: God loves us no matter how great our sins. He wants us to come to Him with trust, receive His mercy, and let it flow through us to others. We can relate to these A B Cs of Divine Mercy: Ask for His Mercy. Be merciful. Completely trust in Jesus.
St. Faustina’s first entry in her diary describes the image she saw of “Jesus clothed in a white garment ... From the opening of the garment at the breast there came forth two large rays, one red and the other pale.” Later these images were explained to her: “The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous; the red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls. These two rays issued forth from the depths of My most tender Mercy at that time when My agonizing Heart was opened by a lance on the Cross.”
In her diary entry 1320, St. Faustina describes the importance of 3:00 p.m.: “At three o’clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion ... This is the hour of great mercy ... In this hour I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion.”
Today, let us cherish the beautiful gift of this feast day and practice the A B C’s of Divine Mercy: Ask for His Mercy. Be merciful. Completely trust in Jesus.Father Storey
Jesus Christ is Risen Today!
April 1, 2018“Exult, let them exult, the hosts of heaven; exult, let Angel ministers of God exult; let the trumpet of salvation sound aloud our mighty King’s triumph! Be glad, let earth be glad, as glory floods her, ablaze with light from her eternal King...”
These words from the Easter Proclamation (Exsultet) bring joy to our hearts and music to our ears as we begin our celebration of the Easter Vigil on Saturday evening.
The summit of our liturgical year is the Easter Triduum. The Triduum, chronologically three days, is liturgically one day. In Jewish liturgical designation, celebrations begin at sundown of the preceding day; hence Triduum starts on Holy Thursday evening and continues to sundown on Easter Sunday. (This explains why there is no evening Mass on Easter.)
On that awe-inspiring night of the Last Supper, Jesus was thinking of His final act of love while on this earth: His death on the cross. So that His followers might be able to share in His sacrifice throughout all ages, He instituted the Sacrament of His Paschal Mystery, His death and Resurrection. At His supper “under the appearances of bread and wine, Jesus offered His Body and Blood, gave them to His apostles to eat and drink and then commanded them to carry on this mystery” (Roman Missal, 55).
On Friday afternoon, Jesus offered the sacrifice of Himself which He had instituted as a sacrament on the previous night. On Saturday, the second day of the Triduum, Jesus was in a tomb. It is the day of supreme quiet, the great silence of the liturgy. The liturgy invites us to remain at the tomb of Jesus, in peaceful expectation of a brilliant future.
At the Easter Vigil, we celebrate the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord. We break the great silence, going from darkness into the Light of Christ. We punctuate our songs and prayers with Alleluias; we rejoice in the Risen Lord. It is symbolic, that after a six weeks’ absence from our liturgy, the words, first voiced by a chorus of angels at Christmas over 2000 years ago, are once again sung at Easter: Gloria in excelsis Deo! Glory to God in the highest. Masses on Easter Sunday continue the celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection.
Jesus’ suffering led Him to a deeper relationship with God. Out of love, Jesus did the will of His Father that we might have new life. Does our suffering help us discover a new dimension of God’s love? Can we offer our own personal suffering in union with that of Jesus that we too may have a deeper relationship with God. We must remember that the Crucifixion leads us to Resurrection; without death we cannot get to heaven.
Christ came to live, to die and now He comes to rise for each of us – making our lives so very blessed and so very important. We were once dead, and now we live because JESUS CHRIST IS TRULY RISEN TODAY!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Father Storey
Deacon's Notes
Reflection for Palm Sunday
March 25, 2018Jesus has come to the last stage of His earthly life, the final week of His journey to the cross, the purpose for which He came. St. Paul so beautifully expresses this in the magnificent hymn in his letter to the Philippians, “He emptied himself, taking the form of a slave…he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, death on a cross.” He did all of this for love of you and me, personally.
Today’s gospel tells of His triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Up to this point in the gospel Jesus has refused the popular acclaim as the Messiah-King. But today, He actually takes the initiative in preparing for His triumphant messianic entry into the holy city. His specific preparations point to the deeply symbolic significance of what He is about to do. Why would Jesus choose to ride upon a colt when most pilgrims would enter the city on foot? This fulfills the messianic prophecy of Zechariah, “Rejoice heartily…shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! See, your king shall come to you; a just savior is he, meek, and riding on an ass, a colt, the foal of an ass” (Zech 9:9). The lowly animal shows that he, the King of glory, comes in humility and peace. Jesus knew what He was doing with this gesture even if those around him didn’t fully realize its significance.
