14 September 2025 - homily for the Feast of the exaltation of the holy cross - Numbers 21:4B-9, John 3:13-17, Philippians 2:6-11 - prison ministry

(This homily is written for the prison ministry. There is a homily for the parishes that also includes an explanation of the theme of catechetical Sunday.) 

Today’s feast of the exaltation of the holy cross was first observed in Rome in the 7th century.  Today’s feast commemorates the recovery of the Holy Cross, which had been placed on Mt. Calvary by St. Helena and preserved in Jerusalem. However, it then had fell into the hands of the King of the Persians in the early 7th century. The cross was recovered and returned to Jerusalem by the Byzantine Emperor Heralius in 629.

Tradition passes down that Heraclius carried the cross back to Jerusalem on his shoulders, wearing extravagant garments with ornaments of precious stones. But, at the entrance to Mt. Calvary a strange incident occurred. No matter how hard he tried, the Emperor could not move forward. Bishop Zacharias of Jerusalem told him: "Consider, that with these triumphal ornaments you are wearing, you are far from resembling Jesus carrying his cross." The Emperor then put on a penitential garment and was able to continue his journey.

In the Roman empire, the cross represented the worst possible way a criminal could be put to death. It was a violent, painful, disrespectful death. However, our mass commemorating the exaltation of the holy cross is a triumphant liturgy. When Moses lifted up the bronze serpent over the people in the desert on their journey to the promised land, it foreshadowed the cross and the salvation we would receive through Christ’s death and resurrection. The message of our faith is that we must take up our own crosses in order to follow Jesus, our Lord and Savior. We identify with Christ on the cross, sharing in his cross. Jesus carried his cross in obedience and servanthood. We are called to carry our crosses with the same obedience and servanthood. 

For Catholics, the cross is an important symbol of faith. When we are baptized, we are sealed with the cross as our original sins are taken away, as we die with Christ in the waters of baptism and as we receive new life in him. We make the sign of the cross as we begin and end our prayers, consecrating ourselves to God. We make the sign of the cross at the beginning of mass to begin our celebration in the name of our Lord.   

Pope Benedict XVI once stated, being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or following a lofty idea, but rather it centers upon an encounter with Christ. Our Gospel states that God so loved the world that he gave us his only begotten son. God wants to enter into a relationship of love with us. This love is offered through Christ, his son, lifted high on the cross. 

We cannot remain neutral regarding the cross of Jesus. We cannot be neutral or complacent in the way we live out our faith. Either we are with Jesus or we are against Jesus. Either we accept our crosses in faith or we deny our crosses. A choice is made before every action, for the actions of a Christian are none other than the testimony of how God has love us so much that he gave His only Son, Jesus. 

During our trials and sufferings, the cross is there to give us strength, protection, and hope. O cross of Christ, you are the glorious sign of victory. Through the power of the cross, may we all share in the triumph of Christ Jesus.

Prayer for diocesan finance council meeting - 19 AUGUST 2025

Lord, we come to you today in our Diocesan finance council in the midst of our reality: in trying to give good sound counsel for the financial management of our Diocese. We live in a world today with a very challenging reality. May the spirit of Pope Leo XIV and the synodal process of the Diocese inspire us and encourage us. Lord, we ask that you lead us and guide us in our discussions this morning.  Thank you for the dedication of the men and women who serving you and our Diocese.  In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  AMEN.  

Prayers of the faithful - 14 September 2025 - Exaltation of the holy cross - prison ministry

Priest: Penitential Rite

Lord Jesus - you suffered the passion of the cross. 

Christ Jesus - you call us to take up our crosses and follow you. 

Lord Jesus - you bring us redemption and salvation. 

Priest: As we commemorate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross of Jesus today at Mass today, we present our prayers to our heavenly Father with hope and trust: 

1. That Pope Leo XIV, Bishop Kopacz, and all our Church leaders may lead us and guide us in wisdom and courage as we carry our crosses on our journey of faith.We pray in a special way for Bishop Kopaz as he celebrates his 75th birthday this upcoming week. We pray to the Lord. 

2. That we may all see it as our mission to evangelize our brothers and sisters in the faith, especially during this Jubilee Year of Hope. We pray to the Lord. 

3. That we may undertake corporal and spiritual works of mercy with love and faith, reaching out to our brothers and sisters in need. We pray to the Lord. 

4. For those without hope and for those who are struggling with addictions, depression or mental health issues. For those who have fallen away from their faith. That God may give them hope and encouragement. We pray to the Lord. 

5. For the sick and the afflicted. For healing for all of us in body, mind, and spirit. We pray to the Lord. 

6. For first responders, fire fighters, the men and women serving in the military, and 911 workers. That the Lord strengthen them in their important work. We pray to the Lord. 

7. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts today. We pray to the Lord. 

Priest: As we continue our journey of faith with dignity and hope, and as we celebrate the exaltation of the cross today, we present our prayers through your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

Bulletin reflection - the feast of the exaltation of the holy cross - 14 September 2025

This weekend, we celebrate the feast of the exaltation of the holy cross in liturgies, since September 14 falls on a Sunday this year. It is a great opportunity for us to meditate on the meaning the cross of Christ has in our Catholic faith. This upcoming week, Bishop Kopacz will celebrate his 75th birthday. We send our prayers and best wishes to Bishop Kopacz, thanking him for his leadership of our Diocese. This birthday is significant for us as a Diocese since it is the milestone when a Bishop writes his retirement letter to the Vatican. This means that the process to name a new bishop for our Diocese will begin. We will probably receive a new bishop within a year, although that process can take longer, as it took almost two years to name a new Archbishop in Mobile. Blessings to all of you as we commemorate the cross of Christ this weekend. Father Lincoln. 

Prayers of the faithful - 14 September 2025 - Exaltation of the holy cross

Introduction: By his crucifixion, Jesus transformed the cross from an instrument of execution to a symbol of triumph and salvation. Jesus sanctified the cross, making it holy and sacrificing his life for our salvation. We celebrate the feast of the exaltation of the Holy Cross this weekend in our liturgies, commemorating the cross of cross that was rediscovered by St Helena in the Holy Land in the fourth century. We unite the crosses we carry in life with the cross of Christ. 

Priest: Penitential Rite

Lord Jesus - you suffered the passion of the cross. 

Christ Jesus - you call us to take up our crosses and follow you. 

Lord Jesus - you bring us redemption and salvation. 

Priest: As we commemorate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross of Jesus today at Mass today, we present our prayers to the heavenly Father with hope and trust: 

1. That Pope Leo XIV, Bishop Kopacz, and all our Church leaders may lead us and guide us in wisdom and courage as we carry our crosses on our journey of faith.We pray in a special way for Bishop Kopaz as he celebrates his 75th birthday this upcoming week. We pray to the Lord. 

2. That we may all see it as our mission to evangelize our brothers and sisters in the faith, especially during this Jubilee Year of Hope. We pray to the Lord. 

3. That we may undertake corporal and spiritual works of mercy with love and faith, reaching out to our brothers and sisters in need. We pray to the Lord. 

4. For those without hope, those looking for work, those who are struggling with addictions, depression or mental health issues. For those who have fallen away from the Church. That God may give them hope and encouragement. We pray to the Lord. 

5. For the sick and the afflicted. For healing for all of us in body, mind, and spirit. We pray to the Lord. 

6. For first responders, fire fighters, the men and women serving in the military, and 911 workers. That the Lord strengthen them in their important work. We pray to the Lord. 

7. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts today. We pray to the Lord. 

