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GOSPEL MEDITATION - ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE March 30, 2025 4th Sunday of Lent John 9:1-41 A man looking a bit downtrodden approached me as I filled my car’s gas tank. He asked, “May I share with you my testimony about how good God is?” “OK,” I skeptically answered. He went on to tell me that he had been an alcoholic and drug addict, and that God had healed him; now he was four years sober. He said, “I didn’t deserve it, but now I’m a different person. God is so good! Have a terrific Tuesday!” A few minutes later, as I drove away, I saw him smiling and handing a homeless person some money. I was confronted with a choice: either he was a total fraud or God had changed him. Something had happened to him, and it didn’t seem fake. Maybe it was God. When Jesus heals the man born blind, the man becomes a challenge to everyone who meets him. They must decide. Is he the same blind person who they knew before? Who healed him and how? And what is the status of the one who can heal such infirmities? We shouldn’t be surprised at the storm of doubt, hatred and animosity that swirls around the healed man — so it often goes when Jesus heals someone even to this day. Like we often do, the religious leaders confronting the healed man declare that God is not at work. They ask with mocking superiority and dismissive disdain, “You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?” (John 9:34). And they cast him out. When Jesus clearly works in our lives, in us or around us, we should accept it, and give praise and thanks for this wonderful manifestation of his goodness. Lenten challenge: Think of one way the Lord has healed you. Perhaps he healed a form of selfishness, a physical ailment, or something else. This week, find a person to whom you can share that testimony, and share it. Don’t worry if they don’t accept it was God who did it. — Father John Muir ©LPi

Why Wear a Roman Collar? Question: Why do priests wear a Roman collar? Answer: The practice of priests wearing the Roman collar developed in the mid-nineteenth century as an alternative to wearing the cassock which in some places was seen as impractical or which was even outlawed by anti-Catholic legislation. Since its introduction, it has taken different forms, and if you visit different countries today, you will see variation in what priests wear. The Code of Canon Law simply observes that priests wear “suitable ecclesiastical garb” according to the judgments of the national bishops conferences and local custom (no. 284). The US Bishops have instructed that outside of liturgical functions, a “black suit and Roman collar are the usual formal attire for priests. The use of the cassock is at the discretion of the cleric.” Priests who are members of religious communities are to follow the rules of their institute regarding the habit or other approved clothing. In the end, whether a priest wears the Roman collar, a religious habit, or, as is the case in many European countries, a suit and tie (to distinguish them from Protestant clergy who wear a collar) the goal of their clerical clothing is to serve as a sign of their commitment to guide and to serve, and to also allow them to be truly public figures because they are ordained for the service of all. ©LPi

This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday of Lent! Let us pray: Dear God, As I fast, may Your presence be my sustenance. As I pray, continue to reveal Yourself to me. As I give to others, may I know You even more deeply. Amen.

Fun Fact: Lent is a penitential season. It is a time for us to be sorry for our many faults against God and to repent and amend to do better. The way we best do this is by going to the Sacrament of Confession where we receive forgiveness for our sins.

Devotions, EXPLAINED! Traditionally said after or before receiving the Eucharist, the Anima Christi dates to the 14th century and was a favorite prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Today is the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. This is the special day that we celebrate Mary saying "yes" to becoming Jesus' mother. How have you said "yes" to Jesus in your life recently? Mary, Mother of Jesus, pray for us!

QUESTION OF THE WEEK — Jesus taught that one must repent to bear good fruit in life. Can you think of some good fruit you have borne from repenting?

LOST DOG? WE FOUND IT! This beautiful dog was found near St. Sebastian this weekend. If you are looking for this dog please reach out to us and we will connect you to the person who rescued the dog and is taking care of it.

GOSPEL MEDITATION - ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE March 23, 2025 3rd Sunday of Lent John 4:5-42 My childhood best friend was Xander Price. He was the fastest runner in school, an excellent baseball player and Jewish. Though his family wasn’t intensely religious, I felt totally at home with them despite our religious differences. Everything about their Judaism seemed to undergird and strengthen my own experience of being a Catholic. I knew they didn’t believe in Jesus like my family did, but I intuited somehow that Jesus was “hiding” in their religion. Like a cat moving under a blanket, ready to emerge at any moment, the Lord was hidden there in a special way. In the Gospel for this third Sunday of Lent, Jesus says, “For if you had believed Moses, you would have believed me, for he wrote of me” (John 5:46). Stunning words, those. Moses wrote about Jesus. The way therefore that we come to know and believe in Jesus is to discover him lurking in Moses’ writings. The Hebrew Scripture is the wonderful womb in which Jesus gestates within a host of images: Adam, Isaac, David, Melchizedek, the Temple, sacrificed lambs, prophets and so on. Right now, in your parish’s OCIA program, soon-to-be baptized people are carefully studying where Jesus is in the writings of Moses, so that they may believe in him. This works for all of us, too, who wish to deepen our knowledge and love of Jesus. Lenten challenge: Take some time to prayerfully study one of the images of Jesus listed above in the Old Testament. Identify which one you find compelling and consider why this is so. If you don’t know where to start, begin with the prophet Jeremiah as an image of Jesus. — Father John Muir ©LP

Ministry Appreciation Dinner 2025.

MINISTRY APPRECIATION DINNER 2025.