All the people honor Him spreading their cloaks and palm branches on the ground as they shout with joy. “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” We too, repeat these same words from Psalm 118 at every Mass at the “Holy, holy, holy” as we prepare our hearts to receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.
Today with the celebration of Palm Sunday the Church’s liturgy solemnly opens Holy Week. As we approach the final days of Lent let us examine our relationship with the Lord in a special way. Do we really honor Him as our Lord? Is Jesus the Lord of every aspect of our lives? Can I lay my palm branch before Him and truly acknowledge Him as Lord of my marriage, my finances, my work, my recreation, my relationships, my whole life?Deacon Steve White
We Must Die to Ourselves
March 18, 2018In today’s Gospel (John 12: 20 – 33) we hear the words, “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be.” If we want to achieve our fullest potential, we should pay particular attention to these words of Jesus Christ.
Like the grain of wheat, we must die to ourselves in order to bear much fruit, to go out and spread our faith and serve our Lord. The symbol of wheat is a familiar one to us who live in Kansas, the Wheat State. We know only too well the effect of the perils of drought and pestilence on the main agricultural crop of our state. Through our Lenten prayers, fasting, almsgiving and other good works, we seek God’s help in avoiding the perils of our daily lives. We want to grow in our faith and bear much fruit in the service of our Lord.
We must persevere in the growth of our faith life as we continue our journey of Lent in order to fully experience the joys of Easter. We may have hit some low spots, encountered times of little or no spiritual rainfall or nourishment, or have too many distractions in our everyday lives.
In these last two weeks of Lent, we especially want to renew our resolution of seeking reconciliation with our Lord. There is absolutely no need for fear, no matter how long it has been since you have gone to confession. Our Lord is reaching out to all of us and offering us His forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance). See below for the many opportunities for the Sacrament over these next two weeks. Let us die to ourselves so that we may bear much fruit in the service of God, and stay the path of our Lenten journey.Father Storey
Deacon's Reflection
Honor My Father’s Dwelling Place!
March 11, 2018Throughout the course of salvation history, the temple has been an important sacred image. A temple is a place of sacrifice and worship, a place where God dwells.
Exodus, the second book of the Old Testament, is a chronicle of the travels, trials, tribulations of God’s chosen people, the Israelites. Exodus recounts how God rescued the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. He gave Moses very specific instructions as to how the Israelites were to act and how they were to worship Him. He told them to erect a structure, which came to be known as the “tent of meeting.” Here the Israelites were to gather to offer sacrifice and to worship God. This tent was later replaced by the Temple in Jerusalem.
We heard in the Gospel for the Second Sunday of Lent (B) about the Transfiguration. After the Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-10) Peter was overcome with emotion and fear; he suggested to Jesus that they make three tents: one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah. Peter felt that these tents would make a suitable memorial for what had just occurred to himself, James and John on that high mountain top.
In the Gospel for the Third Sunday of Lent (B), we have two separate references to temple. The setting for this Gospel is the same Temple in Jerusalem, 46 years in the making. Here Jesus encounters all sorts of sellers of animals for sacrifice, and the accompanying money changers. Jesus becomes rightfully angry and shouts at them, “Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.”
When the Jews challenged Him for a sign, Jesus responded, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews, of course, were bewildered as to how this could be accomplished. Jesus, however, was not referring to the building in which He was standing, but rather to His own body.
St. Paul in 1 Cor. 3:16, explains, “Surely you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you.” This is especially true when we receive Holy Communion – the Body and Blood of Christ. He dwells in us!
Our sins, weaknesses and transgressions have made our bodies, God’s temple, into a marketplace. We must keep our focus on Jesus. His message is clear. We hear Him command the devil who surrounds us and is constantly present in all kinds of temptations in our daily lives: “Stop destroying My temple...”
Jesus speaks to each of us in a kind, loving, inviting manner, “Offer up to Me your whole heart, your faith, your trust. I will cleanse your body and purify your heart, so that it will always be a worthy and holy place for My Spirit to dwell. I will make you perfect as your Father is perfect!”
As we continue our Lenten journey, we pray, “Lord, give us Your Grace and guidance. Make our bodies pure and worthy as temples of the Holy Spirit.Deacon Phillip Nguyen
A Journey with Christ
March 3, 2018As we progress through the Lenten season, we are brought to the realization that our whole life is a journey with Christ – not just during these 40 days. When we go on a trip of any kind, we have to make certain preparations. We have to plan. We make sure our house is properly secure – doors locked, water shut off if the weather is extremely cold. We must determine what we need to take for our journey and pack a bag. Then there’s that nagging feeling that we have forgotten something – something that we really needed.