Priest: As we continue our journey of faith with dignity and hope, and as we celebrate the exaltation of the cross today, we present our prayers through your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.  

14 September 2025 - homily for the Feast of the exaltation of the holy cross - Numbers 21:4B-9, John 3:13-17, Philippians 2:6-11

(Today, at our parishes, we will celebrate the theme of Catechetical Sunday and give our teachers and catechists a special blessing, since I will be out of town when Catechetical Sunday is officially observed in the Church on September 21). 

Today’s feast of the exaltation of the holy cross was first observed in Rome in the 7th century.  Today’s feast commemorates the recovery of the Holy Cross, which had been placed on Mt. Calvary by St. Helena and preserved in Jerusalem. However, it then had fell into the hands of the King of the Persians in the early 7th century. The cross was recovered and returned to Jerusalem by the Byzantine Emperor Heralius in 629.

Tradition passes down that Heraclius carried the cross back to Jerusalem on his shoulders, wearing extravagant garments with ornaments of precious stones. But, at the entrance to Mt. Calvary a strange incident occurred. No matter how hard he tried, the Emperor could not move forward. Bishop Zacharias of Jerusalem told him: "Consider, that with these triumphal ornaments you are wearing, you are far from resembling Jesus carrying his cross." The Emperor then put on a penitential garment and was able to continue his journey.

In the Roman empire, the cross represented the worst possible way a criminal could be put to death. It was a violent, painful, disrespectful death. However, our mass commemorating the exaltation of the holy cross is a triumphant liturgy. When Moses lifted up the bronze serpent over the people in the desert on their journey to the promised land, it foreshadowed the cross and the salvation we would receive through Christ’s death and resurrection. The message of our faith is that we must take up our own crosses in order to follow Jesus, our Lord and Savior. To follow Christ we must take up his cross, follow him, becoming obedient until death. We identify with Christ on the cross, sharing in His cross. Jesus carried his cross in obedience and servanthood.  We are called to carry our crosses with the same obedience and servanthood. 

For Catholics, the cross is an important symbol of faith. When we are baptized, we are sealed with the cross as our original sins are taken away, as we die with Christ in the waters of baptism and as we receive new life in him. We make the sign of the cross as we begin and end our prayers, consecrating ourselves to God. We make the sign of the cross at the beginning of mass to begin our celebration in the name of our Lord.   

Pope Benedict XVI once stated, being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or following a lofty idea, but rather it centers upon an encounter with Christ. Our Gospel states that God so loved the world that he gave us his only begotten son. God wants to enter into a relationship of love with us. This love is offered through Christ, his son, lifted high on the cross. 

We cannot remain neutral regarding the cross of Jesus. We cannot be neutral or complacent in the way we live out our faith. Either we are with Jesus or we are against Jesus. Either we accept our crosses in faith or we deny our crosses. A choice is made before every action, for the actions of a Christian are none other than the testimony of how God has love us so much that he gave His only Son, Jesus. 

During our trials and sufferings, the cross is there to give us strength, protection, and hope.  O cross of Christ, you are the glorious sign of victory. Through the power of the cross, may we all share in the triumph of Christ Jesus.

As we honor and recognize the cross of Christ at mass in a special way today, we celebrate Catechetical Sunday. We work very hard here at our program of religious education for children, youth, and adults. We are thankful for those who lead our program of religious education and for our catechists, teachers, and helpers. This year’s theme for Catechetical Sunday comes from the first letter of Peter: “Always be ready to give an explanation…for a reason for your hope.” (1 Peter 3:15). Like a lot of things we are celebrating this year, this theme directly connects us to the Jubilee year of hope. All of us Catholics are invited to be pilgrims and ambassadors of hope rooted in our faith during this special Jubilee year. We are to embrace love, justice, and service to others, not only in our words, but in the ways we live out our faith each day. We are to share our faith with others with respect and clarity. As we here in Mississippi and in Clinton in particular live in a very Protestant and Baptist culture, we need to be able to explain our faith and the hope and trust we place in our faith, so today’s theme is very relevant to our reality. Recently, I had some of the Protestant field ministers at the prison be very confrontational with me about what we Catholics believe about baptism, which is very different from the way they understand baptism. I had to be able to articulate what we believe and give an explanation to them. Being educated and formed in the faith should be an on-going process for us Catholics, and our program of religious education is a big part of that.  We will give our catechists and teachers a blessing at the end of mass. 

12 September 2025 - homily for Friday of the 23rd week in Ordinary time - The most holy name of Mary - psalm 16

Today we celebrate a memorial celebrating the most holy name of Mary. In accordance with Jewish custom, Mary's parents named her eight days after her birth. They were inspired to call her Mary. The celebration of this memorial thus follows the feast day of her Birthday, which we celebrated in the nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Monday of this week, September 8.This is a counterpoint to the optional memorial of the Holy Name of Jesus which can be celebrated on January 3. The feast of the most holy name of Mary originated in Spain and was approved by the Vatican in 1513. Pope Innocent XI extended its observance to the whole Church in 1683 in thanksgiving to Mary for the victory on September 12, 1683 by Holy Roman Empire over the Ottomans, who were besieging Vienna and threatening the West.

Pope Benedict, in an address at a Cistercian monastery in Austria in 2007, said that he wanted to invite everyone to become a trusting child before Mary, just as the Son of God did. He stated: “Where Mary is, there is the archetype of total self-giving and Christian discipleship. Where Mary is, there is the Pentecostal breath of the Holy Spirit; there is new beginning and authentic renewal.”

Our psalm today states, “you are my inheritance, O Lord.” Our inheritance rests in our relationship with Jesus, with Mary, and with the entire community of saints in our Catholic faith. We honor Mary and our inheritance today as we honor her most holy name. 

12 September 2025 - The Most Holy Name of Mary - Friday of the 23rd week of Ordinary Time - Prayers of the Faithful

Lord Jesus - you are the son of Mary. 

Christ Jesus - you are the son of the living God. 

Lord Jesus - you proclaim God’s kingdom. 

Priest: As we honor Mary in a special way today, we present our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. For all who are discouraged by the burdens of life. That God will renew their hearts.

2. That those individuals and societies who lives are trapped in conflict may find ways to heal divisions and plant the seeds of peace. 

3. That God’s healing love will strengthen the sick and the afflicted, remove their pain, and restore them to wholeness. 

4. That God will continue to accompany and bless our children, youth, and college students through their activities and studies. 

5. For those who are persecuted for the practice of their religion here in the United States and throughout the world. 

6. That we may unite our prayers with the prayers of Mary and the community of saints.

Priest: We present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.  

11 September 2025 - Thursday of the 23rd week of Ordinary Time - prayers of the faithful

Lord Jesus - you call us to make a commitment to our faith. 

Christ Jesus - you encourage us on our journey. 

Lord Jesus - you bring us new life. 

Priest: We present our prayers to our heavenly Father with hope and joy: 

1. For a spirit of welcome and hospitality in our Church. 

2. For all who have experienced abuse, discrimination, or hatred. May God heal their pain and renew their spirits

3. For all who work with the poor and homeless. That they may continually see Christ in all whom they meet. 

4. For those who have been affected by natural disasters. For recovery and help for those who need assistance.  

5. That the world leader may work toward unity and solidarity, recognizing the dignity of all people. 

6. For the sick and the shut-in. For those in the hospice, hospital, and nursing home.  

7. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed and those prayers we hold in our hearts today. 

Priest: We present these prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever.  AMEN.  

