Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

Numbers are very important in the transmission of  the Word of God, both in the Old Testament and the  New Testament. Numbers in Jewish thought have a  mystical quality which may not be understood very  readily, since in Hebrew letters and numbers are the  same. Depending on the compilation of letters they  convey a particular sum and a particular meaning. We  find that in today’s Gospel. Dear Peter, bumbling as  usual, is trying to put a restriction on the dispensing of mercy and forgiveness. Of course, he is in for  another shock. What he thinks is appropriate is  dismissed by Our Lord and replaced with an astronomical sum, i.e. infinite!

We may also find ourselves in the “generously apportioned” mercy and forgiveness that Peter wants to  dispense, but Christ has a different proposal and like  other things our Lord drops in our laps “It Ain’t Easy.”  How then do we imitate our Lord when He gives  us a challenger like this? For myself, I try to always  recall the words that Jesus spoke when He was on  the Cross: “Father forgive them for they know not  what they do.” From His soon to be pierced Heart  the Savior forgives from His Heart those who have  so maliciously put Him on it.

Because we are His disciples, we strive to do our  best in following the example He gave. But it takes  time and God is patient with us. Most often, we have  to take “baby steps” when it comes to forgiving from  our heart, and we know that with God’s grace all  things are possible. Be patient with yourself and be  patient with God and in time the forgiveness that  seemed impossible will happen. 

Today at the 10:30 Mass we will commission the  Catechists who give so very much of their time  and teaching expertise to guide the children of our  parish in the ways of Faith. Their own personal Faith in Christ spurs them on to evangelize the innocent  hearts and minds that hunger for the Lord. Let us  always support, encourage and be grateful to them  for this most important ministry in our parish. May  God, Who began the good work in them, continue to  bring it to fruition. 

With Blessings, 

Father Langan

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

     No doubt you are familiar with the term, “walking on eggs.”   Where these shibbollets come from I have no idea but this one certainly conveys the challenges expressed in our Scriptures today. Namely, fraternal correction.  Risking volatile reactions or downright rejection is something we all shy away from and yet our Blessed Lord reminds us through prophets, and Apostles, and Himself that it is a serious obligation for those who profess to follow Him.   Our late Holy Father Benedict, of loving memory, also reminded us of speaking the truth in love.  And thus preparing ourselves for feedback that may indeed unsettle us.  

     How very much we need to employ those gifts of the Holy Spirit promised us at our Baptism, specifically courage and fortitude.  We strap ourselves up with these shields and say to ourselves, “here goes!”  (Were we not, after all, reminded at our Confirmation that we are to be soldiers for Christ?).  Fortified by prayer we enter into the fray always hopeful for a peaceful turnout but realistic that our good efforts may be unwelcome.  Nonetheless,  we have been faithful to the Lord’s commands.

     Seared into our memories is the horror of 9/11, which occurred 22 years ago.  We must never forget nor will we ever forget the pain and suffering of that day and the many who in these latter days continue to suffer the effects of that violation of our sovereign land.  We must always be vigilant and ever grateful to those who protect us and put their lives on the line for our safety.  God bless America and those who defend our nation.

    Throughout the course of the year, we have several important fundraisers for our parish.  Aside from the well-responded-to increased offering last Lent, we have the annual calendar sales, the spaghetti dinner and beautiful baskets, the penny social, and the labor day weekend flea market, and the St. Joseph golf tournament.  All have been a tremendous success due to the hard work done by so many individuals working in beautiful harmony and selflessness.  These events are absolutely essential for the financial stability of our parish  As pastor and parishioners we are grateful to all who have participated in anyway by donations, service and support.  Makes a pastor proud.

Thank you all

With Blessings,

Father Langan

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

   In the midst of His disciples and particularly aimed at Peter Our Lord asks the fundamental question: “Who do you say that I am?”  Peter’s response is immediate and accurate but he does not comprehend the magnitude of his response.  His concept of the Messiah is ascue.  It is his vision of what he thinks the Messiah should be, in order to satisfy his own aspirations, rather than Who Jesus is.  As we make headways in the growth of faith that same question should challenge if not haunt us.  Who do you think Jesus is? And by extension what do you think His Church should be?

     Very often we ask ourselves: Why can’t it be like—————–? (fill in the blank)  Surely, we have our opinions and desires of how we think things should be, wishful thinking.  Perhaps in some circumstances that is ok.  However, when it comes to matters of faith the humility test comes and the conflict arises between what I want and what God wants.  Isn’t that what happens between Our Lord and Peter AND between the Lord and us.  Discernment of God’s will is not easy but when we arrive at compliance of the Divine will life becomes more peaceful and stress diminishes.  SO , who do you say Jesus is?  Your answer will determine the rest of your life.

