Dear Family!

We are drawing near to the end of the Cycle C (Gospel of Luke). The theme continues to focus on prayer. The 1st reading opens our minds and hearts to the reality that ‘the humble man’s prayer pierces the clouds’ is fulfilled in the tax-collector in the Gospel. I was drawn to the conclusion that Jesus makes here - ‘the latter went home justified’.

Dear Family!

On October 9th, Pope Leo XIV’s first Apostolic Exhortation was released. An Apostolic Exhortation by a Pope often aims to encourage us in a particular virtue or activity developing a social teaching as its main theme. Pope named it Dilexi Te (I have loved you) which resembles Pope Francis’ encyclical on Sacred Heart (Dilexit Nos which means ‘He loved us”). Pope Leo look the words from Revelation 3:9 and his Exhortation is addressed to all Christians on the love of the Poor.

Dear Family!

It was wonderful to see all the pets you brought in for a blessing last Sunday. We thank Father Pat for preparing the prayers for the Blessing of Animals. The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) will begin on Sunday, October 19th, and it is our responsibility to journey with them and pray for them. The Faith Formation classes have started, and our children depend on our prayers especially the children who are preparing for Holy Communion and Confirmation.

Dear Family! Focusing on the readings of this Sunday, I thought about a quote that made me stop and think, “Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.” (JRR Tolkien). Prophet Habakkuk in the first reading, amidst the cloud of Babylonian exile of the people of God, not to give up on God especially when the road darkens, sure enough that was the darkest road they have ever seen! What is required in these circumstances in our life? Faith - a persevering trust that God will eventually intervene.

Dear Family!

The Gospel is better proclaimed when loving God and loving neighbor taken together. ”The earth herself, burdened and laid waste, is among the most abandoned and maltreated of our poor; she 'groans in travail' (Rom 8:22). We have forgotten that we ourselves are dust of the earth (cf. Gen 2:7); our very bodies are made up of her elements, we breathe her air, and we receive life and refreshment from her waters." --Pope Francis

Dear Family!

“As this world (Earth) is not for those who are without wealth, so that world (Heaven) is not for those who are without kindness” (Thirukkural 247 written in my mother tongue around Jesus’ time). This is the focal point of this week’s liturgy. We continue to take great care on our financial security; we work hard at it. Do we take enough care on our spiritual security? This paves way to reflect about an important social evil of our time - Financial Slavery.

Dear Family!

Our Pope Leo XIV celebrates his 70th Birthday on September 14th. People throughout the world wish our Pope ‘Happy Birthday’ in numerous creative ways. Let us join as well to wish our Pope ‘Happy Birthday’ and pray for his intentions. OSV is gathering a host of prayers into a very special “spiritual birthday bouquet” for our Pope. Everyone can participate. Visit: www.osvnews.com

Dear Family!

In the Gospel, Jesus’ words could have caused havoc to the people who read the Bible in English when he said, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”

God’s Word, Jesus takes root in us from the beginning to the end of our life on earth to bring us life and that life in fullness.

Dear Family!

The central theme of 22nd Sunday in the Ordinary Time revolves around ‘Humility’. Sirach highlights ‘humility’, a key virtue that puts us into God’s favor. We see Jesus, John the Baptist and Mary in the words ‘Humble yourself, the greater you are.’ Jesus preached and lived these words. Jesus asked us to follow him in the path of humility to walk humbly with God.

Dear Family!

The readings speak to us of God’s salvation being open to the whole world. Many of the world’s believers such as Christians, Muslims, Hindus and others want a guarantee from their respective religion that their future is absolutely secure. Fr. Leonard Feeney was condemned by the Holy See for denying salvation to non-Christians because we have a long history and a common belief that ‘outside the Church there is no salvation.’

Dear Family!

This week ended with a high note as we honor our Blessed Mother in her glorious assumption. We thank God as we ponder the words of Pope Pius XII’s words in Munificentissimus Deus 41, “the dogma of the Assumption of Mary is based on Sacred Scripture and deeply embedded in the minds of the faithful; it has received the approval of liturgical worship from the earliest times; it is perfectly in keeping with the rest of revealed truth and has been lucidly developed and explained by the studies, the knowledge and wisdom of theologians.”

Dear Family!

The Book of Wisdom could be understood in two parts: In the first chapters 1-9, Solomon guides the people who rule, to embrace righteousness and follow his example. In the second chapters 10-18, Solomon reveals the close connection between righteousness and wisdom in the history of the chosen people of God especially chapter 10 devoted to Creation and the rest is to Exodus.

Dear Family!

Gaudium et Spes (Vatican II, 1965): “God has intended the earth and all that it contains for the use of all people. Hence justice, accompanied by charity, must regulate the distribution of created goods that they are actually available to all in an equitable measure. […] Therefore, in using them everyone should consider legitimate possessions not only as their own but also as common property, in the sense that they should be able to profit not only themselves but other people as well. Moreover, all have the right to possess a share of earthly goods sufficient for themselves and their families.”