Dear Parish Family,

This Sunday’s Gospel reminds us of the power of persistent prayer. In Luke 18:1–8, Jesus shares the parable of the unjust judge and the persistent widow, urging us to “pray always and not lose heart.” Her unwavering faith moved even a hardened judge—how much more will our loving Father respond to us when we cry out day and night?

As we reflect on this message, we also celebrate two great saints whose lives embodied perseverance and prayer.

On October 20, we honor St. Paul of the Cross, founder of the Passionists. He devoted his life to preaching the Passion of Christ, helping souls find healing through the Cross. His deep prayer life and love for the suffering Christ continue to inspire us to embrace our own trials with hope.

Then on October 22, we celebrate St. John Paul II, a towering figure of faith in our time. His papacy was marked by courage, compassion, and a profound devotion to Mary and the Eucharist. He taught us to “be not afraid” and to trust in God’s mercy, even in the face of global challenges and personal suffering.

Let us take heart from these witnesses and renew our commitment to prayer. Whether we are praying for healing, guidance, or peace, God hears us. He may not answer in the way or time we expect, but He always responds with love.

May this week deepen our faith and strengthen our resolve to pray without ceasing. Gratitude is more than politeness—it’s a spiritual posture. The one who returned was not only healed, but saved. His thanksgiving became an act of worship, a recognition of who Jesus truly is.

In our own lives, we receive countless graces—health, family, forgiveness, second chances. Do we pause to thank God? Or do we take His mercy for granted? Let us ask ourselves: Am I a person of gratitude? Let us cultivate an attitude of thanksgiving—for healing, for hope, for life itself. May we never forget to say, “Thank you, Lord.”

With every blessing,

Fr. Charley

Today’s Gospel (Luke 17:11-19) recounts the healing of ten lepers. They all cry out for mercy, and Jesus hears them, restores them, and sends them to show themselves to the priests. Yet only one—a Samaritan—returns to give thanks. Jesus asks, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?”

This simple yet powerful scene reminds us of the central place of gratitude in the life of faith. All ten received healing, but only one received wholeness. His thanksgiving was not just polite acknowledgment—it was an act of worship, a recognition that God’s grace had touched his life. Gratitude opens our hearts, allowing us to see God not just as a miracle worker, but as a loving Father who desires a relationship with us.

How often do we forget to return and give thanks? We may pray earnestly for help, but once our prayer is answered, we move on quickly. Gratitude slows us down. It keeps us rooted in humility, recognizing that every blessing—from health, to family, to faith itself—is a gift.

This week, we also celebrate two saints who show us what it means to live with grateful hearts. St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila) found in prayer an intimate friendship with God, teaching that gratitude flows from knowing His constant presence. St. Luke the Evangelist, whose Gospel gives us today’s story, shows us that gratitude must lead to witness. His writings are filled with stories of healing, compassion, and joy—signs that God’s love is alive among us.

As we gather at the Eucharist—the supreme act of thanksgiving—let us not forget to be like the Samaritan leper: to turn back, to fall at Jesus’ feet, and to say with our whole lives,”Thank you, Lord.”

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, like the leper who returned, we come before You with grateful hearts. Thank you for the gift of life, for faith that sustains us, and for the healing love that makes us whole. Through the example of St. Teresa of Jesus, teach us to find You in prayer. Through the witness of St. Luke, help us to share Your Good News with joy. May our lives always echo the words: “Thank you, Lord, for Your mercy and love.” Amen.

God Bless us all,

Fr. Charley

Dear Parish Family,
As we transition into October, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to our Social Committee and all the volunteers who contributed to making our Parish Picnic on the 26th Sunday a resounding success. Your dedication and teamwork brought joy and fellowship to our Parish Family, reminding us of the beauty of gathering together in faith and friendship. Thank you for your hard work and commitment to our parish life!

October is a special month in our Catholic tradition, as it is dedicated to the Holy Rosary. This month serves as a beautiful reminder of the power of prayer and the importance of turning to Our Lady for guidance and intercession. As we embark on this sacred month, I invite each of you to deepen your devotion to the Rosary.

Starting this week, we will begin our Rosary Novena. I encourage all parishioners to participate, as it is a wonderful opportunity to unite in prayer and reflect on the mysteries of our faith. Let us gather together and pray for our intentions, our community, and the world around us.