Spiritual Communion Question: What is spiritual communion, and do you need to be in a state of grace to receive it? Answer: The practice of making a “spiritual communion” dates back several centuries and St. Thomas Aquinas described it as “an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Holy Sacrament and a loving embrace as though we had already received Him.” Traditionally, a prayer of spiritual communion has been used by those who are unable to receive sacramental communion because of health, inability to attend Mass, or who cannot receive communion because of grave sin. This practice has been encouraged by many saints and spiritual writers and most recently Pope Francis encouraged the practice when the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic prevented so many Catholics from taking part in the Mass or receiving sacramental communion. Although the graces offered in spiritual communion are not the same as those offered in the sacramental communion of the Mass, this practice is still a powerful opportunity to express our desire for union with the Lord and to be united with Christ and the Church, even in an imperfect way. ©LPi

This Sunday is the Third Sunday of Lent! In the readings we will hear about how Jesus Christ is the ever-vigilant gardener. He desires us to bloom, that we will do what we were created to do, that we will bear the fruit that God intended. Will we let him cultivate our ground and prune our imperfections? Will we let him save us?

Devotions, EXPLAINED! Taizé is an ecumenical Christian movement that is known for its distinctive style of music and prayer. Taizé devotees have carried its music and traditions to Catholic and Christian communities throughout the world.

Today is the Solemnity of St. Joseph. On this day, we honor his example of obedience to God's will and great humility as Jesus' adoptive father. St. Joseph, pray for us!

March is Women's History Month. Take a moment today to say a prayer for all of the women of the Church who humbly serve the Lord and live their faith!

Monday, March 17 is St. Patrick's Day! "May Christ be with us! May Christ be before us! May Christ be in us, Christ be over all!" -The Prayer of St. Patrick St. Patrick, pray for us!

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at St. Sebastian.

GOSPEL MEDITATION - ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE March 16, 2025 2nd Sunday of Lent Luke 9:28b-36 St. Thomas Aquinas said that friends share three things: time, possessions and secrets. For example, how do I know if you’re my friend? Well, let’s say we’ve been to Mexico together, you’ve tried my shaky attempts at pasta carbonara, and you know what ridiculous costume I wore in a music video I filmed in my early twenties. We, dear reader, are definitely friends. We’ve shared time, possessions and secrets. How does friendship with Jesus develop? The same way. Jesus lives and eats with his disciples. Then he takes Peter, James and John to Mount Tabor and there reveals to them his deepest secret: his glorious, divine Sonship. The majesty of God shines from within his humanity in a way that goes beyond description. God the Father confirms this “secret,” saying, “This is my chosen Son, listen to him” (Luke 9:35). It’s all so precious that “they fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone.” Do we take time to be alone with Christ, to allow him to mystically share this “secret” with us as his dear friends? Lenten challenge: This week, identify one time when you experienced an awareness of some specific aspect of Jesus — perhaps on a retreat, at Mass, in prayer or in an act of service. Spend ten minutes consciously re-living that experience in your heart. If you can’t recall one, set aside at least two hours this Lent as a mini retreat, either alone in nature or in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Focus on him and ask him to share the secrets of his heart with you. He will. Then, as his friend, share the secrets in your heart. — Father John Muir ©LPi

Wine Distribution Question: Why haven’t Catholic Churches gone the way of disposable cups for wine distribution? Answer: If a Catholic has ever attended a Protestant worship service and saw the communion service that was offered for that community, one of the things that might have stood out was the use of small, disposable cups for distributing the wine or grape juice. This is in stark contrast to the precious metal chalices used in Catholic churches during the Mass. Although practices for Protestant Christians can vary (ranging from large shared chalices, to personal-use cups, to dipping the bread in the wine/grape juice), the norms governing Catholic practices are fairly direct: “Sacred vessels are to be made from precious metal. If they are made from metal that rusts or from a metal less precious than gold, then ordinarily they should be gilded on the inside. In the Dioceses of the United States of America, sacred vessels may also be made from other solid materials that, according to the common estimation in each region, are precious … they are to have bowls of nonabsorbent material” (nos. 328-330). Rather than being a commentary on the beliefs or practices of those other communities, these rules are intended to highlight the reverence that Catholics have for the bread and wine consecrated at Mass, which become the Body and Blood the Lord. ©LPi

This weekend is the Second Sunday of Lent. During the Gospel reading, as Peter, James and John witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration, they heard God say, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” As the season of Lent continues, what do you hope to hear from God?

Fun Fact — Lent is a time when we strive to bring our hearts back to better union with Christ. To really walk with Him and be with Him in all that we do. Whether in our fasting or praying, it's important to spend the season of Lent journeying with Christ to the cross and our salvation.

LAST DAY OF LENTEN MISSION & COMMUNAL ANOINTING OF THE SICK Tonight we will conclude our Lenten Mission with the celebration of Communal Anointing of the Sick. All are welcome.

Devotions, EXPLAINED! Christians have been making the sign of the cross since ancient times. It is not only an important component of formal liturgies and sacramental rites, but also a daily devotional practice whereby the faithful invoke the blessing and protection of God.

March is dedicated to St. Joseph! On March 19, we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. St. Joseph, pray for us!

St. Sebastian Lenten Mission Begins today at 6:00 pm With Adoration of the Eucharist Followed by Lenten Reflection By Fr. Martin Fitzgerald All are welcome!

INSPIRATION FOR THE WEEK — Jesus is desperately hungry when the devil tells him to turn stone into bread. But his divine will is stronger than the weakness of his human body, and he resists the devil. In this season of fasting and self-denial, let’s remember Jesus’ strength.

