The Gospel for this Sunday presents us with a challenging invitation from Jesus. Peter has just recognized Jesus as the Messiah, but he struggles to understand what kind of Messiah Jesus is. Jesus speaks openly about His suffering, death, and resurrection. Peter finds this difficult to accept, yet Jesus reminds him—and us—that following Him means more than simply believing in Him. It means surrendering our lives to God.

Jesus says, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” These words are not a call to seek suffering, but an invitation to faithful love and self-giving. Every one of us carries a cross: responsibilities, disappointments, sacrifices, struggles, illness, family concerns, or moments when doing what is right becomes difficult. When united with Christ, our crosses can become paths to deeper faith and holiness.

St. Paul reminds us in the second reading: “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” Christian discipleship is therefore not something we practice only on Sundays. It is a daily offering of ourselves to God—in our families, our workplaces, our relationships, and our service to others.

This weekend, we have beautiful opportunities to place our lives before the Lord. On Friday, September 4, we will have First Friday Adoration at 11 A.M., followed by the Healing Mass at 12 noon. Let us bring our burdens, wounds, and hopes before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and trust in His healing love.

On Saturday, September 5, our First Saturday devotion dedicated to our Blessed Mother begins with Adoration at 7:30 A.M., followed by Mass at 8 A.M. in honor of Mary. May Mary teach us, as she did throughout her life, to say a wholehearted “yes” to God.

Let us ask for the grace not to run away from our crosses, but to carry them with Jesus, trusting that love, sacrifice, and faithfulness always lead us toward new life.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, give us the courage to take up our crosses and follow You faithfully. Heal our hearts, strengthen our faith, and teach us through Mary to say “yes” to Your will. May our lives become a living offering of love to You and to others. Amen.

God’s Blessings,

Fr. Charley

In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks His disciples a question that echoes through every generation: “Who do you say that I am”? It is not a question of theology alone—it is a question of relationship. Peter responds with faith: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” His confession became the foundation of the Church. The identity of Christ is not discovered through human reasoning alone but through the Father’s revelation.

Jesus invites each of us to answer this question personally. Who is He in my life? My Savior? My healer? My companion in suffering? The profession of faith is not spoken once—it is lived daily through trust, obedience, and love.

This week, the Church gives us powerful witnesses who answered Jesus’ question with their lives.

• On August 27, we celebrate St. Monica, a model of persevering prayer. Her tears and unwavering faith brought her son back to God. Her life teaches us the strength of persistent prayer.
• On August 28, we honor St. Augustine, once a restless seeker, later a great saint and doctor of the Church. His conversion shows the transforming power of grace and the beauty of returning to God.
• On August 29, we remember the Passion of St. John the Baptist, who fearlessly proclaimed the truth and prepared the way for Christ. His martyrdom reminds us that faith sometimes demands courage and sacrifice. The witness of John the Baptist challenges us to stand firm in truth.

As we honor these saints, may we deepen our own answer to Jesus’ question and allow our lives to reflect the faith we profess.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, open our hearts to know You more deeply. Through the prayers of St. Monica, St. Augustine, and the courage of St. John the Baptist, strengthen our faith and guide our steps. Amen.

God Bless us all,

Fr. Charley

In today’s Gospel, Jesus meets a Canaanite woman—an outsider, a foreigner, someone not expected to belong among God’s chosen people. Yet she approaches Jesus with boldness, humility, and deep trust. Her persistence reveals the power of faith that crosses boundaries. Even when Jesus seems silent, even when obstacles rise, she refuses to give up. And Jesus proclaims the astonishing words: “O woman, great is your faith!”

This Gospel reminds us that God’s mercy is not limited by nationality, background, or status. The universality of God’s love is revealed in this foreign woman who sees what many insiders fail to see: Jesus is Lord, and His compassion is for all. Her faith challenges us to ask: Do I approach Jesus with the same trust? Do I persevere even when prayers seem unanswered?

This week, we celebrate the Queenship of Mary on August 22, a feast that beautifully complements today’s Gospel. Mary, our Queen and Mother, is crowned in heaven not for earthly power but for her perfect faith and obedience. She welcomed God’s Word without hesitation and became Mother of all nations.

