Pastor’s Column

CANCELLED as of 3/13/2020 Parish Lenten Communal Penance Service: The Sacrament of Reconciliation— God’s Unconditional Love for Us! In recent years, a name change has taken place with the “Sacrament of Confession.” We no longer call the act “Confession,” but rather “Reconciliation” and/or “Penance.” This name change better reflects what happens in this celebration. We…

Lift High the Cross of Christ! The Cross is the major symbol of Christians. It is on the foundation of the Cross that our faith is built. The Cross and Jesus’ approach to it shows us the way in which we are to approach our crosses whatever they may be. Jesus had a choice. He…

One Should Never Discuss Religion or Politics! True or False? We have heard it said many times…so one may think that it is true and is good behavior. But for the sake of our nation and for the sake of peace on our planet, the adage must be FALSE. This saying is rooted in avoidance…

The Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA)— Gratitude in Action In this month of February we begin this year’s Diocesan Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA). “Love letters” from me will be in the mail soon. Please take time to read and reflect on this information. I pray that it will move you to support this Appeal. This year’s…

Nothing Less than All of You Is What I Want Friday, January 31, marked the 45th anniversary of my Ordination to the Priesthood. I give thanks to God for the gift of my vocation and God’s willingness to allow me to share in the Priesthood of Jesus Christ. I pray for continued strength as I…

Gratitude and Intentionality On the weekend of January 11-12 as we celebrated the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we closed out the Christmas Season. It is with a heart full of gratitude that I continue to thank God for having the opportunity to celebrate the Advent/Christmas/Epiphany Seasons with you, the Parishioners of St.…

Are You a Romantic*? *The definition of the noun “romantic”: A person who is characterized by, or suggested of, an idealized view of reality… I received this piece recently…the author is Fr. Ryan Mann…please take time to reflect upon his words…make it a prayer: “Catholics are Romantic: We believe that two people can fall in…

Thank You, STM Parish Staff During this past Christmas Season, my mind often turned to those for whom we are thankful. My mind most often turned to our Parish Staff realizing how incredibly grateful I am for them. We are blessed to have these exceptionally hard-working members of our Church Family tirelessly serve us. They…

Everyone is Created by God and Deserving of Love On this Feast of Epiphany in the year 1929, an 18-year-old woman arrived by train in the capital of the Bengal State in British India.  Raised in comfort in Eastern Europe, this bright, young woman was to spend the next 20 years of her life as…

Children in Church at St. Thomas More Parish I thought it appropriate that I discuss the place of families with children here at our Parish on this feast of “The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.” Pope Francis said this on December 17, 2015 at St. Joseph Parish in Rome: “Babies cry, make noise, go…