GOSPEL MEDITATION - ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE March 9, 2025 1st Sunday of Lent Luke 4:1-13 One of the most fascinating moments in American history is when George Washington could have become the king of the newly liberated United States and didn’t. At the height of his power and fame, on Dec. 23, 1783, he resigned his commission as Commander-in-Chief, and went home. The astonished King of England remarked that in doing so, Washington was “the greatest man in the world.” Greatness is often defined by what we could do but don’t. Greatness is measured by the temptations we overcome. Jesus’ greatness is revealed in his victory over temptations, too. The three offered him by the devil contain, we might say, all potential possible temptations: food, power and fame. They correspond to the triple human needs of body, soul and spirit. In overcoming these three, he says “no” in essence to every and even the greatest temptation. We see that every desire of his humanity — body, soul and spirit — is perfectly united to God, to love. This is a power available to each member of his body. It is the path to true greatness. How can we, who so easily fall into even small temptations, find the power to overcome large ones? By entering into the great dynamics of Jesus’ temptations. Lenten challenge: This first week of Lent, list some concrete ways you can overcome temptations that correspond with your desires. For example, you may give up snacks between meals, choose not to participate in an activity of which you are an expert, and decide to reduce social media posting by 50%. It may not seem like much, but by saying “no” to the tyranny of food, power, and fame (in this example), you’ll discover true greatness. — Father John Muir ©LPi

Confession & First Communion Question: Do children need to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before their First Communion? Answer: For centuries the Catholic Church has taught that a person needs to be in a state of grace (free from mortal sins) in order to worthily receive the Eucharist. To that end, Catholics should make an effort to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation any time they recognize the need for the sacrament (and in keeping with the precept of the Church that asks that we celebrate this sacrament at least once each year). In the case of children preparing for their First Communion, the Code of Canon Law is very clear that they should also celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving the Eucharist for the first time: “It is the responsibility, in the first place, of parents and those who take the place of parents as well as of the pastor to see that children who have reached the use of reason are correctly prepared and are nourished by the divine food as early as possible, preceded by sacramental confession” (Canon 914). While some might question the significance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation — especially in the case of children who might not fully understand the reality of sin or the meaning of the sacrament itself — a child’s “First Confession” can be a wonderful time for families to reflect together on the quality of their relationships, how they put their faith into practice, and, when it is possible, to celebrate the sacrament as a family. In the end, the celebration of these two sacraments marks important moments in the spiritual journeys of children and we hope their “First Confession” and “First Communion” help instill in them a love of the sacraments of the Church.

This upcoming Sunday is the First Sunday of Lent. In our second reading, we hear how Paul encouraged the Christians in Rome to have a genuine faith in Jesus in both heart and mind. As the season of Lent begins, how might you show others the sincerity of your faith?

Devotions, EXPLAINED! Though an icon depicts an image, it’s much more than a religious picture. An icon is visual theology. It expresses the same truths written in the Gospel, but through an artistic medium, mirroring how Christ’s incarnation made the Word visible to man in the flesh.

ASH WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE 7:00am Service of distribution of Ashes 8:30 am Mass with distribution of Ashes 10:30 am Service of distribution of Ashes 12:00Noon Service of distribution of Ashes 5:30 pm Service of distribution of Ashes 7:00pm Mass with distribution of Ashes

Whether you call it Shrove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, Pączki Day, Mardi Gras, or something else, the day before Ash Wednesday is a special one! Take time today to prepare your hearts for Lent and consider how you will live your faith during this upcoming liturgical season.

LIVE THE LITURGY — Remove the beam from your own eye, Jesus reminds us, before removing the splinter from your brother’s. This doesn’t mean we should not help each other to be holy. But holiness must come from within. If we don’t have it, we can’t share it. Are we looking hard enough at our own souls?

GOSPEL MEDITATION - ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE March 2, 2025 8th Sunday of Ordinary Time Luke 6:39-45 One of the things that older pastors and younger priests occasionally quarrel about is the proper balance between work and prayer. I know one pastor who complains that his younger associate ignores the people and the parish because he wants to spend more time in prayer. And the young priest complains that the pastor gives him too much work to do and no time to pray. The Lord’s words this Sunday speak into this tension with an image that can help us find a proper balance between life and prayer. Jesus says, “For every tree is known by its fruit. For people do not pick figs from thorn bushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles” (Luke 6:44). When we are deeply rooted and cultivating our relationship with Jesus, we are going to bear the fruit of that love in our lives. No fruit, no good prayer. How do we know that we are praying well? We are experiencing concrete fruits of love for others in our lives. Someone who prays well will, sooner or later, burst forth the “figs” and “grapes” of acts of love. But without concrete commitment to deeds of selfless service to others, our prayer time is as useless as thorn bushes and brambles. Let’s recommit ourselves to be men and women of prayer and service. And hopefully the pastors will help their associates to pray and serve fruitfully…with minimal quarreling. — Father John Muir ©LPi

Confirmation Sponsor Question: What are the requirements for being a confirmation sponsor? Answer: Although many dioceses have specific requirements for who can be a sponsor for the Sacrament of Confirmation, the Code of Canon Law identifies certain requirements that are true for all dioceses and parishes. First, the sponsor should be chosen by the one to be confirmed (or, in some cases, by the parents or even the pastor). Second, a sponsor must be at least sixteen years old (unless the local bishop has chosen another age, or a special exception has been made). Third, the sponsor must be a Catholic who has been confirmed and who has already received the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Beyond this, they must lead “a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on.” Fourth, they can have no sort of canonical penalty or impediment. Finally, they cannot be either the father or mother of the one to be confirmed (See Canons 893, §1 and 874, §1). In some cultures, it is customary for one of the confirmand’s godparents to act as sponsor, although this is not required by Church law. To learn about the requirements for your parish or diocese, you can consult your pastor or your parish or diocesan director of religious education or the diocese’s office liturgy and worship. ©LPi

In this weekend's Gospel, we hear “A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Lk 6:45) See you at Mass!