Mark your calendars for October 7th, when we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. This feast invites us to honor Mary and the role she plays in our lives as our spiritual mother. Let us take time to pray the Rosary together, fostering a deeper connection with God and each other.

As we reflect on the Gospel for the 27th Sunday, Luke 17:5-10, let us remember that faith, even as small as a mustard seed, can accomplish great things. May our prayers and actions this month be a testament to our faith in Christ.

Love and Prayers in Christ Jesus,

Fr. Charley

The name Lazarus means “God is my help.” Despite a life of misfortune and suffering, Lazarus did not lose hope in God. His eyes were set on a treasure stored up for him in heaven. The rich man, however, could not see beyond his material wealth and possessions. He not only had everything he needed; he selfishly spent all he had on himself. He was too absorbed in what he possessed to notice the needs of those around him. He lost sight of God and the treasure of heaven, because he was preoccupied with seeking happiness in material things. He served wealth rather than God. In the end we see that the rich man became a beggar! As St. Paul says in the letter to the Hebrews: Those who put their hope and security in the kingdom of heaven will not be disappointed.

The rich and powerful are visited with woe and exile in today’s Liturgy—not for their wealth but for their refusal to share it; not for their power but for their indifference to the suffering at their doorsteps.

The complacent leaders in today’s First Reading feast on fine foods and wines, reveling while the house of Joseph, the kingdom of Israel, collapses around them.

According to the Book of the Maccabees, the rich man in today’s Gospel also lives like a king—dressed in royal purple and fine linen. In this world, the rich and powerful make a name for themselves and dine sumptuously, while the poor remain anonymous and were refused an invitation to their feasts. But notice that the Lord today knows Lazarus by name, and Joseph in his sufferings—while the leaders and the rich man have no name.

Today’s Liturgy is a call to repentance—to heed the warning of One who was raised from the dead. To lay hold of the eternal life He promises. As Paul exhorts in today’s Epistle: we must pursue righteousness and keep the commandment of love.

In this Eucharist, we have a foretaste of the love that will be ours in the next life—when He will raise the lowly to the heavenly banquet with Abraham and the prophets, where we, too, will rest our heads on the bosom of our Lord. We shall keep our hope only in the Lord in all the situations of our lives, because nothing will happen to us without His knowledge. God is always faithful and merciful and keeps us in his care.

God Bless us all,

Fr. Charley

Jesus did not praise the steward for his dishonest behavior but for his shrewd foresight in relieving the debts of others whom he believed would, in turn, treat him as a friend and show him mercy, kindness, and generosity in his time of need and great want. Jesus immediately followed this parable with an exhortation to his followers to make use of the world’s material goods, including “tainted money” to relieve those who are indebted to us for the material and physical help we give them in their time of need and want. In the Scriptures generous giving is connected with almsgiving—the sharing of our financial and material resources with those in need. Generous giving will be repaid in kind.

St. Augustine reminds us that we are all beggars of God. “Even though you possess plenty, you are still poor. You abound in temporal possessions, but you need things eternal. You listen to the needs of a human beggar; you yourself are a beggar of God. What you do with those who beg from you is what God will do with his beggar. You are filled and you are empty. Fill your neighbor from your fullness, so that your emptiness may be filled from God’s fullness.”

The rabbis had a saying, “The rich help the poor in this world, but the poor help the rich in the world to come.” St. Ambrose, commenting on the parable of the rich fool who tore down his barns to build bigger ones to store his goods, said: “The bosoms of the poor, the houses of widows, the mouths of children are the barns which last forever. The true treasure which lasts is the treasure stored up for us in heaven. God richly rewards those who give generously from the heart to help those in need.”

The parable challenges us to be as ingenious and creative for the sake of God’s kingdom as we are for our careers and portfolios, to be as ready and willing to use our time and resources to accomplish great things in terms of the Gospel as we are to secure our own security and happiness. Our money, time, and possessions are precious resources and gifts from God. We can allow the love of the Lord to guide us in making good use of them for the benefit of others—especially those who are in need of them. Ask the Lord to fill our hearts with a spirit of generosity and joy in sharing what we have with others.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, all the gifts that I have, including my time, money, and possessions, are from you and from your bounty. Lord, may I love you freely and generously with all that I possess in this life. Help me to be a wise, prudent, and faithful steward of the resources you put at my disposal in this life. Help me always to be true to God and man. Amen.

God Bless us all,

Fr. Charley