     FYI: In October of 2024, I will be leading a pilgrimage to Sicily and Malta for 12 days under the auspices of ProRome tours.  Already 10 have registered even before formally advertising.  If you have an interest in journeying with us please contact Father Langan or go to the website for ProRome which covers all the details.

     As our children and teachers and administrators return to the classroom we pray that they have a fruitful academic year growing in wisdom and knowledge for their own personal growth and for the betterment of the world in which they live.

With Blessings,

Father Langan

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

     A very important, healthy and necessary part of being a human person is to abscond from time to time on vacation.  It takes one out of the daily routine, allows for quiet reflection and the restoration of our energies, and perhaps even lowers one’s blood pressure. A vacation is healthy and should also be holy.  Why holy?  Because the Holy One Himself went on vacation.  In today’s Gospel, we hear that Our Lord “withdrew” to Tyre and Sidon.  Where are these obscure towns but on the Mediterranean Ocean. i.e. the seashore.  After traversing the height and depth of the interior of Israel Our Lord needed to get away with His friends in order to prepare for what was to come.

      This reminds us of how very human Jesus Christ is, truly God, truly man.  The man, like any other man, needs rest and a change of pace.  After all did God not “rest” upon completion of Creation?  But rest does not and never has meant distancing oneself from God.  In fact, Who is that restores our strength as the Psalms so often remind us.  We don’t vacate from God but rather use the opportunity of rest to rest more perfectly in Him.  On your getaway, bring a Bible, a catechism, or any good spiritual reading to help you draw more deeply into your relationship with the Lord.  Be sure when planning to seek out the Church where you will participate at Mass.  Foster family prayers and devotions and let your surroundings help facilitate the calm and serenity that a change-of -pace is supposed to afford.  Too often, I hear people saying they are exhausted after having returned from vacation.  Was it then ever a vacation?  The Spanish have a beautiful expression: “Via con Dios”-Go with God!.. If you do so you will reap the rest you need and deserve.

   This Sunday August 20^th is the feast of St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), the patron saint of our church in Beach Lake.  He was born in France and through his learning and spiritual influence dominated the century in which he lived.  As a Cistercian monk he founded many monasteries that preserved the intellectual patrimony of the ages and developed theology that still profoundly affects our present day.  Thirteen months from now we will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of St Bernard’s Church.  Plans are already underway and anyone who wishes to assist in implementing them is most welcome.  Kindly speak with Father Langan.  May St Bernard prayer for us and assist us in our undertakings.

With Blessings  Father Langan

Monday, August 14- 6:00 PM-St. Joseph’s, Rileyville (Vigil)
Tuesday, August 15-7:25 AM & 12:05 PM-St. Mary Magdalen

6:00 PM- St. Bernard’s, Beach Lake

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

     Fear is often a frequent emotion that hampers our lives.  It all started with Adam and Eve when they realized the gravity of their sin in disobeying God.  They hid because of their offense. In our First Reading from the Book of Kings, the prophet Elijah is fearful when he hears the whispering voice of the Lord.  St. Paul’s anxiety over the infidelity of his people makes him fearful that they may lose out on salvation if they reject the Messiah.  And in the Gospel we encounter the fear of the disciples because of the storm, and because of the Lord walking on the water and then the fear of St. Peter who in the very presence of the Lord of Life is sinking because he takes his focus off Jesus and centers upon himself.  Could that be the key to understanding fear?  The more we concentrate on ourselves instead of Jesus we lapse immediately into fear.

    So very often our Lord makes that admonition: “Do not be afraid”.  Do we hear it?  Perhaps sometimes but, like most people, not all the time.  Again, the fear may arise when we feel we are not in control.  We no doubt have heard the saying: “who put you in charge?”  Maybe no one has but we have assumed that bogus authority out of pride or self-importance.  We may ponder what the antidote is to “being in charge”.   It is found in Beatitudes: Blessed are the poor in spirit and blessed are the meek.  If Peter had been less braggadocious and more in tune with the beatitudes, he may not have begun to sink.  The more we allow Jesus to be in charge and truly believe it the less we will be plagued by the phantoms of fear and anxiety.

    Remember that Tuesday is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation.  Because there is only one priest to offer Mass the schedule is different from previous Mass times.  Please refer to the schedule elsewhere in the bulletin.