Fun Fact: When celebrating the Sacrifice of the Mass, priests wear special garments known as vestments. They wear the Amice, the Alb, the Cincture, the Stole, and finally the Chasuble, the colorful outer garment.

Devotions, EXPLAINED! Fasting was practiced by righteous men and women of the Old Testament and later by Christ himself. It remains an important part of the Christian devotional life today, being most strongly associated with the penitential season of Lent.

Prayer of Christian Life — Dear Jesus, Help me to pray for and bless everyone I encounter, whether that be easy or hard. Help me to act in the mercy I have known through you. Help me to demonstrate generosity, as you have given so much to me. Amen.

INSPIRATION FOR THE WEEK – Jesus’ message that we heard this weekend is one of radical generosity and abundant mercy, and it scandalized the people of his time. It shook them to their core. It should do the same for us. Are we ready to live as Jesus lived? Are we ready to offer love in the face of hate?

GOSPEL MEDITATION - ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE February 23, 2025 7th Sunday of Ordinary Time Luke 6:27-38 One of my favorite new singers/songwriters is Noah Kahan. I’m a little biased because, like me, he is originally from Vermont. In a fine song entitled “Stick Season,” he sings of his hope to “cancel out the darkness I inherited from dad.” This lyric articulates his painful recognition of a dark spiritual “inheritance” from his father, and his hope to be free of it. We all inherit some degree of evil from our earthly forebears. It’s easy to feel doomed to repeat their darknesses. But we’re not so doomed, thank God. This week’s Gospel proclaims this. Whatever good or bad we received from our parents, we have a more definitive and perfect inheritance in God. Jesus commands us, “Be merciful just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). We have a perfect Father in heaven and are destined to inherit and reflect that perfect and merciful love. We have an inheritance of light, not darkness, and thus a whole new possibility of magnanimous love. Like any inheritance, this is a free gift to us. What are we destined to repeat? Not the darkness of our earthly parents. We are destined to be a reflection of God’s life. Jesus liberates us from the inevitability of repeating whatever evils and imperfections are in our familial or cultural upbringings. It’s time to claim that perfect inheritance. — Father John Muir ©LPi

Is Gossip a Sin? Question: Is gossip a mortal sin? Answer: To really ask this question, we must consider the Eighth Commandment: “You shall not bear false witness.” In its reflections on this commandment, The Catechism of the Catholic Church invites us to not only think about what bearing “false witness” means, but to also consider how we understand the truth and how we communicate more broadly. This is why so much of this section of the Catechism has to do with the gift of language. With this in mind, we will notice that the word “gossip” isn’t used by the Catechism. Instead, we find the words “detraction” and “calumny,” which are actually two forms that gossip can take, and both can be quite serious. First, detraction is the of revealing “another’s faults and failings to persons who did not know them,” without morally valid reasons. Calumny, by extension, is saying something about another person that is untrue, and it is sinful because it “harms the reputation of others and gives occasion for false judgements” (see no. 2477). In all of our communication, we have to always recognize that we have a moral obligation to the truth and to always work to protect the reputation and honor of our neighbors (see no. 2479). Gossip can, in fact, prove to be a very serious sin. After all, the Catechism reminds us: “No one is bound to reveal the truth to someone who does not have the right to know it” (no. 2489). When we have gossiped, especially if we are aware we have damaged another person’s good name or reputation, we want to make every effort to undo the damage we have done, including seeking the grace and forgiveness offered in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. ©LPi

This weekend at Mass, we will hear about how Jesus presented his followers with some very challenging morals: love your enemy, do not retaliate, and always be willing to forgive. Does this high moral standard seem possible for you personally?

Fun Fact — The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter honors Peter as the head of the apostles, and by extension, the pope as the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

Devotions, EXPLAINED! Since the earliest days of the Church, Christians have meditated upon Christ’s passion and death. Over the centuries, the Stations of the Cross was popularized as a devotional means to experience the places and moments central to the story of Holy Week.

LIVE THE LITURGY — Too many of us make the mistake of expecting prosperity here on Earth as a reward for following Christ. But Jesus is very clear: sorrow and hardship are a part of life. But when we offer these sufferings to Christ, they become transformed. They become blessed. And so do we.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK — We heard this past weekend how Jesus brought comfort to those struggling in life and challenged those who lived a life of ease. Is there someone you know who could benefit from your words of comfort this week?

GOSPEL MEDITATION - ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE February 16, 2025 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time Luke 6:17, 20-26 I craved four things as a teenager: success in sports, food, fun and the attention of popular people. However, I noticed that as I acquired them, I was more unsatisfied than before. So, I’d strive even more energetically, achieve more, and the sense of emptiness was greater still. These four things started to feel like burdens or even curses. Soon after, I encountered Christ in my high school youth group. Experiencing his love was totally different than anything those four things previously produced. It produced a lasting happiness. Jesus utters a kind of four-fold curse in this week’s Gospel of Saint Luke’s “woes”: “Woe to you who are rich…who are filled now…who laugh now…who are well-spoken of” (cf. Luke 6:24-26). How marvelous that these correspond perfectly to the four things that obsessed my teenage soul: riches, food, laughter and good reputation. The “woes” the Lord speaks are warnings: when those things are the purpose of your life, you’ll be miserable. He is saying, “You’ll be happy, or blessed, in the measure that these things do not determine the shape of our lives, and the kingdom of God does.” To some degree, we’re all spiritual teenagers, addicted to one or more of those four “woes.” How splendid that the Lord wants his to bless us — that is, to satisfy us, make us laugh with joy, and in the kingdom of God, offer us what will truly satisfy us. But first let’s admit what is causing our “woes.” — Father John Muir ©LPi

