ctkparish-springfield-il

Good Shepherd Sunday: Praying for Vocations

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:26:30 GMT

Happy 4th Sunday of Easter and Good Shepherd Sunday! It is good to be back. Military training overall went very well. I had some individual chaplain training and training with my unit. Both training courses were informative and useful. Now looking forward to enjoying the rest of the Easter Season in the Parish and finishing out the school year strong.

In our Gospel this Sunday, we hear the famous Good Shepherd passage from John 10. This shepherd image has builds on many themes from the Old Testament. King David was a shepherd before he was King of Israel. Ancient Kingship was tied to shepherding because the king was to

guide, provide, and protect his people. Jesus fulfills this theme of ancient kingship by providing, protecting, and guiding his people.

This Sunday is also called Good Shepherd Sunday, World Day of Prayer for Vocations, especially Priesthood. Let us lift up in prayer our Seminarians and ask Jesus to send us more seminarians to walk in His path of Priesthood. Let us especially pray for Dennis Trickey this Sunday. He has been

a tremendous blessing to our Parish and School. He will be with us through July. In August, he will reply to seminary for 2 more years before becoming a priest.

Finally, I mentioned when I first arrived at CTK that the goal my first year was orient, observe, and then act. I mentioned in October during the state of the parish homily that I was going to review the Parish/School Vision and Mission plus Values with staff and councils. Through a review process, we have updated our Parish/School Vision and Mission. We will release them soon and I will be preaching on them the Weekend of May 9-10.

In Christ’s Mercy,

Fr. Mark Tracy

Military Schedule

May 16-17 and June 12-14

The Road to Emmaus and the Gift of the Mass

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 01:12:30 GMT

Happy 3rd Sunday of Easter! I pray that you are having a blessed Easter Season. Reminder, I am on military obligations for Annual Training, which is required each year for anyone in the Reserves. Typically, the Annual Training is during the summer, but my unit this year is attending in April. Know of my continued prayers while I am away and look forward to returning April 26.

In our Gospel this weekend, we have the famous Road to Emmaus Passage. It is a particularly powerful passage only found in St. Luke’s Gospel. The two disciples in the passage are going the opposite direction of Galilee, where Jesus told his disciples to meet Him after His Resurrection. They are going the wrong way, and the Risen Christ interprets their journey.

Through the Passage, we also see 4 parts of Mass, especially the Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of Eucharist. We see the Liturgy of the Word clearly in the passage when Jesus beginning with Moses and all the prophets interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. At Mass, we have readings from the Old Testament, New Testament, and Gospel with a homily.

We see the Liturgy of the Eucharist present in the passage right after the disciples ask Jesus to stay with him. He then sat at table with them, took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them and they recognized Him in the breaking of the bread. At Mass, we do the same actions

with the Priest representing Jesus celebrates the Mass.

Please know of my continued prayers while I am away and look forward to seeing you next weekend at Masses.

In Christ’s Mercy,

Fr. Mark Tracy

Military Schedule

April 12-25 and May 16-17

Living the Message of Divine Mercy

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:57:27 GMT

Happy Divine Mercy Sunday! This Sunday concludes our Easter Octave celebrating Jesus’s victory over sin and death. Below is some information on Divine Mercy Sunday. We continue to celebrate Easter Season through Pentecost.

Reminder, I am on military obligations for Annual Training, which is required each year for anyone in the Reserves. Typically, the Annual Training is during the summer, but my unit this year is attending in April. Know of my continued prayers while I am away and look forward to returning April 26.

The Divine Mercy Message and Devotion

The message of The Divine Mercy is simple. It is that God loves us – all of us. And, He wants us to recognize that His mercy is greater than our sins, so that we will call upon Him with trust, receive His mercy, and let it flow through us to others. Thus, all will come to share His joy.

The Divine Mercy message is one we can call to mind simply by remembering ABC:

A - Ask for His Mercy. God wants us to approach Him in prayer constantly, repenting of our sins and asking Him to pour His mercy out

upon us and upon the whole world.

B - Be merciful. God wants us to receive His mercy and let it flow through us to others. He wants us to extend love and forgiveness to

others just as He does to us.

C - Completely trust in Jesus. God wants us to know that all the graces of His mercy can only be received by our trust. The more we

open the door of our hearts and lives to Him with trust, the more we can receive.

This message and devotion to Jesus as The Divine Mercy is based on the writings of Saint Faustina Kowalska, an uneducated Polish nun

who, in obedience to her spiritual director, wrote a diary of about 600 pages recording the revelations she received about God's mercy.

Even before her death in 1938, the devotion to The Divine Mercy had begun to spread.

F.I.N.C.H.

Jesus told St. Faustina, “Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My mercy” (Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, 300;

see also 699). The five elements of the devotion (represented by the acronym F.I.N.C.H., for Feast, Image, Novena, Chaplet, Hour ) have

attached to them some of the most powerful and extraordinary promises of any devotion.

Spend time to learn more about the mercy of God, learn to trust in Jesus, and live your life as merciful to others, as Christ is merciful to

you.

For a full understanding of Divine Mercy, we recommend Divine Mercy Message and Devotion , by Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, MIC.

Hear a 30-minute crash course by Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC. https://www.thedivinemercy.org/message

Entering Holy Week with Intention

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:28:42 GMT

Happy Palm Sunday! It is hard to believe that Lent is wrapping up. I pray that your Lent has been fruitful and God’s grace has been transforming you to be more Christ-like. As we head into Holy Week, I always challenge myself that this week must be different. If my week is just another week then what is point. Below are 5 simple ways that I challenge myself to make Holy Week different and participate in the Pascal Mystery of Jesus’s Death and Resurrection.

Fast 1 day this week until it hurts. Not for the sake of pain, but to recall love of Christ Jesus who bore our pain and poured out His blood. It could be food, drink, or tech, etc.
Pray at least 1 time each the Sorrowful Mysteries of Rosary and Divine Mercy. Contemplate the depths of Jesus’s sacrificial love poured outin His Death.
Do an act of charity/kindness for somebody you can’t stand. We all have somebody in mind – either at work or in our family. Do an act of charity for them to recall depths of Mercy that Jesus showed forth in His Death.
Participate in some shape and form in the Pascal Triduum – Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil. These 3 liturgies form one Mass contemplating the events ofJesus’s sacrifice on the Cross that continues in the Mass.
Journey with a character from the Passion Story of our Lord. Maybe this year you are Mary surrendering something painfulto God, perhaps you are Joseph of Arimathea caring for the forgotten, perhaps you are Simon of Cyrene struggling with God's will, maybe you are Peter, Judas, or another apostle in the Story. Each year, we usually relate more with one person than another in the Passion Story.

Chrism Mass is coming up on March 31 – 6:30pm at the Cathedral. Anyone is welcome to attend this beautiful Mass where allthe oils used in the Sacraments are consecrated by our Bishop and priests from our Diocese renew their priestly promises.

Military Weekends April 12-25 and May 16-17

Holy Week Schedule: March 29-April 4

Holy Thursday: 5:30pm (Incense)

Good Friday; 5:30pm

Easter Vigil: 8pm (Incense)

Easter Sunday: April 5

8am

10am (Incense)

(Please note no 4:30 or 5pm this weekend)

Rejoice! Celebrating the Fourth Sunday of Lent

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 03:43:32 GMT

Happy 4th Sunday of Lent! This Sunday, we celebrate Laetare Sunday marking roughly the middle point of Lent. Laetare Sunday shifts our focus to the coming liturgies of Holy Week and Easter Season. Laetare means rejoice in Latin and comes from the Entrance Antiphon at Mass which announces Rejoice, Jerusalem, and who love her from Isaiah 66. Holy Week Schedule is below for reference.

Next Sunday, March 22nd at 2pm, Christthe King will host a Penance Service for our Parish plus Parishes of Blessed

Sacrament and St Agnes. Anyone is welcome to attend. 6 priests will be available for the Sacrament of Confession/Reconciliation.

Our new Church project that we will be doing this summer is installing a Hearing Loop system. A hearing loop allows more hearing access for those with hearing aids. This hearing loop will be installed sometime this summer; we do not have a date yet. After installation, those who use hearing aids will just need to turn on telecoil in their hearing aids to use the system.

If you would like to donate to the project, you can place a check in collection or drop something offto the office just put Hearing Loop in the memo. You can also donate online for the project by giving to the offertory and putting Hearing Loop in the note.

Lent Information

Stations of the Cross

Every Wednesday 5pm

Every Friday 12:05pm

Lent Penence Service

March 22 at 2pm

Blessed Sacrament, Christ the King and St. Agnes

Hosted by Christ the King

6 Priests will be available for confessions

Holy Week Schedule: March 29-April 4

Palm Sunday: Normal Mass Times

Holy Thursday: 5:30pm

Good Friday; 5:30pm

Easter Vigil: 8pm

Easter Sunday:April 5

8am and 10am

(Please note no 4:30 or 5pm this weekend)

Confessions

Monday through Friday: 6:30am-6:50am

Every Saturday: 3:00pm-4pm

Every Sunday: 4-45pm

Military Weekends April 12-25 and May 16-17

Third Sunday of Lent: Opportunities for Prayer and Formation

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 15:03:44 GMT

Happy 3rd Sunday of Lent! Thank you to Fr. Alex, Dcn. Scott, and Dennis offer their insightful reflections on God’s Mercy. Each night was a greattime of prayer, insight, and some fellowship on the last night at the social.

Our Parish Mission leads well into a few different formation opportunities at CTK. Dcn. Scott will be offering formation reflections on the Sacrament of Confession weekly during Lent Feb. 25 through March 25th . We also are offering Life Everlasting on the 4 last things Feb 19th – March 19th . All are welcome to attend and more details in the bulletin.

I will be out of town this week, if you need anything, please reach out to Parish Office. On March 9 at 7am in place of Mass, we will have Communion Service provided by Dcn. Scott.

I want to thank you for your generous support of our 1st Annual School Fund Appeal that began Dec 2, 2025. We started with a modest goal this year of 25K and we have raised over 42K! The Annual School Fund Appeals runs through May, if you like to donate visit https://www.ctkcougars.com/support-ctk/annual-fund.cfm.

We began this yearly appeal to assist with School Capital improvements and support teacher/staff appreciation including bonuses and quarterly lunches. All funds from the annual school fund stay at CTK school. For next year’s Annual School Fund Appeal will replace the teacher appreciation envelope and school fund envelope. Below is list of projects:

Summer of 2026 Projects

Pre-K and K-8 Tuckpointing

Pre-K HVAC

Pre-K and K-8 Playgrounds safety improvements

School Security Cameras-Interior

Lent Information

Stations of the Cross

Every Wednesday 5pm

Every Friday 12:05pm

Lent Penence Service

March 22 at 2pm

Blessed Sacrament, Christ the King and St. Agnes

Hosted by Christ the King

6 Priests will be available for confessions

Confessions

Monday through Friday: 6:30am-6:50am

Every Saturday: 3:00pm-4pm

Every Sunday: 4-45pm

Military Weekends April 12-25 and May 16-17

Second Sunday of Lent: A Mission of Mercy & Grateful Hearts

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 18:54:50 GMT

Happy 2nd Sunday of Lent! This Sunday, March 1 at 6:30pm, we bring our Lenten Parish Mission here at Christ the King on the Mercy of God revealed in Jesus Christ. Fr. Alex will speak the 1 night on the Mercy of God in the Sacrament of Confession.

On March 2nd , Dennis will reflect on the Road to Emmaus from Luke 24 with Adoration and confessions being available afterwards. Finally on March 3rd, Dcn. Scott will reflect on a Parable from Jesus that reveals the Mercy of God with a social afterwards in the Parish Center. Anyone is welcome to attend these 3 evenings.

I want to thank you for your generous support of our 1st Annual School Fund Appeal that began Dec 2, 2025. We started with a modest goal this year of 25K and we have raised over 41K! The Annual School Fund Appeals runs through May, if you like to donate visit: https://www.ctkcougars.com/support-ctk/annual-fund.cfm . We began this yearly appeal to assist with School capital improvements and support teacher/staff appreciation including bonuses and quarterly lunches. All funds from the annual school fund stay at CTK school. For next year’s Annual School Fund Appeal will replace the teacher appreciation envelope and school fund envelope. Below is list of projects:

Summer of 2026 Projects

Pre-K and K-* Tuckpointing

Pre-K HVAC

Pre-K and K-8 Playgrounds safety improvements

School Security Cameras-Interior

Lent Information

Stations of the Cross

Every Wednesday 5pm

Every Friday 12:05pm

Lent Penence Service

March 22 at 2PM

Blessed Sacrament, Christ the King and St. Agnes

Hosted by Christ the King

6 priests will be avaialbe for confessions

Confessions

Monday through Friday: 6:30am-6:50am

Every Saturday: 3:00pm-4pm

Every Sunday: 4-45pm

Military Weekends

March 4-6 and April 12-25

Into the Desert: Our Lenten Journey Begins

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:08:02 GMT

Happy 1st Sunday of Lent! Our Gospel this weekend recalls Jesus 40 days in the desert after His Baptism. A time of prayer and fasting for Him before He began His public ministry which revealed overtime that He was the Messiah and Son of God.

Throughout the Old Testament, time in the desert, recalls the Israelites 40 years in the desert before they entered the Promised Land. Jesus’s time in the desert is a foreshadowing then that He is going to lead a New Exodus through the desert to a New Promise Land. Our Lenten journey of 40 days intimates Jesus’s 40 days in the desert and prepares for Holy Week when we call the New Exodus and New Passover accomplished by Jesus Christ.

This past week our 3rd graders received the Sacraments of Confirmation and 1st Holy Communion on Feb 17 at the Cathedral. We will celebrate them as a Parish on Feb 22 at 10am Mass. They will process in and receive Holy Communion first during Mass.

We will have A Parish Lent Mission Sunday March 1, 2, and 3 at 6:30pm on the Mercy of God revealed in Jesus Christ. Fr Alex, Dennis, and Dcn. Scott will each take a night. Fr. Alex will discuss the Sacrament of Confession one night. Dcn. Scott and Dennis will each speak one night on a Parable from Jesus that reveals God’s Mercy. We will have a social on March 3 after the Mission.

Reminder during Lent, we will use the Penitential Act Form B seen below. It is not commonly used at Mass, but is a nice option for Lent. Below is more information on Lent.

Lent Information

Stations of the Cross

Every Wednesday 5pm Every Friday 12:05pm

Confessions

Monday through Friday: 6:30am-6:50am

Every Saturday: 3:00pm-4pm

Every Sunday: 4-45pm

Lent Resources

Lenten Companion by Ascension Press

Exodus 90 and Magnify Halo App

Lenten Parish Mission

March 1-3 at 6:30pm

More information to come

Penitential Act

The Priest then says:

Have mercy on us,O Lord.

The faithful reply:

For we have sinned against you.

The Priest:

Show us,O Lord, your mercy.

The faithful:

And grant us your salvation.

Military Weekends

March 4-6 and April 12-25

As We Prepare Our Hearts for Lent

Sat, 07 Feb 2026 23:28:58 GMT

Happy 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time! Hard to believe, but Lent is right around the corner. Ash Wednesday falls on Feb 18 this year. Below is some Lenten Information. I am away next this weekend on annually priestly retreat. I will be on retreat spending time with prayer with Jesus at St Meinrad from Feb. 5-11. If you need anything during that time, simply reach out to the office.

During Lent, we will use the Penitential Act Form B seen below. It is not commonly used at Mass, but is a nice

option for Lent.

You might have noticed the 3 new planters outside of a Church. We installed those planters for security reasons after a security audit. It was recommended in our security audit to install a barrier to prevent easy access to our Church front doors. I pray that these barriers are never needed. Unfortunately, in our world today, extra security measures are required. We plan to add some flowers to the planters in the spring.

Lent Information Lenten Parish Mission

March 1-3 at 6:30 PM

Ash Wednesday

7am Mass, 8:30am (School Mass), 12pm Penitential Act

(Ash Service), 5:30pm Mass The Priest then says:

Have Mercy on Us, O Lord

Stations of the Cross The faithful reply:

Every Wednesday 5pm For we have sinned against you.

Every Friday 12:05pm The Priest:

Show us, O Lord, your mercy.

Confessions The faithful:

Monday through Friday: 6:30am-6:50am And grant us your salvation

Every Saturday: 3:00pm-4pm

Every Sunday: 4-45pm

Lent Resources

Lenten Companion by Ascension Press

Exodus 90 and Magnify

Halo App

Military Weekends

Feb. 21-22 and March 4-6

United in Faith and Community

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 23:40:52 GMT

Happy 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time! This Sunday, Jan 25, we kick off Catholic Schools Week for our Parish School. At 10am Mass, some kids from our school will serve as lectors and greeters at Mass plus the Cougar Chorus will sing at Mass. Catholic Schools week each year is an opportunity to celebrate the uniqueness of our Catholic schools especially their Catholic Identity.

The National Theme for Catholic Schools Week this year is United in Faith and Community. This theme emphasizes the uniqueness of a Catholic School. Our uniqueness as a Catholic School flows from education and formation being centered around Jesus Christ. Jesus is the one who unites us. At our Baptism, Jesus brought us into a bigger family, the family of God. Our faith in Christ unites then and calls us to community, to live as part of the family of God.

We will celebrate Catholic School Weeks with a variety of activities that celebrate this theme of being united in Faith and Community through Jesus Christ. We will celebrate with Sunday Mass with kids in ministry roles, Eucharistic Procession at School on Thursday, and many other fun activities. Please keep us in prayer this week as we celebrate the uniqueness of being of Catholic School.

Finally, one minor change that we will begin in February for Christ the King Parish is a new procedure for those receiving low gluten hosts. Anyone needing a low gluten host beginning in February will simply proceed to the priest distributing Holy Communion at Mass. The priest will have low gluten hosts in a special pyx.

Military Weekends

Feb. 21-27 and March 4-6

Behold the Lamb of God

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 17:17:00 GMT

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Baptism of the Lord

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 15:47:06 GMT

Happy Feast of the Baptism of the Lord! I am sad to miss this great feast with yall. I am away on military drill Jan 10-11. Please keep me in prayer and know of my prayers.

This great feast moves us from the Nativity scene with Mary, St. Joseph, shepherds, and Magi to roughly 30 years later in Jesus’s earthly life. The Feast of Baptism of the Lord manifests that Jesus is the Anointed One, the Messiah.

This Feast of Baptism of the Lord serves as a Bridge to Ordinary Time because Christmas Season is all about the long-awaited Messiah being born and Ordinary Time is about seeing Jesus prove and show forth in His public ministry that He is the Messiah. At His Baptism, we hear the Father’s voice and Holy Spirit appearing as a Dove to confirm that Jesus is the Messiah as he begins His public ministry which will end with His Death, Resurrection, and Ascension.

This manifestation of the Holy Spirit at Jesus’s Baptism also harkens back to the Old Testament Kings and Prophets being anointing with the Spirit of the Lord as they began their Mission. So, the appearance of the Holy Spirit signifies that Jesus is the Anointed Messiah beginning the next stage of His Mission, His public ministry. For more information of this great feast visit https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/why-jesus-was-baptized or Why Was Jesus Baptized? -Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermon on YouTube.

After this weekend, we will begin taking down Christmas decorations. We will leave the Nativity Scene up until Presentation of the Lord on Feb. 2. Presentation of the Lord traditionally closed Christmas Season until recently since it was 40 days after Christmas. We also have a very beautiful Nativity Scene, and it will be nice to enjoy its beauty through Feb. 2.

