The Seed
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 »
Good Laws Make Good Citizens
Posted by Erin Elking on 6/22/22
For any society to function well, there needs to be a good system of just laws by which citizens can order their lives. This is true in civil society, but also in the society of the Church. The Church is a society – it is God’s Society, His Kingdom ... Read More »
Eucharist-centered Living
Posted by Erin Elking on 6/15/22
Today the Church celebrates what is her official Eucharistic Solemnity, her “official act of homage and gratitude to Christ, who by instituting the Holy Eucharist gave to her greatest treasure” (Parsch, The Church’s Year of Grace, v.III, 17). The Eucharist is for us the never-ending fulfillment of Christ’s promise ... Read More »