Saint Vs. Blessed Question: What is the difference between a “Saint” and a “Blessed”? Answer: The process of proclaiming someone as a saint in the Catholic Church has evolved over the course of many centuries. In the beginning, those honored as saints were almost exclusively biblical figures or martyrs. However, after the legalization of Christianity in the fourth century, new holy women and men came to be honored as saints, and this was often done by popular acclaim or by the local bishop or abbot. It was Pope Gregory IX (who was pope from 1227 to 1241) who officially proclaimed that only the pope had the authority to add someone to the official list (the “canon”) of saints. This is the meaning of the word “canonization.” Today, the saint-making process includes several steps, including detailed studies of the person’s life and a recognition that they died as a martyr or lived a life of “heroic virtue.” Once someone is recognized as a martyr or if a miracle is attributed to their intercession, they will be beatified and honored as “Blessed.” This means that they can be celebrated by Catholics in a particular country or region or by the members of certain religious community. If another miracle occurs and is approved, then the “Blessed” is canonized and honored with the title “Saint,” meaning that they are now officially recognized as a universal model of holiness and an intercessor. ©LPi

Happy Valentine's Day! Today, we celebrate love and remember St. Valentine, a 3rd-century Roman priest and martyr. St. Valentine, pray for us!

Prayer When Facing the Unknown — Dear Jesus, When you call me to places where I am unfamiliar, be with me. When you invite me to a mission, I feel ill-equipped to handle, give me your strength. Help me to leave everything and follow you. Amen.

CATHOLIC UPDATES SEMINAR On Wednesday, February 12, as part of our monthly” Catholic Updates" seminar series, we will have Deacon John Henderson speaking on "The Connection Between the Sacrament of Baptism and Easter." It will take place at LeSage Hall at 6:30 pm. Please make plans to attend these monthly seminars to update your catholic faith and knowledge. Invite some one to join you, even if they are of a different faith. All are welcome.

Devotions, EXPLAINED! St. Patrick’s Breastplate is an ancient Irish prayer attributed to St. Patrick. Its 11 sections call upon different elements of divine protection, beseeching Christ to surround the physical and spiritual reality of those who say it.

Did you know? On February 11, 1858, the Blessed Virgin Mary first appeared at the Grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes, France, to 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!

INSPIRATION FOR THE WEEK — “I am a sinful man,” says Simon Peter as he falls to his knees before Jesus. He had doubted the Lord, had hesitated to follow his instructions. How often can the same be said of us? Remember that God knows the outcome. He knows our nets will be filled. Do not be afraid.

GOSPEL MEDITATION - ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE February 9, 2025 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Luke 5:1-11 My parents’ garage is full of old junk that no longer serves any purpose in my life. As a 46-year-old man, I admit that’s pretty lame. Either due to my sentimentality or laziness (or both, probably), I just couldn’t get myself to throw things away. But a few days ago, by a grace of God, I thought: “I’ll hire my nephew Ryan to throw a bunch of my stuff away — he couldn’t care less about my junk!” And you know what? It worked. In one day, Ryan chucked the majority of his uncle’s useless stuff. I feel so free, ready for a new junk-free chapter in my life. This kind of thing happens in this Sunday’s Gospel. Peter’s net is full of useless junk. Luke says he and the others are cleaning their nets after catching no fish. Imagine them dejectedly and impatiently removing a nasty assortment of seaweed, sticks and muck. The Lord teaches and calls them once their nets are cleared out. So it goes with us. Spiritual life begins by removing that which is useless and merely taking up space in our hearts, minds and lives. Then Jesus teaches and acts in a marvelous way in our lives, too. So what’s junking up your net? What habits, attachments, possessions, preoccupations? If, like me, you struggle to clean your nets by yourself, ask the Lord to send you someone like my nephew to be your “Peter” and help you clean it out. It is well worth it. Once Peter’s net is clean, he is free to make a wonderful catch. — Father John Muir ©LPi

Religious Orders Question: What is the meaning of the letters that professed religious have after their names? Answer: The Catholic Church includes hundreds of religious communities. The priests, religious brothers, religious sisters, and nuns of these communities (which are often referred to as “religious orders”) are committed to particular spiritual traditions and often to a particular charism (such as teaching, healthcare, social work, or pastoral care). To help identify a person as a member of a particular religious community, the custom developed of including post-nominal letters that provide a sort of shorthand for the name of the community that the priest, brother, sister or nun is part of. So, for example OSB after a person’s name would indicate that they are a member of the Order of St. Benedict (the Benedictines), just as SJ would indicate that a priest or brother is a member of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) or RSM would show that a woman is a Sister of Mercy. Other common examples include: DC = Daughters of Charity FSC = The Brothers of the Christian Schools/Christian Brothers OCist = The Order of Cistercians OCD = Order of Discalced Carmelites OFM = The Order of Friars Minor (the Franciscans) OFM Cap = The Capuchin Franciscans OP = The Order of Preachers (Dominicans) OSF=Franciscan Sisters SC = Sisters of Charity SDS = Society of the Divine Savior (Salvatorian Priests and Brothers and Salvatorian Sisters) SSND = School Sisters of Notre Dame SVD = Society of the Divine Word (Divine Word Missionaries) ©LPi

Today, February 7th, marks the start of National Marriage Week, with World Marriage Day coming up this Sunday! Let’s celebrate by fostering a culture of love, supporting marriages, and lifting families in prayer.

