I feel it and hear it spoken all around me these days. There is so much bitterness and hardening of hearts in our country today. How do we not give up on hope? Read Luke 8:4-15... Jesus speaks about the word of God as a seed that is sown but does not produce fruit in everyone... Our task these days is to ask ourselves, what kind of soil am I?...

Brothers and sisters in faith, our country is living through a difficult season. Political divisions run deep... Each time we make the sign of the cross at the beginning and end of our prayers, the cross reminds us that violence is never the answer... What can we do personally? One simple but powerful step is this: examine our words... We need peace and civility in our nation...

Last Sunday, Pope Leo canonized two new saints, Saint Carlo Acutis and Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati. Carlo was a gifted coder and devout Catholic who used his skills to build a multilingual website cataloguing Eucharistic miracles which earned him the name “God’s influencer.”... Frassati embodied ordinary devotion...

Both the world and our country are filled with heartbreaking news about hate and violence against innocent and defenseless children and families. Many of us may feel, how do we connect with God in all this mess? Recently I am reminded of the saying “let go, let God.”... A “let God” life loves others sacrificially...

As we begin a new season of school, choir, Religious Education, and many of our other church activities that bring us together to build community and unity in our parishes, let us remember WORDS can BUILD - or BREAK - BRIDGES. “The way we communicate is of fundamental importance.”...

With the return of our school children on three of our campus sites and the sounds of their chatter and excitement in the air all around, I could not help but think of these words of Jesus, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to these.” - Mattew 19:14...

Here we are, mid-August, and our community is preparing to welcome students and teachers back to school at three parish schools: Saint Catherine of Siena-Saint Lucy, Saint Giles and Ascension... Saint Thomas Aquinas, the Patron Saint of schools, reminds us: “Wonder is the desire for knowledge.”...

You are either at Mass or streaming… each is a good choice for keeping a strong mind and heart in today’s world; however, in person is the most desired... In the midst of this chaos, we come to Mass, not as an escape, but as a return to the one thing that will never change - God... Keep showing up for Mass. Keep praying. Keep loving...

Life situations have reminded me what my, our, spiritual anchor is as we stand before the great mysteries of life and death. In the same week, I celebrated Mass for a lifelong parishioner who turned 90 years young. A few days later, I attended the funeral of a young, devoted parishioner who ushered at one of my parish sites who was only 21 and died unexpectedly...

I am increasingly learning these days that faith and fear live side by side in our hearts. Faith is not the absence of fear, but rather the choice to trust God even when fear grips us. Scripture tells us repeatedly, “Do not be afraid,” not because there is nothing to fear, but because God is with us amid our struggles...

This weekend, I have asked to have Cardinal Cupich’s article from last week’s Chicago Catholic printed in our bulletins. I know not all will appreciate what he has to say; however, it is thought provoking and something we as Christians and Catholics should be aware of, think about and pray about...

Walking Together as Disciple, Shepherd and Steward - This was the title of an ongoing priest leadership formation pilot program that the Cardinal recently invited me to... I am sharing this with you so that you are aware that what we are continuing to work toward in our parish is really supported...

Although the 4th of July has already passed, I would like to reflect on the significance of Independence Day in 2025. We carry with us both a deep gratitude for the gift of our nation and a sobering awareness of the divisions that run through our political and cultural life...

Last Sunday, I celebrated the final Mass at our Saint Catherine of Siena-Saint Lucy Church site... Saints Peter and Paul are two of the Church’s strongest and most surprising leaders... As we reflect on the lives of our parish patrons, we find the same spirit of bold faith...

This weekend, we celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ – Corpus Christi, a solemn and beautiful reminder of the central mystery of our faith – that Christ is truly present with us in the Eucharist. This is not just a symbol or a memory...

Happy Father’s Day to all our dads, and father figures today! - This weekend, we also celebrate the Feast of the Holy Trinity reminding us that at the very heart of God is relationship - Father, Son and Holy Spirit, united in love...

Happy Pentecost to all! As we celebrate this feast that reminds us of the Holy Spirit’s power to unite people across languages and cultures, we can look around our community and see this very miracle in action. Our united parishes are growing into spiritual homes...

As the Church welcomes Pope Leo XIV, many are already noting his quiet strength and pastoral heart. Though it is early in his papacy, one thing I think stands out: his emphasis on “returning to the heart of the Gospel - Christ’s mercy and mission.”

As we gather this Memorial Day, we do so with hearts full of gratitude and reverence. This National Day of Remembrance calls us to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service of our country...

PEACE BE WITH YOU! – Those were the first words spoken to those gathered in Saint Peter’s Square and to the world watching as Pope Leo XIV appeared on the balcony of Saint Peter’s... His election as Pope Leo XIV marks a series of firsts...