For us, this feast is especially meaningful because Our Lady Queen of the Universe is our parish patron. As we honor her, we remember that she gathers all her children—near and far, familiar and foreign—under her mantle. She teaches us to trust, to persevere, and to welcome all with the heart of Christ.

May the Canaanite woman’s courage and Mary’s queenship inspire us to grow in faith that is humble, persistent, and open to every person God sends into our lives.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, give us the faith of the Canaanite woman and the humility of Mary, our Queen. Make our parish a home for all, and help us trust Your mercy without fear. Amen.

Happy Feast and the Blessings from the Blessed Virgin Mary,

Fr. Charley

In today’s Gospel, Jesus meets His disciples in the midst of a storm. The waves are strong, the wind is fierce, and fear overwhelms them. Yet Jesus comes to them, walking on the water, and speaks the words every heart longs to hear: “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” The mystery of trusting Jesus in the storm is at the center of this Sunday’s message.

Peter steps out of the boat with faith, but when he focuses on the wind instead of Jesus, he begins to sink. This is our human experience. We believe, we begin well, but life’s storms—illnesses, family struggles, financial worries, loneliness—can shake our confidence. Yet Jesus does not let Peter drown. He reaches out immediately. The hand of Christ is always extended toward us.

This week, we also celebrate two beautiful feasts that illuminate this Gospel. On August 14, we honor St. Maximilian Kolbe, a martyr of charity. He lived the Gospel courageously, offering his life for another prisoner in Auschwitz. Kolbe teaches us that faith is not merely believing—it is radical trust in God even in the darkest storms.

On August 15, we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother, taken body and soul into heaven. Though not a day of obligation, we will have a special Mass at 8 AM. Mary is the perfect model of faith. She never took her eyes off God, even when her life was filled with uncertainty. The Assumption reminds us that our destiny is not the storm—it is the glory God prepares for His faithful ones.

As we face our own storms, let us walk with Peter, trust like Kolbe, and hope like Mary.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, reach out Your hand and lift us when we sink. Through St. Maximilian Kolbe and Our Blessed Mother, strengthen our faith, calm our fears, and guide us safely to Your peace. Amen.

With love and Prayers,

Fr. Charley

The Gospel this Sunday brings us to one of the most tender and powerful moments in Jesus’ ministry—the feeding of the five thousand. It begins with Jesus seeking solitude after hearing of John the Baptist’s death. Yet when He sees the crowds, His response is not withdrawal but compassion. He heals, He teaches, and He feeds. The miracle begins not with abundance, but with scarcity—five loaves and two fish. What the disciples see as “not enough,” Jesus receives, blesses, and multiplies.

This is the heart of the Gospel: when we place what little we have in Jesus’ hands, He makes it more than enough. Our time, our patience, our kindness, our faith—even when small—become instruments of grace when offered to Him. The miracle is not only about bread; it is about trust. It is about believing that Jesus can transform what seems insufficient into something life‑giving.

A small story echoes this truth. A woman once apologized to her pastor for bringing only a small bag of groceries to a parish food drive. “It’s not much,” she said. The pastor replied, “In God’s hands, small things become great things.” Later that week, a struggling family shared that those very groceries carried them through a difficult weekend. What seemed small became a blessing.

This week, our parish continues to live the compassion of Christ:

• August 6 – Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, a reminder that Christ’s glory shines even in moments of suffering.

• August 7 – First Friday: 11 AM Adoration and Noon Mass with Anointing of the Sick, a moment for healing and hope.

Christ continues to feed us—through His Word, His Eucharist, and His mercy. He asks only that we bring what we have, trusting that He will do the rest.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, receive what we bring—our time, our gifts, our struggles—and bless them as You blessed the loaves and fish. Fill us with compassion for those in need and strengthen us through Your healing love. May Your presence multiply grace in our lives and in our parish. Amen.

God Bless us all,

Fr. Charley

In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us two brief but powerful parables: the treasure hidden in a field and the pearl of great price. Both stories reveal the same truth—the Kingdom of God is worth everything. When the man finds the treasure, he joyfully sells all he has. When the merchant discovers the pearl, he gives up everything to possess it. Their actions are not burdens but expressions of joy. They have found something so valuable that nothing else compares.