11 September 2025 - homily for Thursday of the 23rd week in Ordinary Time - Colossians 3:12-17

Today is the final reading from St Paul’s letter to the Colossians that we will hear in our daily Masses. Today, St Paul describes the type of Christian he is encouraging the Colossians to be. St Paul describes the Colossians are the chosen people of God, the holy people whom he loves. Because they are God’s chosen people, they are to be clothed in the values of the Gospel that call out to us: compassion, generosity, humility, gentleness and patience. When we put on Christ at our baptism, when we die in the waters of baptism with Christ and rise to new life with him, these qualities are to become a part of us. With the challenges and reality we face in the modern world today, it may be difficult to live up to this ideal to which God calls us. We are called to make sacrifices and to do God’s will to live up to the ideals of our faith. It is certainly difficult having patience, compassion, and humility in many situations we are faced in life. May we not ignore this calling, no matter how challenging it may be. 

10 September 2025 - homily for Wednesday of the 23rd week in Ordinary Time - Nicholas of Tolentine - psalm 145

Born in Italy in the middle of the 13th century, Nicholas of Tolentine was a humble Augustinian priest who touched the lives of many during his lifetime. He was known for his spirit of prayer and for living a simple, austere life. He was devoted to visiting the sick and caring for the needy. He gave special attention to those who had fallen away from the Church, calling them back to the faith.

A story is told of Nicholas heard the voice of a deceased friar he had known while he was asleep in bed. This friar told Nicholas that he was in purgatory. He urged him to celebrate the Eucharist for him and for other souls there, so that they would be set free by Christ’s divine power. Nicholas offered up the eucharist for him for seven days. The friar again spoke to Nicholas in the middle of the night, thanking him and assuring him that a large number of souls were now with God because of Nicholas’ actions. Because of this Nicholas was proclaimed patron of the souls in purgatory. Nicholas died in Tolentine, Italy in 1305. He was canonized a saint in 1446. 

Our psalm refrain is the same as yesterday: the Lord is compassionate to all his works. The Lord shows mercy and compassion to the faithful departed. It is our task to show that same mercy and compassion by praying for the dead. We unite our prayers with the prayers of Nicholas of Tolentine today. 

10 September 2025 - Wednesday of the 23rd week in Ordinary Time - prayers of the faithful

Lord Jesus - you proclaim the kingdom of God. 

Christ Jesus - you are a light in the world. 

Lord Jesus - you will come again in glory. 

Priest: With joyful hearts, we present our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. That as a Church and as individuals, the Holy Spirit will guide us in our judgments and our actions. 

2. That we listen to the prophets God has sent us in the modern world. 

3. For all who are recovering from floods, wildfires, and storms. For all who are affected by hot weather and drought. 

4. For civility in public discourse. For justice and peace in society. 

5. For those who are starving or malnourished. For farmers and gardeners who supply us food. 

6. For our children and youth, that the Lord accompany them in their studies and school activities this semester. 

7. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts.

Priest: We present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. 

9 September 2025 - prayers of the faithful - Tuesday of the 23rd week of Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you proclaim God’s kingdom.

Christ Jesus - you are the holy one of God. 

Lord Jesus - you bring us hope. 

Priest: With faith and trust, we present our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. That our actions of hospitality within the Church reveal to others the face of God. 

2. For good health and healing for the sick and the afflicted. 

3. That all of us as sisters and brothers in Christ will work for the betterment of one another. 

4. That God will guide our governmental leaders in addressing the main issues that we face as a society. 

5. For the homeless and those looking for a new place to live. That God lead them to where they need to be. 

6. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts today.

Priest: We present these prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. 

9 September 2025 - homily for Tuesday of the 23rd week in Ordinary Time - psalm 145

Born in Spain in 1580, Peter Claver first encountered the Jesuits in Barcelona during his university studies. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1602. After studying for some time on the island of Majorca, he offered himself to go to the missions. The provincial sent him to Colombia in 1610. After he finished his study of theology in the city of Bogotá, Claver went to the city of Cartagena on the Caribbean coast where he was ordained a priest in 1616 and where he would spend the rest of his life ministering to slaves who arrived in that port from Africa. Cartagena was one of two Spanish ports designated to receive slaves; an estimated 10,000 of whom passed through the port each year during Claver's time. Accompanied by former slaves as interpreters, Claver would board the ship and met the slave with food on the deck. He then descended into the hold of the ship to care for the sick by cleansing their wounds and applying bandages. He spoke to the slaves about Christ’s good news. Since the slaves only remained in Cartagena for a few days, Claver would quickly prepare them for baptism. When a plague hit Cartagena, Claver died of the disease after caring for the sick. He is the patron saint of salves, African Americans, the African missions, the country of Colombia, and interracial justice. 

Our psalm states today: The Lord is compassionate to all his works. Peter Claver exemplified God’s compassion and mercy to those most on the margins. He provides a great an example of God’s love for us. We unite our prayers with his prayers today. 

31 August 2025 - prayers of the faithful - 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Priest: Penitential Rite:

Lord Jesus - you welcomed those on the margins of society. 

Christ Jesus - you bring us your new covenant. 

Lord Jesus - you show us the way to God’s kingdom.

Priest: Jesus invites his disciples to turn to the Father with their needs. Let us now humbly present our prayers to our heavenly Father:

1. As we commemorate Labor Day weekend, we pray for all the workers of the world, that they may all earn a living wage and are provided safe working conditions. We pray to the Lord.

2. For the unemployed and for those looking for work. May God lead them to where they need to be. We pray for any released inmates and family members who are looking for new employment. We pray to the Lord.

3. That those who struggle with grief, hardship, or doubt know the support of our Catholic faith community. We pray for those who have lost a loved one. We pray to the Lord.

4. That we in the Church may always welcome the poor, the forsaken, and those on the margins, showing them that in God’s eyes they are respected and exalted. We pray to the Lord.

5. For all the men who have leadership and ministry positions in our faith community. We give thanks for their help and leadership. We pray to the Lord.

6. For those who have suffered tragedy or loss. That they receive consolation in their faith and the help they need. We pray to the Lord.

7. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts. For our prayer intentions spoken and unspoken. We pray to the Lord.

Priest: Heavenly Father, as we are invited to your feast, may we accept your mercy and generosity and pass it on to those in need. We present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

15 August 2025 - homily for the solemnity of the assumption of Mary - bilingual homily - Luke 1:39-56

As we celebrate the Assumption of Mary today as we get close to the end of summer, we may be thinking about the connection between today’s celebration and our own reality as modern disciples of Christ.  Through Mary’s immaculate conception, she was born without original sin.  Although original sin affects us, through our going into the waters of baptism, dying to our old life, and being raised by Christ to new life, we are cleansed of original sin. As Mary brought Christ in the world, we are commissioned to bring Christ into the world each day through our words and our actions as his disciples. And as Mary was assumed into heaven, we place our hope in our faith that one day we will unite in eternal life with God.

Hoy, en nuestro Evangelio según San Lucas, escuchamos el Magnificat de nuestra madre María, un cántico de acción de gracias y alabanza a Dios. El Magnificat es un cántico de gran humildad y santidad, pues María no se fija en las grandes cosas que ha hecho o hará en el futuro, sino que proclama y se regocija en la grandeza del Señor, en su lugar como humilde sierva dispuesta a hacer la voluntad de Dios. Todos estamos llamados a vivir como María, con el Señor en nuestra vida, alabando los dones que recibimos de Dios y la gracia que trabaja en nosotros. En la oración de la tarde, durante la Liturgia de las Horas, los fieles se unen para alabar a Dios en el Magnificat.