In the Gospel readings for Lent, we see Jesus setting off on His journey. He has already been baptized in the Jordan, and now He is ready to start His mission. He is gradually moving along a road mapped out by His Father which will lead to the Holy City, Jerusalem. During His journey, He stops along the way, meeting people, talking to them. He pays special attention to those who are sick, crippled, blind, even those suffering from leprosy. He teaches us in a loving way that we need to repent and change things in our lives. He is proclaiming the Kingdom of God. He is giving us everything we need for our journey.
Jesus tells us we must keep our eyes focused intently on the beautiful city of Jerusalem. It was promised that in this city Christ would fulfill His covenant – the purpose of His coming among us. Through His death and Resurrection, we would be freed of our sins, and He would go before us to prepare a place for us. When He is ready He will come back again and take us to Himself, so that where He is, we also may be. It is no surprise then, at the end of our earthly journey when our bodies are brought to the church for the last time, the words of the Final Commendation in the funeral Mass resound: “Set them free in the new and eternal Jerusalem.”
Jesus has given us a road map for our journey, and He is our personal Guide. He exhorts us, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. I have gone before you. I went before you in the Jordan. I will go before you again.” He explains, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through Me.”
We’ve packed a bag for our journey, selected so many things. Now we worry: have I packed everything I need? Have I forgotten anything? On this our life journey with Christ, when we pack God in our bag there is no need to fear. We have Everything we need.
During this coming week, our Confirmation candidates will begin a new leg of their life’s journey with Jesus Christ. Influenced by the outpouring of the grace of God and the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, these candidates will commence on the next phase of their life in Christ. As a Parish, let us pray for these confirmandi, that they will find joy, peace and every blessing in this life journey with Jesus Christ.Father Storey
The Ultimate Sacrifice
February 25, 2018The Liturgy of the Word in our Sunday celebration of the Mass presents a trilogy: three readings closely related, each revealing a different facet of a story. Today’s readings for the Second Sunday in Lent focus on the ultimate sacrifice.
In the first reading from Genesis, Abraham is told by God to make an extreme sacrifice – that of Abraham’s only son whom he dearly loved. Abraham does not hesitate. He takes Isaac to the designated place on a high hill, and erects an altar upon which to carry out God’s will. Abraham’s raised hand, clutching the knife, is stopped only by the mandate delivered by God, “Do not do the least thing to him.” Abraham then sacrificed the ram he saw caught in a nearby bush.
In the Gospel, six days after explaining to His apostles that He had to go to Jerusalem to suffer, die and then be raised up, Jesus led Peter, James and John up on a high mountain where He was transfigured before them. Jesus’ garments became dazzling white. Elijah and Moses appeared in conversation with Him. The apostles were terrified. God made sure there was no doubt Who Jesus was. Just as we heard at the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan, a voice came from a cloud, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him.”
This transfiguration was a visualization of the meaning of the Paschal Mystery – Christ’s work of redemption accomplished principally by His Passion, death, Resurrection, and glorious Ascension. The Liturgy of the Mass urges us to embrace a constant meditation and reflection on the Paschal Mystery because it is the fulfillment of Christ’s coming into our world.
In the second reading, St. Paul assures us of God’s complete and total commitment to us. God’s sacrifice of His own Son for our salvation is proof of His love and fidelity. “God ... did not spare His own Son, but handed Him over for us all.” (Romans 8)
How should we respond? The first time each of us experiences the Paschal Mystery is at our Baptism. We are a people who have been washed clean with the water of Baptism into the death of Christ, and we have been raised with Him to the newness of life. Baptism is a onetime experience, but this initial sacrament leads us to the Eucharistic celebration of the Paschal Mystery. When bread dies to become the Body of Christ, and when wine perishes to become the Blood of Christ, that is the Paschal Mystery.
Our sharing in the Paschal Mystery is our physical death, which brings us to enjoy the fruit of the Resurrection, sharing everlasting life with our Savior Jesus Christ. Each time we celebrate Mass together we are called to enter into the Paschal Mystery, to imitate Christ fully for Christ came to “first suffer and so come to the glory of the Resurrection.” Truly we are part of the ultimate sacrifice.Father Storey
MAKE LENT POSITIVE
February 18, 2018We begin our Lenten journey on Ash Wednesday. We continue our journey over the next six weeks, culminating with Holy Week. We follow Jesus into the desert; we pray, fast, and prepare ourselves to celebrate His glorious Resurrection on Easter.