Prayer of Faith — Dear God, Open my eyes to Your movement in my life. And, even when I don’t see it or don’t understand, help me to rely on the promises of Your love and mercy. Amen.

GOSPEL MEDITATION - ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE February 2, 2025 Presentation of the Lord Luke 2:22-40 What is the secret to sharing in God’s power to overcome our difficulties? Mary teaches us this in the prophecy of her pierced heart. This Sunday, the old man Simeon prophecies that when her son faces opposition, Mary’s soul will be pierced by a sword. The seemingly pointless agony of a mother helplessly watching her son be mocked, tortured, killed and then cruelly desecrated in death by a spear — somehow this piercing of her heart releases a power by which “the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:35). What to make of this? Whatever problems we currently face, the deepest threat is finally that evil thoughts are hidden in the human heart: hatred, envy, pride, lust, greed and so on. Behind every tyrant’s injustice, for example, is a heart unpierced by love. Evil hides in our hearts. Mary’s pierced heart, and its suffering love for her son, reveals and scatters these evil thoughts, and replaces them with love, forgiveness, generosity and peace. This week, I invite us to ponder Mary’s pierced heart. Her heart is quietly at work for us in the Church and world, exposing our evil thoughts and making a path for her son’s divine love. This is how she gently cooperates in our salvation. Closed hearts are our biggest problem; love-pierced hearts are the ultimate power to overcome every difficulty. — Father John Muir ©LPi

Catholic Vs. Protestant Bibles Question: Why are Catholic and Protestant Bibles different? Answer: Since the earliest days of the Church, Christians used a Greek translation of the Old Testament known as the Septuagint. This collection of the texts of the Hebrew Scriptures included 46 books. At the time of the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s, the Protestant reformers began to create their own translations of the Bible (into local languages) and some began to question why the Jewish Scriptures would have included texts that were written in Greek, because, they assumed, the only valid Jewish Scriptures would have been written in Hebrew. And so, they decided to remove seven books from the Old Testament: Baruch, Sirach, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Tobit, Judith and Wisdom (as well as portions of the Books of Daniel and Esther). This means that the Protestant Old Testament only includes 39 books, while Catholic Bibles continue to include those original 46 books. Both Catholic and Protestant Bibles include 27 books and letters in the New Testament. ©LPi

This weekend, we celebrate the Presentation of the Lord. Mary and Jospeh received incredible news from Simeon and Anna about the infant Jesus at his presentation in the Temple. Who helps you process startling or unsettling information? See you at Mass!

Jesus didn’t come to fix the brokenness of the world. He came to fix our brokenness. He offers us not relief from the trials of life, but an answer to the question of how to live in joy, in love and in purpose in the midst of these evil days.

Devotions, EXPLAINED! �The practice of examining one’s conscience dates to the very beginning of the Christian faith. It simply calls for reflection on one’s actions, making note of lapses in judgment that should be confessed in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

INSPIRATION FOR THE WEEK – Jesus is the fulfillment of the Scripture passage he reads in the synagogue, a missive of promise and hope from an ancient prophet. But he invites us to be part of his work, here and now, in our own lives, our own communities. Be part of the fulfillment.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK – In the second reading this past weekend, Paul uses the human body as an analogy for the many and varied parts of the Christian community. What role would you like to have in your parish?

GOSPEL MEDITATION - ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE January 26, 2025 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21 A young couple in my parish told me they were expecting their second child, a baby boy. I knew that their five-year old only child Emma had been desperately wanting to be a big sister for years, so I said, “Emma must have been so happy when you told her the news.” “Actually,” they said, “she burst into tears. She wanted a baby sister!” How often in life God wonderfully fulfills our desires and we are sad because we don’t approve of the way he does it. We want to control the gift and the delivery method. The same thing occurs in the Gospel this week when Jesus announces in his hometown that the promise of an Anointed One bringing glad tidings to the poor is “fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21). After a moment of elation, his fellow townsfolk realize this man is the way God is fulfilling his promises, and they erupt into a violent outburst. So Jesus departs. How sad for them. Every single Sunday at Mass, including this one, some version of this happens to many of us. God’s word announces the fulfillment of God’s promises in Christ, and we easily overlook or disdain it. His way is almost never according to our narrow expectations. What’s required of us is to set these aside, and to embrace a new openness to God’s gifts, no matter how he wishes to give them. God is fulfilling his promises the way He likes — why be sad? — Father John Muir ©LPi

Anointing of the Sick Question: If it isn’t only for people who are dying, when should someone receive the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick? Answer: One of the unfortunate realities in the Church today is that so few people understand the meaning and value of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, largely because so many people still mistakenly think of this sacrament as “Last Rites” or “Extreme Unction.” In his life and ministry, Jesus healed the sick. In this sacrament, the Church continues the healing mission of Jesus and, in hope, prays that God will grant healing to the person who is suffering. But even if there is no physical healing, the sacrament offers spiritual healing through the Holy Spirit’s gifts of peace and courage. And so, anyone who is living with serious illness (including emotional or psychological illness) and the elderly are encouraged to celebrate this sacrament when it is needed. The ritual for Anointing of the Sick does also include special prayers and blessings for those who are facing death, including viaticum (communion given to the dying, trusting that the Lord Jesus will be their companion along the way, as they make their final journey). ©LPi

Catholic Schools week is next week, Jan. 26-Feb. 1, with the theme "Alive in Christ!" Don't forget to pray for all Catholic school students, families, facility and staff this upcoming week!

Devotions, EXPLAINED! The Angelus is an ancient devotion whose practice developed over the course of several centuries. It is composed of three antiphons that tell the story of the annunciation, each followed by a Hail Mary. It is usually said daily at noon.

