My Dear Parish Family,

As October draws to a close, we are reminded of the richness of our faith and the communion of saints who inspire us. This week, we celebrate the Feast of Saints Simon and Jude on October 28th. These apostles, though lesser known, were pillars of the early Church, proclaiming Christ with courage and fidelity. May their example strengthen our own witness to the Gospel.

On Friday, October 31st, we invite everyone to join us for a special Adoration and Healing Mass at 11 AM. This is a sacred time to come before the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, seeking spiritual renewal and healing of body, mind, and soul. Let us gather in faith and hope, trusting in God’s mercy and power.

As we enter November, we mark two profound days in our liturgical calendar. November 1st is All Saints Day, when we honor all the saints—known and unknown—who now rejoice in heaven. November 2nd is All Souls Day, when we pray for all the faithful departed, asking God to welcome them into eternal peace. Please bring names of loved ones to be remembered during Mass.

This Sunday’s Gospel, Luke 18:9–14, reminds us that humility is the path to holiness. The Pharisee boasted of his righteousness, while the tax collector humbly begged for mercy. The Pharisee’s prayer is almost a parody of the thanksgiving psalms. Instead of praising God for His mighty works, the Pharisee congratulates himself for his own deeds, which he presents to God in some detail.

The tax collector stands at a distance, too ashamed even to raise his eyes to God. He prays with a humble and contrite heart. He knows that before God no one is righteous, no one has cause to boast.

Jesus teaches us that “whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Let us strive to walk humbly with our God, recognizing our need for grace and offering it to others.

May these celebrations deepen love for Christ and His Church.

In Christ’s peace,

Fr. Charley

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

The Feast of the Holy Cross, Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, or Feast of the Cross, commemorates the True Cross. On 13 September, 335, the Constantinian Basilica over the Holy Sepulcher was consecrated in Jerusalem. The day after the church’s consecration, the relic of the cross was shown or “exalted” the first time to the people for veneration. Later, the feast was also associated with the commemoration of the recovery of the Holy Cross by Emperor Heraclius on 13 September 628.

In English, the feast is called The Exaltation of the Holy Cross in the official translation of the Roman Missal, while the 1973 translation called it The Triumph of the Cross.

According to Christian tradition, the True Cross was discovered in 326 by Saint Helena, the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, during a pilgrimage she made to Jerusalem. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher was then built at the site of the discovery, by order of Helena and Constantine. The church was dedicated nine years later, with a portion of the cross. One third was brought to Rome, one third remained in Jerusalem and was deposited in the Sensoria basilica Santa Croce (Holy Cross in Jerusalem), and one third was taken to Constantinople to make the city impregnable.

The history of this feast begins in Constantinople where it was the custom to carry the relic of the True Cross through the streets and squares of the city to ask for God’s blessing and for relief from sickness.

The cross, once a symbol of suffering, human cruelty, and violence at its worst, has been transformed by Christ’s self-giving love. It has become a sign of love, forgiveness, and the very symbol of salvation and God’s boundless love for us. In today’s gospel, Jesus speaks to Nicodemus about his journey to the cross. Jesus knows that the cross is in his future. He says, “The son of man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

Carrying the cross today means staying true to God, to love, to the commandments, and to our baptismal calling. Because each of our lives and challenges is unique, the cross we bear is specific to each one of us. When we embrace our crosses in faith, it is transformed. The good news is that, with each cross we bear, we have an opportunity to renew our relationship with God.

We shall pray to Jesus Christ to give us the courage to carry the cross with great joy and never complain. Our crosses appear to us in different ways—like sicknesses, failures, losing jobs, or even unexpected things that happen in our lives suddenly. The one who carried the cross without any complaint—Jesus Christ—will give us the courage to carry ours. He is always with us when we carry our daily crosses. He is really helping us, telling us that He is with us always.

God Bless us all,

Fr. Charley

If you prize something of great value and want to possess it, it’s natural to ask what it will cost you before you make a commitment to invest in it. Jesus was utterly honest and spared no words to tell his disciples that it would cost them dearly to be his disciples—it would cost them their whole lives and all they possessed in exchange for the new life and treasure of God’s kingdom. The Lord Jesus leaves no room for compromise or concession. We either give our lives over to him entirely or we keep them for ourselves. As St. Paul the Apostle reminds us, “We are not our own. We were bought with a price.” We were once slaves to sin and a kingdom of darkness and oppression, but we have now been purchased with the precious blood of Jesus Christ who has ransomed us from a life of darkness and destruction so we could enter his kingdom of light and truth. Christ has set us free to choose whom we will serve in this present life as well as in the age to come—God’s kingdom of light, truth, and goodness. We are always called for God’s kingdom.

Jesus’ words may sound radical: renounce all possessions. But He is not condemning material things themselves. Rather, He is teaching us about attachment. The danger is when possessions own us, rather than us owning them. A disciple is one who puts Christ first, above comfort, wealth, or even personal dreams.