This year, let’s take a positive approach to Lent. We fast on the designated days and abstain from eating meat on Fridays. Often we give up things, such as sodas or chocolate, but we also need to add something to our lives – something that will make us better people.
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave us the Beatitudes – a formula for happiness. Each begins “Blessed are...” or stated another way “Happy are...” He concludes the Beatitudes with “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.” (Matt.5:12a) I want to give you some beatitudes for Lent – they may hold the key to making Lent a positive experience. Instead of just giving up things, let’s try doing something extra.
Blessed are they who pray and meditate, for their relationship with God will be enriched. Find a time and place for some “alone” time with God. Have some private conversations with God; really listen to what He has to say to you personally. Open your heart and mind to the Lord in the peaceful silence of our Adoration Chapel.
Blessed are they who fast, for their body and spirit will be cleansed. There are things we can fast from besides food and drink. Are there some actions, bad habits or characteristics in our lives that we should avoid, that our lives would be better without? Consider impatience, being excessively critical or inflexible, for example. Make these the objects of your fasting.
Blessed are they who give alms, for their generous spirit will be pleasing to the Lord. Remember that the Lord is never outdone in generosity. Share what you have with others in need. Look for additional opportunities to serve them.
Let us make Lent a positive experience – let us be happy in our sacrifices AND in our good works.Father Storey
Deacon's Notes
February 11, 2018
Lord, Make Me Clean!“If you wish, you can make me clean.” (Mk 1:40) These words addressed to Jesus by the leper in today’s Gospel, hold a great deal of meaning for us. They portray the leper’s faith, trust and hope in God. They can become a mantra for us in the Lenten Season ahead.
The disease of leprosy has pretty much been eradicated from contemporary society, but in Jesus’ day it was the most dreaded of all illnesses. It gravely disfigured its victims, forced them to live in the desert apart from family and friends, and rendered them unfit to participate in public worship. The law of Moses, as described in Reading I from the Book of Leviticus, clearly states what a leper should do and how he should be treated.
When the leper approached Jesus to seek a cure, he was really out of line. Rather than asking for help from Jesus, he should have been crying out, “Unclean, unclean!” so that no one would come near him. In spite of this Law of Moses, the leper, filled with a strong faith and a humble spirit, knelt before Jesus and begged for healing. The compassionate, loving Jesus, not only welcomed the man, He reached out and touched him, healing him instantly.
Jesus was not repulsed by this poor disfigured person. According to the book of Leviticus, the law prescribed for the priests of the tribe of Levi, anyone who touched a leper was rendered unclean. This meant that he or she also was unfit to worship in public. However, Jesus invoked an authority higher than that of the Levitical law. Jesus came to perfect the law, and by His actions He showed that charity is that perfection.
It is rare to see a case of leprosy today, but rampant among us are the festering lesions of hatred, self righteousness, and the rejection of fellow human beings. These modern day diseases are just as contagious and insidious as leprosy; they also require a cure. This can be done by invoking the spirit of charity, exemplified by Christ Himself.
Jesus wanted to change the attitude towards lepers, and He also wants to change our attitude toward the outcasts of our society. We need to accept this challenge from Jesus, not regarding lepers whom we never see, but regarding those people who are held in contempt by our contemporaries. They may be the elderly or the lonely, ones who have been separated from the community, isolated from relatives or loved ones, not because of some contagious illness or disease, but simply by the view of the world that they are no longer productive members of society.
As we enter our Lenten journey on Ash Wednesday, it is an opportunity for us to humbly recognize who we truly are. When we receive the ashes on our forehead, we contemplate the words: “You are dust and to dust you shall return.” Let us ask our Lord Jesus to help us follow His example of reaching out to others in charity; and like the leper, let us humbly beg, “Lord, make me clean.”Deacon Phillip Nguyen
Walking the Walk
February 4, 2018No doubt you have heard the saying that one must “walk the walk” not just “talk the talk.” St. Francis of Assisi put it this way: “Always preach the Gospel; use words if necessary.” Pope Francis is a living embodiment of this principle as well. His actions speak volumes, and his words underline what he has shown us by example.