Military Weekends
Jan. 10-11 and Feb. 21-27

Epiphany: Christ Revealed to the World

Sat, 03 Jan 2026 17:03:11 GMT

Happy Feast of the Epiphany! Epiphany, traditionally on Jan. 6 closes out the 12 days of Christmas celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ our Savior. We will the conclude the Christmas Season next weekend with the Baptism of our Lord.

The Feast of Epiphany focuses on the Magi – the 3 wise men coming from the Persia area to see the newborn King of the Jews. Most likely these 3 wise men, Magi, would have been part of a bigger caravan. These 3 wise men would have studied astrology, philosophy and many other academic disciplines. They also were most likely of the priestly class of Persia who, with their astrology training, interpreted Divine messages from the stars. And as the Scriptures convey, gave 3 gifts to the newborn King: gold for a King, frankincense for a God used in worship, and myrrh to signify his death and burial.

The significance of this great Feast is that the Magi represent the first Gentiles (non-Jews) encountering Jesus Christ.

Throughout the Old Testament, the Messiah is expected, based on God’s promises to Israel, to be a light to the Gentiles.

Meaning the Messiah through Israel would bring the Gentiles into the Covenance and family of God. For more information

on the Magi visit https://catholiceducation.org/en/culture/the-magi.html or https://catholicinsight.com/2025/01/04/themeaning-

of-the-magi-and-the-star-of-bethlehem/

Military Weekends

Jan 10-11 and Feb. 21-27

The Holy Family and the Ongoing Joy of Christmas

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 18:21:48 GMT

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 15:43:43 GMT

Happy 4th Sunday of Advent! Christmas Day and Season are right around the corner. Christmas Eve/Day Mass schedule is below along with New’s Years Eve/Day Mass schedule. For Christmas Masses and some Sunday Masses during the Christmas Season, we will be using incense at Mass. Incense Masses will be listed in the bulletin each week. Incense at the Mass is very ancient tradition that emphasizes that our prayers rise up to God like incense (Psalm 141). Incense at Mass also alerts our senses to the increased solemnity of the Christmas Season in which we celebrate the Word became flesh in Jesus Christ. Incense also reminds us of the seriousness and reverence of our Worship to the Triune God.

As we approach Christmas Day, we hear in our Gospel of the Annunciation of St. Joseph. The Annunciation of St Joseph is talked about as much as the Annunciation of Mary, but these events in Salvation History are immensely important. In this Gospel passage today, we see St. Joseph wrestle with being called to be the foster father to the Messiah. A difficult calling to understand and receive from God. A key phrase in the Gospel today is that St. Joseph is described as a righteous man, meaning he is in right relationship with God. He knows God as Father and listens, trusts, and acts on God the Father’s word. Let us listen, trust, and act this Christmas Season on God’s word by living in the Christmas Season as Christians and celebrating the true meaning of Christmas that God kept His word to Isreal in sending the Messiah.

Please note for December that there will be no Adoration of Blessed Sacrament on Dec. 24 and 31.

For Christmas Masses, we will use incense at 4pm, 6:30pm, 11pm.

For Dec 27-28, we will use incense at 10am and 5pm.

Christmas Schedule

Christmas Eve: 4pm, 6:30pm,

and 11pm

30 minutes of prelude music before Mass

Christmas Day: 9:30am

New Years Mass Schedule

Dec 31: 5:30pm

Jan 1: 9:30am

Military Weekend

Jan. 10-11 and Feb 21-27

Rejoice! Celebrating Gaudete Sunday and the Joy of Advent

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 16:51:11 GMT

Happy 3rd Sunday of Advent! Also known as Gaudete Sunday, which means Rejoice in Latin. We rejoice because Christmas Season is near during which we recall how God fulfilled all His promises to Isrealthrough Jesus. Gaudete Sunday is also known for the word Joy because of the Rose vestment. Rose or common called pink is color of joy.

Rose is color of joy because the violent color of Advent and Lent associated with penance is fading away with rose color vestment. Like the rose and orange hue thatis seen right before sunrise.

On Dec. 14, we as a Parish will participate in Advent Penance with Blessed Sacrament and St. Agnes. Blessed Sacrament will host this time and CTK will host in Lent. 6 priests will be available to hear confessions at 2pm. A chance before Christmas to bring our sins to God’s mercy as we prepare for joy of Christmas Season. Please note for December that there will be no Adoration of Blessed Sacrament on Dec. 24 and 31.

Advent Penance Service: Blessed Sacrament, Christ the King, and St. Anges

Hosted byBlessed Sacrament - December 14 at 2pm. 6 priests will be available for confessions.

Advent Resources

Devotions

Word on Fire

Hallow App

Exodus 90 App

Magnificat

Behold! By Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT

Marian Candlelight Mass - Dec 17 at 5:30pm

Confessions

Monday through Friday: 6:30am-6:50am

Every Saturday: 3:00pm-4pm

Every Sunday: 4-45pm

Wednesday 4pm-4:45pm

Christmas Mass Schedule

Christmas Eve: 4pm, 6:30pm, and 11pm

Christmas Day: 9:30am

30 minutes of prelude music before Mass

New Years Mass Schedule

Dec 31: 5:30pm

Jan 1: 9:30am

Military Weekends

Jan 10-11 and Feb 21-27

A Season of Hope and Promise: The First Sunday of Advent

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 04:31:43 GMT

Happy 1ˢᵗ Sunday of Advent! Advent is a beautiful season of hope and expectation. We recall the promises that God made to Israel throughout the Old Testament especially Isaiah and see how God fulfilled these promises in Jesus. As we recall these promises and their fulfillment, we are renewed in our confidence and hope God will fulfill the promises of the New Testament. I encourage you not to jump straight into Christmas. I invite you to enter the great season of Advent. Be renewed by Advent to root your life more deeply in Christ’s promises, His promises are a sure and steadfast anchor.

During my State of the Parish Homily back in October, I mentioned several places on our Campus are in need of attention, below is a list of projects coming in future years. This is not an exhaustive list, just gives a glimpse of major projects coming up in the next few years. Based on cash flow, summer of 2026 projects are listed in the right-hand column.

Projects

School Tuckpointing

School Windows

Gym Roof

Parish Center Roof

Rectory and St Joseph Roof

Parking Lot

HVAC

Pre-K and K-8 Playgrounds

School Security Cameras - Interior

Summer of 2026 Projects

Pre-K Tuckpointing

Pre-K HVAC

Pre-K and K-8 Playgrounds

School Security Cameras - Interior

Advent Resources

Devotions

Word on Fire

Hallow App

Exodus 90 App

Magnificat

Behold! By Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT

Marian Candlelight Mass - Dec 3, 10, and 17 at 5:30pm

Confessions

Monday through Friday: 6:30am-6:50am

Every Saturday: 3:00pm-4pm

Every Sunday: 4-45pm

Wednesday 4pm-4:45pm

Advent Penance Service: Blessed Sacrament, Christ the King, and St. Anges

Hosted byBlessed Sacrament - December 14 at 2pm. 6 priests will be available for confessions.

Christmas Mass Schedule

Christmas Eve: 4pm, 6:30pm, and 11pm

Christmas Day: 9:30am

New Years Mass Schedule

Dec 31: 5:30pm

Jan 1: 9:30am

Military Weekends

Dec 5-7 and Jan 10-11

Celebrating Our Parish Feast of Christ the King

Sat, 22 Nov 2025 18:45:58 GMT

Happy Christ the King Sunday! I am excited to celebrate our Parish Feast Day for the first time as Pastor. I have always loved this Solemnity! It emphasizes that Jesus’s Kingdom is bigger than any nation. Indeed as the Solemnity suggests He is King of Universe. His Kingdom is bigger than the entire universe. Christ the King Solemnity also acknowledges the universality of the Catholic Faith, every race, ethnicity, language, etc. is invited into Christ’s Kingdom.

More information on the history of the Feast visit - https://www.usccb.org/committees/religious-liberty/solemnity-

christ-king-background or https://ewtn.co.uk/ca-why-was-the-feast-of-christ-the-king-instituted/

During my State of the Parish Homily back in October, I mentioned several places on our Campus are in need of attention, especially at our school. In next week’s bulletin, I will lay out some upcoming projects for summer of 2026.

Advent Resources

Devotions

Word on Fire

Hallow App

Exodus 90 App

Magnificat

Behold! By Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT

Marian Candlelight Mass - Dec 3, 10, and 17 at 5:30pm

Confessions

Monday through Friday: 6:30am-6:50am

Every Saturday: 3:00pm-4pm

Every Sunday: 4-45pm

Wednesday 4pm-4:45pm

Advent Penance Service: Blessed Sacrament, Christ the King, and St. Anges

Hosted byBlessed Sacrament - December 14 at 2pm. 6 priests will be available for confessions.

Christmas Mass Schedule

Christmas Eve: 4pm, 6:30pm, and 11pm

Christmas Day: 9:30am

New Years Mass Schedule

Dec 31: 5:30pm

Jan 1: 9:30am

Military Weekends

Dec 5-7 and Jan 10-11

Christ Who Reigns Over Life and Death

Sat, 15 Nov 2025 19:47:27 GMT

Happy 33 Sunday of Ordinary Time! Our Gospel today is part of what we call the eschatological teachings of Jesus. Eschatological teachings have to do with final things; Our Doctrines about 2nd coming, judgment, heaven, hell, purgatory, etc. coming from Jesus’s teaching in the Scripture about final things. Eschatological teachings can sometimes be unnerving, but they point towards the Divinity of Christ Jesus. That He is above all of creation and reigns over death and life.

Reminder that next weekend is our Parish Feast of Christ the King Sunday, Nov. 22-23. We will have a Parish Breakfast after 8am and 10am Masses. There will also be Incense at both 4:30pm and 10am Mass that weekend.

Thank you to all you came out for the Pre-Advent Mission. Both evenings were great times of formation, prayer, and fellowship. Dennis did a brilliant job on inviting us to journey with Mary this Advent followed by some beautiful Candlelight Adoration of Jesus. Thank you to all

as well who made the Social possible Monday Night. It was a great time of fellowship.

Advent Resources

Marian Candlelight Mass

Dec 3, 10, and 17 at 5:30pm

Confessions

Monday through Friday: 6:30am-6:50am

Every Saturday: 3:00pm-4pm

Every Sunday: 4-45pm

Wednesday 4pm-4:45pm

Advent Penance Service: Blessed Sacrament, Christ the King, and St. Agnes
Hosted by Blessed Sacrament

December 14 at 2pm

6 priests will be available for confessions.

Christmas Schedule

Christmas Eve: 4pm, 6:30pm, and 11pm

Christmas Day: 9:30am

New Years Mass Schedule

Dec 31: 5:30pm

Jan 1: 9:30am

Military Weekends

Dec 5-7 and Jan 10-11

The Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 17:28:53 GMT

Happy Feast of Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome! Often when we think of Mother Church for us as Catholics, we might think of St Peter’s in Rome. The Mother Church for us as Catholics is actually St. John Lateran, which is the Cathedral of the Pope since the 3rd century.

The feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran is celebrated by the entire Church. It marks the dedication of the cathedral church of Rome by Pope Sylvester I in 324. This church is the cathedra (or chair) of the bishop of Rome, who is the Pope. A Latin

inscription in the Church reads: “omnium ecclesiarum Urbis et Orbis mater et caput.” Translated, this means, “The mother and head of all churches of the city and of the world.”

The basilica was originally named the Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior. However, it is called St. John Lateran because it was built on property donated to the Church by the Laterani family, and because the monks from the monastery of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Divine served it. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/dedication-of-st-johnlateran-650

The 1st Reading for this Feast emphasizes the prophecy of new springs of grace pouring out from the Temple to the nations. We see this prophecy fulfilled through Jesus’ Death and Resurrection. The waters of grace spring forth from the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. Water

and Blood flowing from the cross are the wellspring of the Church Sacraments.

Reminder that our Pre-Advent Mission is coming up on Nov. 9 and 10 at 6:30pm. You can find details in the bulletin. Dennis will present on Mary, our Blessed Mother, and I will present on St. Joseph. Candlelight Masses for Advent will be offered on December 3, 10, and 17 at

5:30pm. We will have a few lights in the Church to provide light to get to the pews and Holy Communion. In the sanctuary, there will only be Candlelight as we await the light of Christ at Christmas.

Military Weekends

Dec 5-7 and Jan 10-11

Commemorating All Souls: Praying for Our Beloved Departed

Sun, 02 Nov 2025 15:00:32 GMT

Happy All Souls Day! All Souls Day falls on November 2 each year and we have the great privilege of celebrating this commemoration on Sunday this year. Each All Souls Day, we are invited to honor and pray for our beloved dead - our friends and family.

A common practice in most parishes is to have a Book of the Dead, where we write down names of people that we want to pray for during November. Our Book of the Dead is located by the Baptismal Font. Feel free to add names of those you want to honor and pray for in a special way. Also as a Parish Family, we will honor and pray for our beloved parishioners who passed away this past year at a special Mass of Remembrance on November 5.

Another great practice for the first days of November is the following Novena prayed during the first 9 days of November in a cemetery. https://www.praymorenovenas.com/souls-daynovena.

Traditional Prayer when visiting a grave: Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord, and let Your perpetual light shine upon him/her. May his/her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

Below, you can see another change to my military schedule. The on-going changes are due to the federal government shut down.

Reminder that our Pre-Advent Mission is coming up on Nov. 9 and 10 at 6:30pm . You can find details in the bulletin. Dennis will present on Mary, our Blessed Mother, and I will present on St. Joseph. Candlelight Mass for Advent will be offered on December 3, 10, and 17 at 5:30pm. We will have a few lights in the Church to provide light to get to the pews and Holy Communion. In the sanctuary, there will only be Candlelight as we await the light of Christ at Christmas.

Military Weekends

Dec 5-7 and Jan 10-11

Lessons in Humility

Sat, 25 Oct 2025 19:25:40 GMT

Happy 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time! Jesus speaks in today’s Gospel of the importance of humility. He uses the powerful image of a tax collector to convey the virtue of humility. It is an odd image since tax collectors were not seen as examples of virtue. They were often worldly men who stole and cheated through the tax system of the day. The tax collector’s action in the Gospel today Is what we live out at the beginning of every Mass with the Penitential Act – Lord have mercy on me a sinner!

I am away this weekend at Good News Conference in Florida. https://www.goodnewsconference.com/
If you are interested in signing up for a Mass ministry, sign-up sheets available in the back and the Parish Office will reach out for training.

Next weekend, Nov 1, All Saints, is not a Holy Day of Obligation this year. We will have a special Daily Mass that day at 8am on Nov. 1. For the regular Sunday Masses, Nov. 1-2, we will celebrate All Souls Day, a special day every year that we pray and remember our beloved dead. We will have a special Mass of Remembrance as a Parish on Nov. 5.

Before you know it our Patronal Feast Day and Advent will be here. Christ the King Sunday falls on Nov. 22-23. We will have our Parish Breakfast on Nov. 23 after 8am and 10am Masses to celebrate our Parish Feast Day!

This year, we will do new things for Advent. On Nov. 9 and 10 at 6:30pm, we will have a Pre-Advent Mission on Advent Journey with Mary our Blessed Mother and St. Joseph. This Pre-Advent Mission will consist of a talk each night to prepare us for our Advent Journey to Christmas.

On Nov. 9, Dennis Trickey will offer a talk on Mary, our Blessed Mother and help us apply lessons from her life that can assist us with Advent. Following his talk, we will have Candlelight Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for an hour with confessions available. One Nov. 10, I will offer a talk on St. Joseph and glean lessons from his life to assist us with Advent. Following this talk, we will have a social fellowship opportunity in the Parish Center with drinks and snacks. Anyone is welcome to attend this Mission as we prepare for our Advent journeys.

Also, during Advent this year, we will have special Masses on Wednesday evenings called Rorate Caeli Mass. It is a Mass honoring Mary’s role in salvation done by Candlelight only, since we are awaiting the light of Christ at Christmas. We will offer these special Masses on December 3, 10, and 17 at 5:30pm. We will have a few lights on in the Church to provide light to get to the pews and Holy Communion. In the sanctuary, there will only be Candlelight as we await the light of Christ at Christmas.

Military Drill

Nov. 14-16, no Dec drill, Jan 10-11

Prayer, Perseverance, and Preparing for the Season Ahead

Sun, 19 Oct 2025 15:43:45 GMT

Happy 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time! Jesus speaks in today’s Gospel of the importance of persistence in prayer. Persistence in prayer is not so much about changing God’s mind, but about us persistently seeking communion with God in prayer. As St. John of Damascus said prayer is lifting up of our heart and mind to God. From that encounter and communion with God, prayer changes us. Prayer transforms our thoughts, feelings, desires, and choices over time as we seek communion with God.

Due to the federal government shutdown, I will be here this weekend. My military drill was rescheduled for a later date. My next weekend with the Reserves will be in November I will be away next weekend for the Good News Conference in Florida. If you are interested in signing up for a Mass ministry, sign-up sheets are available in the back and the Parish Office will reach out for training.

Before you know it our Patron Feast Day and Advent will be here. Our Patron Feast Day, Christ the King Sunday, falls on Nov. 22-23. We will continue the Parish Breakfast on Nov. 23 after the 8am and 10am Masses to celebrate our Parish Feast Day!

Also, during Advent this year, we will have a special Daily Mass on Wednesdays called Rorate Caeli Mass. It is a Mass honoring Mary’s role in salvation done by Candlelight only, since during we are Advent awaiting the light of Christ at Christmas. We will offer this special Mass on December 3, 10, and 17 at 5:30pm. We will have a few lights in the Church to provide light to get to the pews and Holy Communion. In the sanctuary, there will only be Candlelight as we await the light of Christ at Christmas.

Military Drill

Nov. 15-16, no Dec drill

State of the Parish Review

Sun, 12 Oct 2025 01:22:57 GMT

Happy 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time! Last Weekend, I gave the State of the Parish Homily to give us a snapshot of parish life at Christ the King. Below are some numbers that I mentioned in my homily. I also mentioned some next steps including recruiting more Mass ministers, discerning our Parish Vision/Mission and goals, discerning more fellowship and formation opportunities and campus map of projects upcoming. Those will all come in due time. If you are interested in signing up for a Mass ministry, sign-up sheets are available in the back and the Parish Office will reach out for training.

I will be away Oct. 17-19 for military drill with Army Reserves. I also will be away Oct. 24-25, for the Good News Conference. I scheduled this conference before I received my new military schedule. My apologies for being away two straight weekends.

Parish Life Numbers (approximate yearly averages)

Offertory: $1.2 Million

Parish Subsidy to School from offertory: $500,000

Mass attendance total: 1,100 to 1,200 each weekend

Baptisms: 25

Funerals: 25

Sacraments of confirmation/Holy Communion: 50

Sacramental marriages: 3

New Catholics: 5 to 7 people coming into the Church each year

PSR: 10 to 15 kids a year

Grade School total: 472 (93 Pre-K)

Mass Ministry numbers:

Lectors: 27

Rosary Leaders: 7

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: 45

Greeters: 29

Sacristans: 14

Ushers: 15

Servers: 20

Military Drill

Oct. 17-19, Nov. 15-16, no Dec drill

Gratitude and Parish Life

Sat, 04 Oct 2025 18:20:17 GMT

Happy 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time! Thank you to everyone for our donations to Guatemala water project. We raised over $6,500!

