From the Pastor’s desk— August 10, 2025

Dear Parishioners,

What a beautiful holy hour of adoration we had on Wednesday! All that night afterward I just wanted to stay in the silence as I went for my walk because my heart was so full of gratitude to God. I hope that many of you who came felt equally blessed. The church seemed nearly full. Each of our parish holy hour, I want us to have a theme for our prayer. This Wednesday’s theme was prayer for those suffering through the troubles of immigration. In the beginning, I read a passage of Scripture and gave a short reflection and offered petitions along the theme. Then we had the rest of the hour to contemplate the love of Jesus, our unity with Him and each other, and our hope-filled solidarity with those who are suffering.

This holy hour also has me thinking about the red candle above the tabernacle, called the sanctuary lamp, and its significance. It is meant to burn unceasingly to show that Jesus is present. As a child, I thought God really kept it from ever going out. Imagine my surprise when I learned that somebody comes into church every week to light a fresh candle! That’s when I learned God does keep it from going out, but he uses people to do it. The candlelight doesn’t just mean Jesus is in the tabernacle, it means there’s someone there who loves Jesus somewhere nearby too!

The thing that reminded me of the sanctuary lamp was all the people involved in making the holy hour happen. I was there leading, and next to me were the two boys who rang the bells and held the incense. We were able to have music because we had musicians. And then there was everyone there to pray. I’m certain Jesus was looking at us from the altar with joy as we looked at Him. If you weren’t able to join us this past week, put it on next month’s calendar!

         

           

 

             

  

Fr. Joseph