The Sower and the Seed: This Sunday, the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we hear of the well-known Gospel of the sower who casts seed onto different parts of the earth—some along the path, some on rocky ground, some among thorns, and finally, some on rich soil. Jesus states that the seed sown on rich […]
Come to Me: On this 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time, we hear Jesus give us some of the most beautiful words found in Scripture: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” Jesus desires to give us inner peace with His presence. I recently read a commentary […]
Westy: This weekend we welcome Fr. Dan Westermann as our new associate pastor. His friends in the seminary liked to call him “Westy.” (So did I). I’ve known Fr. Dan since he was around 14 years old. He is a classmate of Fr. Gary. They were ordained together in 2014. Every time I talk to […]
Fr. Gary: It’s hard to see him go. He is really a remarkable priest. I am going to miss being with him, praying with him, and just talking with him. He’s often mentioned to me how much he has learned from me, but seriously, I have learned a lot from him. He is very dedicated, […]
Par Excellence: This weekend is the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood of Jesus. There are seven Sacraments in the Catholic Church, but the Eucharist is considered “par excellence” because while in the other Sacraments Christ bestows His grace upon us, in the Eucharist it is Christ Himself that we receive. We are […]
Ordinary Time: This Sunday is the 10th Sunday of Ordinary Time. There are 34 weeks in ordinary time until we enter the Advent season in early December. After celebrating Pentecost last Sunday, the Easter season came to a close. After receiving the Holy Spirit, the disciples went out to proclaim the good news to others—something […]
Our fallen soldiers: A very nice turnout of people showed up for the Memorial Day Mass at Evergreen Cemetery. The weather was perfect. The winds really picked up that day, but they held off during the Mass. Below is a picture of 92-year-old World War II veteran and parishioner George Yancho holding the flag during […]
With God: This Sunday we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord Jesus into heaven. The essential truth of the Ascension is that it marked the moment in salvation history at which humanity was incorporated into the Holy Trinity. We know that Jesus is “God with us.” But, with the Ascension and Christ’s glorification “at the […]
6th Sunday of Easter: I recently read a great article by Catholic author George Weigel. He mentioned that prior to Vatican II it was stated that the liturgical time we are in was called the “Sundays after Easter.” Now those Sundays are now styled “Sundays of Easter.” He further explains: “The shift from Sundays after […]
Just a few notes this week as I am writing this before heading off to a retreat in DeWitt. I asked Fr. Gary to write about his trip to France. Happy Mother’s Day: Dear Mothers, thank you for your love and support of your children, grandchildren and our parish! We remember all mothers with gratitude […]