This Sunday we celebrate the great feast of Pentecost. On this day, we see the fulfillment of the promise of Jesus to send the Holy Spirit upon his Apostles. And as we know, the Holy Spirit will transform the lives of these Apostles. These frightened men who abandoned Jesus at his Passion will be transformed into bold witnesses who clearly show that they not only understand the teaching of Jesus but also are willing to put his teaching into practice. (Read more…)

Today, May 29th, we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord, commemorating that day when Jesus was taken up to heaven, to the glory of his Father – 40 days after he rose from the dead and 10 days before the Feast of the Pentecost.  What is so significant or important about this feast?

Once, I was asked, “If Jesus loves us and lives forever, why did he leave?” It’s an excellent question. If we consider the Ascension simply in terms of Jesus leaving us, then we might wonder why He did it. (Read more…)

When I’m standing up there at the altar, I sometimes wish I could take a time-out and explain what I am doing or why I am doing it, because so much of what we do has long forgotten origins.

One example would be kissing or “reverencing” the altar. I’m kissing the “altar” which has crosses cut into its corners and a silver dollar sized circle that covers a few bone splinters taken from the catacombs of Rome, a reminder of our ancient roots and the blood of the martyrs. (Read more…)

On Wednesday, May 11th, thirty-one young people of our Parish Family celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation. It was an uplifting celebration not only for the Confirmandi and their families but also for us who received this sacrament many years ago.

A special thank you to Bishop Emeritus Bootkoski for presiding at the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Also a special thanks to Mrs. Sandra Kopka for facilitating the Confirmation program. I am very grateful for her work and selfless efforts to prepare these young people for the Sacrament of Confirmation over a series of weeks. (Read more…)

On Saturday, May 7th, fourteen of our children received their first Holy Communion. They received Jesus Christ our Savior for the first time.  There is no doubt that meeting with Jesus in First Holy Communion is an unforgettable moment, a day to be remembered as one of life’s most beautiful.  It is a day of great family celebration.

This was a special day and a happy day for their parents too.  They saw their children taking a new step in faith.  (Read more…)

Next Sunday, May 8th, we celebrate Mother’s Day and we honor our moms for all they do for us and for the sacrifices they make for us. They do many ordinary things and do them extraordinarily well. Primarily through their teaching and their example, they assist in an important way, in passing down our precious faith to their children.

When we think of mothers, we only have to think of Mary, the mother of Jesus. May is the month of Mary, and this month we honor her in a special way. (Read more…)