Thank you to all the volunteers who made the St Carlo Eucharistic Display possible. From setting up, opening parish center and locking, plus cleaning up, I am deeply thankful to everyone for helping display the Eucharistic Miracles. As you saw, there have been many Eucharistic miracles through history, and each one has an amazing story with it.

This weekend, Oct. 4-5, I will be preaching at all the Masses and giving what I call the State of the Parish Homily. I offer this homily just once a year annually. In the bulletin, you will find our financial report from the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Next week, I will include in the bulletin some key numbers and information outside of the fiscal report.

I will be away Oct. 17-19 for military drill with Army Reserves. I also will be away Oct. 24-25 for the Good News Conference. I scheduled this conference before I received my new military schedule. My apologies for being away two straight weekends.

Witness the Eucharistic Miracle Display & Hear the State of the Parish

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 04:04:26 GMT

Happy 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time! Thank you to everyone for our donations to Missionary Co-op, KC tootsie roll drive and Guatemala water project. The missionary appeal will help to provide a well of clean water for them. FYI, this is the last weekend, for our collection for Eco-Filters for Guatemala.

If you would like to donate, please use the envelopes in back and deposit them in the box. Each filter is $20. I stayed in Guatemala for 3 months back in 2013 and I can attest for the need especially in the small villages for clean water! These Eco-Filters are a great gift to so many. More information in the bulletin as well.

This weekend, Sept 27-28, the Parish Center will be displaying the Eucharistic Miracle Display created by St. Carlo Acutis. More info on the website below. I encourage you to stop by after Mass and see them. They are poster boards with pictures and information on each Eucharistic Miracle throughout Church History. It is an impressive and informative display created by St. Carlo himself in 2006.

https://www.miracolieucaristici.org/galleria/en/galleria.html

Next Weekend, Oct. 4-5, I will be preaching at all the Masses and giving what I call the State of the Parish homily. I offer this homily just once a year annually. In the homily, I review the financial numbers from the previous fiscal year, discuss some future projects, and review parish numbers like baptisms, marriages, funerals, adult faith formation, youth formation, etc. Typically, it is a little longer homily, around 10-12 minutes due to the amount of information.

Military Drill

Nov. 15-16, no Dec drill

Welcoming Friends, Serving in Mission

Sun, 14 Sep 2025 20:00:12 GMT

Happy 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time! A warm welcome to the CTK Class reunion of 1982. They will be joining us for Mass on Saturday.

This weekend, we also welcome Fr. Linus Umoren. He is currently the Pastor of SS. Peter and Paul down in Waterloo, IL and serves as Mission Superior of Vincentians USA. He will be sharing about the Vincentians mission in his homily. His visit is part of the Missionary Cooperative Partnership that the Diocese does every summer.

You will be seeing a couple items in the back of Church very soon. The following weekends of Sept. 20-21 and Sept 27-28, we are bringing the Eco-Filters for the Guatemala project back to CTK. Our last collection was in 2019 and we collected over $25,000 to purchase 782 water purifiers. If you would like to donate, please use the forms in back and deposit them in the box. Each filter is $20. I stayed in Guatemala for 3 months back in 2013 and I can attest for the need especially in the small villages for clean water! These Eco-Filters are a great gift to so many. More information in a bulletin insert coming up in future bulletins.

Also on the weekend of Sept. 20-21, our local Knights of Columbus with have their annual Tootsie Roll Drive. They will be present in back of Church if you would like to donate. Proceeds from the drive assist local agencies who assist those with special needs.

Finally, this week the Priests will be away for annual Convocation, September 16th through 18th. Deacon Scott Keen will offer Communion service those days at 7am.

Military Drill

Oct. 17-19, Nov. 15-16, no Dec drill

Celebrating Two New Saints: Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati

Sat, 06 Sep 2025 15:12:56 GMT

Happy 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time! This Sunday is one of great joy for the Church! We as Catholics celebrate two new saints! I personally have a great devotion to both Blessed Carlo and Blessed Pier Giorgio for several reasons that I will share in upcoming homilies and bulletins. Below is some great biographical information on them.

Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati / EWTN News

By Courtney Mares

Carlo Acutis: the first millennial saint

Acutis, an Italian computer-coding teenager who died of cancer in 2006, is known for his great devotion to the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

He became the first millennial to be beatified by the Catholic Church 2020 and is widely popular among Catholics, particularly youth. Known for his deep faith and digital savvy, he used his computer-coding skills to draw attention to Eucharistic miracles around the world. His miracles’ exhibit, featuring more than 100 documented miracles involving the Eucharist throughout history, has since traveled to thousands of parishes across five continents.

The Vatican formally recognized a second miracle attributed to Acutis’ intercession on May 23, 2024. The case involved the healing of 21-year-old Valeria Valverde of Costa Rica, who sustained a serious brain injury in a bicycle accident while studying in Florence in 2022. She was not expected to survive but recovered after her mother prayed for Acutis’ intercession at his tomb in Assisi.

Born in London in 1991 and raised in Milan, Acutis attended daily Mass from a young age and was passionate about the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Shortly after his first Communion at the age of 7, Carlo told his mother: “To always be united to Jesus: This is my life plan.”

Carlo called the Eucharist “my highway to heaven,” and he did all in his power to make the real presence known. His witness inspired his parents to return to practicing the Catholic faith and his Hindu au pair to convert and be baptized.

Many of Carlo’s classmates, friends, and family members testified to the Vatican how he brought them closer to God. He is remembered for saying, “People who place themselves before the sun get a tan; people who place themselves before the Eucharist become saints.”

Shortly before his death, Acutis offered his suffering from cancer “for the pope and for the Church” and expressed a desire to go “straight to heaven.”

Known as a cheerful and kind child with a love for animals, video games, and technology, Acutis’ life has inspired documentaries, digital evangelization projects, and the founding of schools in his name. His legacy continues to resonate strongly with a new generation of Catholics.

Pier Giorgio Frassati: ‘To the heights’ of holiness

Frassati, who died at the age of 24 in 1925, is also beloved by many today for his enthusiastic witness to holiness that reaches “to the heights.”

The young man from the northern Italian city of Turin was an avid mountaineer and Third Order Dominican known for his charitable outreach.

Born on Holy Saturday, April 6, 1901, Frassati was the son of the founder and director of the Italian newspaper La Stampa.

At the age of 17, he joined the St. Vincent de Paul Society and dedicated much of his spare time to taking care of the poor, the homeless, and the sick as well as demobilized servicemen returning from World War I.

Frassati was also involved in the Apostleship of Prayer and Catholic Action. He obtained permission to receive daily Communion.

On a photograph of what would be his last climb, Frassati wrote the phrase “Verso L’Alto,” which means “to the heights.” This phrase has become a motto for Catholics inspired by Frassati to strive for the summit of eternal life with Christ.

Frassati died of polio on July 4, 1925. His doctors later speculated that the young man had caught polio while serving the sick.

John Paul II, who beatified Frassati in 1990, called him a “man of the eight beatitudes,” describing him as “entirely immersed in the mystery of God and totally dedicated to the constant service of his neighbor.”

The canonization Mass for Acutis and Frassati is expected to take place in St. Peter’s Square.

Military Drill

Oct. 17-19, Nov. 15-16, no Dec drill

Labor Day Blessings and Parish News

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 15:46:29 GMT

Happy 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time! I pray that you have a blessed Labor Day Weekend with family and friends. Some folks have asked when I start with the Army Reserves. I officially received word this week of my unit. I start with my unit in Oct. My usual practice is to put my drill dates at the bottom of my column so that you know when I am away for military duty.

In the bulletin, you see a message about Church security. It is common practice that most Catholic Parishes have a Church security of some sorts. We will have a short meeting on Sept 4 for anyone interested in joining the Church security team. Current members plus Ushers and Greeters are welcome to attend the meeting on Sept. 4.

Next weekend, our local Knights of Columbus #364 is hosting their annual Oktoberfest on Sept. 6 from 12pm to 9pm. The festival features German bands, food, and games. The event benefits various charities in the community. Oktoberfest will be held on the Council grounds located at 2200 South Meadowbrook Road at Iles in Springfield.

Christ the King Fall Bible Study is coming up on Sept. 11. See bulletin for details if you would like to join. The Bible Study will be using the Great Adventure Series from Ascension Press to explore the Gospel of St. Luke.

Military Drill

Oct. 17-19, Nov. 15-16, no Dec drill

Five Biblical Values for Living Our Faith

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 15:47:26 GMT

Happy 21 ^st Sunday of Ordinary Time! Thank you again for the warm welcome to CTK. I am enjoying being here and getting more settled in each passing week. My apologies if I ask for your name again. I am working hard at getting names down, but it takes time.

Over the next few weeks on Wednesdays, Dcn. Scott will be showing the Search Series by Chris Stefanick. I have personally watched the series and it is a great series that leads to wonder and awe of God. Anyone is welcome to join the series and if you know anyone interested in becoming Catholic invite them to join.

Also, a warm welcome to the CTK Class of 1980. They are celebrating their 45 year reunion and joining us for Mass at 4:30pm this Saturday, touring the campus and gathering in the hall. Welcome home!

Below are 5 biblical Values that I preached about last Sunday. These 5 Biblical Values allow us to be transformed by the Divine Love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus:

Worship
Sunday Mass
Daily Mass
Personal Prayer
Sacrament of Confession/Reconciliation
Formation
Form our minds according to the mind of Christ through good Catholic books, podcasts, videos, etc.
Strengthen our wills through Christ by fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays and feasting on Sundays and other Solemnities and Feast days.
Fellowship
Devotion to the saints who are our brothers and sisters in Christ who inspire, encourage, and intercede for us.
Good Christian friendships that inspire and encourage us to grow in our faith life with Jesus.
Stewardship
Living out our vocations in Christ and using our unique God-given gifts for God’s glory.
Seeking to make a gift of my life to God through time, talent, and treasure.
Evangelization
Through my words and actions inviting others to friendship with Christ and His Church.

Reflections from My Installation as Pastor

Sat, 16 Aug 2025 17:02:16 GMT

Happy 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time! Reminder that this weekend, August 16 and 17 at 4:30pm and 10am Mass, we will have a backpack tag blessing at the end of Mass. Any school children will be invited forward to receive the blessing and backpack tag. I pray as they begin this school year, they grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church. Bishop Paprocki as you know was here on Aug. 2 for our Pastor Installation and he wanted me to pass along his homily. Below are a couple paragraphs. You can read the full homily at https://dio.org/bishop/homilies-and-speeches/

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ: It is good for us to be here today for this Mass and Rite of Installation of Father Mark Tracy as Pastor of Christ the King Parish here in Springfield. Although Father Tracy officially began his new assignment here as Pastor of Christ the King Parish earlier last month on July 1st, we celebrate this Rite of Installation liturgically today not only to ask God’s blessings on Father Tracy as he begins his ministry as shepherd of this flock, but also because it reminds all of us of an essential part of being a disciple: Disciples do not choose their own path, they follow Christ where He leads them.

The word apostle comes from the Greek word Apostolos, which means “one who is sent out as a messenger.” Bishops are successors of the apostles, and priests are collaborators with the bishops. As a successor of the apostles, I was sent here as Bishop of this Diocese in 2010 by then Pope Benedict XVI, himself having been given his authority as Pope after Christ gave it to St. Peter when He founded the Church: “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:19). In a similar way, as a collaborator in the ministry of a successor of the apostles, a priest is sent and entrusted with the pastoral responsibilities of a parish by his bishop, and it is during the rite of installation that we celebrate here this evening that this handing over of the “keys of the kingdom” (albeit only a small part of Christ’s Kingdom) takes place.

At the same time, Jesus’ gift of responsibility and authority over His Church as entrusted to Peter, and my giving a part of that to your new pastor today, is not something that happens only to the Pope, or to priests. Every one of us has been entrusted with a small part of Jesus’ Kingdom. For some of you, that is upholding Christ’s reign in your family, as you work, or among the people you are friends with. For all of us, Christ has given us the responsibility, and dignity, of caring for and protecting His Kingdom in our own hearts.

One of the ways that we do this happens every Sunday when we profess our faith by praying the Creed. For Saint Peter Himself, it was only after his profession of faith in Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the Living God” that he was made leader of the Church. Today, in a special way, all of us, with your new pastor, will recite the Creed, professing individually and together our common faith in Christ. By that profession, I officially ask your pastor to take on the responsibilities of this parish with the heart of Christ. But every time we profess the Creed, every time we pray those words that billions of Christians have prayed down through the centuries, we each renew our own commitment to Jesus! Does He reign over our hearts? Is He the Lord of our time? Of our bank accounts? Of those He has entrusted to our care? If Jesus is truly “Christ the King” as the title of this parish proclaims, then He must be the only king of our lives, and that should be evident in the way we live.

Father Tracy will serve you now as pastor as we continue forward into this Third Millennium of Christianity, so I think it is fitting to call to mind a theme suggested by our late Holy Father, the Great Pope Saint John Paul II, in his Apostolic Letter, Novo Millennio Ineunte, “On Entering the New Millennium,” which I quote as follows (nos. 30-31): “First of all, I have no hesitation in saying that all pastoral initiatives must be set in relation to holiness.” I always mention that quote in my homily at the Installation Mass for every new Pastor that I have appointed. Even if you have heard it before, it is worth repeating because it is so basic and essential: All pastoral initiatives must be set in relation to holiness. If we forget that, it will not take long to stray off course from what we should be doing in parish ministry and why we are doing it. Holiness consists of following Jesus as His disciples, as people who listen and learn from Him, and who put Him first in our lives. In a real relationship with Christ, we discover that everything we have was first a gift from our Heavenly Father.

Blessings and New Beginnings

Sat, 09 Aug 2025 15:19:20 GMT

Happy 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time! I want to say thank you to everyone for your support at the Pastor Installation last weekend. It is a great joy and honor to serve here at CTK as Pastor. I am deeply thankful to everyone who assisted with the Mass and Reception. It was a celebration for our Parish, and my parents enjoyed their first visit to Christ the King.

It is hard to believe that the school year is right around the corner. Next weekend August 16 and 17 at 4:30pm and 10am Mass, we will have a backpack tag blessing at the end of Mass. Any school children will be invited forward to receive the blessing and backpack tag. I pray as they begin this school year, they grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church. The ladies of the Altar & Rosary Society have graciously offered to host a donut Sunday after the 10am Mass over in the Parish Hall.

I am excited to begin the school year here at CTK. The first day of school is August 18. I plan on doing some Q and A sessions with the school in September as a way of getting to know staff and students better. Dennis Trickey will also be teaching a bit in 2nd grade, assisting with the junior high Made for More faith program, and assistant coach for baseball. I am excited for him to be in the school. As Dennis settles in more, we will look for more opportunities for him to be involved in the Parish and School.

"Humbled to Serve as Your Pastor" by Fr. Mark Tracy

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 16:05:48 GMT

Happy 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time! As a Parish family, we welcome Bishop Paprocki this weekend for the 4:30pm Mass on August 2. It is an honor and joy to be installed as Pastor here at Christ the King.

I am humbled to serve as Pastor of CTK and pray for strength and guidance from the Holy Spirit to serve our Parish Family well. I take the responsibility of Pastor very seriously and will strive to do my best. But do not worry, I do not take myself seriously, just my responsibilities!

The role of the Pastor is to provide pastoral care for a parish in 3 major functions: sanctifying, preaching/teaching, and governing. The Pastor has the responsibility of overseeing these 3 important functions of the Parish. The sanctifying function is especially connected to the Sacraments. The Pastor is to ensure that parishioners have access to all of the Sacraments either celebrated by the Pastor or delegated to other ministers.

The preaching/teaching function is connected to the word of God in Scripture and Tradition being passed down by the Pastor to faithful. This passing down of the faith is done directly by the Pastor in his own preaching, but the Pastor also oversees other clergy and lay ministers the in parish and school in preaching/teaching the Catholic faith.

Finally, the Pastor also oversees the governing function of the Parish. The Pastor is responsible for the spiritual and temporal affairs of the Parish and must give an account for them to God. The Pastor works with the parish and school staff to be stewards of what God entrusted us with and to carry on the mission of Jesus by forming His disciples in His Church.

Again, it is a honor and joy to serve as your Pastor at CTK. These 3 functions of a Pastor serve to assist each person to grow in holiness through a deeper relationship with Jesus and His Church. Please pray for me in this role and know of my prayers for each of you.

Before school starts, I am going to take a mini-vacation again. I will be gone Aug. 4-7. If you need something, just reach out to the Parish Office.

You're Invited: Pastor Installation Mass & Parish Reception

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 23:19:53 GMT

Happy 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time! Hard to believe that July is wrapping up. Before long, school will be back in session. Some exciting news for our Parish is below.

On August 2 at the 4:30pm Mass, Bishop Paprocki will celebrate Mass and install me as Pastor. There will be a reception afterwards in the Parish Center. This reception will serve also as a welcome reception. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Before school starts, I am going to take a mini-vacation again. I will be gone Aug. 4-7. If you need something, just reach out to the Parish Office.

Details on the reception and the rite of Pastor Installation:

RITE OF PASTOR INSTALLATION AFTER THE GOSPEL IN MASS

The Bishop commends Fr. Mark Tracy as CTK’s new Pastor

WELCOME BY THE PEOPLE

The Bishop invites the people to express their approval

HOMILY

The Bishop will explain the meaning of the celebration

PRESENTATION OF THE PARISH CLERGY, STAFF AND PARISH TRUSTEES

Staff is presented to the new Pastor by the Bishop

Trustees come forward and the Bishop presents them to the new Pastor

PROFESSION OF FAITH AND OATH

The Pastor leads the Nicene Creed, then pledges his oath to the Bishop

Christ the King Pastor Installation

August 2 at 4:30 pm Mass

Welcome Reception After Mass in the Parish Center

All are Welcome to Attend

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 18:34:51 GMT

Happy 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time! I wanted to offer a quick word of thank you to all of the Vacation Bible School volunteers. Thanks for your sacrifice to make the week very enjoyable for the kids and help them grow in their relationship with God!

As I mentioned last week, no word yet on Army Reserves unit assignment. Not sure when I’ll receive word, but I will keep you in the loop. When I receive a unit, I will be away at times. In National Guard, I was gone one weekend a month and 2 weeks in the summer. In Reserves, I am going to try to work out being gone once a quarter for 4-5 days and 2 weeks in summer.

Some folks have also asked what my other priestly assignment in the Diocese is. Bishop Paprocki, when he assigned me to be Pastor of Christ the King, also assigned me to be Episcopal Vicar for Catholic Schools in the Springfield Deanery.

The best way to explain this assignment is that I represent the Bishop and am delegated authority to act in his name in this new role. Basically, I oversee all the Catholic Schools in the Springfield Deanery for the Bishop. Those Catholic Schools would include the Springfield area, Decatur area, Jacksonville area, Taylorville, and Pana.

Please pray for me as I begin this role and carry out the work of Bishop Paprocki in furthering Catholic Identity, financial stability, and evangelization of our Catholic Schools. This role and priestly assignment will take roughly 10-15 hours per week. I will be working in this role from Christ the King and will travel to schools or the diocesan pastoral center about once a week.