Tres de nuestros días de obligación están dedicados a María: la Inmaculada Concepción en el 8 de diciembre; la solemnidad de María, Madre de Dios, el 1 de enero; y esta celebración de la Asunción de María al cielo. Como católicos, nuestra madre María es parte integral de nuestra vida de fe. Y aunque María fue asunta al cielo en cuerpo y alma, está presente con nosotros en nuestra vida diaria como discípulos de Cristo. María une nuestras oraciones. María está con nosotros no solo como madre de Jesús, sino como madre nuestra y madre de la Iglesia.

Let us all honor Mary today by praying together the Hail Mary: “Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”

7 September 2025 - 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - prayers of the faithful - prison ministry

Lord Jesus - you are our refuge and our strength. 

Christ Jesus - you are the living son of God. 

Lord Jesus - you are the word of God. 

Priest: As we unite together at mass today as a community of faith, let us present our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. That our Church leaders and governmental leaders may proclaim God’s justice throughout the land. We pray to the Lord. 

2. We pray for the preservation of our common home, the earth. May we be good stewards of the earth’s resources. We pray to the Lord. 

3. We pray for those who are experiencing a dark night of pain and suffering. We pray for those who have asked for our prayers. We pray to the Lord. 

4.We pray for an appreciation for the blessings we have in life. We pray to the Lord. 

5. We pray for our family members and loved ones who have died, that their souls may live abundantly in God’s blessed kingdom. We pray to the Lord. 

6. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts. For our pray intentions spoken and unspoken. We pray to the Lord.

Priest: As we unite our prayers today with the prayers of the Blessed Mother and the entire community of saints, we present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

7 September 2025 - 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - prayers of the faithful

Introduction: Jesus tells us in the Gospel today that the road of discipleship involves sacrifice. We are called to carry our crosses in faith and trust, to unite our crosses with Jesus’ cross. As we gather today as a community of faith to hear God’s word and to receive his body and blood in the Eucharist, may we feel Jesus giving us the courage and strength to carry our crosses in life. 

Lord Jesus - you are our refuge and our strength. 

Christ Jesus - you are the living son of God. 

Lord Jesus - you are the word of God. 

Priest: As we unite together at mass today as a community of faith, let us present our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. That our Church leaders and governmental leaders may proclaim God’s justice throughout the land. We pray to the Lord. 

2. We pray for the preservation of our common home, the earth. May God inspire leaders to develop policies and practices that will preserve the natural systems that God designed for the earth so that we and future generations may benefit from the earth’s resources. We pray to the Lord. 

3. We pray for those caught in a dark night of pain and suffering and for those who have asked for our prayers. May God fill them at daybreak with his kindness and help them with his gracious care. We pray to the Lord. 

4.We pray for good stewardship and a deep appreciation of all of our possessions. May we accept them as gifts from God and use them to serve God and others. We pray to the Lord. 

5. We pray for the faithful departed, that their souls may live abundantly in God’s blessed kingdom. We pray to the Lord. 

6. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts. For our pray intentions spoken and unspoken. We pray to the Lord.

Priest: As we unite our prayers today with the prayers of the Blessed Mother and the entire community of saints, we present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. 

7 September 2025 - 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - bulletin reflection

It is hard to believe that we are already into the month of September. Labor Day is behind us, signifying the end of summer. Our students have been in school for a while now. This past week, we celebrated St Fiacre the patron saint of gardeners, and Mother Teresa, who represents to the entire world Christian love and service to the poor and the most needy. Traditionally, in our Catholic faith, the month of September is dedicated to Mary, Our Mother of Sorrows, helping us reflect upon the profound sorrows Mary experienced in her life and the way she faith helped her face her pain and sufferings. The original cathedral of our diocese was located in Natchez and was dedicated to Mary as Our Lady of Sorrows. It is now designated as the basilica of St Mary. Blessings to all of you this week. Father Lincoln.  

7 September 2025 – homily for 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle C – Philemon 9-10 and 12-17, Wisdom 9: 13-18b

What struck me in our readings today was the 2nd reading from St Paul’s letter to Philemon. This is the only time in our lectionary cycle when we hear a reading from this letter. Many of us are probably unfamiliar with this book of the Bible. It is the shortest of St Paul’s letters, not organized in chapters, containing only 355 words in the original Greek. St Paul wrote this letter while he was in prison himself. Paul is not interested in his own safety and well-being, but rather in the well-being of the runaway slave Onesimus, who was returning to his owner, Philemon. Paul started out being a prosecutor of Christian, wanting them to be arrested or to be killed. But now he is willing to do anything to spread the Gospel to the world, even to go to prison for the sake of the Gospel. When I visited the Basilica of St Paul outside the walls of the ancient city of Rome, I got to see a piece of the chains that enslaved Paul when he was in prison. Paul became a spiritual father to many of the faithful, nurturing them in the faith.  He calls Onesimus his spiritual son in the faith, his own very heart.

For Paul, God was not an ambiguous concept or a far away being in the heavens. Jesus was his Lord and Savior. Jesus led Paul to the faith and to salvation. Like Paul, we modern-day disciples of Christ, are on a quest for the living God. We are called to seek out God in the reality of our lives. Unfortunately, that is not how many in our modern world see it.  The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once advised his sister Elizabeth to take a new path, to take risks, to go on a search through life as if no one has gone there before. He told her: if you want peace of soul and happiness, then believe, but if you want to follow the truth, then seek. Many in our modern world see belief as being incompatible with our search for the truth just as the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche did. The Church teaches us that we are on a journey of faith through life. We are all on a quest for the Living God. God is alive in so many way in our lives, in our Church, in our faith. The book of Wisdom in our first reading tells us that it is hard sometimes to figure out those things within our grasp here on earth. So how do we search out those things that are from heaven? In our faith, we see Jesus as a light who illuminates our search through life, who helps us on our journey of faith, who keeps us on the right path.

One of my favorite Catholic books that I have read in recent years is Quest for the Living God by Sister Elizabeth Johnson, a professor emeritus at Fordham University in New York. She explains that whereas learning all the doctrine and dogma of the Church is important, whereas going to Mass each week and participating in the liturgical and educational life of a parish community are essential to our Catholic faith, what is equally important is where we experience God in the lived experience of daily reality. This book talks about how different people have different experiences of God in daily life. For example, many Hispanic Catholics experience God in a special way in their lives as the God of fiesta, through their joyful fiestas and social gatherings, and through a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is seen as Our Lady of Guadalupe by Mexican Catholics. She also talks about how the poor of the world often see God as Christ suffering on the cross, how uniting their sufferings with Christ’s sufferings, they can feel a sense of liberation in the midst of a harsh lived reality, a liberation that can lead them to work together to improve their lives here on earth. 

We priests experience God in our lived reality in different ways as well. Recently, I have had several friends ask me where I get strength and encouragement from God in my lived reality. Number one I would say that my love of the Eucharist and love of the sacraments keeps my grounded as a priest. The Eucharist feeds me on many different levels. And knowing that I bring the Mass and the Eucharist and other sacraments to my parishioners and others in my different ministry is very edifying. God is also present to me in my study of Scripture and spirituality and in the many books I read. Through my reading and my studies, God is very present to me in a very real way. 