Today, January 22nd, is the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. Don't forget to say a prayer for the unborn and all expecting mothers today.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK — This weekend, we heard about Jesus performing his first miracle at the wedding at Cana. After all the wine was consumed, Jesus turned water into wine for the bride and groom at the wedding. When have you received an unexpected gift from someone?

Today we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by remembering that God calls all of us to create communities of justice, peace, and freedom, and to love one another.

GOSPEL MEDITATION - ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE January 19, 2025 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time John 2:1-12 A friend invited me to an invitation-only wine-tasting event. There were over two hundred varieties of wine. Having no idea how to approach such a massive selection, I wandered aimlessly among the tables, sipping this and that. At the end of the evening my friend asked if I had tried some of the exceptionally expensive wines. I hadn’t. “The really good stuff disappears first,” he said. “My man, you missed out on some amazing vino.” I was so disappointed. I wasted my chance for amazing once-in-a-lifetime wine. The wine I tasted was, well, blah. Don’t we often feel a similar disappointment in life? I missed this or that opportunity. If only I had known. Optimism sputters and fades. The glory days are gone. The chances, it seems, for the really great things in life come and go so quickly. Then they are gone forever. The good stuff goes first. Then life is just blah. Not so with the Lord Jesus. In Jesus’ miracle at the wedding at Cana, the steward of the feast says, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then…an inferior one” (John 2:10). That’s the natural downward progression of life. The good stuff disappears quickly. But he says of the groom (who symbolizes Jesus), “But you have kept the good wine until now.” This is the ever-improving trajectory of the realm of God’s grace. With Jesus, the “good wine” of divine love, hope and peace gets better as our journey of faith progresses. Where are your greatest disappointments? Don’t give in to the lie that the really good stuff is gone. Tell Jesus you’ve run out. Then learn how to taste that amazingly good wine, because he saves the best until now. — Father John Muir ©LPi

Patron Saints Question: Why are some saints honored as “patron saints”? Answer: Each person is unique and each of us has different gifts, interests, talents, and, yes, even struggles and areas where we need to grow. This is no less true of those holy women, men, and children who have been canonized or beatified. Because we believe that the saints and blesseds are both models of faith and intercessors, Christians have looked to certain holy people as role models and heavenly protectors for occupations, spiritual charisms, and even places. Although the Church sometimes names a person as a patron saint (e.g. Saint Philip Neri as the patron of Rome, Saint Clare of Assisi as the patroness of television, or Saint Aloysius Gonzaga as the patron of youth and young adults), more often it is popular devotion that inspires lay Christians to turn to a particular saint or blessed for heavenly help and support. This is how, for example, Saint Cecilia came to be honored as the patroness of musicians, Saint Toribio Romo as patron of migrants coming into the United States, and Saint Gertrude of Nivelles as patroness of cat lovers. Although there are official and unofficial lists of patron saints, we should always feel free to ask any and all the saints to give us their patronage and protection in whatever it is that we need. ©LPi

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity starts tomorrow and goes through January 25th. This global ecumenical observance invites us to reflect on Christ's prayer in John 17:21, "that they may be one so that the world may believe," and to join in praying for one another.

Prayer for Baptism — Oh God, You desire each of us to be a part of Your sacred family, called and invited into relationship with You. May the grace of our Baptisms surround us anew, who are beloved and chosen by You. Amen.

INSPIRATION FOR THE WEEK — “The people were filled with expectation,” writes Luke. And so we find ourselves, two thousand years later, filled with expectation, with longing. Who can give us what we seek? Only the one upon whom the dove descended. Follow him.

It makes perfect sense that everyone thought John the Baptist was the Messiah. He was the guy pouring the water. But the Messiah was the man who came to be baptized. He was the one who descended into the waters, submerging himself in our experience of death and pain and sorrow.

GOSPEL MEDITATION - ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE January 12, 2025 The Baptism of the Lord Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 In my second year of theology studies, I went to confession to a priest visiting the seminary for a three-day retreat. My heart wasn’t in it. I was going through the motions. I confessed my sins and waited for his response. The priest said, “For your penance, I’d like you to go into the chapel and repeat the words ‘You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased’ (Luke 3:22) until they mean something to you.” Easy penance, I thought. But to my surprise, I struggled to say those words. I sensed a strong interior resistance blocking them. How could God be well-pleased with me? He couldn’t be, I thought. A battle within me ensued. Two hours later, the resistance vanished, and I found myself able to speak, and claim as my own, those marvelous words. I emerged from the chapel with a new, deep, peaceful conviction that I was indeed God’s beloved son. Those words are a precious gift from heaven to all of us. Jesus’ baptism, which we celebrate this week, offers them to us. Are we willing to receive these words anew? Many things can block this deepening of our baptismal identity: failings, sins, disappointments, traumas, problems, and so on. Yet God’s love is always greater. This week I challenge you to prayerfully repeat these words over yourself — or perhaps over someone you’re struggling to love — until those words find a home in your heart. — Father John Muir ©LPi

Vestment Colors Question: What do the colors of the priest’s and deacon’s vestments mean? Answer: In the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, the colors of the vestments evolved over the course of several centuries and there was wide variation both in the colors used, and in the feasts and seasons associated with particular colors. It was Pope Innocent III (d. 1216) who gave us the basic outline that was later prescribed by Pope Saint Pius V in 1570. The various colors remind us of the dominant themes of a particular season or celebration. · White: Used for the seasons of Christmas and Easter and in celebrations of the Lord, of Mary, the angels, and saints who were not martyrs. This color is also used in Masses for the dead, at baptisms, weddings and other festive celebrations. · Red: As the color of both blood and fire, red is used on Palm Sunday and Good Friday, as well as Pentecost and special celebrations of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, red is used on the feasts and memorials of the Apostles and those saints who died as martyrs. · Violet: The color for Advent and Lent. Violet may also be used in Masses for the dead and on All Souls Day (November 2). · Green: A color of life and hope, green is used throughout Ordinary Time. · Other colors: Rose may be used on the Third Sunday of Advent and the Fourth Sunday of Lent, black may be used in Masses of the dead and on All Souls Day, gold or silver may be used on solemn occasions in place of white, red, or green. ©LPi

This weekend, we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. In the Gospel reading, we'll hear: "After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove." (Lk 3:22) See you at Mass!