In Christ’s Mercy,

Fr. Mark Tracy

"Happy 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time!" by Father Mark Tracy

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 21:59:54 GMT

Thank you for the warm welcome to Christ the King. It is good to be here and settling in one step at a time, just takes time. Thanks for your patience as we continue the transition process of a new Pastor. Thank you as well for your warm welcome to Dennis.

Dennis Trickey will be spending the whole year with us through June of 2026. For analogy’s sake, the pastoral year serves as an internship/apprenticeship for him. He gets to spend the year seeing how a school year works at a parish school plus seeing the life of a priest more fully during the year as opposed to summer life in a parish.

Fr. Alex and I basically work with him on priestly skills like sacraments, preaching/teaching, and overseeing a parish and school. We are putting together a teaching schedule for the school and will be looking at some teaching opportunities in the Parish as well. He will assist with liturgy and sacraments like Mass, baptisms, funerals, marriages, etc.

Basically, this pastoral year gives him a hands-on experience of what priestly life looks like as he approaches his final years of seminary and ordination. Dennis will be ordained a transitional Deacon in the spring of 2027 and Priest in the May of 2028. It is a great blessing to have him with us for this year.

Finally, a couple of folks have asked about my other priestly assignments that the Bishop has assigned me, Episcopal Vicar of Catholic Schools for the Springfield Deanery and Military Chaplain for the Army Reserves. I will address both more fully in the coming weeks.

For now, I concluded my time with the Army National Guard back in February. I served in the Guard for 6 years in 2 units. I served as a Battalion Chaplain in an Engineering Unit and a Chemical Unit. I greatly enjoyed both experiences. I have been accepted into the Army Reserves; just waiting to be assigned a unit. With Uncle Sam, who knows when that will be, but I will keep you informed.

Fr. Mark Tracy

"Hello CTK!" by Father Mark Tracy

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 15:04:22 GMT

Hello CTK!

It is a joy and honor to be your new Pastor. People usually ask what I prefer to be called and either way is fine by me. Growing up with 2 first names, I am used to being called both. Most folks call me Fr. Mark and that is perfectly fine with me. Below is a brief biography and background information.

I originally grew up in Mount Sterling, IL, where I attended St. Mary's grade school and Brown County High School. I am one of four children of my parents, Jim and Jil Tracy. We attended Mass and religious formation as a family at Holy Family Parish in Mount Sterling. After high school, I attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a degree in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism Management (Bishop Paprocki usually gives me a hard time for that degree and connecting it to priesthood).

After college, I worked for a bit in Indianapolis and after a few months I knew the Lord Jesus was inviting me to give seminary a chance and explore the possibility of Priesthood. I attended St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in Southern Indiana for six years and my first assignment as a priest was as parochial vicar at St. Anthony in Effingham and St. Mary of the Annunciation in Shumway. I also taught theology and was an assistant coach for basketball and baseball part-time during my time at St. Anthony.

For the past 4 years, I have served as Pastor at Holy Family Parish in Decatur and greatly enjoyed my time there. I was also the Chaplain at St. Teresa High School for the past 3 years. In total, I have been a priest of Christ Jesus now for 7 years and it has been an immense joy to serve Christ and his people as a priest.

In my spare time, I love golfing, hiking, playing sports, traveling, watching Cardinals baseball, reading, and hanging out with friends and family. I look forward to meeting you all! Please have patience with me as I learn names. More information will come out soon for a welcome reception. We plan to have a welcome reception after my Pastor Installation Mass some time in July or August with Bishop Paprocki.

We will also be welcoming a seminarian, Dennis Trickey, for a Pastoral Year beginning in July through June 2026.

In Christ’s Mercy,

Fr. Mark Tracy

"Two Great Pillars" by Father Chris House

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 17:12:09 GMT

Today, we celebrate two great pillars of the Church: Ss. Peter and Paul. Though very different in personality and mission, both gave everything to Christ and bore witness to the Gospel with their lives.

St. Peter, the fisherman, was chosen by Jesus to be the rock upon which the Church is built. Despite his denial, Peter’s deep love for the Lord led him to repentance, renewal, and, finally, martyrdom in Rome.

St. Paul, the persecutor turned apostle, reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace. His tireless missionary journeys and bold preaching carried the Gospel to the Gentiles and laid the foundation of Christianity across the Roman world.

Their lives show us that holiness is not about perfection, but about surrender. It's about letting Christ transform our weakness into strength, our fear into faith, our failure into mission. May we, like Peter and Paul, have the courage to follow Jesus boldly, to proclaim Him with our lives, and to remain faithful to the end. Ss. Peter and Paul, pray for us!

A Fond Farewell

The book “The Little Prince” is a children’s book that is actually a book for adults and it’s one that I consider a classic. There is a line in the book that says “it’s a mysterious place, the land of the tears.” The things that I thought would stir my emotions didn’t do so as much and then some other things surprisingly moved me a great deal. I cannot adequately express my gratitude for the sentiments, notes, and generosity that I have received as I take my leave from CTK. It is very hard to leave you but I go with a full heart. Several of you have asked for my contact information at Saint Meinrad so here it is:

Fr. Christopher House

200 Hill Drive

St. Meinrad, IN 47577

812-357-6611

I will be praying for all of you each day; please remember me and the seminary community in your prayers. One day, perhaps when you least expect it, I just may pop in to my old stomping grounds. Until then, may the Lord bless you and keep you!

Wishing you and yours every good gift of heaven now and always,

Father Chris House

"Corpus Christi" by Father Chris House

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 17:23:11 GMT

This weekend we celebrate the feast formally titled the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ but popularly known as Corpus Christi. Every time the Church gathers to celebrate the Mass, the Eucharist, which is the body, blood, soul, and divinity of our Lord, is at the center of our worship. We must avoid the danger of growing lax in our reverence and awe due to our familiarity with this great and wonderful sacrament, which is one reason why the Church dedicates a particular day of solemnity to focus solely on this mystery. The Eucharist is the life source of the Church, the ultimate manifestation of Christ’s presence among us, and it has been the strength of the faithful for the Church’s entire history. It is not a sign or symbol, because a sign or symbol points to another reality; the Eucharist is the reality of Jesus’s real presence among us.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus’s feeding of the five thousand is recounted for us which happened at a site a few miles from Capernaum called Tabgha on the Sea of Galilee. The transformation of those five loaves and two fish, meager as they were, reminds us that our simple gifts of bread and wine, when changed by the power of the Holy Spirit, become something new and wonderful in the Eucharist. In the Church of the Multiplication at Tabgha, there is a famous mosaic on the floor of two fish but only four loaves. The absence of the fifth loaf in the mosaic invites us to raise our eyes to the Blessed Sacrament present either on the altar or the tabernacle and to see that it is Jesus who is the true bread who continually comes down from heaven in the Eucharist.

Thank you!

Thank you to all who took the time to wish me well this past Tuesday evening at my parish send off. Thank you also to those who could not make it but who have expressed their sentiments to me in person or through messages. My thanks especially to the Altar and Rosary Society and to the Men’s Club for helping to make the gathering happen. You will not find my final thoughts here but in next Sunday’s bulletin before Father Mark takes the helm on July 1. I do ask for your continued prayers, especially this coming week as I take my formal leave. Each passing day has been harder as the clock runs down. I am going to a great place but leaving is still quite hard when you’ve been at a great place. More to come…

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

Trinity Sunday and Ordinary Time

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 14:37:25 GMT

This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. From a purely intellectual standpoint, we cannot unlock the mystery of the one God united in three persons. However, we can come to better understand the divine mystery when we see it as a mystery of a relationship of total love. When we seek to live in relationships of selfless and unconditional love then we begin to experience the life of the Trinity and are even drawn into it.

Coming off of Pentecost Sunday, we find ourselves out of the Easter Season and back in Ordinary Time. This season will stretch all the way to the First Sunday of Advent, but let’s not fall into the trap of misunderstanding the word “ordinary.” The season is named for the fact that the Sundays are marked by ordinal numbers. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops states:

Christmas Time and Easter Time highlight the central mysteries of the Paschal Mystery, namely, the incarnation, death on the cross, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The Sundays and weeks of Ordinary Time, on the other hand, take us through the life of Christ. This is the time of conversion. This is living the life of Christ.

Ordinary Time is a time for growth and maturation, a time in which the mystery of Christ is called to penetrate ever more deeply into history until all things are finally caught up in Christ. The goal, toward which all of history is directed, is represented by the final Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.

This Sunday’s Gospel takes us back to the Upper Room. Jesus, on the eve of His Passion, speaks not just with urgency but with a deep awareness of the disciples’ limits. Jesus knows their hearts, their fears, and their readiness. He is patient and He promises the Holy Spirit who will guide them gradually into all truth. This passage speaks volumes about the nature of divine revelation: it is not dumped on us all at once. It is unfolded patiently, progressively, and personally. In the person of the Holy Spirit, God continues to teach the Church. What the disciples could not understand before the Cross and Resurrection, they would begin to grasp in the light of Pentecost.

Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the Spirit of truth. In a world where truth often feels relative, manipulated, or hidden, we are reminded that truth is not an idea, it is a person, Jesus Himself. And it is the Holy Spirit who leads us deeper into the truth of Christ: into who He is, what He taught, and how we are to live in Him. The Spirit doesn’t invent new truth but “will take what is mine and declare it to you.” The Holy Spirit helps us understand, guard, and proclaim the unchanging truth of Christ in every age.

Jesus speaks of the perfect harmony between the Father, the Son, and the Spirit: “All that the Father has is mine,” and the Spirit “will take from what is mine.” This Gospel passage is one of the most Trinitarian in all of Scripture. It reveals not just three divine Persons, but a communion of love—mutual giving, shared truth, and total unity. This is the model for the Church and for Christian life. We are called to reflect that same communion in our families, our parish, and our relationships. Where there is competition, division, or pride, the Spirit of truth is stifled. But where there is humility, listening, and love, the Spirit breathes new life. May our lives reflect the unity and love of the Most Holy Trinity, in whom we live, and move, and have our being.

Preparing to Take My Leave

As you likely have seen, my farewell reception has been scheduled for Tuesday evening, June 17, from 5:00PM to 8:00PM in the parish center. Come by, have something to eat, and enjoy some fellowship with your fellow CTK parishioners and friends. I will offer some farewell remarks at the end of all the Masses the weekend of the 21st/22nd, and I will leave CTK on the 24th. Father Mark plans to arrive after the following Sunday, and the parish will be in the capable hands of Father Alex in the meantime. I ask for your continued prayers for myself and Father Mark in these days of transition.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

A Promise Made and Kept

Sat, 07 Jun 2025 01:15:25 GMT

Following the Lord’s Ascension into heaven, the Apostles were gathered once again in the Upper Room where the Lord had instituted both the Eucharist and the Priesthood at the Last Supper. It was also the place where He first appeared to them following the Resurrection. Tradition tells us that the Apostles were not alone on this particular day and that Mary, the Mother of the Lord, was with them. Jerusalem was filled with Jews who had come to the holy city for the feast of Pentecost, a feast celebrating the wheat harvest that was celebrated seven weeks and one day (50 days) following Passover. That day was a day that would forever change the face of the earth.

Before His Ascension, the Lord promised the Apostles that He would send a paraclete, an advocate to be with them always until He returned in glory. It was precisely this advocate for whom the Apostles waited in the Upper Room, when on that Pentecost day, the Lord Jesus fulfilled His promise and the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles and Mary, appearing as tongues of fire. It was precisely in this moment that the Good News, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, was preparing to break forth into the greater world.

From the Upper Room, the Apostles went forth as new men, as new creations. The grace of the Holy Spirit had forever changed them, transforming their fear and trepidation into courage and zeal. With this gift of the Holy Spirit, they went out and fulfilled the Lord’s command to preach the forgiveness of sins, beginning first in Jerusalem. Acts of the Apostles recounts that some 3,000 people that very day heard the preaching of the Apostles, believed, were baptized, and thus the Church was born. This testimony from the Scriptures is why Pentecost is called the birthday of the Church.

As we reflect on the significance of Pentecost, we are called to open our hearts to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit renews the face of the earth and renews us as individuals and as a community of faith. The Spirit brings unity in diversity, as seen in the apostles speaking in different languages yet proclaiming the same message of salvation. Pentecost challenges us to be open to the Spirit's guidance in our lives. It invites us to step out of our comfort zones, to overcome our fears, and to be bold witnesses to the love and truth of Christ. The Spirit equips us with gifts and charisms for the building up of the Church and the spread of the Kingdom of God.

Today, we, the living stones of the Church, claimed by Christ in baptism and anointed with the Holy Spirit through Confirmation, are called to carry on this mission given to the Apostles some 2,000 years ago. We who profess the name of Christ are His disciples because we have come to believe in Him, but our discipleship must be transformed into apostleship as the word apostle means “one who is sent.” The Apostles were the first to be sent and we are called to continue their work. On this Pentecost Sunday and always, let us open our hearts to the gift of the Holy Spirit who continues to guide the Church. Let us cooperate with the grace of the Spirit that seeks to make us witnesses of the crucified and risen Lord so that others may come to know and believe in the Lord Jesus and accept His gift of salvation.

My Farewell Reception

My farewell reception has been scheduled for Tuesday evening, June 17, from 5:00PM to 8:00PM in the parish center. Come by, have something to eat, and enjoy some fellowship with your fellow CTK parishioners and friends. My last day at CTK will either be June 24 ^th or June 25 ^th .

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

Stop Staring At the Clouds

Fri, 30 May 2025 14:31:01 GMT

The end of our fifty-day Easter journey is near. It was seven weeks ago that we celebrated the joy of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday and now the Church celebrates the first of two key events in our life of faith: this Sunday with the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord into heaven and the second being Pentecost next Sunday. St. Luke teaches us in Acts of the Apostles that Jesus, having revealed his risen glory to his disciples after the Resurrection, returned to his place with the Father in heaven forty days following his resurrection.

The Lord’s Ascension into heaven is the fulfillment of his mission to achieve our salvation; we might use the phrase that he has come “full circle” in his return to the Father. However, there is a marvelous new reality that makes all the difference for us. In his return to the Father, Jesus takes with him our human nature. When he first descended from the Father in the Incarnation, Jesus joined his divinity to our humanity in an inseparable bond. Jesus’s humanity was and remains real. It was not something that was an illusion nor was it discarded when his earthly ministry was completed. Jesus retains his glorified human nature beyond the boundaries of space and time in heaven. This fact points to the coming reality of the Resurrection of the Just on the last day when not just the soul but also the body will be redeemed and the two realities reunited forever in heaven.

While the Ascension is the fulfillment of the Lord’s saving act for us, it does not mean that his work on our behalf is over. From his place at the Father’s right hand, the Lord Jesus continues his mission as our intercessor, as the one who continually pleads our cause to the Father. Jesus’s return to heaven also stands as a sign of hope for us that where he has gone we also may follow. We are reminded of both of these truths in the Preface of the Mass for the Ascension in which the Church prays: Mediator between God and man, judge of the world and Lord of hosts, he ascended, not to distance himself from our lowly state but that we, his members, might be confident of following where he, our Head and Founder, has gone before.

Like the Apostles, we cannot spend our lives staring at the clouds and wondering “what next?” This great feast of the Ascension tells us that the Lord Jesus has done his part and, now, we must do ours. With the Holy Spirit going before us, we must continue the proclamation of the Kingdom both in word and action. Every aspect of our lives are to point to Christ, crucified and risen, who will come again in glory. Until that day, we, as his disciples, must be about the work of the building up of the Kingdom of God. The Lord’s Ascension calls us to be a people of action, proclaiming Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of sins and the coming of the Kingdom here and now.

Daily Mass the Week of June 2 thru June 6

Fr. Alex will be attending the diocesan priest retreat while I am away on the Marian pilgrimage. Deacon Scott is also away for a family wedding. There will be no Masses or communion services at CTK June 2 thru June 6.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

Peace in the Holy Spirit

Fri, 23 May 2025 16:34:30 GMT

The Gospel for this Sunday takes us back to Holy Thursday in John’s Gospel, to the section known as the Last Discourse. John sets the stage for events to move fast after Jesus’s death and resurrection. Our Lord tells his disciples that his time with them is coming to an end. As a part of his final instructions he tells them that keeping his word, all that he taught them, will be the sure sign of their love for him. However, knowing the challenges of discipleship in this world, the Lord does not leave them empty handed for the task ahead of them.

Our Lord promises his disciples that the Father will send the Holy Spirit after his departure and the Church will see that the Holy Spirit remains as the continuing guarantor of God’s grace unfolding in the Church’s life. The Holy Spirit is given to all of the faithful in the Church both to know the Lord’s word, what he asks of us, as well as strengthening us to do fulfill the Lord’s will in our lives. With the Holy Spirit also comes the gift of God’s peace. This peace is the direct effect of the divine presence of the Spirit. As the Lord tells his disciples, and us, this peace is not a world peace. The peace of God that the Spirit brings is not an absence from trouble, frustrations, conflict, or pain, but strength and resolution in the face of latter to persevere and push onward towards the Kingdom of Heaven, our true home.

As we prepare for the great feasts of Ascension and Pentecost let us keep our hearts open to the Spirit who seeks to strengthen us, console us, love us, and guide us onwards to the Kingdom.

Congratulations Graduates/School’s Out

This past Wednesday we celebrated the end of the school year. I am grateful to our faculty and staff who made this a great year at CTK. On May 14th we celebrated the graduation of our 8th graders as well. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide and bless all of our graduates, reminding them of God’s presence and love in their lives, and leading them to greater things still. May the Lord bless all students and school staff with a peaceful and restful summer!

Priestly Ordinations

This weekend Bishop Paprocki ordained Charles Delano and Ryan Kehoe to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ at the Cathedral here in Springfield. Our diocese is blessed by God in these two good men. Please pray for them as they begin their priestly ministry.

Memorial Day Mass

Memorial Day is a sacred day for our nation when we remember those women and men who gave their lives in military service for our republic. Mass on Memorial Day, this Monday, will be at 8:00AM.

Marian Pilgrimage

I am departing this Monday with Fr. Michael Friedel from Blessed Sacrament Parish and thirty-five pilgrims to visit the Marian shrines of Fatima, Lourdes, and Montserrat. Please know of my prayers for the parish family during this time and please pray for the safety of our pilgrimage. I will be back at CTK on June 6.

Blessings to you for a safe and relaxing Memorial Day weekend and for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"The Hope of the Eternal Easter" by Father Chris House

Fri, 16 May 2025 18:08:15 GMT

Throughout the Easter Season this year, our second reading at Sunday Mass has come from the Book of Revelation. Of all the books in the Bible, Catholics sometimes struggle most with Revelation in not knowing what to make of it. For some Christians, the Book of Revelation speaks of things yet to come. The Catholic interpretation is that, yes, Revelation does speak of future realities but not literally in specific details.

The description of Revelation from the US Bishops’ website states “this much, however, is certain: symbolic descriptions are not to be taken as literal descriptions, nor is the symbolism meant to be pictured realistically. One would find it difficult and repulsive to visualize a lamb with seven horns and seven eyes; yet Jesus Christ is described in precisely such words (Rev 5:6). The author used these images to suggest Christ’s universal (seven) power (horns) and knowledge (eyes). The vindictive language in the book (Rev 6:9–10; 18:1–19:4) is also to be understood symbolically and not literally. The cries for vengeance on the lips of Christian martyrs that sound so harsh are in fact literary devices the author employed to evoke in the reader and hearer a feeling of horror for apostasy and rebellion that will be severely punished by God.”

