Fr. Greg

October is Respect Life Month. This Sunday, the 27th of Ordinary Time Year A, we are presented in both the first reading and the gospel with parables using the image of a vineyard. A vineyard is a place of life. It is meant to be fertile, to be carefully cultivated, and thus to bear a rich harvest of grapes. However, in both parables, instead of life, we find violence and death. The first reading: ”The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, the people of Judah, his cherished plant; He waited for judgment, but see, bloodshed!

On Wednesday, September 27th, we will be hosting the Awake, Not Woke presentation. It is an evening of catechesis and enrichment on living out our faith in the midst of our cancel-culture. The evening will be focused on the beauty and truth of the Catholic faith and the power of living that faith in the cancel culture.

There is a traditional devotional practice called a “Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament.” This is about as simple as it sounds. One just needs to enter a church or chapel and be near Christ present in Blessed Sacrament whether in the tabernacle or exposed in Eucharistic adoration. You simply spend a few moments of intimacy with the Lord, often reciting some prayers and personal petitions. A short time before the Blessed Sacrament will help us to recall the presence of God in our daily routine. Many saints have recommended this practice.

Today is Grandparents Day. In my life, my grandparents are the bedrock of my family. The faith was so incredibly important to them that it was a necessity for them to pass it on and to teach the faith to their family. My family would not be practicing today if it were not for them.

Happy Labor Day to you all! Did you know that September 3rd is the feast day of St. Gregory the Great? There are multiple St. Gregory’s but this one is my patron and Confirmation Saint (yes, I was not very creative in choosing him). St. Gregory the Great was one the greatest popes and a faithful laborer for the Lord.

Dear POP Parishioners!

This weekend we are celebrating a Fall Eucharistic Revival Kick-Off. A parish "Year of Eucharistic Revival” has already begun earlier this year and will conclude next year on June 2, 2024 (after which we will be called to go out and share what we have received). All the Churches in the United States are participating. I invite you especially this weekend to consider how you personally will engage this year.

The mission is, “To renew the Church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.” 

On August 9th, we celebrate the Feast Day of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. She was born Edith Stein and grew up Jewish, but at the age of 14 became an Atheist. In college, she would study under the great phenomenologist philosopher Husserl. Later in life, she would read the great mystic St. Teresa of Avila, converted to Catholicism, and entered the Carmelites taking the name Sr. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. During World War II, she would be arrested and martyred at Auschwitz.

You are all invited to attend the Consecration of April Bailey as a virgin living in the world at Mass on Tuesday, August 15th at 2pm. August 15th is a Holy Day of Obligation—the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary—and this Consecration Mass does fulfill the obligation. You are also very much invited to a Holy Hour the day before, Monday, Aug. 14th at 5pm, to pray for April and adore Jesus. April is a parishioner of Prince of Peace, employed here as our Director of Faith Formation, and a wonderful example of a disciple of Jesus.

Recently, we have converted one of the bedrooms in the rectory into a Chapel in order for Jesus to dwell with us and that we may abide in a deeper way with him.

Recently, I had the opportunity to watch the movie Nefarious. I am sure that many of you have heard of it, but for those of you who have not here is what you need to know.