The Cross That Transforms: The heart of Christianity is that the cross leads to resurrection. On Wednesday, September 14, the Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross, we proclaim the Good News that God transforms suffering and death into new life. Our God is a God of victory who reigns victorious, even over the evil of…

Cost of Discipleship: big decisions require calculated thought. We calculate the gains and losses of selling our home. We calculate the positives and negatives of accepting a new job. We calculate the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate when voting. “Great crowds” were following Jesus. Did they have any inkling of the cost? Did they…

The XXXI Olympic Games! I love watching the personalities, the expertise and the passion of those competing in this 16-day athletic fest! The years of preparation often culminated into one event, sometimes lasting no longer than a minute!  If one prepared so intensely for a sporting event, how much more intentionally should one prepare for eternity! Did…

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven was proclaimed as a dogma of our faith on November 1, 1950 by Pope Pius XII, but this observance, formerly known as Dormition or Natale, the “falling asleep,” has been celebrated on this day from the middle of the fifth century. We profess our belief…

Buildings & Grounds Update: This past week, there was a crane on site to change the high wattage lightbulb (which lights up our beautiful church bell tower) on the rectory chimney, to straighten several tile on the rectory roof; in the process, the roofing company discovered the cause (we hope) of a moisture leak in the…

The Paradox of Reception:each of us, most likely, has different perceptions about migrants/refugees. I find it most interesting that the six wealthiest countries in the world received only 9% of the migrants and, in stark contrast, six of the poorest countries received more than 50+%.  So, USA, China, Japan, Germany, France in the UK received less than…

I. The Paradox of Reception: each of us, most likely, has different perceptions about migrants/refugees. I find it most interesting that the six wealthiest countries in the world received only 9% of the migrants and, in stark contrast, six of the poorest countries received more than 50+%.  So, USA, China, Japan, Germany, France in the…

I. Hatred, Racism, Poverty, Violence, Hostility, Fear, and a general disrespect for human life seems to be expressing itself more and more in our world. As our nation mourns the tragedies in Baton Rouge, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Dallas, Atlanta, and other cities; Internationally our world mourns most recently the violence in France, Turkey, and England—we must fight…

I. Father Suneesh is a Grateful Person: “Gratitude is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all virtues” (Cicero). The virtue of gratitude is the ability to express our thanks for appreciation to God and others in word or deed. This virtue must be cultivated, and cultivating the spirit of gratitude requires us…

I. Gratitude Party! How does one capture in words the spirit of Fr. Suneesh Mathew Kulathanapadikel! Positive. Upbeat. Good. Accepting. Risk taking. Cheerful. Sunny. Friendly. Fit. Funny. Free spirit. Faithful. Joyful. We congratulate Fr. Suneesh on being named pastor/shepherd of Precious Blood Parish. We will miss him, but send him forward on mission with a real sense…