Fun Fact — The Magi brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Baby Jesus. We remember them on Epiphany!

Prayer of Rejoicing — Fill our hearts, Lord, with rejoicing as we seek and discover You. Your ways are full of wonder, glory, surprise, and joy. Amen.

Devotions, EXPLAINED! The Epiphany household blessing is an ancient practice in the Church. This tradition is a beautiful way to observe the coming of the magi while invoking God’s blessing on your home and all who enter it. All that is needed is chalk and a prayerful heart! The door, lintel, or similar is marked with "20+C+M+B+25". The numbers represent the year, and the letters C, M, and B are the initials of the names of the three wise men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. The initials also stand for the Latin phrase Christus Mansionem Benedicat, which means "May Christ bless this house". Prayers: A leader may say prayers such as "Lord Jesus Christ, the three kings presented their gifts to you in praise and adoration". The leader may also invite all present to say the Lord's Prayer.

This past weekend, we celebrated the Epiphany! The visit of the magi teaches us about God’s desire for the whole world know about his Son, Jesus. When do you first recall hearing about Jesus?

GOSPEL MEDITATION - ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE January 5, 2025 The Epiphany of the Lord Matthew 2:1-12 Have you ever wondered why the magi had gold, frankincense, and myrrh? Matthew’s Gospel tells us, “Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matt. 2:11). Why are these things their “treasures”? One possible answer is they were magicians and astrologers, and these three items were the tools of their questionable trade. In offering them to Christ, they demonstrate that they will cease using such items to predict or control life. They place this baby-king, the God of Israel, at the center of their lives, and not their own devices of control, manipulation and prediction. Isn’t that what we need to do, too? Consider, for example, the magical power of money, symbolized by the magi’s gold. Seemingly whatever we ask of money, it does. It wields a god-like power over the world. It can predict the future by guaranteeing better outcomes for us — which is why it is such a tempting alternative to trusting in God. The problem is such absolute trust in money enslaves us to the economic forces that make money so powerful. In paying homage to Jesus with “gold” (i.e., tithing), we participate in his authority over (and therefore freedom from) the magical sway of money. What things in your life do you use to predict or control your future? What in your life seems to give you power over the world? Those are your treasures. Are you tired of feeling enslaved to them? Find a way to open them and give them to Christ, and you will be freer. — Father John Muir ©LPi

Jesus’ Grandparents Question: July 26 is the feast of Joachim and Anna. Who are they and what do we know about them? Answer: Joachim and Anna are the parents of Mary, the mother of Jesus, yet there is absolutely no biblical reference to them whatsoever. So where do we get their names, and what is their story? Their names are found in an apocryphal (hidden) gospel known as "The Infancy Gospel of James." Apocryphal, or hidden gospels, consist of accounts of Jesus' life that were ultimately not accepted as inspired works, and thus were not included in the Bible. However, they sometimes captured the Christian imagination, spilling into the devotional dimension of the community. James' infancy gospel begins with the parents of Mary and their desire for a child. In their prayer and petitions to God, they are heard and given the blessings of a child, whom they named Mary. While we have no idea who Mary's parents really were, the fact that we celebrate the feast of Joachim and Anna indicates that the bond of family love is important in the Christian life. Long before Grandparents' Day was established, the church had a feast that honored the presumed grandparents of Jesus. While their names are part of non-inspired apocryphal legends, the fact of the Savior's human ancestry is not. Christ, the incarnate Word, dwelt among us in the flesh in a human family. In honoring the grandparents of Jesus we really proclaim our faith in the Incarnation--God becoming human! ©LPi

January is the month dedicated to the Most Holy Name of Jesus, and today we celebrate its feast day. In his letter to the Philippians, St. Paul reminds us that the name of Jesus is above every other name, for it is in this name that we are all saved.

As we begin New Year 2025, Please leave a google review, so that others can find us and join us. Please click the link below to leave a google reveiw of St.Sebastian Thank you. https://g.page/r/CSUbrWA8_iyuEAE/review

St. Gianna Beretta Molla (1922-1962) is the first woman doctor and working mom to be canonized. During her last pregnancy, a uterine tumor was surgically removed so she could bring her daughter into the world, even at the expense of her own life.

Happy New Year! May 2025 be filled with God’s abundant blessings, drawing you deeper into a relationship with Jesus and closer to the joy of His presence. We wish you a year of love, grace, and boundless hope in Christ. Mass at 8:30 am

As we welcome a new year, may God’s peace rest upon you and His love inspire each moment. Solemnity of Mother of God December 31, 2024 Vigil Mass at 7:00 pm January 1, 2025 Mass at 8:30 am

INSPIRATION FOR THE WEEK — For three days, Mary and Joseph search and worry before finding Jesus in the temple. “Didn’t you know where I was?” he says to them, in so many words. We, too, look for Jesus. We, too, know where to find him. Let us never forget and never despair.

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