Renouncing possessions doesn’t always mean selling everything and living in poverty—though some are called to that radical witness. For most of us, it means holding what we have with open hands, willing to let go if Christ asks. It means never clinging to wealth, status, or comfort in such a way that it keeps us from following Him fully. True freedom comes not from accumulating, but from trusting God enough to let go. When Christ is our greatest treasure, everything else falls into place.

A wealthy traveler once carried a heavy bag of gold on a long journey. At first, he was proud to have it, feeling secure. But as he walked, the bag slowed him down. He grew tired, hungry, and weary. Others on the road passed him with light steps while he struggled under the weight. Finally, he met a wise old man who asked, “Why do you carry such a heavy burden?” The traveler replied, “This is my security.” The old man smiled and said, “Your ‘security’ is what is making you weak. If you let go, your hands will be free to receive what truly matters.” Hesitant, the traveler finally set the bag down by the roadside. Immediately, he felt lighter, freer, able to move forward with joy. Only then did he realize the truth: he had been a slave to what he thought he owned.

Jesus invites us to travel light, so our hearts are free for Him. To renounce possessions is to say: “Lord, everything I have belongs to You. You are my true treasure.”

God Bless us all,

Fr. Charley

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is invited to a Pharisee’s house for a meal. As He observes the guests scrambling for the places of honor, He turns the moment into a lesson about humility. The world teaches us to climb higher—to seek titles, positions, recognition. But Jesus turns that ladder upside down: “When you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place…For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Once a great king invited the people of his city to a banquet. The royal hall was filled with gold decorations, music, and the smell of rich food. As the guests arrived, many rushed to sit at the long table closest to the king’s throne, hoping to be noticed. But one young farmer quietly walked to the farthest corner, content to watch from a distance. He had no fine clothes, no titles—only a heart full of gratitude that he had been invited at all. When the king entered, he looked over the table and saw pride in many faces—but joy and peace in the farmer’s. Smiling, the king left his throne, walked to the corner, and said, “Friend, come sit beside me.”

Humility is not self-hatred or pretending we have no gifts. It’s the quiet, steady awareness that all we have is from God, and therefore, we don’t need to boast or push our way forward. True humility allows us to be at peace, even if no one notices us. It opens the heart to serve without expecting repayment.

God sees the hidden goodness we do. He notices the sacrifices no one else applauds. And in His time, He raises up the humble—not with worldly applause, but with the joy of His presence and the crown of eternal life.

We live in a culture that tells us, “If you don’t promote yourself, no one will.” Jesus counters: “If you trust Me, I will take care of your place.” The lowest seat in God’s banquet is still a place of honor—because we are close to the Host who loves us.

Today, let’s ask for the grace to choose the path of humility: to listen more than we speak, to serve without being asked, and to let God be the One who lifts us up.

Let us Pray: Lord, teach me to find joy in the lowest place, knowing You see my heart. Free me from the need for recognition, and help me to trust that in Your banquet, the humble will always be honored.

God Bless you all,

Fr. Charley

Jesus warns that we can be excluded if we do not strive to enter by the narrow door. The door which Jesus had in mind was himself. Jesus says that “I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved.” God sent his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to open the way for us to have full access to the throne of God’s grace, that is his favor and his blessings. And his mercy is his pardon for our sins. Through Jesus’ victory on the cross, he has freed us from slavery to sin and hurtful desires and addictions. And he has made us His own sons and daughters and citizens of his kingdom. We are free now to choose which kingdom we will serve—the kingdom of truth and light ruled by God’s wisdom or the kingdom of falsehood and darkness ruled by Satan. We have to decide it, because God will never put his hands on our individual freedom.

Today’s gospel presents Jesus’ uncompromising challenge regarding the serious demands of true discipleship. Jesus is the door to life that we must walk through to enter the kingdom, but today’s images—a narrow gate and a locked door—remind us that this journey requires our own effort. Jesus is telling us that we must be willing to take up our cross and follow him every day of our lives. The Christian way of living is not meant to be an easy way. It is about living an active lifestyle that chooses the way of God. Each day, we are invited to live the paschal mystery, that is to take up our daily crosses—die to ourselves and live for the sake of the gospel. Or in other words to live and act like Jesus every day of our lives.

The word strive can also be translated as agony. To enter the kingdom of God we must struggle against every force or power of opposition—even the temptation to remain indifferent in our faith and personal trust in Jesus, our hope in holding firm to the promises of Jesus, and our uncompromising love for God above all else. Paul the Apostle reminds us that our hope in God does not disappoint us because “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” The Lord reminds us that when we face difficulties, trials, temptations, and even failures, we do not struggle alone. He knows our weaknesses even better than we do, and he is always ready to help us in our struggles to overcome sin and wrong-doing. God’s grace is sufficient for us! Then Jesus assures us of complete victory!

Today Jesus us is asking us whether we are ready to trust in God’s grace and help, especially in times of testing and temptation! When we trust in God, surely He will be on our side to help us always. He will never ever abandon us at any time—because He is a faithful God. Put all our trust in Him and only in Him.

God Bless you all.

Fr. Charley