Today’s Gospel (Mark 1:29-39) is a perfect illustration of Jesus Christ doing this – walking the walk. Mark begins his Gospel with a strong emphasis on Christ’s deeds rather than words in Galilee. Mark’s enumeration of the activities that day in Capernaum gives us a powerful insight into what Christ’s ministry was all about – love and serving others. We see a multi-faceted focus on Christ’s loving healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, followed by many more healings and exorcisms in the evening. Jesus prayed early the next morning, and when His disciples found Him, He told them He must leave Capernaum to preach in other villages. Here Christ is not just talking; He is doing. He is showing us how to love by serving others in multiple ways. Jesus explained His mission was to preach and to teach many, not just a few.
What can we do to follow the Lord’s loving example of service, healing, prayer, teaching, spreading the good news? In Call to Share, we have multiple opportunities to walk in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to serve the poor, the vulnerable, the marginalized. Call to Share provides funds to nearly 50 different ministries and programs. It serves 181,000 Catholics in 106 parishes in 21 counties and 8 Pastoral Regions of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Call to Share focuses on multiple areas: evangelization, education, outreach, stewardship and conversion.
This year’s theme is “Called to Share.” In these past few weeks of Ordinary Time we have witnessed Jesus calling His disciples, inviting them to follow Him, ultimately to spread His Good News to all the nations. In Christ’s life here on earth, He led the way by example. Not only did He teach His disciples, He showed them the way by His actions. Now is our turn to walk the walk. We, too, are called by Christ to follow Him, to love and serve others. We should actively participate in these ministries where we can, and support them financially to the extent we are able. We know fully that our acts of sharing with others will be blessed by God as we walk the walk.Father Storey
Healing and Hope
January 28, 2018As we progress through these Sundays of Ordinary time, we find a common thread carefully woven in the Gospel messages. The very fabric of these readings speaks of healing and hope, curing and cleansing. It leads us into Lent and our preparation to celebrate the great Easter Mystery. A major focus of our preparation should be reconciliation – asking forgiveness of our sins.
Early in His public ministry, Jesus was delivering a very powerful message in Galilee: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel.” (Mark 1:15) As He walked along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus saw two fishermen. It was here that He called the first of His apostles. He recruited Simon, who would later be known as Peter, and his brother Andrew, sons of John, promising that they would become “fishers of men.” Then He invited James and John, sons of Zebedee. They, too, answered His call.
The beginning chapters of Mark’s Gospel tell of Jesus performing many miracles, especially healing and exorcisms. In today’s Gospel (Mark 1:21-28), we witness Jesus teaching in the synagogue in an authoritative manner. Suddenly Jesus is confronted by a man possessed by an unclean spirit. Jesus launches into conversation with the demon, and demands that it leave the man. Much to the surprise of the people gathered there, the demon follows His orders.
Do we sometimes harbor demons? What form or shape do they take? Are we letting our own personal demons (sins and transgressions) keep us from entering into a deep relationship with God? We, too, hear Jesus Christ calling us to follow Him. Are we so consumed by our demons that we fail to answer Him?
Jesus asks only that we repent and believe. He gave us the wonderful gift of Reconciliation. Let us put our hope and trust in Him. Let us ask for His forgiveness and healing.Father Storey
Listen, Respond, Act
January 21, 2018Today, the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, we find ourselves less than four weeks away from Ash Wednesday, February 14. Is this a time to just relax and enjoy things as they are, knowing that we are facing 40 days of fasting, alms-giving, and penitence? Or should we take a different approach, and see what we can do to alter our mind-set before Lent is here?
We find a common message throughout the readings of these Sundays. We are called not just to hear, but to really listen for the call of God. There is a fine difference between hearing and listening or heeding. Then we must respond, and finally we act. The First Reading from the Old Testament can often give us a valuable insight into events that will occur in the Gospel.
On the 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time (B), we learned in 1 Samuel how the Lord called Samuel three times. Each time Samuel went to Eli and stated, “Here I am. You called?” After the third time, Eli told Samuel to go sleep, and if Samuel was called again, he was to reply, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is LISTENING.” Because Samuel listened to the Lord, the Word of God became effective and bore fruit. Samuel acted on God’s instruction and took on his role as judge and prophet. We repeat Samuel’s response: “Here I am Lord; I come to do your will.”
In the Gospel John 1:35-42, John the Baptist points out Jesus, “Behold, the Lamb of God,” an identification with many intricate meanings. Two of John’s disciples follow Jesus to learn more about Him, to ask questions and get to know Jesus. The evangelist John gives us a vocabulary tutorial that will help in our understanding throughout the Gospels. Rabbi means Teacher. Messiah translates into Christ, and Cephas translates to Peter (rock). You may sense that Jesus seems to enjoy a play on words; in another Gospel segment we read that Jesus said, “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.”
