It could be a phone call, an email, a text, or a conversation. However it arrives, its content is something like this: “John is in hospice and nearing the end, and the family would like him to be anointed.” Or “Can you talk to the Confirmation class about vocations?” Or “My daughter’s Subaru needs brakes; are you still working on cars?” This is mission – to be called by the Lord, a call most usually manifested through the people in our lives, and then sent to use the gifts Go

Dear parishioners, In my last bulletin article two weeks ago, I wrote about praying the rosary since October is the month of the rosary. October is also Respect Life Month, so it’s also a good month to ponder the reality that every life is a gift from God, and we have a duty to respect and defend life— especially the lives of those who are most vulnerable. This is particularly pertinent right now since we are just a few weeks away from an election. The Church has continually

In their later years, an older couple I knew lived in the apartment building just behind Village Drug. After the husband was diagnosed with dementia and was cared for at the VA Hospital, his wife lived there on her own. By her own choice, she never learned to drive, and so relied on the bus. Coming back from a shopping trip on a January afternoon, she slipped on the ice and fell on the sidewalk leading to the building. A young couple driving by saw her go down and stopped to

Dear parishioners, This week we will enter the month of October which is the month of the rosary. Many saints and holy people have spoken of the power of praying the rosary. For example: “The Rosary is the ‘weapon’ for these times.” Padre Pio “Give me an army saying the Rosary and I will conquer the world.” -Pope Blessed Pius IX “No one can live continually in sin and continue to say the Rosary: either they will give up sin or they will give up the Rosary” – Bishop Hugh Doyle

Previously, we reviewed the first three principles: the Life and Dignity of the Human Person; the Call to Family, Community, and Participation; and Rights and Responsibilities. I conclude this overview of Catholic Social Doctrine with the last four principles. The fourth principle is Option for the Poor and Vulnerable: a basic moral test for a society is how its most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition

One of the richest blessings and greatest helps to growth in the spiritual life is holy friends. You see this all the time in the lives of the saints. Francis of Assisi and Dominic; John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila; John Paul II and Mother Teresa; Francis Xavier and Ignatius of Loyola; Basil and Gregory; Benedict and Scholastica. Name a saint, and there’s a good chance that there’s at least one other saint they had as a close friend. The value of holy friendships cannot

As we celebrate the feast of Saint Cloud, the patron of our Diocese, on September 7, it is a good time to reflect on our progress and future as the One in Christ Area Catholic Community. We all know that parishes, communities, and staff are in a time of transition and change in the entire Diocese. With mergers, appeals, and many parishes still waiting on their decrees, it is a time of high uncertainty and that’s always unsettling. In our One in Christ ACC, the canonical merge

Dear parishioners, Summer is drawing to a close. The days have noticeably started to get a little shorter, there has been a touch of Autumn in the air, and a new school year is beginning. This time of year can seem to bring with it a return to a more regular rhythm of life. It’s good to get back to a sense of rhythm and normalcy. For that reason, it’s also a good time of year to re-examine our spiritual routine as well, and to commit (or recommit) to a regular spiritual regim

First – welcome to the Sacred Heart Festival! We are glad you are here to share our hospitality, enjoy one another’s company, and help support our mission. Having reviewed the underlying values of Catholic Social Doctrine rooted in the entire moral tradition of the Church, we’ll take a very brief look at each of its seven principles. The principles are not isolated or independent considerations, but naturally intersect with one another. One cannot choose one or two principles

As I’ve mentioned in my homilies, one of the convictions that drives me is the Church’s continual reminder of the universal call to holiness. Everyone is called to be holy and to become a saint. Yet sometimes people hear the words ‘holy’ or ‘saint’ and don’t exactly know what it means to be striving for holiness and to become a saint.We might have a vague idea of what it means, but if you were asked to explain to someone what it means, would you be able to do it? What the cal

I have been reviewing the underlying values of the seven principles of Catholic Social Doctrine. Last time I sketched the concepts of Unity in Community; Order; the Natural Law; Responsibility; the Common Good; and Authority. To round out this picture, there are four other values that inform Catholic thought on social structures. Solidarity: the well-being of the community and the well-being of its members are interdependent. Participation by individuals is both a right and a

Dear parishioners, One of the goals I made for myself as I was preparing to begin my time in the One in Christ ACC is to be intentional about the homilies I preach. More specifically, my intention and desire is to walk through the stages of growth in the spiritual life according to spiritual tradition of the Church as articulated by the saints throughout the history of the Church. The saints have a profound way of taking the teachings of Scripture and the Church and living th

Underlying and connecting the seven principles of Catholic Social Doctrine are deeper values rooted in Christian revelation about what it means to be human. This consideration – the nature of our humanity – is the real theme of Pope Leo’s encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas. What are those values? Unity in Community: made in the image of the one God, who is a community of three divine Persons, we are created for community and cooperation. Our social life is not merely a human arr

Dear parishioners, For those of you who were at my first weekend Masses in each parish, you will remember that I gave some “homework” as a way for me to get to know you. The homework was to send me an email or letter with a photo and introduction of yourself followed by telling me one way I can pray for you and how I can help you grow in your faith. I’m grateful for the many messages I’ve received from people in response—I still haven’t caught up with responding to them all!

As you know, Pope Leo XIV released his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, on May 25, 2026. While the focus of the document is AI (artificial intelligence) and technology like robotics, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and other related developments, Magnifica Humanitas is chiefly concerned with “safeguarding the human person in the age of artificial intelligence.” This year marks the 135th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII’s social encyclical, Rerum Novarum (Of New Things). The

Dear parishioners, On January 29th this year, I received an unexpected phone call. Fr. Tom was calling on behalf of the clergy assignment board, informing me that Fr. Ron was looking to retire in July and that I was being asked to consider taking his place. With no new priests being ordained for our diocese this year, and with all of the big changes happening across our diocese, I had anticipated that I would be staying in my current assignment for at least one more year. Thi

I am honored to take this opportunity to repeat the thanks of so many, many people in our ACC and beyond to Fr. Ron for his generous, broad, and dedicated service over the years of his public ministry in these parishes and in many other places besides. I have been inspired by Fr. Ron’s leadership and administrative skill and insight, his passion for the essentials of the Gospel message of Jesus, his exceptional ability to listen, observe, and take in various perspectives, and

Change in Mass Times beginning July 4-5 Just a reminder that as part of the approved plan for One in Christ in the All Things New process, our ACC weekend Mass times will change the first weekend of July (July 4-5) and going forward. Bishop Patrick has directed that each assigned priest to an ACC have no more than three regularly-scheduled Masses per weekend. Weddings, funerals, and other occasional celebrations are not included in the three- Mass rule. The new schedule is th

From Safari…. Sony and Cher’s song, “The Beat Goes On”, played over the din of the restaurant. The song reminds the hearer that fads come and go but life goes on --- little girls still break their hearts, and men still keep on marching off to war. don’t know if Sonny Bono (writer of the song), was familiar with chapter 3 of Ecclesiastes. Chapter 3 is often read at funerals --- There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. A time to

In the year 304, forty-nine Christians in the Roman colony of Tunisia in North Africa were killed for doing exactly what we freely do each week in our churches. The Emperor Diocletian had forbidden Christians, on pain of death, from possessing the Scriptures, from building any places for worship, and from gathering on Sundays to celebrate the Eucharist. One Sunday morning, as these ancestors of ours in the same Catholic Faith were praying the Mass, the house was raided by Rom