The first part of Revelation seems to capture readers more than the second part; the first part being of doom and gloom was speaking symbolically of the early Church’s situation at the time that Revelation was written. This Sunday’s second reading comes from the second to the last chapter of the book and it is in these last chapters that I find the book’s true beauty as it invites us to hope in things yet to come.

This Sunday’s reading from Revelation invites us to hope in two wonderful aspects of the future. First, we hear John speak of his vision of a new heaven and a new earth, a clear reminder for us to hope in the fact that all of creation will be made new by our God. The second greater hope given to us is that, for the faithful, this life will give way to an eternity with God; an eternity free from darkness and sin, pain and death, and an eternity of divine intimacy with our Lord. As we continue through the Easter season, may the word of God given to us in the Book of Revelation remind us that this is what Easter is pointing us towards. Easter is a two-fold mystery. It remembers first the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead, but it also points to the truth that we shall share in his Resurrection, that we will live in the eternal Easter. May that truth be a source of hope for us today and every day.

Pope Leo XIV

By now most of us have been saturated with news and stories about the new Holy Father; I will simply add that we should give thanks to the Lord for the election of the new Vicar of Christ and remember Pope Leo in our prayers each day that the Lord will grant him all the graces needed to lead the Church here on earth.

Bravo Matilda Jr!

Last weekend our school presented the musical Matilda Jr on Friday and Saturday evenings. Kudos to the students who made it happen as well as to the staff and volunteers who put so much time, energy, and love into helping the kids with the performance!

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"The Workings of a Conclave" By Father Chris House

Fri, 02 May 2025 18:43:46 GMT

The election of a pope is one of the most ancient and carefully guarded traditions in the world. Known as a Papal Conclave, this process is rich in history, symbolism, and strict regulation. The word conclave comes from the Latin cum clave meaning “with a key,” referring to the tradition of locking the electors away until a decision is reached. This practice originated in the 13th century after long papal vacancies caused political instability. The conclave ensures that the choice of pope is made prayerfully, free from external pressures. The conclave process is governed by Universi Dominici Gregis (hereafter UDG), an apostolic constitution issued by Pope St. John Paul II in 1996, with two later revisions by Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Francis made no changes to the document.

Only cardinals under the age of 80 at the time of the pope’s death or resignation are eligible to vote in the following conclave. The maximum number of voting cardinals allowed by UDG is 120 although a pope can appoint as many cardinals as he wants at any given time. Currently, there are 252 total living cardinals, of which 135 are eligible to enter the conclave and are termed as “cardinal electors.” Of the 135 cardinal electors, there are reports that one or two may not participate due to health reasons. Other officials such as medics, cooks, secretaries, and other clergy assist the cardinals but are sworn to secrecy and do not participate in voting.

After a pope dies or resigns his office, the See of Rome becomes vacant (sede vacante). The College of Cardinals organizes general congregations (meetings) to handle the Church’s interim affairs and prepare for the conclave. A conclave typically begins 15 to 20 days after the vacancy to allow time for a papal funeral in the event of the death of the previous pope, travel, and preliminary discussions. The College of Cardinals as a body governs the day-to-day workings of the Church but they may not make any changes or innovations concerning the Church. They also may not act in any way that would infringe on the prerogatives of the Bishop of Rome nor may they make any changes to UDG or to how a conclave is organized and functions.

The actual conclave is held in the Sistine Chapel within Vatican City. The cardinals live nearby in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, a Vatican guesthouse. Strict measures are taken to maintain secrecy: jamming devices are used to block external communications, and all locations are swept for electronic listening devices. The cardinal electors are sworn to confidentiality under pain of automatic excommunication.

The current conclave is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, May 7th. On that first day Mass for the Election of the Pope (Missa Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice) will be celebrated, invoking the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Later the cardinal electors will process into the Sistine Chapel singing the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus (“Come, Creator Spirit”). After prayers, a meditation, and the swearing of an oath by each elector, all non-electors must leave. Extra omnes (Everyone out!) is exclaimed and the doors to the Sistine Chapel are locked.

Voting is conducted under strict protocols. Each cardinal elector writes a name legibly on a ballot with the instruction to disguise his handwriting, folds it, and places it into a large chalice/ciborium atop the altar. The ballots say on the top half Eligo in Summum Pontificem (I elect as Supreme Pontiff), and the elector writes his choice’s name on the bottom half. Each elector must process to the chapel altar before the fresco of Michelangelo’s “Last Judgement” and swear an oath before placing their ballot in the vessel: I call as my witness Christ the Lord, who is to judge me, that I choose him whom according to God I judge ought to be elected. There are up to four votes per day: two in the morning and two in the afternoon; generally, one vote is taken on the first day but that is not required. Each round involves distributing ballots, voting, counting, verifying, and burning the ballots.

Once a vote is complete, the ballots are counted to make sure that there are no more or no less ballots than there are electors. The ballots are reviewed by three electors called scrutineers who are chosen by lot. They individually review each ballot with the third scrutineer announcing each vote. A candidate must receive a two-thirds majority to be elected pope. Ballots are burned in a special stove after the two morning votes and after the two afternoon votes. If a vote is successful, the ballots are immediately burned after that vote. To communicate results to the public, black smoke indicates no election, and white smoke signals a successful election. The ballots today are burned with chemicals to create the needed color. Formerly, the ballots were burned with wet straw to achieve black smoke or dry to achieve white smoke. Since 2005, bells have also been rung to avoid confusion due to indiscernible smoke color in the event of a valid election. If voting is protracted for several days, there are mechanisms for the cardinal electors to pause for a day of prayer.

Upon receiving the necessary votes, the Dean of the College of Cardinals asks the elected cardinal: “Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?” If he accepts the newly elected pope becomes pope immediately with all rights, powers, and prerogatives. He is then asked: “By what name shall you be called?” He chooses a papal name. He then moves to the Sistine Chapel sacristy, nicknamed the “Room of Tears,” and is dressed in papal vestments which have been prepared in several sizes. The Cardinal Protodeacon then announces to the world from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica: Habemus Papam (“We have a pope!”). The Cardinal Protodeacon’s announcement will follow the white smoke with anywhere from twenty to thirty minutes to one hour between the smoke and the announcement. He introduces the new pope by both his baptismal and new papal name. The new pope then appears and gives his first Urbi et Orbi (“to the city and to the world”) blessing.

For reference, here is a list of previous conclaves and their durations: Pius XII, 1939: 2 days, 3 ballots; John XXIII, 1958: 4 days, 11 ballots; Paul VI, 1963: 3 days, 6 ballots; John Paul I, 1978: 2 days, 4 ballots; John Paul II, 1978: 3 days, 8 ballots; Benedict XVI, 2005: 2 days, 4 ballots; Francis, 2013: 2 days, 5 ballots.

Let us keep the cardinal electors in our prayers, the man at present known only to God who will be elected pope, and the whole Church. God bless you and yours!

Father Chris House

"Continuing Our Easter Journey" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 16:59:15 GMT

This Sunday concludes the Octave of Easter. An octave is a celebration of eight days in the Church and each day is honored liturgically in the same way as the day in which the octave began, in this case Easter Sunday. With the liturgical reforms of the late 60’s and early 70’s, only two octaves remain in the ordinary form of the Church’s liturgical calendar: the octaves of Easter and Christmas.

The Gospel for this weekend, the Second Sunday of Easter, is popularly known as the Gospel of Doubting Thomas. Here our Lord appears to Thomas, and the other ten Apostles, and invites Thomas to see and probe his wounds so that Thomas might believe that the Lord is truly risen and that he is who he says he is. While the Lord’s body has been changed and glorified, the wounds from his crucifixion remain. Theologians have marveled over this reality for 2,000 years and posed various reasons as to why. As in the case of St. Thomas the Apostle, the wounds identify the Lord for who he is and they also tell us what death is not; death is no longer an eternal reality for those who live and die in God’s friendship. The marks of the Lord’s death remain, but death has no power over him, and through him neither over us. St. Leo the great says it more eloquently in a homily on the Lord’s Passion: He did away with the everlasting character of death so as to make death a thing of time, not of eternity.

As we continue our journey through this Easter Season, let us turn to the risen Lord to draw newness of life from him, remembering that the wounds and the scars of our present lives, painful as they may be, are only things of the here and now; in the Resurrection on the last day, when Christ makes us new, those things will be no more.

Triduum and Easter Masses – Thank you!

I am immensely grateful to all those who helped to make our Masses for Triduum and Easter Sunday so beautiful. Many thanks to our choir members and musicians, to our environment team, to our readers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, ushers, servers, and to all who came to worship. I hope that our Lord was pleased with the worship that we offered to Him during those most sacred days. We were also blessed to have two other spiritual offerings for Holy Week this year. The first was a wonderful cantata offered by members of our choirs together with choir members from Laurel United Methodist Church; the second was a moving production of the Living Stations of the Cross presented by students from our parish grade school. Thank you to all who helped to provide these extra opportunities during Holy Week.

Blessings of Easter joy & peace to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Seek What Is Above" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 14:04:24 GMT

Today we celebrate the greatest joy of our faith: our Lord Jesus Christ has conquered sin and death and risen to new and everlasting life. The tomb is empty. Life has triumphed over death. Love has conquered hate. Light has overcome darkness. But St. Paul, in our second reading today from his Letter to the Colossians, reminds us that Easter is not only about Jesus rising from the dead—it is also about us. Listen again to his words: If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God… For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. What does this mean?

St. Paul is telling us that the Resurrection isn’t just a past event; it is a present reality for us. Jesus is risen and we are invited to rise with Him—to live a new life, a different life, a Resurrected life. But to rise with Christ we must also die with Him. We must let die all that keeps us trapped: our sins, our selfishness, our fears, our attachments to this world. Easter invites us to leave the tomb of sin and those things that hold us back and step into the life of God’s grace.

St. Paul says, seek what is above . That does not mean ignoring the world or escaping our responsibilities. It means seeing everything through the lens of Christ—letting our thoughts, decisions, and desires be shaped by heaven and not by the passing things of earth.

So, on this Easter day, the question is not, “Did Jesus rise?” He did. The question is are we rising with Him to a new and more abundant life? The world offers us distractions, temporary pleasures, and false promises; the Risen Christ offers something far greater: a share in His victory. For those who live and die in the Lord’s friendship, life does not end in the grave but transforms into the fullness of the Risen Lord’s glory.

We are called to be witnesses of the Resurrection in our homes, our workplaces, our schools, and here in our parish. People should encounter us and experience joy, goodness, and hope because we have been raised with Christ. While our true life may be hidden with Him, the totality of our lives should point to the good things to be revealed.

So, where did the Easter Bunny come from?

I’ve shared this before, but I’ll do it again for good measure. A long time ago, it was believed that rabbits did not sleep. They are not nocturnal animals, but termed crepuscular, meaning that they are most active at dawn and dusk. Because of this, rabbits were many times included in early art depicting the Resurrection because it was assumed that a rabbit was a witness to the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus and that rabbit was given the honor of becoming the Easter Bunny, tasked with brining treats to boys and girls to celebrate the joy of the Resurrection.

Easter Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Luke’s Passion Narrative" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 17:25:33 GMT

Luke’s Passion Narrative

The Passion narratives of Matthew, Mark, and Luke rotate on a three-year cycle for Palm Sunday and this year the Church is presented with Luke’s narrative. Throughout Ordinary Time this year we have been presented with Gospel selections from Luke and that will continue after Pentecost, but this Lucan year also continues in the upcoming Easter season as Acts of the Apostles is traditionally understood as being authored by Luke too. Luke’s Passion Narrative is divided into four parts: in the garden, before the Sanhedrin, before Pilate and Herod, and finally Jesus’s crucifixion, death and burial. While Mark and Matthew present us with a Jesus surrounded by darkness and impending doom, and John portrays a triumphant Christ, Luke offers us a gentle and merciful healer who has given himself over to the Father’s will and continues his mission to the end.

One of the more poignant occurrences in Luke’s Passion begins at the Last Supper, when Jesus speaks to Peter telling him that the devil had demanded to sift Peter like wheat, but that Jesus had prayed for Peter’s faith. This scene is one of the highpoints of the written artistry that Luke’s Gospel is known for. Peter quickly responds that he will never falter in his faith, in fact that he is prepared to go to prison for the Lord and to even die for him. Yet, in that same moment, Jesus tells Peter that he will deny him three times. Later that evening, the Lord’s prophecy comes to pass, just as he is being mocked by the Temple guards who tell Jesus to prophesy. When Peter denies Jesus, Luke tells us that Peter catches the Lord glancing through the crowd at him in that moment.

After that moment, realizing what has happened, Peter goes out and weeps bitterly for his betrayal. I have often thought about that glance of Jesus towards Peter. What did it look like? I can imagine it being mixed with heartbreak and pain but also with love and mercy, void of condemnation. What about our lives, in those moments when we fail the Lord through our sinfulness and human weakness, how is the Lord looking at us? Perhaps a look of pain, but also one that invites us back, to know again the love that the Lord always has for us. His glance is one that does not illicit fear but that invites us to the fullness of mercy.

Just as the Lord’s prophecy of Peter’s denial came to pass so did his prayer that Peter would not fail because Peter ultimately turns back to him. Peter humbles himself in contrition and therefore can receive the grace and the strength that the Lord wanted him to have. Sinners though we are, the Lord Jesus continues to intercede for us as he did for Peter. Mindful of our sinfulness in these sacred days of Holy Week, and always, let us turn to the Lord with humble and contrite hearts that we might know the fullness of his mercy, the power of his grace, and ultimately share in his victory as St. Peter did.

Let us make this a true holy week as we are invited to walk with Jesus through his passion, death, and resurrection beginning today and culminating in the Sacred Triduum of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter. The times for our liturgies and Masses are listed in the bulletin. Make time for the Lord Jesus and to ponder on the mystery of the depth of his love for us either through participating in these acts of worship or in your own personal prayer.

Back Home – Thank You

I don’t think I have ever experienced two months pass so quickly but my time at Saint Meinrad was good, both spiritually and in being able to advance my dissertation work. I thank all of you for your prayers during my absence. I especially wish to thank Fr. Alex, Deacon Scott, and all the parish and school staff for keeping the home fires burning in my absence and for allowing me to be able to truly devote these past two months to prayer and study.

Blessings to you and yours for a grace-filled Holy Week!

Father Chris House

"Why Do We Do These Things During Lent? - Veiled Statues and Images" by Fr. Alex

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 19:13:20 GMT

Well…the church looks a little different today. Many of our images–the Cross, Mary and Joseph, and others–have been covered over. During Lent, the Sanctuary already looks quite stark with no flowers or plants or decorative cloths on the altar. But now, we have gone one step further in blocking out almost all of our imagery in the church. Indeed, everything around us is just a bit more sobering.

But why do we do this?

These last two weeks of Lent have traditionally been known as Passiontide. In former times, Passiontide was considered a special season within the whole season of Lent, almost like a super-Lent. During this time, statues were veiled, liturgical music would become more stark, and even whole prayers within Mass would be shortened to reflect the starkness of the season. Indeed, in the second half of Lent, the faithful were encouraged to focus their contemplation on the mystery of Our Lord’s Passion.

With the liturgical reforms after the Second Vatican Council, the official distinction between Lent and Passiontide was relaxed. As such, many of the unique liturgical practices called for in the Roman Missal were smoothed over to make the entire celebration of the Lenten season more consistent. However, we are a people of tradition. We recognize that many of the practices of our ancestors in the faith remain good and holy for us as well. Therefore, one of the traditions still in place in many parishes across the world is the tradition of veiling sacred images for the last two weeks of Lent.

Last Sunday, we were reminded of the joys of the celebration of the Resurrection to come. Next Sunday, Palm Sunday, we will have the opportunity to participate in the reading of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Luke. Today, we are invited to hunker down just a little bit more, trusting in the Lord to give us the grace of perseverance through the remainder of this holy season. Our veiling of sacred images symbolizes our desire to remove the things in this life which distract us from the act of our salvation: the Paschal Mystery.

During these coming weeks, may God assist us in reorienting our focus upon His beautiful work in the world. Amen.

–Fr. Alex

A Service Of Darkness

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 14:46:19 GMT

Join us for a Service of Darkness: Choral Meditations and Scripture Adapted from the Ancient Tenebrae. Featuring the combined choirs of Laurel UMC and Christ the King Church.

"Why Do We Do These Things During Lent? - Rose Vestments on Laetare Sunday" by Fr. Alex

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 17:27:29 GMT

Laetare Ierusalem! Rejoice, O Jerusalem!

Here on this Fourth Sunday of Lent, we celebrate a little bit of rejoicing in the midst of the desert of Lent. During both Advent and Lent, we get to have a peek at a rare color of vestments which only come out twice a year: in Advent on Gaudete Sunday and in Lent on Laetare Sunday. Both of these days are a reminder of the joy of the forthcoming seasons. In this moment of Lent, we fast, but we know that our fast is not eternal. We know there is hope ahead for us. Therefore, we don these rose-colored vestments as a reminder of the hope and joy of the coming season of Easter.

First, a little background about the vestment colors used during the Lenten season. During days and seasons of penance, the priest and deacon wear violet vestments. There are two symbolic meanings to the color violet. In antiquity and indeed throughout history, violet dyes were expensive to manufacture. This meant that only royalty could practically afford it. As the tradition of different colors of vestments became more widespread, violet became the symbol of penance. If we are honest, there are times we need to be humbled a bit. By associating the color of royalty with penance, it is a reminder that the kingdom we long for is not of this world. Instead, we long for the Kingdom of God.

A unique fact about violet, and indeed all of our liturgical colors, is that there are multiple shades of the color. Violet can have more blue in it or more red in it. Violet can be light or dark. As such, there is a tradition to wear violet vestments which have a red tint. This color has become known as roman purple.

Back to our celebration of Laetare Sunday, we rejoice in the hope of the new days to come: the celebration of Our Lord’s Resurrection. As such, on this day, the tradition developed for priests to wear vestments with roman purple, but dyed in a way to make it much lighter. The result is that these vestments became known as “rose vestments.” The word “rose” comes from the Latin word rosa , meaning “pink.” This is because the resulting color looks like a shade of pink.

A common joke in the seminary is that priests like to let people know that we wear “rose vestments” today rather than pink vestments. Many priests might remind people that “Jesus didn’t ‘pink’ from the dead, He rose from the dead!” While all of this is in good fun, I would add that we must look past this detail. Instead, today we are reminded that we are people who look ahead in hope of the good things to come.

–Fr. Alex

"Lent is Almost Upon Us" by Fr. Alex McCullough

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 21:00:24 GMT

With the arrival of warmer weather which will, hopefully, stay around for a while, we are heading into the season of spring as well as the season of Lent. As Ash Wednesday is coming up in a few days, it is best that we take some time to consider in what way we can prepare ourselves to receive the countless graces which accompany this season.

This last Monday, in our 4th Grade religion class, I talked about the season of Lent and offered some reflections as to why we do the things we do. I think it could be good for us to take some time to reflect on these things too:

One of the greatest acts of penance we see during Lent is to fast from something. This is why we usually give up something. This can be something we like a lot, such as a favorite food or our favorite games. It can also be a chance to work on giving up the things we know are wrong but we find ourselves doing again and again. Lent can be a good chance to “give up” these bad habits. It is a chance for us to grow in virtue .

