A blessed Sunday to all of you! This past Sunday marked my formal installation as the new Pastor of St. Andrew Parish, and I am overjoyed to share in this moment with all of you! It is a special moment in the life of the Church when a Parish receives a new Pastor. As you know, Bishop John Siemianowski came for this occasion to be the representative of both the Cardinal and Holy Mother Church who appoints shepherds for Her people. In a way this helps us to see what occurred in the early Church, that is St. Paul was starting Church communities, then St. Timothy would be sent in succession to care for the community’s continual growth. And so, to this day we see the Bishops sending Pastors to their Parishes in order that the People of God continue to grow in their faith, deeper their communion with Jesus and be transformed in His Life and Grace in preparation for Heaven.

Last week, as you know, I was down in St. Louis for the Beatification Mass of, now, Blessed Fulton Sheen. This experience was very moving and is an incredible moment to bring back to you. The gathering for this historic Mass brought together over 800 seminarians, 1,000 priests, multiple bishops and Cardinals with over 60,000 people in attendance. It was an instance of the Universal Church gathered in St. Louis. To be there as your Pastor was a moment of real connection. We are blessed in our Parish to experience the Church in our particular corner of the Kingdom, but it is important for us to also be mindful of our connection with the Universal Church, for She is strong and vibrant. Many of the 60,000 who gathered were families, young families with many children, and young people on fire for the Lord.

One of the great legacies of Bl. Fulton Sheen are his videos from his award winning TV series, Life is Worth Living, which can still be accessed on Youtube! For quick access check out the link:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=fulton+j.+sheen

Bl. Fulton Sheen preached and taught with great clarity, enthusiasm and joy. He loved the Lord deeply and loved His Church with heartfelt devotion. We could say that his unwavering devotion was sustained by making the Holy Hour. A Holy Hour is spending one hour in prayer before Our Lord Jesus in the Eucharist. Whether it was before the Tabernacle or with the Blessed Sacrament set in a Monstrance, Bl. Fulton Sheen dedicated one hour every day of his life, no matter what, to be with Jesus Christ in quiet intimacy. This too is a testimony of the continuation of what occurred in the Sacred Scriptures, the disciples and especially the Twelve spent hours with Jesus. There was nothing more calming and enriching than spending time before Jesus. Our Lord so desired that we can continue in this delight of divine friendship with Him that He bestowed upon us the privileged Sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist, by which we can simply remain in His Presence. Jesus invites us, “Abide in me” Jn 15: 1-8.

With great humility, Our Lord’s loving care for His sheep also continues through the ordination and appointments of Bishops and Priests to serve you as Pastor—as a Pastor after His own Heart, the Shepherd’s Heart. Since seminary, I have cultivated this devotion of making a daily Holy Hour, and into my priesthood I have continued this practice. Now, with great joy, as your Pastor I bring all of you, as the flock entrusted to my care, with me to my Holy Hour each day.

The prophet Isaiah provides a profound vision to us in the First Reading in this Sunday's scriptures. "On this mountain, [the LORD] will destroy the veil that veils all people, the web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face." IS 25:7-8

It is a bold vision, a powerful hope, a dream for all who despair. 

The truth be told, I am writing this letter a week before bulletin articles are typically due, but as this article is published, I know that the vision of Isaiah is of critical importance to the conversations that the Church is having about the papal exhortation Amoris Laetitia in Rome, as we speak. The Church considers it crucial that we embrace loving relationships and protect them, especially through the Sacrament of Marriage. 

Not to distract too much from the purpose of this letter, but I would ask for your continued prayers as the assembly of bishops and laity meet in Rome to discuss Amoris Laetitia. The attendees will need to continue to see and respond to the light of the Holy Spirit in their deliberations in order to be successful at their work. 

And that work is to do the very best they can to articulate with ever-growing clarity what the vision is and how, in this day and age, that vision can serve to inspire and sustain holiness in everyone. 

I wish that I could bend the rules of time and forecast what is being said at the meeting. Alas, what will need to be shared will be shared, and in the proper manner. But I draw inspiration from the words of Isaiah and hope that you can too.

This humble enterprise that we call life is lifted up by the holy vision of faith that calls us to comfort one another. The vision is to rest in the arms of God, on his holy mountain, and live in the fullness of life where death will be no more, every tear will be wiped away, and joy will ever be our anthem.

If this vision can serve to inspire us this week, whether our role is to sit in the midst of meetings at the Vatican or to just try to get our kid's shoes on without sparking a rebellion, then we will be well suited for the work before us. 

Let us keep one another in prayer. 

Programming for Infants and Toddlers

Tell your friends and neighbors about our programming for our youngest bulldogs! Baby Bulldogs is a weekly class designed for infants, toddlers, and their caregivers. Each session includes free play, followed by lively music and movement, perfect for building friendships and burning energy! Registration is open; classes began October 1st at 9:00 am.

Storytime is a free weekly Storytime for families with infants and toddlers every Friday from 8:30 am to 9:15 am, beginning October 2nd.  Each session includes storytelling, learning centers, and a take-home craft. The program provides a fun, creative space for kids to build reading skills while giving parents and caregivers a chance to connect.

Discover the Difference with Saint Andrew School! 

Are you seeking a nurturing and enriching educational environment for your child? Look no further than Saint Andrew School, where Catholic Education comes to life through faith, excellence, and community. Our dedicated faculty inspires students to achieve their full potential academically, spiritually, and socially.  At Saint Andrew, we blend rigorous academics with character-building values, fostering a sense of purpose and belonging.  Experience our vibrant campus, where every student is known, loved, and challenged to grow.  Choose Saint Andrew School today and invest in a brighter future for your child. Enroll now and join our family! Sign up for a tour here: schedule a tour New student applications for the upcoming school year can be found here: New Student Application