Jesus invites us to see our faith in the same way—not as an obligation, but as a treasure. The Kingdom of God is not merely a future promise; it is a present reality found in Christ Himself. To follow Him is to discover the deepest joy, the truest purpose, and the most lasting peace.

We often hold onto many things—comfort, habits, fears, or distractions—that keep us from fully embracing the treasure God offers. The Gospel challenges us to ask: What am I clinging to that prevents me from giving my whole heart to Christ? The treasure is already in the field of our lives; the question is whether we are willing to make room for it.

Jesus also speaks of the net thrown into the sea, gathering fish of every kind. At the end of time, God will sort what is good from what is not. This reminds us that discipleship involves discernment—choosing what leads us closer to Christ and letting go of what does not.

This week, the Church celebrates the saints who found the treasure and gave everything for it:

• Sts. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus (July 29) — a family who welcomed Jesus into their home and hearts. Martha served, Mary listened, Lazarus witnessed. Each found the treasure in Christ’s friendship.
• St. Ignatius of Loyola (July 31) — who surrendered his ambitions and discovered the pearl of God’s will, teaching the world to seek God in all things.

Their lives remind us that the treasure of Christ transforms ordinary people into extraordinary witnesses.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, You are the treasure of our hearts. Help us to seek You above all things and to let go of whatever keeps us from Your love. Through the intercession of Sts. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, and St. Ignatius, strengthen our faith and fill us with the joy of Your Kingdom. Amen.

Love and Prayers,

Fr. Charley

The readings for this Sunday remind us of the gentle, patient way God works in our lives. Jesus offers three parables—the wheat and weeds, the mustard seed, and the yeast—to show that God’s Kingdom grows quietly, steadily, and often unnoticed. God does not rush. He does not force. He works with patience, mercy, and hope.

The parable of the wheat and weeds teaches us that God sees the whole picture. We often want quick solutions, instant clarity, or immediate justice. But God allows time—time for growth, time for conversion, time for His grace to work. He invites us to trust that He is tending the field of our lives even when we see weeds. His patience is not weakness; it is love.

The mustard seed reminds us that God delights in small beginnings. A tiny seed becomes a great tree. A small act of kindness becomes a shelter for others. A quiet prayer becomes a strength for the day. God’s Kingdom grows in hidden ways, through ordinary people who choose faithfulness over perfection.

The yeast shows how God’s grace transforms from within. Just a little leaven changes the whole dough. When we allow God’s Spirit into our hearts—even in small ways—He changes everything.

This week, the Church also celebrates two great saints who embody these truths:
• July 22 – St. Mary Magdalene, the apostle to the apostles, whose encounter with Christ transformed her life and made her a bold witness of the Resurrection.
• July 25 – St. James the Apostle, a man of courage and zeal, who reminds us that discipleship sometimes requires sacrifice and always requires trust.
Both saints began with small steps—an encounter, a call, a moment of surrender—and God made their lives fruitful for the whole Church.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, sow Your grace in our hearts and help us trust in Your patient love. Make our small acts of faith fruitful in Your Kingdom. Through the intercession of St. Mary Magdalene and St. James, strengthen us to follow You with courage and joy. May Your Spirit transform us from within and guide us always. Amen.

With love and prayers,

Fr. Charley

In today’s Gospel, Jesus offers the well‑known Parable of the Sower, inviting us to reflect on the condition of our hearts. The seed is the Word of God—alive, powerful, and always fruitful. The question is not whether God speaks, but whether we are ready to receive His voice. The good soil represents the heart that listens, understands, and allows God’s Word to transform daily life.

Jesus describes different kinds of soil: the hardened path, the rocky ground, the thorny soil, and finally the rich earth. Each represents a spiritual attitude. Sometimes our hearts are hardened by disappointment or pride. Sometimes we begin well but lack depth, like rocky soil. Sometimes the thorns of worry, stress, and worldly distractions choke our spiritual growth. But Jesus assures us that when His Word finds good soil, it produces abundant fruit—thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.