The whole Church participates in “giving up” things. This is why we do not sing the Alleluia at Mass all throughout Lent. It’s also why on Fridays Catholics practice abstinence from meat.

Abstinence from meat on Fridays means that we avoid eating land-based meats and instead choose to eat things like fruits, vegetables, and fish. This is because historically meat was seen as a luxury. To remember that Lent is a season of penance, we choose to avoid certain luxuries. Also, we do this on Fridays since we remember Jesus’ death on the Cross on Good Friday.

Another thing we do during Lent is almsgiving . When we give alms, we choose to give up some of the material things we have, such as money or food, and give these items to people who live in poverty. Some people may choose to donate money towards a charity which helps the poor. Some may choose to donate food items to food pantries or homeless shelters. Some may also choose to volunteer at these places which help the poor. This is to remind ourselves that we should try to live a simple life so that we can rely on the gifts that God gives us.

In addition, I gave our students three challenges which I think could be good challenges for us during these upcoming forty days:

1. What is one way I can fast during Lent as I prepare for Easter? What could I give up?

2. How can I grow in my relationship with God during Lent?

3. What is one way I can participate in almsgiving this Lent?

Continued prayers for Pope Francis

Please join me in continuing to pray for Pope Francis who, at the time of this writing, remains in critical condition in the hospital. We do not know what the future holds, but in charity, we unite our prayers with the rest of the Church, both on earth and in heaven. May God bless Pope Francis abundantly. Amen.

-Fr. Alex

"A Radical Love" by Fr. Alex McCullough

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:42:05 GMT

Archabbot Lambert Reilly, OSB, one of the former archabbots of Saint Meinrad Archabbey in Southern Indiana, has always been known for his witty one-liners and comebacks. This was true during his tenure as archabbot, and it is true to this very day. One of these one-liners he became well-known for around the monastery is that “we have to love everyone, we don’t have to like everyone.” I may be paraphrasing, but his message rings true especially with today’s Gospel reading.

To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If Jesus told us to love those who love us, it would be easy. In fact, we would probably do a pretty good job at that. However, Jesus did not say to love our friends. He told us to love our enemies. To some degree, we all have some sort of enemy. Maybe it is the coworker who constantly critiques the hard work we have done. Maybe it is the neighbor who constantly annoys us, and if we are honest, we probably annoy them too. Maybe it is a member of our family who we had a spat with years ago, and we both seem to struggle with letting that live in the past. We kid ourselves if we cannot, or will not, identify one person with whom we have a sour relationship.

Love your enemies . It can be tempting for us to forget this call when we would rather hold a grudge. Equally, it can be tempting for us to think this cannot be done given the history we have with another. Perhaps we can look to the example Jesus Himself sets for us in loving our enemies. Later on in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus, enduring the absolute pain of the Cross, offers the simple prayer: Father, forgive them, they know not what they do . In this supreme act of charity, interceding on behalf of sinners, Jesus provides us the model for love. In fact, the entire Passion, Death, and Resurrection shows us the model for love. It is the offering of mercy to the other.

This offering of mercy is best summarized and explained by St. Thomas Aquinas in writing on love. Love is distilled by St. Thomas Aquinas into the phrase: “to love anything is nothing else than to will good to that thing.” We love by willing good to others. It is why we as Christians should seek to practice the works of mercy. As God has loved us, willed our good, through the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross, we should seek to live the same radical love. This form of love is by far the most difficult and only reaches its perfection with the help of God.

Now, let us go back for a moment to Fr. Archabbot Lambert’s line. Certainly, we have received a divine call to love, but at the same time, we know it is impossible to be everybody’s friend. In fact, it would be unhealthy in many cases to strive for this. After all, we are humans, and we face limitations. These limitations include the emotions and history we carry from our interactions with each other. Indeed, there are particular situations in which it is prudent for us to not foster any sort of relationship with another person. We could probably come up with a good list of situations in which this prudence takes precedence. God never wants us to put ourselves in unnecessary danger of any sort, physical or emotional. The Gospel call to radical love still remains for us.

Maybe Archabbot Lambert’s one-liner is a good challenge for us. Who do we need to learn to love as God calls us to love?

Fr. Alex McCullough

"Blessings and Woes" by Fr. Alex McCullough

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 19:38:57 GMT

We are all familiar with the Beatitudes. Blessed, blessed, blessed. In the context of the liturgy of the Church, they are drawn from again and again. But these beatitudes we encounter in this weekend’s Gospel seem different. They seem brief. They seem to cut a little deeper. There is a very simple explanation for this: these are not the ones we are used to hearing!

In our Gospel this Sunday, we are given the privilege of hearing from St. Luke’s account of the Beatitudes as opposed to the more familiar ones from St. Matthew’s Gospel. Rather than being placed in the context of the Sermon on the Mount, as in St. Matthew’s Gospel, Luke sets this discussion of the Beatitudes within the context of the Sermon on the Plain. If we were to map out a chronology of Jesus’ ministry according to all four Gospels, the Sermon on the Plain would appear to be earlier than the Sermon on the Mount. The Sermon on the Mount took place alongside the Feeding of the 5000, but in Luke’s Gospel, the Sermon on the Plain is much earlier in the timeline of Jesus’ ministry.

That is probably enough worrying about the timelines of these two Gospels. Instead, let us turn our attention to the truths Jesus reveals to us in our Gospel reading. In Luke’s account of the Beatitudes, we first encounter the same phrase of “blessed are…” However, we are soon turned over to a new proclamation: “woe to you.” For those of us who, at one point or another, find ourselves with a touch of cynicism, it is a bit of a welcome refresher from what we normally associate with Jesus. For some, the “woes” make us uncomfortable–many times throughout my life, I would prefer to be the things Jesus warns us about. It would be nice to have some money in the bank, to not worry about our bare necessities, to always be in a good mood, and to be well-liked by others. Certainly, we have all experienced a touch of this desire.

While it is indeed prudent for us to have a healthy concern for these earthly things, we must look a little beneath the surface. Whatever we desire in this life, we are called first to recognize God’s handiwork and providence. When we lose sight of God, our creator and our redeemer, when we decide to place our desires in mere shadows compared to the Lord of life, we risk giving up the greatest gift of this life–eternal life with God. If we allow ourselves to choose the things, the created things, of this world over the very creator, something less than God rather than God Himself, we have fallen into the trap the evil one desires in which to ensnare us. We worship something other than God.

These “woes” which Jesus gives us serve not to inform us of the vast punishments which await us when we fall. We know we have a God who seeks to extend His mercy to us. Rather, the “woes” serve to warn us of the dangers in which we put ourselves when we choose to separate ourselves from God.

Blessed are we who seek above all else to be in union with God.

Warm Welcomes

Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Fr. Zach Samples, currently the Parochial Vicar at St. Agnes. Fr. Zach has graciously offered his assistance over the next two months while Fr. Chris is on sabbatical. On most weekends, he will rotate in as the celebrant at one of the Masses as well as hearing Confessions and celebrating Mass on most Thursday mornings. This will be a great help for me in taking a little off my plate and allowing me to have a day off through the week. Fr. Zach and I go way back to our days as students at EIU in Charleston before either of us was in seminary. Thank you for your assistance, Fr. Zach!

Father Alex McCullough

"Casting the Nets of our Lives" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 20:05:23 GMT

Casting the Nets of our Lives

Today’s Gospel brings a change in scenery from last Sunday’s Gospel; it may be a small detail but it is an important one. Last Sunday Jesus was in the synagogue in Nazareth. The “home town boy” was at first received well by those in the synagogue but the mood turned as the assembly found themselves challenged by Jesus. Luke records for us that the scene culminates with the crowd being so angry that they are preparing to throw Jesus off the edge of a cliff but he manages to get away. From Nazareth, Jesus returns to Capernaum.

Capernaum was one of nine towns on the Sea of Galilee; the “Sea” of Galilee is actually not a sea as we understand the word today, being that it was thirteen miles, north to south, and about eight miles wide; the Scriptures also refer to it as the Sea of Tiberias or the Lake of Gennesaret. Today, the area around the Sea of Galilee is mostly buzzing with pilgrims, but in Jesus’s time those nine towns around it would have had a total population of tens of thousands of people. While this is the first time that Luke records Jesus actually being in Capernaum, we know he has been there before because of the previous Sunday’s Gospel where the synagogue crowd mentions Jesus performing miracles in Capernaum.

This Gospel continues in the on-going theme of Epiphany that has been presented to us for the past several Sundays because of the astounding catch of fish that Simon and the others bring it. Experienced fishermen, they have worked all night, but at Jesus’s insistence they cast their nets one last time, against their own judgement, and their willingness is rewarded. In response to this manifestation of God’s grace and power, Luke tells us that Simon falls to his knees saying “depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” Jesus does not go away but instead formally calls Simon, as well as James and John, to follow him. They leave everything behind and accept the Lord’s invitation.

Like Peter, James, and John, the Lord is also calling us to follow him and become “fishers of men.” Jesus’s preaching and teaching was primarily done on the sea shore, in towns, and on the road, not in the synagogue or Temple. Our bringing souls to Christ must be done wherever we are, and while we witness to the Lord at Sunday Mass, being at church is not where this call is primarily lived out. Jesus is calling us to cast the nets of our lives; those living nets are to be constructed of our love, charity, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, and faith and they are to be cast at home, work, school, everywhere our daily living takes us. These “nets” are what bring other souls to the Lord. We need to examine our lives to be sure that sin, bad attitudes, a lack of hospitality, and so on, have not made holes in these nets. If we find holes are present, God’s grace is there to help us mend these nets of our lives.

As with Peter and the others, we may find ourselves tired, frustrated, unsure, maybe even lacking in faith, but Jesus is still asking us to put out the nets of our lives for a catch. Hopefully we will each say yes.

The Musings of Father Alex….

….will be gracing this page soon as I am now at Saint Meinrad, getting re-acquainted with the library. When these eight weeks are over I will probably have spent more time in the library at Saint Meinrad now than when I was…..never mind. Below is an older aerial photograph of Saint Meinrad Archabbey and Seminary.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"An Acceptable Time" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 21:32:43 GMT

Last Sunday, the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, presented us with the Gospel of the wedding feast at Cana, particularly the sign of the water made wine. This first miracle by our Lord, as reported by John, points to the dawning of a new age, a new time: the time of the Messiah. These days of the Messiah are a time of grace and mercy, when God has opened up his own divine life to us in and through Jesus Christ. The good news for us is that these days are still upon us as the world continues to live in them until the Lord Jesus returns in his glory.

This Sunday’s Gospel continues the theme of Epiphany with Jesus’s proclamation in his home synagogue in Nazareth of the words of the Prophet Isaiah. Jesus proclaims The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord . At the end of the proclamation, Jesus announces that today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing. He is the one of whom Isaiah spoke. He is the fulfillment of the promise of the prophets and the ultimate manifestation of God’s life, love, and grace in the world.

To bring sight to the blind, liberty to captives, glad tidings to the poor, and freedom to the oppressed is a monumental task, one that is fit for the Messiah…and for us. We cannot do any of these things as Jesus did, but, as disciples, we are called to carry Christ into the world each and every day. It is the Lord Jesus who brings true freedom and sight, who lifts up the soul and fills it with richness. We are the vessels, the messengers by which he chooses to be continually made known in the world. We are called each day to be deliberate in our discipleship, to make the conscious choice for him every day so that we may be an avenue through which Jesus can be known and touched by those whom we meet.

We are not tasked with this responsibility without any assistance. Luke tells us that in making this proclamation in Nazareth, Jesus had returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit. The same is true for us. Through Baptism and Confirmation we are imbued with power of the Spirit to proclaim Jesus Christ in every aspect of our lives. Let us avail ourselves to the power of the Spirit that, in and through us, the Lord Jesus may continually be made known in the world, a world that needs to know and accept his love, his grace, and his mercy. Now is the acceptable time for us to answer this call.

Information About My Upcoming Sabbatical

Last month I announced here in my column that I will be heading out on a two month sabbatical. I was originally to spend it in the Holy Land last year but, as I am sure you are aware, conditions there made that impossible. I will be heading to Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology located at Saint Meinrad Archabbey in southern Indiana; this is where I attended minor seminary; there I will spend those months in prayer and reflection but also doing research for my doctoral dissertation in canon law which will hopefully also lead to me getting some writing done while I am there. I will be gone from February 4th thru April 8th, back just before Holy Week begins.

While I am gone I do not expect the rhythm of parish life to be altered but slightly. Father Zach Samples, parochial vicar at St. Agnes, will be taking a Mass just about every weekend to save Father Alex from offering four Masses; Father Zach will also be taking the Thursday morning Mass so that Father Alex is able to have a day off each week. There are two minor alterations to note. First, Father Alex will be attending a workshop for priests in their first year of ministry from February 10th - 15th. There will be Communion services each morning that week with Deacon Scott. Second, beginning the week of February 17th, there will be no Wednesday 7AM Mass but all are welcome to attend the school Mass which will still be held at 8:30AM. Mass will still be at 7AM the other four weekdays. The reason for this is that a priest may say no more than two Masses on a weekday. By temporarily eliminating this one Mass time, it frees Father Alex to be available for a funeral Mass M,W,F, with Tuesdays already having two Masses due to Mass at area nursing facilities and Thursday being his weekly day off. The 7AM Wednesday Mass will resume the week of April 7th.

This May I will be ordained twenty-three years and this past August I marked twenty years working in the curia at the Catholic Pastoral Center. Honestly, I am looking forward to the short break, minus the research and writing but I’ve been asked to do it and so I will. While I am gone you will remain, as always, in my daily prayers. I won’t be responding to email or getting phone messages. Should there be a serious need that requires my attention, Father Alex and Mrs. Seaton, our principal, will get in touch with me. This will be a great learning experience for Father Alex and he is up to the challenge….please just don’t make the learning curve too steep!

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"The Good Things to Come" by Fr. Chris House

Sat, 11 Jan 2025 15:51:25 GMT

The Good Things to Come

The time has come for us to move beyond the manger, for white and gold to give way to green. This Sunday brings us to the end of the Church’s celebration of Christmas with the feast of the Baptism of the Lord as we prepare to enter into the liturgical season of Ordinary Time. This feast jumps us about thirty years forward in the Lord’s earthly life and is understood as the event that inaugurates his public ministry. The Scriptures that the Church has chosen for this feast bring us full circle from where our pre-Christmas journey began in Advent, to Christmas itself, and now to the end of this holy season.

Some six weeks ago we began our Advent journey and over the course of that journey we heard those familiar words of the Prophet Isaiah that are proclaimed to us again this Sunday. The second reading for this feast, from the letter of Titus, is the same second reading that was proclaimed at the Mass at Night on Christmas Eve. We might say that in today’s feast we are given a recap of what has already been revealed and proclaimed: that God has heard the cry of his people and has responded to that cry in the coming of Christ his son.

What was already made known to Mary & Joseph, the Shepherds, Simeon & Anna, and the Magi is now made known to a wider audience by the Spirit at the Jordan River when the voice of the Father proclaims of Jesus “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” As with the Magi, so now at the Jordan, God continues to make known through Jesus that his divine life and love are open to all people who will receive him, and all who receive him belong to him.

Now that we have celebrated the coming of Jesus at the beginning of the Church year, we are now prepared for the unfolding of another great mystery; the mystery that is life in Christ and what that means for us as his disciples as the events of his passion, death, resurrection, and overall ministry are recounted for us over the rest of the Church year. This mystery of life in Christ is what we are called to contemplate and celebrate each day and in every season. We have been called and chosen to be children of God, not because of any merit of ours, but because of God’s great love for us; because of this we should in turn see our lives as something extraordinary.

Luke’s Gospel for today’s feast tells us that “the people were filled with expectation.” May it be the same for us. May expectation of the good things that God wants to do for us sustain us every day. May we carry the light and joy of Christmas with us throughout the year. As we begin Ordinary Time may we remember that in Jesus there is nothing ordinary about who we are because we have been claimed by him.

Ice and Snow, Bless the Lord

Those aren’t my words, they come from the Prophet Daniel. I hope that everyone fared well in light of last weekend’s weather. We still had about 2/3 of our normal Sunday attendance and I was edified by both the devotion of those present and by the desire of those who wanted to be but rightly chose the natural dispensation. I want to thank our facilities staff as well as the few other volunteers who worked to clear snow for safe movement around the parish/school property.

“New” Nativity Scene

My first Christmas at CTK I discovered that we did not have a nice full nativity scene. We have a lovely carved Holy Family that was generously given to the parish but we were lacking in a substantial nativity with all the persons of the nativity story. Last year we acquired a nice resin set and that will go either to the parish center or the school. We were offered something wonderful this past summer. The set we used this year was offered to me by my friend who is a pastor in our diocese. The set was given to his parish but they already had a nice set. All we had to do was have the figures repaired. The figures were restored by the Autenrieb Family in Edwardsville. Autenrieb has a long wonderful history of church and statue painting and restoration throughout our country beginning in 1925 with Max Autenrieb; the Stations of the Cross in the back chapel were painted by Max Autenrieb (either the founder or his son). The ladies who did the work on our scene estimated that our figures are around a century old. The figures are all made of plaster except for the angel and the camel; they are new additions and are made of fiberglass. I have enjoyed spending time in prayer before our “new” nativity scene; I hope you have too and that others will for years to come.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Those Mysterious Magi" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 15:22:02 GMT

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

"The Holy Family of Nazareth" by Fr. Chris House

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 14:41:27 GMT

This Sunday after Christmas we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The Holy Family is a timeless model for Christian living. In this Sunday’s Gospel we encounter the Holy Family in the Temple, presenting the infant Jesus to the Lord according to the Jewish law. Simeon, a righteous and devout man, takes the child in his arms, and in a beautiful hymn of praise, acknowledges Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. This moment is a testament to the faithfulness of the Holy Family to the demands of worship. The Holy Family's example teaches us the importance of faithfulness to God's commands and the rituals of our faith. Just as Mary and Joseph presented Jesus in the Temple, we too are called to actively participate in the sacramental life of the Church, nourishing our spiritual journey through prayer, the Eucharist, and the other sacraments.

Mary is our model of humility and openness to God's plan. Her "yes" to the angel Gabriel at the Annunciation and her continuous pondering of God's mysteries in her heart demonstrate a profound receptivity to the divine. As we celebrate the Holy Family, we are reminded to model Mary's openness to God's will in our own lives. Joseph exemplifies obedience and trust in God's plan. Despite the challenges and uncertainties that he faced, Joseph remained faithful and protective of his family. His unwavering commitment to God's will serves as a powerful example for fathers and all individuals entrusted with the care of others.

The Holy Family faced trials, including the flight into Egypt to escape King Herod's wrath. In their journey we can find encouragement for our own struggles. The challenges they encountered underscore the reality that family life, like any aspect of our journey with God, is not immune to difficulties. However, within the context of these challenges, faith can be deepened and strengthened.

As we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family, may we draw inspiration from their lives. May we cultivate faithfulness to our religious duties, embody trust in God's providence, nurture humility and openness to His will, and find strength in our families especially in times of trial. The Holy Family, through their example, invites us to make our homes a dwelling place of love, faith, and mutual support. May their intercession guide us on our journey of Christian living.