In reflecting upon our quest for God in our lives, in reflecting upon Paul’s own journey and how he helped and nurtured others in their own quest, the important thing to remember is that this quest continues throughout our entire lifetime. There is always so much to learn about God, so much to discover, experience, and celebrate in our relationship with God and on our pilgrimage through life. The more we continue our search for God and help each other out on that search, our life of faith will be all the more richer for it. I think it is good for all of us to reflect upon how we encounter the living God in the reality of our journey of faith. 

5 September 2025 - homily for Friday of the 22nd week in Ordinary Time - Mother Teresa - psalm 100

We have been celebrating the feast day of Mother Teresa on September 5 since she was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2003 and canonized by Pope Francis in the extraordinary Jubilee year of Mercy in 2016. Back in February of this year, before Pope Francis entered eternal life, it was announced that according to his wishes, her feast day would be official inserted in the Roman calendar on this date as an optional memorial. During this announcement, Cardinal Roche of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments offered praise for Mother Teresa, stating that she was “a beacon of hope (in the world), … a witness to the dignity and privilege of humble service in the defense of all human life and of all those who have been abandoned, discarded and despised even in the hiddenness of the womb.” Born in August 26, 1910 in North Montenegro in the city of Skopje to a family of Albanian ancestry, she entered the sisters of Loreto in Calcutta, India in 1937, but left that order in 1950 to found the missionaries of charity, an order that now has over 6,000 sisters in more than 130 countries throughout the world, serving the poor and those most in need.  She was recognized by many times in the Church and in the secular world for her extraordinary life of service, being awarded the Nobel prize for peace in 1979.  She died on September 5, 1997. Mother Teresa’s very simple but profound quotes often center on the God’s love, service, and the importance of small acts of kindness. She once said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” 

Our psalm today states that we should serve the LORD with gladness and
come before him with joyful song. This message reflects the joy with which Mother Teresa lived out her faith, the joy she felt being in the presence of the Eucharist and in receiving the Eucharist, and her life of service to God and to God’s people. We unite our prayers with the prayers of Mother Teresa today. 

4 September 2025 - homily for Thursday of the 22nd week in Ordinary Time - Our Mother of Consolation - Psalm 98

Today, is the date of celebrating Mary as Our Mother of Consolation, a feast day important to the Augustinians, the congregation to which Pope Leo XIV belongs. Our Lady Consolation is based on a scene from Scripture depicting Jesus death on the cross in John’s “Gospel: “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing near the cross, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother.’” (John 19: 26-27). With these words, Jesus was asking his Church, represented by the beloved disciple, to console and care for his mother. At the same time, he was asking his mother to console and care for the Church. From this arose the tradition that Mary, the mother of Jesus, is a source of consolation for the whole Church. The image of Our Mother of Consolation in artwork shows Mary holding the child Jesus on her lap. Devotion to the mother of Jesus under the title Mother of Consolation has been an Augustinian tradition for centuries. 

Psalm 98 states today: “The Lord has made known his salvation.” God’s salvation is revealed to us throughout history, through Scripture, and through the life and ministry of Jesus. Mary has a unique and important role in salvation history, which is why we have different names and images to honor Mary. We unite our prayers with Mary as Our Mother of Consolation today. 

5 September 2025 - prayers of the faithful - Friday of the 22nd week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you have a special love for the poor. 

Christ Jesus - you are the beloved son of the Father. 

Lord Jesus - you are our savior and our redeemer. 

Priest: We now bring our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. For all who are facing trial and difficulty: that God’s Spirit will strengthen them with faith and fill them with courage. 

2. That we may make the reign of God a priority in our lives and open our hearts to seeking God's will. 

3. For those who are lacking their daily bread. For those looking for work or new possibilities in life. 

4. That God's love will free those who are burdened or suffering. That God’s loves bring them confidence and wholeness. 

5. For all who strive to help the poor and the forgotten of society.

6. For the prayers we hold in our hearts today. 

Priest: As we recognize God’s love and compassion for us, we present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. 

4 September 2025 - prayers of the faithful - Thursday of the 22nd week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you were born of the Virgin Mary. 

Christ Jesus - you call us to hope. 

Lord Jesus - you bring us the love of the Father. 

Priest: Let us open our prayers to God as we present our prayers this evening: 

1. That our works of compassion and loving service be signs of God’s presence and action in the world. 

2. That God may grant our Church leaders an openness of heart that help bring about healing and reconciliation in the world. 

3. That God will free us from the fears, attachments, and wounds that are holding us back on our journey of faith. 

4. That the Lord continue to accompany our children, youth, and college students through their studies and activities this semester. 

5. For our first responders, the men and women in the military, our veterans, and our medical professionals. 

6. For missionaries, catechists, teachers of religious education, and all how teach others in the faith. 

7. For the prayers we hold in our hearts today.

Priest: We present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. 

3 September 2025 - prayers of the faithful - Wednesday of the 22nd week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you bring us the joy of the Gospel. 

Christ Jesus - you can us to repentance. 

Lord Jesus - you call us to conversion. 

Priest: We now present our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. That we may have a deeper connection with Christ through the sufferings that we endure and so make present God’s loving plan. 

2. For the healing of racism and prejudice in society. 

3. For all who are fleeing violence in their lives. That God will lead them on their journey and protect them from harm. 

4. That all of us may care for God’s creation in our daily lives and do what we can to protect planet earth. 

5. For peace. That God will turn our hearts away from violence. That we may work together to end violent crime and warfare. 

6. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts today.

Priest: With faith and hope, we present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. 

2 September 2025 - prayers of the faithful - Tuesday of the 22nd week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you bring healing into our lives. 

Christ Jesus - you forgive the sins of the contrite. 

Lord Jesus - you are seated at the right hand of the Father. 

Priest: As continue on our journey of faith during ordinary time, we present our prayers today in trust: 

1. That we in the Church may grow in our friendship with God and honestly present our needs to God each day. 

2. That we may witness to God’s mercy in the world by offering forgiveness to one another and by seeking forgiveness when we have injured someone. 

3. That the Spirit will teach us how to authentically express our deepest needs to God in prayer. 

4. That we may recognize the great gift of our new life in Christ and faithfully live as God’s daughters and sons. 

5. That God will refresh and deepen the gift of the Spirit within us so that we may be dynamic instruments of God’s love in the world.

6. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts. 

Priest: With faith, hope, and love, we present these prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. 

3 September 2025 - homily for Wednesday of the 22nd week in Ordinary Time - St Gregory the Great - Luke 4:38-44

St Gregory the Great had a huge influence in shaping the early Church. Born to a wealth Roman family around the year 540, he had a prominent role in Roman government, but then felt called to the monastic life. However, Pope Pelagius II called him to serve as one of the 7 deacons of Rome. At the time Rome was threatened with invasion and was ravaged by different plagues. The pope sent Gregory to Constantinople, the seat of the Byzantine empire, as ambassador. He returned to Rome to his monastery in 585, but just 5 years later, he himself was elected Pope. Gregory is known as one of the last of the Early Church Fathers. He was an outstanding pastor, dedicating his ministry to the good of the people. Under his papacy, the Bishop of Rome would become a prominent figure both spiritually and politically. He was the author of hundreds of commentaries, letters, and sermons. He also had a zeal for missionary work and evangelization. He died in 604, having served as pope for 13 years. 

In today’s Gospel, we hear of Jesus’ ministry and proclamation of God’s kingdom as he bring healing to Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, as the people bring the sick to him, with Jesus expelling demons and curing their illnesses, with Jesus addressing the crowds that seek him out. Jesus responded to the needs of the people. Pope Gregory the Great responded to the needs of the people and the needs of the Church as he lived his life as a deacon, monk, priest, and then pope. May we hear God call us in the reality of life. May we respond to that reality. 