With Blessings,

Father Langan

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

     Every seven years we interrupt the ordinal (Ordinary Time) passage of Sundays for a particularly important event.  Today we celebrate the Transfiguration of Our Lord.  Always you hear this proclaimed on the second Sunday of Lent, weeks before the Passion of Christ.  This Sunday we have the privilege of contemplating the mystery of the hypostatic nature of Christ.  “Hypo” like a hypnotic needle or hypoglycemia refers to something that is under or below.  What is under or below the surface regarding Christ?

     As He walked among us it was obvious that His humanity was seen by all.  And even though He performed great “signs” or miracles people did not see what was underneath namely His Divinity.  Today we experience the Divine Nature of Christ in His Transfiguration.  Just as the chosen disciples Peter, James and John were overwhelmed by Who Jesus is, and being enshrouded in the “cloud” of the Holy Spirit, and hearing the voice of the Father, we too might find this encounter beyond our comprehension.  It must be meditated on frequently if not daily.  Why?  Because this is our God, He Who we will contemplate for all eternity, God willing.  We are not meant to be spectators but rather participants in the family of God.  This is not reserved for the future beyond time and space but indeed begins now.  The indwelling of the Holy Trinity begins at Baptism and becomes more and more obvious in our lives as we employ the heavenly grace bestowed on us in the Sacraments, most especially the Holy Eucharist  Why someone would absent themselves from the Real Presence of Christ is a mystery to me.  How can we possibly live without the Giver of life Himself?

     Perhaps the answer lies with us. Do we give evidence of the Presence of the Lord in our lives?  Do others see us transfigured by the redeeming grace of the Sacraments?  Let the brilliance of Him Who dwells in us shine forth.

With Blessings,

Father Langan

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

Pax et Bonum (peace and Good will). This is the  salutation by which St. Francis of Assisi would greet  people in the many towns he visited. And further, he  would add: “O my Brothers and Sisters, I want you  all to go to Heaven.” In a mystical visitation from  our Lord, Francis was offered a request to save souls.  The Lord in His mercy granted “the Portiuncula  Indulgence or also known as the Pardon Prayer of St.  Francis. The Portiuncula is the small chapel surrounded by the great basilica of St. Mary of the Angels  where Francis founded the Order of Friars Minor  (the Franciscans).  

Attached to this revered place is the Plenary (meaning full) Indulgence or Pardon from the temporal  punishment due to sin. In other words, if one should  die having participated in the Pardon the soul would  not be detained in Purgatory, but rather go straight  to Heaven. How then does one participate in this  Pardon? The conditions are:  

1. Sacramental Confession to be in God’s grace  during eight days before or after the 1st of  August.  

2. Participation at Holy Mass on August 1st or 2nd  and the reception of Holy Eucharist.  

3. Praying the Apostles Creed, the Our Father, also  a prayer for the Pope’s intention (such as an  Our Father, Hail Mary, etc.) 

Special fliers are available in our Churches to further  explain this particular indulgence. It is a special grace  from God not to be missed. The Lord is so good to  us may we humbly take advantage of the blessings He  bestows.

With Blessings,

Father Langan 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

    We are very much in “parable mode” this week.  Last Sunday Our Lord began a unique manner of conveying the truths of the Kingdom of God and today He continues with a plethora of stories to ignite our brain cells.  Always we remember that the Lord created us in His image and likeness ,i.e.with intellect and free will.  These principles of our humanity are meant to be challenged and ever enlightened by the revelation that comes to us through the Sacred Scriptures and the collective Tradition of the Church as codified by the Catechism of the Catholic Church.   Every Catholic household should possess these treasures and have a revered place in our homes for ready reference.

    The parables have a wealth of practical usage that we apply to our daily living.  The prevalence of evil in the world and its seeming proliferation can very much frustrate us and even lead to despair, the effects of which are spiritual inertia.  But then the Lord speaks to us and He helps us to see things  from His perspective.  He is in charge and it is incumbent upon us to make that known and live with hope in spite of the gathering clouds. ” I AM the light of the world”, says the Lord and we believe that light  will conquer the darkness.  The parables are presented to us to “shore us up” and keep going with a joyful and positive outlook that helps others to keep going as well.  Let these parables be your guide and inspiration especially in times of trial and uncertainty.  Ponder them frequently and come to understand the solace they will bring.

With Blessings,

Father Langan

ReplyForward

The 10:30 Mass will be moved to St. Mary Magdalen for the duration of the summer months beginning this Sunday, July 23.