Mary. Mother of God – New Year’s Day

January 1st is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, a holyday of obligation . Mass for the feast will be celebrated on Tuesday evening, December 31st, at 5:30PM and Wednesday, January 1st, at 9:30AM.

Continuing our Christmas Journey

As always, we need this joyous season of light during the darkest days of winter. Even though the light has begun to lengthen ever so slightly, and the darkness has started to recede, it takes a while to notice it and feel its effects. Please continue to enjoy the beauty of the Christmas season that began, not ended, on December 25th and continues through the feasts of Epiphany (January 5th) and the Baptism of the Lord (January 12th). May the joy of Christmas continue to be yours and may you know God’s abundant grace and blessings in 2025.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead and for a grace-filled and happy New Year!

Father Chris House

"The Lessons of Bethlehem and Mary" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 17:38:42 GMT

Christmas is almost here. This Tuesday on December 17th, the focus of the season of Advent changed. We found ourselves looking primarily forward to the return of Jesus at the end of time for the majority of the season; the tale-end of Advent, always starting on December 17th, invites us to remember the coming of Jesus as the child of Bethlehem. In the first reading this Sunday we hear the Prophet Micah speaking of Bethlehem. The Gospel tells us of Mary’s visitation to her cousin Elizabeth where Mary finds her faith in the words of Gabriel confirmed by the fact that Elizabeth is with child.

What both Bethlehem and Mary have in common is that no one would have expected either of them to have anything to do with the coming of the Messiah; Bethlehem lacked the glory of its neighbor Jerusalem, even though Bethlehem truly is “David’s city.” Mary was a girl from a non-descript family in a back-water town called Nazareth, a town of maybe two-hundred people or so at the time. However, with both Bethlehem and Mary we see God doing wonderful things in and through them.

As we prepare to approach the manger, may it remind us that God performs some of his greatest acts in the unlikeliest of situations with some of the unlikeliest people. If God chose for the birth of his only begotten son to take place in these circumstances then why do we at times think that God is limited by the circumstances of our individual lives? Psalm 126 declares “the Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.” The birth of our savior truly is a great and wondrous thing, but the goodness of God is not locked in the past. God is still looking to do great things in our lives. Like Mary, may we open our hearts in faith to the power and possibility of God’s action in our lives.

As we approach the great Solemnity of our Lord’s Nativity, I encourage you to keep the Church’s celebration of Christmastide. Don’t fall into the world’s trap of leaving Christmas behind on December 26th. Keep your home and heart festive as the Church celebrates the coming of the Christ child through the varying feasts of Christmas up to the feast of the Lord’s Baptism on January 12th.

Fr. Chris Sabbatical

Bishop Paprocki has granted me an abbreviated sabbatical for two months in late winter 2025. I originally was to go to study in the Holy Land last year, then this year, but the political situation did not allow for it. From February 4th thru April 8th, I will be on a mini-sabbatical at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in Southern Indiana, alma mater to myself and Fr. Alex. A sabbatical is meant to be a time for prayer and renewal and also study; during that time I will be doing research (and hopefully begin writing) for my doctoral dissertation in canon law. While I am gone I do not foresee any changes in the day to day life of the parish. You will likely see a visiting priest here or there as I will try to have someone rotate in to take a different Mass each weekend so that Fr. Alex does not have all four, as well as having another priest take one of the week day Masses. You’ll receive more information from me in the new year when the final details are worked out.

No Wednesday Exposition December 25th and January 1st

There will be no exposition of the Blessed Sacrament the following two Wednesdays being that they are Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Wednesday exposition will resume on January 8th.

On behalf of Father Alex, Deacon Scott, and the parish & school staff, I wish you and yours a Blessed and Merry Christmas. May the Lord turn his tender face to you and gift you the joy and peace that come from him alone. God bless you!

Father Chris House

"Rejoice for the Lord is Near!" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 17:08:45 GMT

On this Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, we are invited to rejoice, to live with joy and hope as we await the coming of the Lord. The theme of joy is strikingly present in all the readings today, beginning with the prophet Zephaniah, continuing through St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, and culminating in the joyful proclamation of John the Baptist in the Gospel of Luke.

In our first reading from the prophet Zephaniah, we hear a message of consolation and hope. Zephaniah, who prophesied during a time of great turmoil and destruction in Judah, tells the people that God is coming to save them. “Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel!” (Zephaniah 3:14). Despite the darkness of the moment, Zephaniah assures the people that God is in their midst, and He will bring an end to their suffering. He will not leave them abandoned or oppressed. For us, too, this message is relevant. Even in our own moments of struggle, doubt, or anxiety, we are called to remember that God is always near, and His presence brings us peace and joy. Advent calls us to look beyond the immediate difficulties and to focus on the coming of Christ, who is the source of our ultimate joy.

In the second reading, St. Paul offers a similar message of joy, but with a particular emphasis on the attitude of the heart. In his letter to the Philippians, he writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). This command to rejoice is not conditional upon external circumstances but is a call to choose joy because of our relationship with Christ.

Finally, in the Gospel of Luke, we encounter John the Baptist, who delivers a message of repentance, but one that is filled with hope. John’s call to repentance is not just about turning away from sin, but about preparing for the coming of the Messiah. He invites the people to bear good fruit, to be generous, to share what they have, and to live with justice and compassion. When they hear the message, the people are filled with hope because they believe that the Messiah is near, and He will bring salvation and new life.

The joy of Advent is not just about anticipating a future event or remembering the past; it’s about the present reality that Christ is coming to transform our lives. The joy we experience in Advent is closely linked to the ways in which we open our hearts to repentance and renewal. In preparation for Christ’s coming, we are invited to live with greater generosity, justice, and love toward others.

So, what does all of this mean for us today? First, we are invited to rejoice because the Lord is near. Even in the midst of struggles, we are called to remember that God is with us. This joy is not based on our external circumstances, but on the knowledge that Christ is present in our lives, and that His coming will bring lasting peace and joy. Secondly, we are invited to let that joy shape how we live. St. Paul’s call to rejoice always is not a suggestion but a command, and it is possible when we remember that God is at work in us, even when we don’t see immediate results. We can rejoice in the hope of transformation and salvation. Finally, John the Baptist’s message calls us to prepare for Christ’s coming by living lives of generosity, justice, and repentance. We can make Advent a time of personal renewal, of turning away from sin and turning toward the joy that comes from living as disciples of Christ. Let us live this Advent for what it is supposed to be: a time to let our joy overflow into acts of kindness, compassion, and justice.

Many Thanks

Thank you to the Men’s Club for hosting Breakfast with Santa last Sunday. Also a tremendous thank you to everyone who donated to the Angel Tree . It gave my great joy to once again open the door to the large closet where the gifts are stored and have them actually fall out into the hallway due to them being stacked to overflowing.

Christmas Masses

Masses for Christmas will be as follows: December 24 ^th , the Vigil of Christmas, at 4:00PM, 6:30PM, and 10:00PM; December 25 ^th , Christmas Day, at 9:30AM. There will be no 7:00AM Mass on the morning of Tuesday, December 24 ^th .

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"A Kingdom of Justice, Love, and Peace" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 20:17:16 GMT

Happy Feast Day! This Sunday we celebrate our patronal feast, the great solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. This feast marks the final Sunday of the liturgical year, a powerful reminder of the kingship of Jesus, who reigns not just over one nation or one people, but over the entire universe past, present, and future. This feast invites us to contemplate what kind of king Jesus is and what his kingdom is like.

The gospel reading from John takes us to the trial of Jesus before Pilate. Pilate, representing the Roman Empire, the earthly authority of the time, asks Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus’ answer is profound: “My kingdom does not belong to this world.” Jesus does not deny being a king, but he redefines kingship. His kingdom is not a political entity or a military power. It is not bound by the limits of earthly nations or territories. Instead, Jesus’ Kingdom is a spiritual reign, a Kingdom of truth, justice, and mercy, where his rule is based on love rather than domination.

This is a radical statement. In a world where kings and rulers often reign through force and control, Jesus’ kingship is marked by humility, service, and sacrifice. He says to Pilate, “For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.” Jesus does not reign through military might, but through the power of truth; God’s truth, which is revealed in His life, death, and resurrection. His kingship is one that sets us free, not through oppression, but through the truth that is found in him.

As we reflect on the kingship of Jesus, we must remember the example he gave us. His coronation was not in a palace or cathedral, but on Calvary. He did not wear a crown of gold, but one of thorns. His throne was not a majestic chair, but the rough wood of the cross. This is the King we are called to follow: a King who serves, who loves, and who sacrifices himself for his people.

The Kingdom of Jesus is a Kingdom of truth. In the Gospel, Jesus tells Pilate that everyone who belongs to the truth hears his voice. As disciples, we are called to be people of truth. In a world filled with lies, deceptions, and false ideologies, we must be witnesses to the truth of Christ. This truth is not merely an intellectual concept but a lived reality. It is the truth of love, of forgiveness, of justice, and of peace. It is the truth that liberates us from sin and death, from the attachments of this world, and calls us to eternal life.

Pilate, in his skepticism, asks Jesus, “What is truth?” This question echoes through the centuries to us today, as people continue to struggle with the meaning of truth in a world full of competing values. As Christians we know that truth is not a concept or an abstract idea, but a person: Jesus Christ, who says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). To be citizens of his Kingdom is to live in accordance with his truth, allowing his words and his example to shape our lives. To be conformed to the ultimate truth is to be conformed to Christ our King.

If we are to be conformed to Christ then we must be agents of his Kingdom, working to bring God’s justice and peace to our world. We must be witnesses to the truth, even when it is unpopular or uncomfortable. We must serve others, especially the poor, the marginalized, and the oppressed, following the example of our Lord. In this way, we participate in the ongoing work of building up Christ’s Kingdom here and now.

As we conclude the liturgical year and reflect on Christ as King, we are invited to renew our commitment to him. Is Jesus truly the King of our lives? Do we allow his reign to shape our actions, our decisions, and our relationships? Are we willing to follow him, even when it means suffering as he did? To say Jesus is King is not just to profess a belief, but to live that belief with all our hearts, minds, and strength. Let us pray that we may always be faithful to the Kingdom of Christ, that we may live according to his truth, and serve as he served, so that we might reign with him forever.

Thanksgiving

It is important for our lives to be marked by thanksgiving. Thanksgiving must be a way of life for the Christian, not simply a day on the calendar. Acknowledging that God is the giver of all good gifts, and that our talents and resourcefulness emanate from him, keeps us humble as well as open to receiving the continued graces that he wants to bestow on us. Please consider joining us for Mass on Thanksgiving morning, this Thursday, at 8:30AM . On behalf of Father Alex, Deacon Scott, and our parish & school staff, I wish you and yours a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Vigilance and Hope" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 19:03:59 GMT

The liturgical year has made its final turn and will culminate on our patronal feast of Christ the King coming up next Sunday. This Sunday we are given readings that speak to the end of time, to the final fulfillment of God's plan for the world. These readings invite us to reflect on the ultimate victory of God, the hope that sustains us in the midst of trials, and the call to remain vigilant and faithful. As we approach the end of the liturgical year, the readings often turn our attention to the theme of eschatology (the “last things”).

The first reading from the Book of Daniel speaks of a time of unprecedented suffering, a "time of distress such as never happened since nations first came into being.” This may sound ominous, even frightening. However, it is important to understand this passage in its broader context. In Daniel’s vision, this time of distress is followed by a glorious promise: "But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. This promise is both a warning and a source of great comfort. While trials and challenges will come, and at times they may seem overwhelming, those who remain faithful to God will be delivered. The vision of eternal life in this passage reminds us that beyond the suffering of this world, there is a future of light and peace for those who have persevered. Just as Daniel’s audience was encouraged to trust in God’s ultimate victory, so too are we called to trust. In moments of personal or global suffering, we must remember that God’s final word is not suffering or death, but salvation and life.

In the Gospel today, Jesus speaks about his Second Coming and the signs that will precede the end of the world. He uses vivid imagery of cosmic upheaval, with the sun darkened, the moon not giving its light, and stars falling from the sky. These apocalyptic signs remind us that the world as we know it will come to an end, but they also point to the ultimate arrival of the Son of Man in glory. Jesus assures us that, even though these things may seem frightening or mysterious, they are part of God's plan to bring about a new heaven and a new earth. The key message here is one of hope: Christ will return to gather his people, to judge the living and the dead, and to establish his kingdom of peace and justice.

Jesus also emphasizes the importance of being ready: "Be on guard! Be alert!" (Mk 13:33). We are called to remain vigilant, living in faith and holiness, so that we can stand before Christ when he comes. This vigilance is not about predicting the exact time or date of Christ’s return, something that Jesus himself tells us is unknowable (Mk 13:32), but about living each day with the awareness that God is at work in our lives and in the world.

The second reading from Hebrews shifts our focus to the person of Jesus Christ, the High Priest who, through his one perfect sacrifice, has secured our salvation. The author contrasts the repeated sacrifices of the Old Testament with Christ’s once-for-all offering. "By one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated (Heb. 10:14).” In the face of suffering and trials, this is the heart of our hope: that Christ’s sacrifice has conquered sin and death. We do not need to fear the end of the world or the judgment that will come, because Christ has already secured our place in God’s eternal kingdom. His sacrifice gives us confidence, not only in the life to come but also in the grace we receive in the here and now. We are reminded that because Christ has offered himself once for all, the final fulfillment of God’s plan for humanity has already been accomplished. As we await his return, we live in the light of this finished work, trusting in the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice for our salvation.

As we approach the end of the liturgical year, today’s readings invite us to contemplate the final fulfillment of God’s promises. We are reminded that, no matter the trials or suffering we face in this life, God’s ultimate plan is one of victory and salvation. In the midst of our struggles, we can take comfort in the fact that Christ has already triumphed over sin and death. His return will bring about the fulfillment of all things, and those who remain faithful to him will share in his glory. Let us therefore live with hope and vigilance. We do not know when the end will come, but we know that it will be the beginning of something far greater — the full revelation of God’s kingdom. As we wait, let us be faithful, let us be alert, and let us trust in the eternal sacrifice of Christ, who has secured our salvation.

November 22 ^nd – St. Cecilia, Patroness of Musicians

This week the Church commemorates the feast of St. Cecilia, patroness of musicians. In light of the upcoming feast, I wish to extend my gratitude to all who are involved in music ministry here at CTK. Music ministry can be one of the most challenging and underappreciated ministries in parish life; I hope that we all realize how blessed our parish is with such a wonderful and diverse group of dedicated folks in this ministry. Thank you to all who help us to lift our hearts and minds to the things of Heaven through the gift of music in our Masses and other celebrations.

Parish Breakfast for the Parish Feast

Once again the ladies of the Altar and Rosary Society are graciously hosting a breakfast for everyone after the 8:00AM and 10:00AM Masses next weekend, November 23/24, in celebration of our patronal feast. All are welcome!

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Sacrifice and Trust" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 18:15:33 GMT

This Sunday’s readings invite us to reflect on themes of generosity, trust, and the true value of our offerings before God. The readings highlight the difference between outward appearances and the deeper intentions of the heart, particularly in the way we give of ourselves, whether in material gifts, time, or service. Jesus, in the Gospel, points to the humble, sacrificial giving of a poor widow as an example of what true generosity looks like.

In our first reading from the First Book of Kings, we encounter the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. During a severe famine, Elijah arrives at the widow's home and asks for water and bread. The widow is preparing to make her final meal for herself and her son, as she believes that they are about to die from hunger. But Elijah asks her to first make a small cake for him, promising that if she does, her jar of flour and her jug of oil will not run out until the famine ends. This story illustrates deep trust in God, even in a moment of scarcity and despair. The widow, having little left, still chooses to offer what she has. Her generosity is not out of abundance, but out of trust that God will provide. Her actions show us that true generosity comes from faith in God's providence, not from our own comfort or security. She is a model of a sacrificial trust that God will take care of her, even when the odds are stacked against her.

In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus observes the behavior of the people in the temple. He points out the difference between those who give out of their surplus and the widow who gives her last two coins, her entire livelihood. While others are putting in large sums from their abundance, the widow’s offering is small in the eyes of the world, but in the eyes of God, it is far greater because it is all she has. Jesus commends the widow because she has given everything she has to live on. Her offering is not just a financial one, but a spiritual one. She places her trust in God, knowing that He alone is the true source of her security. Unlike the scribes, who love to be seen as religious by displaying their wealth, the widow’s quiet, humble offering speaks volumes about her faith and love for God.

In this context, Jesus teaches us that God does not measure the size of our gifts in the same way that the world does. What matters to God is the heart behind the gift. The widow’s offering was sacrificial; she gave from her need, not her excess. It challenges us to consider how we offer our own gifts, not just materially, but with our time, talents, and energy.

Finally, our reading from the Letter to the Hebrews provides a profound insight into the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The author contrasts the repeated sacrifices in the Old Testament with the once-and-for-all sacrifice of Christ. Jesus entered the heavenly sanctuary, offering His own blood for the redemption of humanity, and by His sacrifice, He has secured eternal salvation for all who trust in Him. Just as the widow’s offering in the Gospel was an act of total self-giving, Jesus’ sacrifice was the ultimate act of self-giving. He gave His life for the salvation of the world. And unlike the priests of the Old Testament, whose sacrifices were repeated and ultimately ineffective, Jesus’ sacrifice was final and sufficient. It opened the way to eternal life, reconciling humanity with God.

The comparison between the widow’s offering and Christ’s sacrifice calls us to examine our own lives. Are we willing to offer ourselves fully to God? Our Lord does not ask for perfection or wealth, but for hearts that are willing to give of themselves completely. His grace enables us to make these sacrifices in faith, trusting that, like the widow of Zarephath and the widow in the temple, God will provide what we need.

So, what does all of this mean for us today? In a world that often values power, wealth, and success, the Scriptures today challenge us to think about the true meaning of generosity. We are invited to ask ourselves: How do we offer our gifts to God? Are we giving out of our abundance, or are we willing to give even when it costs us something? Our giving is not just about money—it is about offering our time, our talents, our hearts in service to God and others. Do we trust in God’s providence? Just as the widow of Zarephath trusted that God would provide, are we willing to trust God with the little that we have, knowing that He will take care of us? Are we living sacrificially? Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross shows us what true love and generosity look like. As His disciples, we are called to imitate that sacrificial love in our daily lives.

Let us reflect on the example of the widow in today’s Gospel. May we, like her, offer our lives fully to God, trusting that He will provide for all our needs. Let us remember that true generosity is not about the quantity of our gifts, but about the quality of our hearts. In giving ourselves to God, we open ourselves to receive the fullness of His grace. Let us pray that, like the widow, we may always trust in God's providence and be willing to give of ourselves, even when it seems difficult. May we offer our lives as a living sacrifice, knowing that in God's eyes, even the smallest act of love and faith can have eternal significance.

Mass of Remembrance – Thank you

Once again we celebrated a beautiful Mass of Remembrance on All Souls Day, offering the best that we can, the holy Mass, for our loved ones and parishioners who have gone before us in faith. Thank you to the many volunteers who made it happen!

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"More Than a Feeling" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 18:56:31 GMT

More Than A Feeling

In this Sunday’s Gospel, we witness a profound moment where Jesus is asked a question meant to reveal the heart of the law: “Which commandment is the first of all?” In His answer, Jesus sums up all of the commandments, saying, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” Then, He adds, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” These two commandments are inseparable and serve as a foundational element of our Christian faith.