This parable is not meant to discourage us but to awaken hope. God never stops sowing. Even the hardest soil can be renewed. Even the thorn‑filled heart can be cleared. Grace can transform any life that opens itself to God. The Word of God is patient, persistent, and always ready to bear fruit.

As we reflect on this Gospel, we also prepare to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16. Mary is the perfect example of the “good soil.” She received God’s Word with humility, allowed it to take root, and bore the greatest fruit—the Savior of the world. Under her title of Mount Carmel, she guides us to deeper prayer, purity of heart, and trust in God’s promises. The Brown Scapular reminds us of her maternal protection and her desire to lead us to Christ. Yes, my dear brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ: “If we are able to wear the Brown Scapular always, we are under the protection Mary our Mother always, especially at the hour of our death,” is the promise of Our Mother.

May this Sunday inspire us to cultivate hearts like Mary—open, trusting, and ready to receive the seed of God’s Word.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, Divine Sower, prepare our hearts to receive Your Word with faith. Through the intercession of Our Lady of
Mount Carmel, make our lives rich soil that bears lasting fruit. Strengthen us to grow in love, holiness, and trust. Amen.

God Bless us all.

Fr. Charley

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reveals the heart of God in a profoundly simple way: “I am meek and humble of heart.” The mystery of the meekness of Christ is not weakness—it is strength expressed through gentleness, patience, and deep compassion. Jesus invites us to learn from Him, not by mastering complex teachings, but by entering into His humility.

Christ praises the Father for revealing divine truth not to the proud or self‑sufficient, but to the “little ones”—those who approach God with openness and trust. The humility of heart becomes the doorway to understanding God’s love. When we let go of pride, fear, and self‑reliance, we make room for grace.

Jesus then offers one of the most comforting invitations in Scripture: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” The rest Jesus offers is not escape from life’s responsibilities, but the peace that comes from carrying them with Him. His yoke is easy because He carries it with us. His burden is light because love transforms weight into meaning.

Many of us carry burdens—family struggles, illness, financial worries, loneliness, or spiritual fatigue. Jesus does not promise to remove every difficulty, but He promises to walk beside us. When we learn His meekness, we discover a new way of living: gentleness instead of anger, patience instead of frustration, surrender instead of control.

To be meek and humble of heart is to trust that God is working even when we cannot see it. It is to allow Christ to shape our hearts so that we become instruments of peace in our families, workplaces, and parish community.

Today, Jesus invites us again: Come to Me. Not because we are strong, but because we need Him.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, meek and humble of heart, teach us to find rest in You. Lift the burdens we carry and fill our hearts with Your peace. Make us gentle, patient, and trusting, so that we may reflect Your love to all we meet. Amen.

Love and prayers,

Fr. Charley

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks words that are both challenging and deeply freeing: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me…and whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” At first hearing, these words can sound harsh. But Jesus is not asking us to love our families less—He is inviting us to love Him first, so that we may love others more faithfully, more freely, and more fully.

To put Christ first is to anchor our lives in the One who never fails us. When Jesus is at the center, every other relationship finds its proper place. Our love becomes purified, strengthened, and shaped by His own sacrificial love.

Jesus also reminds us that discipleship involves the cross—not as a burden meant to crush us, but as a path that transforms us. The crosses we carry—suffering, sacrifice, forgiveness, perseverance—become places where His grace works most powerfully.

And then Jesus speaks of the smallest acts of kindness: “Whoever gives even a cup of cold water…will surely not lose their reward.” God sees every act of love, no matter how small. Nothing done in love is ever wasted.

This week, our parish continues to live this Gospel through prayer and devotion:

• First Friday Adoration at 11 AM, followed by the Healing Mass at Noon
• First Saturday Adoration at 7:30 AM, followed by Mass at 8 AM—which is also our July 4th Mass
• Weekend Masses: Saturday 5 PM, Sunday 8 AM and 10 AM

These moments of prayer root us more deeply in Christ, helping us carry our crosses with hope and offer our “cups of cold water” with love.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, help us place You at the center of our lives. Strengthen us to carry our crosses with trust and love. Bless our parish as we gather in prayer this week and make every small act of kindness a reflection of Your heart. Keep us faithful in following You today and always. Amen.

Love and prayers,

Fr. Charley