The Seed
Model for Hope
Posted by Erin Elking on 8/30/22
The last time I wrote a bulletin article it briefly covered the need for hope in our world. The document by Pope Benedict XVI titled Spes Salvi covers many aspects of living a life of hope. At the end of the document, he writes about the Blessed Virgin Mary ... Read More »
Enjoy the Silence
Posted by Erin Elking on 8/24/22
A friend of mine has an apostolate in which she encourages people to acknowledge and give thanks to God for all the ways He is working in their lives, which often requires carving out space for silence. “The world is noisy, God whispers” – a slogan of hers. To ... Read More »
Star of the Sea
Posted by Erin Elking on 8/18/22
I ask everyone to take a Beacons of Light flyer home with them today. With this, and in light of the Solemnity of the Assumption we celebrated on Monday, I offer this beautiful homily from Pope Benedict XVI on the significance of Mary’s Assumption, and how she becomes for ... Read More »
Beacons of Light Update
Posted by Erin Elking on 8/09/22
As we move through this first phase of Beacons of Light, which began July 1st, I want to bring everyone up to speed on where we stand today. As you know, many parishes in the area have already undergone significant changes to Mass schedules and some have even begun ... Read More »
Law is Fulfilled in Love
Posted by Erin Elking on 8/04/22
As I write this pastor’s note, the Church celebrates the memorial of St. Alphonsus Liguori (August 1). If you have never read anything from St. Alphonsus, I encourage you to acquire some of his works, such as The Practice of the Love of Jesus Christ, which I reference below. ... Read More »
True Hope
Posted by Erin Elking on 7/26/22
In our society and world today there is a great need for true hope. There is a need for the hope that comes from looking at this world through the eyes of faith. This outlook on life realizes that man is fallen but redeemed by a loving God and ... Read More »
Prayer is Necessary
Posted by Erin Elking on 7/20/22
While Fr. Hess is away, he wanted to offer a follow-up to his homily on prayer, with some words from Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. This is a reflection he gave in 2012 on the feast of St. Alphonsus Liguori (August 1st), highlighting the great saint’s powerful teaching on the ... Read More »
Because He is So Precious
Posted by Erin Elking on 7/12/22
Though it is hard to watch, Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ is one of the most powerful artistic depictions of the Passion. I am especially moved by the portrayal of the Blessed Mother and how the actress brought to life both the anguish of Mary in her sorrow, but ... Read More »
Mass Matters, continued
Posted by Erin Elking on 7/07/22
The Mass is the Source and Summit of our Faith. As the source, the Mass strengthens and gives life to our faith; it’s where faith begins because it is the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Calvary, in whom we place our faith. The Mass is “the primary and indispensable ... Read More »
Mass Matters
Posted by Erin Elking on 6/28/22
The Second Vatican Council, in its constitution on the Sacred Liturgy reminded us that the Mass “is the outstanding means whereby the faithful may express in their lives, and manifest to others, the mystery of Christ and the real nature of the true Church” (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 2). It is ... Read More »