In the Gospel for the 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, we find Jesus calling His first disciples. As Jesus walks by the Sea of Galilee, He sees Andrew and Simon fishing. Jesus invites them to follow Him, and in another play on words says, “I will make you fishers of men.” They listen and follow. Soon thereafter, He sees James and his brother John, sons of Zebedee, mending their nets. James and John also respond to Jesus’ call and follow Him.
Like the people in both the Old and the New Testament, we are called to LISTEN, RESPOND and ACT. May our response always be, “Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.”Father Storey
January 1, World Day of Peace
January 14, 2018If you want peace, you should start with Mary and the crib, is one of the messages delivered by Pope Francis in his homily on New Year’s Day, 2018. The Catholic Church’s World Day of Peace was established by Blessed Pope Paul VI in 1967. It is not a coincidence that the World Day of Peace and the feast of Mary the Mother of God occur on the same date. The spiritual basis of real peace is to be found in Our Blessed Mother Mary. According to Pope Francis, “Mary is the permanent role model for a Christian whose life is anchored in peace.” Through her we can seek true peace in God.
For this 51st celebration of the World Day of Peace, Pope Francis focused on migrants and refugees, men and women in search of peace. He exhorts all of us not to extinguish hope in their hearts; rather he urges world leaders to do more to help them. He reminds us that we are “one family” and “God does not discriminate.”
When we view conditions in the world today, we see a scene that is dismaying and frightening. We can easily be overwhelmed by all the turmoil. We cannot solve the world’s problems by ourselves, but we must remember that we are not alone. Collectively, we should follow the request made by Our Lady of Fatima in the early 20th century; we should put our trust in God and pray the rosary daily.
We must be aware that any peace achieved on this earth is only temporary, and without God, there is no true peace. The peace He brings us is everlasting. If we are willing to work with God at the center of our lives, then we can attain everlasting peace.
Let us reflect on the beautiful prayer of St. Francis. We all have experienced sadness, doubt, distrust, hatred or despair at some point in our lives. When we witness these things, let us dig deep within ourselves and think, “How can I act?” We pray that God will give us the strength to put this prayer into practice:Make me a channel of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me bring your love. Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord, and where there’s doubt, true faith in you. Where there is despair in life, let me bring hope. Where there is darkness only light. And where there is sadness ever joy.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, in giving of ourselves that we receive, and in dying that we’re born to eternal life. O Master, grant that I may never seek so much to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love with all my soul.Amen.
Father Storey
A Time for R and R
January 7, 2018Today we celebrate the Epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ. The word epiphany means showing or manifestation. God wants to show us His face, and on this day He reveals Himself to us – that He is truly the Messiah, the One coming to save.
Each year at the end of the Christmas Season, we read in the Gospel according to St. Matthew the story of the Magi, astrologers from the East, who had observed a rising star and had traveled to Jerusalem to find the newborn King. Known also as the three Wise Men or the three Kings, these men came bearing gifts for the Christ Child: each gift with a spiritual, prophetic meaning.
Caspar brought gold, a symbol of kingship on earth. Melchior offered frankincense, a gift suitable for deity. These gifts were foretold by the Prophet (Isaiah 60:6). The gift given by Balthazar, however, was not part of the Isaiah’s prophecy. His gift was myrrh, an ointment used in embalming; it was a gift for one who would die.
The three Wise Men had embarked on this Christian journey totally on faith – their only guide a star. They encountered many difficulties on this long trek, including the disappearance of the star. They had to have days of doubt, of frustration, sickness. Days of just wanting to turn away from this journey to which they had been called. Can you imagine how they felt when the star grew dim and disappeared from their sight? At this point, they really needed some R and R: refocusing and recommiting.
We read in Matthew’s Gospel, “After their audience with the king (Herod) they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother.” (Matt. 2:9-11)
In these troubling times, we like the Wise Men sometimes lose sight of the star. Some of us suffer from terminal illness; some of us have lost loved ones; some of us question God. If God is all powerful, why are such bad things happening in the world today? Some of us just want to travel our own way and do our own thing. Some of us are frustrated with God; we feel He has abandoned us.
We, too, need some R and R. No matter how many times we lose focus on Christ, no matter how many times we fail Him, we are called to keep on track... to refocus... to recommit. Following the lead of the Wise Men, we must return to being guided by the star! We too can be overjoyed at its sight.
Just like the Wise Men, we are promised, that by keeping our faith, we too will see the face of Christ.Father Storey