World Priest Day

Today as we celebrate World Priest Day, we honor the men who have dedicated their lives to Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church through the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Let me then, today, take a few moments and reflect on the priesthood.

Sacramentally there are three key things that only priests can do:  hear confessions and give absolution;  anoint the sick; and most importantly, consecrate the Eucharist.

When you consider those three sacraments, they offer a powerful testament to the meaning of the priesthood. (Read more…)

World Mission Sunday

Catholics throughout the world are invited to recommit themselves to the Church’s missionary activity through prayer and sacrifice by observing World Mission Sunday on October 23rd. Instituted for the whole Church by Pope Pius XI in 1926, it is traditionally celebrated on the next-to-last Sunday each October.

Today, let us join our brothers and sisters around the world who gather at the Lord’s Table to celebrate, with great joy, our common vocation as missionaries. Our prayers and concrete gestures of solidarity will help build local churches across the globe. (Read more…)

Our Cleaners

Our parish volunteers consist of dedicated lay men and women who do so much for our parish and our parishioners.

Pope Francis clearly appreciates those who work in some capacity for the Church. Our Holy Father said, “The mission of the Church in the world proceeds through the contribution of those who are part of it.” He also commented that “some think that there are only priests, the bosses, and then there are workers. No, the Church is all of us, everyone, each person has their role in the Church, but we are all the Church.”

Pope Francis celebrates Mass for various workers in the Vatican when his schedule permits. He also prays for those with whom he works, and when possible, interacts with them. (Read more…)