2 September 2025 - homily for Tuesday of the 22nd week in Ordinary Time - 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-6, 9-11

We have been hearing from St Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians these past two weeks in our Daily Mass readings. Many biblical scholars believe that this is the earliest St Paul’s letters in the New Testament, dating from around the year 51. Thessalonica was an important port city in Greece, and today it is the second largest city in the country of Greece, with a population of around 1 million today.  St Paul had to leave this city abruptly after teaching the converts from pagan religions there, so this letter provides them encouragement and teachings as they continue their challenging journey of faith in a world that was still very hostile to the way of Jesus. 

At the end of today’s reading, St Paul notes that because God did not destine us for wrath, but rather for salvation through his Son, he wants us to encourage one another and to build each other up. St Paul sees the Thessalonian faith community doing just that. I am edified by the way I see our parish members building each other up and welcoming people into our community. May we all continue helping each other as we journey together as a community of believers.  

Oraciones por los enfermos

Oremos por todos presente hoy a este sacramento de la unción, y también por quienes cuidan a los enfermos en nuestra comunidad:

Bendícenos a todos y llénanos de nueva esperanza y fuerza, Señor, ten piedad.

Alivia todo nuestro dolor y sufrimiento, Señor, ten piedad.

Líbranos del pecado y no nos dejes caer en la tentación, Señor, ten piedad.

Sostén a los enfermos con tu divino poder, Señor, ten piedad.

Ayuda a quienes cuidan a los enfermos, los miembros de nuestras familias, los médicos, y las enfermeras,  Señor, ten piedad.

Da vida y salud a todos aquellos sobre quienes imponemos nuestras manos en tu nombre, Señor, ten piedad.

7 de agosto de 2025 - homilía por jueves de XX semana de tiempo ordinario - salmo 95

Nacido en Grecia, el Papa Sixto II tuvo su pontificado durante menos de un año entre los años 257 y 258. Fue uno de los primeras víctimas de las persecuciones del emperador romano Valeriano, dirigidas contra los líderes de la Iglesia. Fue decapitado junto con seis de los diáconos que lo acompañaban. El famoso diácono Lorenzo fue martirizado cuatro días después. Durante su breve pontificado, trabajó por restablecer las relaciones entre la Iglesia romana y algunas iglesias orientales, una relación que se había visto afectada por el tema del re-bautismo.

El salmo de hoy nos invita a cantar con alegría al Señor, a no permitir que nuestros corazones se endurezcan. Podemos reflexionar sobre los mártires en la Iglesia como el Papa Sixto II, que dieron su vida por la fe. El cinismo del mundo moderno puede llevarnos a endurecer nuestros corazones. Que nunca perdamos la alegría de nuestra fe.

31 August 2025 - Homily for 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time Cycle C - Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29 - Psalm 68 - Luke 14:1 and 7-14

We see a common theme of humility in our readings today.  Our first reading comes from the book of Sirach, a book which is not included in the Protestant Bible, but found in our Catholic Bible. Sirach is written in the Jewish wisdom tradition of literature, just like Ecclesiastes and Proverbs. Today, Sirach gives advice to those who want to be holy in the sight of God. We are told to be humble always, that those who achieve greatness and power in the world are called to even greater humility. We see that in some of our leaders, but not so much in others. When the reporter for a local TV station in Jackson interviewed me about the death of Pope Francis, the first thing she remembered about him is the way he went into the prisons during Holy Week and washed the feet of inmates. Genuine acts of humility certainly stand out in our society. Acts that are sincere and not done for show. 

One year, at seminary in Milwaukee, I came back on the Greyhound bus during the Christmas break after visiting friends up in Canada. I had a backpack with me. I arrived in the dark early morning hours in downtown Milwaukee. I was waiting on the corner of the street at the bus stop in order to catch the local bus to take to the seminary. Being winter, I was wearing a big jacket and a scarf and a stocking cap. I guess I looked rather ragged in the darkness of the early morning. I had just been on a several days journey on the bus as well. A van from a church stopped in front of me, asking me if I wanted to go to a homeless shelter to rest. They offered me a sack of food as well. They assumed I was a homeless person just hanging out on the street. I thanked them for offering me assistance. I told them I was waiting for the bus. Taking the Greyhound was something that I commonly did as a missionary. I have taken it some as a priest as well. It certainly is a humbling experience, an experience many middle class Americans do not have. 

The Psalm today is really about the humility of God. Perhaps we don’t often think of God in terms of his own humility. We more think about his omniscience and power of God, the wonder and awe we are to have when we approach him.  But the psalmist reflects upon the way that God finds time to provide for the needy, to be a father to orphans, to protect widows, to give the homeless a home and bring prosperity to prisoners. God’s preference is for the needy.

Many of the saints saw the importance of humility on our journey of faith. Early Church Father St Augustin stated: “Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues; hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist, there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance.” And Cistercian Abbot St Bernard of Clairvaux from the Middle Ages stated: “Humility is the path of truth.” 

Jesus uses the parable of the guest taking the place of honor at a banquet to show us that on our journey of faith, he who exalts himself will be humbled in God’s kingdom, but he who humbles himself will be exalted. Jesus also highlights the importance of reaching out to the poor and the needy, of the special love and compassion God has for those on the margins. 

My friend Deacon John McGregor says that he sees in me how God sends me out to minister to those in the margins. That is always where I have been drawn to ministry, even as a child and a youth. We each have our calling from God, but we all should incorporate God’s special love for the needy and the poor in our lives. That is why I so believe that we need to be a parish that reaches out to the poor and the marginalized. That this needs to be a part of our identity and our very being as Catholics. 

To learn and practice the humility that our readings talk about today are embodied in the love for the Eucharist and the love for the poor we are called to as Catholics. Mother Teresa exemplifies this so well in her spirituality. In her life and ministry, there was a profound inseparable connection between her love for the Eucharist and her love for the poor. She saw the Eucharist as the source of her love and strength that enabled her to serve the poor with compassion and respect. She believed that Christ's presence in the Eucharist was comparable to his presence in the poor, that serving the poor was a way of serving Christ himself. 

Catholic lay woman and founder of the Catholic worker Dorothy Day also exemplifies this connection with humility and service and her love for the Eucharist. Dorothy Day viewed the Eucharist as essential to both personal spiritual nourishment and the embodiment of the "Mystical Body of Christ" in society. For Day, receiving the sacrament of the Eucharist was a fundamental aspect of the call to actively love and serve the poor, recognizing Christ in the least among us. Day believed the Mass and daily acts of service, like feeding the hungry, were interconnected to each other, experiences where we encounters the divine.  

May we really think about how we can live out this simple humility of faith to which we are called. 

31 August 2025 - prayers of the faithful - 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Introduction: We gather around the table of the Lord at Mass today as Jesus teaches us about humility in the Gospel. May we approach our life of faith and the Eucharistic table with humility and love, recognizing God’s grace at work in our lives and the universal call to holiness. 

Priest: Penitential Rite: 

Lord Jesus - you welcomed those on the margins of society. 

Christ Jesus - you are the mediator of the new covenant. 

Lord Jesus - you show us the way to God’s kingdom. 

Priest: Jesus invites his disciples to turn to the Father with their needs. Let us humbly present our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. As we commemorate Labor Day weekend, we pray the nations of the world ensure that those who work may earn a living wage and are provided safe working conditions. We pray to the Lord. 

2. For the unemployed and for those looking for work. May God lead them to where they need to be. We pray to the Lord. 

3. That those who struggle with grief, hardship, or doubt know the support of our faith community. We pray to the Lord. 

4. That we in the Church always welcome the poor, the forsaken, and those on the peripheries, showing them that in God’s eyes they are respected and exalted. We pray to the Lord. 

5. For our seminarians and for those in the diaconate candidate program. For Hunter and Chris as they continue their journey to the diaconate. We pray to the Lord. 

6. For those who have suffered tragedy or loss. That they receive consolation in their faith and the help they need. We pray to the Lord. 

7. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts. For our prayer intentions spoken and unspoken. We pray to the Lord. 

Priest: Heavenly Father, as we are invited to your feast, may we accept your mercy and generosity and pass it on to those in need. We present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.  

31 August 2025 - bulletin reflection - 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

This last weekend in August, we commemorate Labor Day weekend. The Catholic Church has always promoted the importance and value of human work and respect for the dignity of the worker. Our current Pope Leo XIV took the name Leo to honor Pope Leo XIII, who served as pope from 1878 to 1903. Pope Leo XIII wrote the important encyclical on Catholic social teachings, Rerum Novarum, in 1891, which addressed the conditions of the worker in the midst of the industrial revolution. May we see the dignity in the work we do as we commemorate Labor Day this weekend. Have a blessed week everyone - Father Lincoln. 

29 August 2018 – Friday of 21st week of ordinary time – homily for Memorial of the Passion of St John the Baptist – Mark 6:17-29

Today, the liturgical color red represents the blood shed by the martyr John the Baptist as we commemorate his passion today. In the New Testament, John’s prophetic voice spoke for God in ancient Israel, preparing the way for our Lord Jesus Christ. He clashed with Herod, the  highest-ranking governmental official of the region, calling him out for his unlawful marriage with Herodias, the daughter of one of Herod's brothers & the ex-wife of another brother.

Herod is puzzled by John. He feared John, but he also listened to him, seeing him as a holy, righteous man. Yet, Herod was willing to sacrifice the life of John the Baptist in order to maintain his own honor and power.  Wanting to show the people his power and control, he ultimately showed what a weak leader he really was by having John put to death. 

God’s message is silenced in different ways in our world today. It is up to us to provide the fertile ground for God’s word to grow in our lives and in the lives of others. In the midst of the reality of our lives , the word of God speaks to us in our own lives, wanting to take root.  All of us can be messengers of God's word in what we say and do. We can bring God's word and God's love to others, no matter what our reality.

29 August 2025 - Prayers of the faithful - Passion of John the Baptist - Friday of 21st week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you are our hope.

Christ Jesus - you are our strength.

Lord Jesus - you are our Savior and our redeemer.

Priest: As we commemorate St John the Baptist in a special way today, we present our prayers to our heavenly Father:

1. We pray for a deeper commitment to the stewardship of our planet. May we find ways to preserve the earth and her resources for future generations.

2. For all in special need. For those who suffer from anxiety or worry. For those struggling through illness, death or grief.  For healing for in body, mind, and spirit. 

3. For the grace of true conversion, that we in the Church may address the needs of our world, not just with words, but with determination and action.

4. May we turn away from self-righteous attitudes. May we learn to serve others with love, patience and humility.

5. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed. For the souls in purgatory. For their entry into eternal life.  

6. As we commemorate John the Baptist today, we pray for all who are called to be God's prophets and all who are persecuted for their faith. 

7. For those prayers we hold in our hearts today.  

Priest: Heavenly Father, we present our prayers today through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.   

28 August 2025 - homily for Thursday of the 21st week of Ordinary Time - Matthew 24:42-51

Augustin is one of the huge figures in the history of the Church. It is difficult to summarize his life. He is known as one of the founders of monasticism in the Western Church. He was a Bishop, theologian, preacher, and writer. His book The Confessions is one of the first autobiographies written. His influence is reflected in him being chosen as one of the first Doctors of the Church in 1298 by Boniface VIII. But rather have one of those lofty titles ascribed to him, Augustin would prefer to be called servant of God. 

Born in 354 in North Africa in the present day country of Algeria, shortly after Christianity was recognized as a religion in the Roman Empire, Augustin very famously led a very worldly life prior to being baptized into the Catholic faith by St Ambrose of Milan in 387. After his baptism, Augustin left Milan and returned to his hometown of Tagaste, Algeria with his son and some friends to found a monastery and to begin monastic life. He was ordained a priest in 391 and Bishop of Hippo in Africa in 397, all while remaining a monk. He died in the year 430 as Africa was being invaded by the Vandals. His remains were taken to Italy. The Augustinian order was founded in the 13th century, unifying different communities in Italy that had followed the monastic rule of St Augustin. Pope Leo XIV is an  Augustinian.  

In the Gospel today, we are told to stay awake and be prepared, that we do not know the hour when the Lord will come. I think of the history of the Church, how we are faced with so many changes in the Church and in the world. Then I look back at the Church and the world in the 4th and 5th century of St Augustin, and that world was filled with tumultuous change as well. In an era, it is a challenge to be prepared. We unite our prayers with the prayers of St Augustin today. 

28 August 2025 - prayers of the faith - Memorial of St Augustine - Thursday of the 21st week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you call us to learn more about our faith. 

Christ Jesus - you are a light in the world. 

Lord Jesus - you reached out to the poor and the oppressed. 

Priest: As we celebrate the feast day of St Augustine today, we present our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. For all of our governmental leaders - that they will dedicate themselves to justice, authentic freedom, and the defense of the poor. 

2. That God give us the strength to discern his divine will and reject the false promises of this age.  

3. That God grant our Church leaders wisdom and courage as they lead the people of God.  

4. For those affected by natural disasters. 

5. For blessings on all students, teachers, and school administrators in the new school year. 

6. For an increase of vocations to the priesthood and to consecrated life.

7. For the sick and afflicted. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed.  

8. For those prayers we hold in our hearts today. 

Priest: Heavenly Father, we unite our prayers with the prayers of St Augustine today. We present these prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord for ever and ever.  AMEN. 

27 August 2025 - Wednesday of the 21st week in Ordinary Time - St Monica - Matthew 23:27-32

St Monica, the saint we celebrate, demonstrates for us the importance of prayer. Born in a Christian family in North Africa in 332, her life as a Christian became more complicated when she married Patricius, a pagan who disliked Christianity. Patricius had a violent temper and he was not tolerant of Monica’s faith. He refused to have their children baptized. She taught them about her faith by her example. Through her patience and strength, Patricius became more tolerant of his wife’s Christian faith. Her husband was baptized in 370, one year before his death. Her other two children embraced the faith as well, but her son Augustin lived a more worldly life. She never gave up praying for him. He was converted to Christianity, being baptized in Milan in 387. Soon after her son’s conversion, Monica died on August 27, 387. She is patron saint of married women, mothers whose children have strayed from the faith, and victims of domestic violence. 

In the Gospel today, a continuation of yesterday’s Gospel, we hear Jesus continue to call out the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy. Monica and many of the saints give us good example of being constant in our faith, in persevering in our prayers, and in trying to live out the values of the Gospel in both big matters and small matters.  We unite our prayers with St Monica today. 

27 August 2025 - prayers of the faithful - Wednesday of the 21st week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you are the prince of peace. 

Christ Jesus - you proclaim justice to the nations. 

Lord Jesus - you proclaim your Good News. 

Priest: In humility and simplicity of heart, we present our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. We pray that the Lord will renew the spirits of our Church leaders, including Pope Leo XIV and Bishop Joseph Kopacz, giving them the inspiration to lead the people of God. 

2. For healing and assistance for those recovering from natural disasters, including floods and wildfires. 

3. For all who have died and for those who are grieving them.

4. That God will transform hardened hearts and closed minds. 

5. For an end to violence and bloodshed. For peace and reconciliation. 

5. That we in the Church may persistently seek greater holiness, reaching beyond the letter of God’s law. 

6. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts this morning. 

Priest: We present our prayers today through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. 

26 August 2025 - Tuesday of the 21st week in Ordinary Time - prayers of the faithful

Lord Jesus - you are the beloved son of the Father. 

Christ Jesus - you forgive the sins of the contrite.

Lord Jesus - you are our savior and our redeemer. 

Priest: We now present our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. For growth in holiness and for the grace to live out the Gospel more fully in our lives each day. 

2. That we may fulfill the work to which God has called us and be drawn ever deeper into friendship with God. 

3. For the courage to turn the other cheek, to forgive our neighbor, and to resist temptation. 

4. That God will heal the pain in those who have experienced abuse and lead us to wholeness and healing. 

5. That God will strengthen us when we have been insulted or injured so that we may continue to love and serve without reservation. 

6. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts. 

Priest: We present these prayers, heavenly Father, through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. 

 

26 August 2025 - homily for Tuesday of the 21st week in Ordinary Time - Matthew 23:23-26

Last Sunday, we heard the passage from Luke’s Gospel in which Jesus told us to enter through the narrow gate, that many would not have the strength to do so, but we are called to have the courage and perseverance and persistence to enter through the gate of discipleship and of faith. Today, we hear Jesus calling out the scribes and Pharisees for the way they live out their faith journey. I am working on a motivational journal. This journal helps me map out goals and what I want to accomplish. The journal recently had a quote from retired football player Matthew Slater that stated, consistency is big in whatever we are doing. It is easy to focus on the little details that ultimately do not matter, with the big picture getting lost. It is easy to work on things that ultimately don’t matter. It is easy to get bored or to lose our motivation and to not stay consistent. The Pharisees and scribes were more interested in trapping Jesus than in learning from him. They were more interested in tiny details of the law and in the process ignoring the spirit of the law. May we always stay true to the Gospel. 

24 August 2024 - homily for 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time - Luke 13:22-30

As you know, I am always addressing with you and our staff here at Holy Savior and Immaculate Conception how we can be more welcoming, how we can be messengers of God’s hope, compassion and mercy, how we can invite others to the faith, and how we can go out to find the lost sheep. As a parish, we hopefully do this in our words and our actions. Then we have today’s Gospel. These images that Jesus presents us are not welcoming and inviting: a locked door, a narrow gate, and wailing and grinding of teeth. 

It is significant that we meet Jesus today in Luke’s Gospel as he is journeying to toward Jerusalem. He is teaching and proclaiming the kingdom of God in the towns and villages along the way. Not only is Jerusalem the place where the prophets journeyed, but is also Jesus’ final destination, where he will face betrayal, abandonment, and death on the cross. Jesus has been preparing his disciples for this. He must have this in his mind as he is making his journey and as he meets the man on the road and is asked the question, “Will only a few be saved?” We don’t know what motivates the man asking the question. We are given no context as to how and why it is asked. Maybe the man does not want discipleship to be too difficult or too demanding. Maybe he wants an easy way out. 

However, Jesus does not offer him an easy way out, as he tells him that he needs to strive to enter the narrow door, but that who want to enter will not have the strength to do so. Jesus answer prompts the man to ask himself: Do you have the strength to follow the road of discipleship? Do you have the faith, the persistence, the endurance, and the commitment? Do you want the strength to be a disciple? We ultimately do not know the man’s answer back to Jesus. 

I remember reading the book The Cost of Discipleship many years ago, being challenged by Protestant theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s assertion that being a disciples of Christ entails hardship and suffering, that discipleship is not meant to be an easy road. Bonhoeffer writes: “Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.”

Jesus’ answer in the Gospel should not push us away. It should engage us and challenge us. We are disciples of Christ know that there are expectations and Gospel values that we are to strive toward. In this specific Gospel passage and in the Gospel of Luke in general, Luke tells us that authentic discipleship takes strength, faith, and tenacity. We modern disciples of Christ, just like the early Christians, are reassured that the Gospel message that we hear and embrace is authentic and based on the true teachings of Jesus and apostolic Church. We are to embrace this Gospel message, but this Gospel message embraces us as well. And Jesus embraces us. 

We are to strive to enter the narrow gate of authentic discipleship. But we must never forget that all are invited, that all are welcomed, with generosity and grace. The door of discipleship is always a door of God’s love, mercy, and compassion. It is a door of respect and integrity. It is the door of Jesus. We open the door for others whenever we embody these Gospel values. We are to stay on this path. We are to embrace our crosses. We are to welcome, to invite, and to love. 

24 August 2025 - 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time - prayers of the faithful - prison ministry

Priest: penitential rite: 

Lord Jesus - you gather the nations into your everlasting love. 

Christ Jesus - you are the way, the truth, and the life. 

Lord Jesus - you will come in glory to bring us peace. 

Priest: Striving to follow the path of discipleship, we join our prayers with the prayers of our brothers and sisters:

1. That we in the Church may reach out to those from different cultures and traditions, confident that people from every nation will gather at God’s table. We pray to the Lord. 

2. That we may be good stewards of God’s creation. We pray to the Lord.

3. For our students, especially our children and family members, that the Lord bless them in their studies and their activities during this school year. We pray to the Lord. 

4. That we may welcome all into our Catholic community of faith here at CMCF. We pray to the Lord. 

5. For our seminarians and for our deacon candidates. That the Lord bless them during their time of formation. We pray to the Lord. 

6. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts. For our prayer intentions spoken and unspoken. 

Priest: Heavenly, help us see your presence in our brothers and sisters. Help us share your love and mercy with our neighbor. We present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. 

 

2 August 2025 - St Peter Faber - homily for Saturday of the 17th week in Ordinary Time - Matthew 14:1-12

Just two days ago, we celebrated the feast day of St Ignatius of Loyola. Today we celebrate another founding of the Jesuits. Peter Faber was born in 1506 in the Savoy region of Europe in the western Alps mountain range. He tended his father’s flock as a child and youth as a shepherd. He had little formal schooling as a child and youth, since he can from a poor family. He traveled to Paris to study to be a priest, where he met Ignatius of Loyola and Francis Xavier. Even though he lacked formal schooling, he had a brilliant mind, and he actually tutored Ignatius of Loyola in Latin during their time in school. With these two friends, Faber was one of the founding members of the Jesuits. He was a very astute spiritual advisor. Ignatius considered Peter Faber the best director of his spiritual exercises. In a time of great tension between Protestants and Catholic during the Reformation, Faber worked toward dialogue and patience. He spent a lot of his ministry in Europe promoting parish missions and Catholic renewal.  He died of a fever in 1546 at the young age of 40. Pope Francis was a great admirer of Peter Faber, canonizing him as a saint in 2013. 

We hear of the death of John the Baptist in today’s Gospel. We all have our calling from God. John had a specific calling, considered the last of the prophets of the nation of Israel. Peter Faber had a specific calling as well, to help found a religious order and to preach missions throughout Europe. We are thankful for the different prophets and teachers that God sends us.

We unite our prayers with the community of saints today. And we pray for healing as we get ready to celebrate the sacrament of the anointing of the sick.