Jesus calls us to a love that is not partial but complete. To love God with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength means that God must be at the center of our lives. This is not about just saying prayers or attending Mass on Sundays but it is about integrating our faith into every part of who we are. Our decisions, our work, our interactions with others, and even our thoughts are places where we can express this love for God. In many ways, this command challenges us because it demands that we move beyond superficial faith. It asks us to examine where we place our trust, our energy, and our time. Are we prioritizing our relationship with God? Do we see Him as our true strength and foundation? Or do we let other distractions take the place where only God should be?

The second part of Jesus’ response is equally challenging: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Loving our neighbor as ourselves means treating others with the dignity, compassion, and mercy we would desire. It means seeing others as God sees them, acknowledging their worth, and recognizing their humanity. In the world around us, we encounter countless people, some are easy to love, and others not necessarily so. Yet Jesus asks us to look past divisions and see our neighbors through the eyes of God. His call is to forgive those who hurt us, to care for the needy and the most vulnerable, and to show kindness even if those who need that kindness make it hard. When we love our neighbor, we make visible the love of God in the world.

Jesus does not separate love of God from love of neighbor. He intertwines them so completely that they have become inseparable. We are taught in the First Letter of John, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8). This is why Jesus calls these the greatest commandments. To truly love God, we must love our neighbor, and to truly love our neighbor, we must love God. Each time we show charity (love) for another, we draw closer to God, and each time we draw closer to God, we grow in love for those around us. Love is more than a feeling or emotion; it is an active choice, a daily decision to live as the Lord Jesus commands us.

The Gospel invites us to examine our own lives. Are we striving to love God with our whole being? Are we actively showing love and compassion to our neighbors, especially those most in need? The world needs witnesses of this love; a love that heals, forgives, and unites. Let us pray for the grace to live out these commandments, asking God to help us grow in love for Him and for one another. May we become instruments of His love in a world that desperately needs it, carrying His light to all those we meet.

Holy Hour for Vocations

Next Sunday, November 10 ^th , CTK will be hosting the Springfield deanery’s holy hour for vocations. The holy hour will begin in the church at 6:30PM with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Please come and pray for all those who are discerning God’s call in their lives, whatever it may be, especially those who are discerning a call to sacred order or the religious life.

Speaking of loving one another…

This Tuesday is election day and the reality is that come Wednesday (or whenever the election is called), just about half of the country won’t be happy. Politics is not an exception to the Gospel. Loving God means also loving my neighbor whose politics are different than mine; I don’t have to agree with my neighbor, in fact I can believe that my neighbor is completely wrong, but I still must love my neighbor. Say some extra prayers for our nation this week, particularly for peace and civility. This may sound cliché, but it’s true: in the end, whether the donkey or the elephant wins, each of us still belongs to the Lamb.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Detachment, Humility, and the Rosary" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 18:22:23 GMT

Apparently James and John, the sons of Zebedee, don’t get it. In last week’s Gospel, Mark recounted for us the story of the rich man who came to Jesus asking what he needed to do to inherit eternal life; James and John were there. This man had lived a relatively good life by all accounts by keeping the commandments, but the Lord asked him to surrender what was most precious to him: his wealth. The Lord asked the rich man to place his treasure in the service of the poor, but the man was not able to detach himself from this one thing and this prevented him from following Jesus.

Detachment can be a very difficult virtue to master. As disciples, we are called to live in this world without becoming entrenched in it through anything that it offers, material or immaterial. Detachment does not mean that we do not value people or things in this world but that we value God and life with him over anything and everyone else. This Sunday’s Gospel passage follows immediately after the story of the rich young man, both in the tenth chapter of Mark. While the story of the rich man is a good example of the necessity for detachment from the material world, we see in the request made by James and John a good example for the need for detachment from immaterial things also.

"Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left," ask James and John. What then follows is our Lord’s admonition to his Apostles, and to us, not to seek glory as the world understands it. James and John most likely did not yet understand heavenly glory. For the disciple, ultimate glory is given through the cross: first through our Lord’s own suffering and death and, secondly, through our own willingness to accept our crosses daily as pathways to the Kingdom. The Lord invites his Apostles to humble themselves; humility embraces the virtue of detachment. It seeks the good of self after God and neighbor. Humility moves us to rely on God’s goodness and grace, helping us to understand that this life is not about us and that our will must be united with God’s will.

October is the month of the Rosary. If you want to grow in the virtues of humility and detachment, praying the Rosary is one avenue to help achieve this goal. The cornerstone of the Rosary is meditating on the mysteries of salvation as presented in the Lord’s life and in the life of Mary our Blessed Mother. In between those mediations is the praying of the “Hail Mary,” the Rosary’s principal prayer. Mary is the model of humility and detachment, and she remains for us, and the Church, a great intercessor to help us grow in those graces.

James and John continued to seek glory, but, through their own growth in discipleship, they came to seek the glory of heaven. They ultimately chose the Lord’s glory through their own crosses and sacrifices for Christ, the proclamation of the Gospel, and the building up of the early Church. We are also invited to seek glory, but not in any form offered by this world. At the end of her life, Mary was assumed body and soul into the glory of heaven and given a share in God’s glory by being crowned Queen of the Universe. By holding nothing back from the Lord and by offering everything to him and for him, Mary gained ultimate glory from her son; a glory that can never fade, be lost, or taken away. The Lord Jesus offers the same glory to us if we are willing to carry our own cross, united with him.

Respect Life Month

October is Respect Life Month. We do not have to look far to find a sea of comments and opinions concerning the right to life but there is ultimately only one opinion, one truth that matters. Let us not lose sight of what God has said through his holy word: “before I formed you in the womb, I knew you (Jeremiah 1:5);” “can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you. See, upon the palms of my hands I have engraved you (Isaiah 49:15-16);” “you (Lord) formed my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-14).”

As Catholics, we must always stand for the unquestionable truth that human life is sacred and for the fact that it must always be defended, especially the life of the unborn who are the most innocent and the most vulnerable among us. Standing for this truth will not always be popular, but this is not about popularity, personal philosophies, or political ideologies, it is about a divine truth written into the natural law that life is sacred because life is both an act and a gift of God. As God’s people we are called to embrace the Gospel of Life in the face of a culture of death.

In all that we think, say, and do, we must strive to build a culture of life. In the Book of Deuteronomy, the Lord says to Moses and to the people “I call heaven and earth today to witness against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God, obeying his voice, and holding fast to him (30:19).”

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"What Must I Do" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 18:47:03 GMT

In this Sunday’s Gospel from Mark, we hear the story of a rich young man who runs up to Jesus and asks Him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus lists the commandments, and the young man responds that he has kept all of these since his youth. Then, looking at him with love, Jesus tells him, “You are lacking in one thing: Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” The man goes away sad because he has many possessions.

This Gospel invites us to reflect on what it means to follow Jesus and the cost of discipleship. The rich young man was sincere in his desire for eternal life. He followed the commandments, lived a morally upright life, and wanted to know what more he could do. But when Jesus asked him to give up his wealth, the man became sad because his attachment to his possessions was too great.

Jesus uses this encounter to teach His disciples that wealth and worldly attachments can be obstacles to entering the kingdom of God. He says, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” This statement would have been shocking to the disciples, as wealth was often seen as a sign of God’s favor. Yet, Jesus challenges this thinking and emphasizes that it is not the possessions themselves, but the attachment to them that can hinder our relationship with God.

Jesus invites the rich young man to let go of his possessions, not as a punishment, but as a way to free his heart for a deeper relationship with God. His wealth had become a barrier between him and the kingdom. Similarly, each of us has something that may be holding us back from fully following Jesus. It might not be wealth, but it could be pride, fear, selfishness, or a lack of trust in God’s providence.

The Lord Jesus calls each of us to examine our hearts and to ask ourselves, “What is standing between me and God? What am I holding on to that prevents me from giving myself fully to Christ?” Letting go is difficult, but Jesus assures us that whatever we give up for His sake, we will receive back a hundredfold. This is a promise not of material wealth, but of the rich and abundant life found in a deep relationship with God.

The disciples are understandably confused and ask, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus responds, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.” Salvation is not something we can earn by our own efforts or merit. It is a gift of God’s grace. What seems impossible for, such as letting go of our attachments, living selflessly, and putting God first in everything, is made possible by God’s transforming grace.

The first reading from the Book of Wisdom echoes this theme of choosing what is most important in life. The author prays for wisdom and declares that he prefers her to scepters and thrones, considering riches as nothing compared to wisdom. The wisdom of God leads us to true understanding, helping us to see life from a proper perspective, and guiding us to seek the things that truly matter, things that last into eternity.

This Sunday’s readings challenge us to examine our lives and ask ourselves what we value most. Are we willing to let go of anything that prevents us from fully following Jesus? The rich young man went away sad because he could not part with his wealth, but Jesus offers us a different path: a path of freedom, joy, and eternal life, if we are willing to trust Him and let go of what holds us back. Let us ask God for the wisdom to see what truly matters and the courage to follow Christ wholeheartedly. Let us pray for the grace to respond to Jesus’ invitation with open hearts, trusting that with God, all things are possible.

Pilgrimage Information Meeting

This coming May I will be co-leading a Marian pilgrimage to Portugal, France, and Spain with Father Michael Friedel from Blessed Sacrament Parish. Flyers are available in the parish office for anyone who is interested. Father Michael and I will be having an information meeting on Sunday, October 27th, at 1:30PM in the lower meeting room of the parish office at Blessed Sacrament, 1725 South Walnut Street.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Jesus, Marriage, Divorce, and the Church" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 18:13:57 GMT

This is a challenging Gospel to succinctly comment on in a bulletin article or a homily. Along with being pastor of CTK, I also serve as vicar judicial of the diocese which means that I sit as head of the diocesan tribunal in the name of the bishop so this Gospel has special pertinence for my ministry. Mark’s Gospel this Sunday gives us Jesus’s teaching on divorce; Mark’s account is the oldest of the four Gospel writers concerning marriage. What does Mark’s text teach us as the Pharisees attempt to trap Jesus using the Mosaic Law?

The Pharisees ask Jesus if divorce is lawful; we must be attentive to the phrases that follow. Jesus asks the Pharisees what Moses commanded while the Pharisees reply with what Moses permitted . Jesus preaches against divorce, and since it was only allowed by Moses, Jesus cannot be condemned as speaking against the law. Jesus easily thwarts the attempt to entrap him but he goes further in his discourse on the question of divorce, not just giving a simple “no” to the question. Jesus, invoking Genesis, speaks of man and woman becoming one flesh in marriage. We see in the Old Testament that marriage is symbolic of the covenant relationship between God and his people. In the New Testament, St. Paul speaks of marriage as a sacramental sign of Christ’s relationship with the Church. The marriage bond is sacred because it is a living sign of God’s love that is both irrevocable and self-giving. Jesus then goes further in Mark’s Gospel stating that whoever divorces their spouse, and marries another, commits adultery.

The Church understands and teaches that marriage between two persons who are baptized, Catholic or not, takes on the quality of indissolubility (unless non-consummated), meaning that no power under heaven can undo what God has joined; no external power can undo the union and neither party in the marriage can withdraw their consent. Marriages that are between a baptized person and a non-baptized, or between two unbaptized, are still seen as valid by the Church, but, in certain very limited circumstances, can be set aside if one party leaves the marriage. Concerning the question of divorce, the Church sees it as a civil matter. The Church recognizes that a civil divorce can have civil effects but the act of divorce itself does not affect a person’s status in the Church; however, divorce and remarriage outside of the auspices of the Church does affect a person’s status in the Church.

In reading this you might be saying to yourself “well, annulments in the Church are just Catholic divorce;” actually, no. First, we often use the wrong term. An annulment is a declaration that dissolves something. An ecclesiastical tribunal (church court) in examining marriage cases does not grant annulments but may issue what is called a declaration of nullity by which a marriage is declared to have been null and void from the beginning due to either an impediment to the marriage itself or due to invalid consent on the part of one or both parties in the marriage. The nullity process in a tribunal does not look to assign blame or guilt to anyone regarding a failed marriage, but looks for what the truth of the matter is and whether or not a valid marriage bond was created at the time of consent between the couple.

I cannot stress enough that those who have suffered a divorce are not “second class citizens” in the Church and they should not be treated as such. A person who is divorced is not barred from any aspect of the Church’s life, sacramental or otherwise; this is a wide-spread misunderstanding among Catholics that has caused great pain and alienation for some. Yes, if a Catholic is divorced and remarried outside of the Church without a declaration of nullity then they are to refrain from Holy Communion, but the Church can work with them in the hope of regularizing their situation.

If you have any further questions on divorce, marriage nullity, or remarriage in the Church, please do not hesitate to contact me, Fr. Alex, or Deacon Scott.

Praying for the Victims of Hurricane Helene

Many of us have been shocked with the news and images that have come not just out of Florida but in other states as well especially North Carolina concerning the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene and the subsequent flooding. One commentator said earlier this week that you do not expect the situation to be getting worse several days after the storm but that is what has happened in many parts of the southeast coastal region. While nothing has been announced yet at the time I am writing this, generally the bishops of the United States will call for a special collection. Let us continue to pray for the recovery of those who have been affected by Helene.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Sin, Despair, & Hope" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 17:45:00 GMT

Sin, Despair, & Hope

As October approaches, this is the usual time of the year that I make time to watch the movie The Exorcist ; some may find that odd but as its director, the late William Friedkin, said of the movie, it’s more of a theological thriller than a horror movie. This year I’ve decided to go for the book instead of the movie. I first read the book when I was in seminary at Mundelein in 1998, at the time of the 25 ^th anniversary of the movie’s release; as with many stories, the book is more detailed (and frightening) than the movie. The story, written by William Peter Blatty, focuses on a twelve-year-old girl who is possessed by a demon and the investigation that ultimately leads to two Jesuit priests performing a major exorcism for her deliverance.

The book itself was inspired by actual events concerning a Lutheran boy in Silver Spring, Maryland whose family turned to the Catholic Church for help. The quest for help eventually took them to the Jesuits in St. Louis, Missouri where the boy (a girl in the book and movie) was delivered from the power of demonic forces after a major exorcism in 1949; the process of exorcism took weeks to perform. One of the most striking scenes in the movie is when the two Jesuit priests take a break in the midst of performing the needed exorcism. During this break, the younger priest, who has been having his own crisis of faith, asks the older priest why a twelve-year-old girl; the older priest responds “to make us despair.”

At the beginning of the Scriptures in the Book of Genesis we see that it is the devil who tempts us to turn inward on ourselves and away from God; that is the definition of sin. Daily we are tempted to serve ourselves, our wants, our desires, to be the ultimate end in ourselves. Let’s be clear: the devil does not make any of us sin; we make the choice ourselves even though the devil may give the invitation.

Sin directly separates us from God when a sin is ours, when it is the result of our own action or inaction. Sin can also attempt to separate us from God when it is the sin of someone else and we are moved to despair. This phenomenon can be especially profound with the reality of sin in the Church. We see evil committed by others and some run the danger of losing hope and falling into despair, which then can ultimately lead us to despairing of the goodness and love of God.

The Lord gives us strong words in this Sunday’s Gospel reading from Mark: if your hand, foot, or eye are going to keep you from entering into heaven then get rid of them. The Lord Jesus is telling us that there is nothing in this life, be it material things, relationships, pleasures, behaviors, whatever, that are worth risking the gift and the promise of eternal life with God in heaven. We are also warned sternly to be on guard that we do not lead anyone else into sin because the punishment for that will be severe.

Our sins separate us from God and they can also be a catalyst to separate others from him too. We must be on guard to seek the good, to seek the things of heaven, to seek God in all that we do. Personal sin can lead us to despair by falling into the trap of believing that we are unforgivable. The reality of evil itself can lead us to despair by questioning why God would let such things happen. As disciples, we are called to never lose hope: hope in the power of God’s mercy and forgiveness in our own lives and in the lives of others; hope that the grace of God can effect true change in our lives through conversion; hope in the fact that God is alive and at work in the world and that his sacred act of our redemption is on-going.

When faced with the power of sin, when tempted to lose hope because of evil in the world, let us always remember the words emblazoned under our Lord in the image of Divine Mercy: Jesus, I trust in You !

A Prayer for First-Responders

This Sunday, September 29 ^th , is the feast of the Archangels Ss. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. It is customary on this day to remember those who serve in our community as first-responders, be they police, fire, or other emergency personnel. For them, I invite us all to offer the following prayer: Merciful Father, I ask you through the Archangels, Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, to watch over and protect all of the men and women who so generously devote themselves to helping others. Grant them courage when afraid, wisdom when they must make quick decisions, strength when weary, and compassion in all their work. When the alarm sounds and they are called to aid both friend and stranger, let them faithfully serve you in their neighbors. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"To Be A Saint"

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 19:09:04 GMT

The only real sadness, the only real failure, the only great tragedy in life, is not to become a saint. The quote is from Leon Bloy, a Catholic writer from France who died in the early 20 ^th century. It’s a great quote; simple yet profound.

For the past few Sundays, we have been hearing from the Letter of James in the second reading at Mass. A lot of times the second reading doesn’t get too much attention from preachers because it stands alone while the first reading, the Psalm, and the Gospel generally share a unifying theme. We do not know who “James” was. Scholars are not sure if he was one of the Apostles who shared that name or another James named by St. Paul in the New Testament who is also referred to as the “brother of the Lord.” The Letter of James really is not a letter either, at least not in the style of the other letters in the New Testament. James is written more in the style of the Wisdom literature of the Old Testament and has three main sections: the value of trials and temptations, warnings and exhortations, and on the power of prayer. This Sunday’s reading from James comes from the section on warnings and exhortations.

James warns us of the danger of seeking the wrong things out of life. He uses the term “passions” for the search for wrong pleasures. Pleasure is not a bad thing; in fact, pleasure can be derived from doing what is right, good, and holy. Pleasure can be found in prayer and in acting/living in a way that is ordered to the glory of God and the good of neighbor. The pleasures that James warns about, the passions, are those things that are only ends in themselves, those that are purely self-serving. These are destructive because they can lead people to unhealthy and unholy behaviors, driving people deeper into the need to serve themselves, their own wants, and agendas, which in turn lead to disorder in our lives and in the greater world.

The question that James is asking us in this Sunday’s second reading is this: in my life, am I seeking the good things of God and his kingdom or am I seeking myself and the things of this world…power, honor, pleasure, wealth? Most of the time we probably do not think of this in our daily living but as disciples we must reflect on where our choices are leading us: deeper into ourselves or into deeper relationship with the Lord? James would tell us that there is nothing wrong in seeking pleasures, accomplishments, and enjoyment in life, as long as those things are ordered towards God. We must never evaluate our lives by the world’s standards; we must evaluate our lives with heaven as the ultimate goal. By baptism we have been made heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven; all that we seek should be ordered to that calling. In the end, whether or not we become saints, whether or not our eternal citizenship is in heaven, is the only success or failure that will matter.

Pilgrimage 2025

I have been asked if there will be another pilgrimage next summer. The answer is yes but I do not have all the details yet. The pilgrimage will have a Marian focus with visits to Fatima, Lourdes, and Montserrat as well as other locations. The dates for the pilgrimage are tentatively set for May 26 to June 6. A flyer will be available in the office once I get more information from the tour company.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Do You Trust?" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 17:06:14 GMT

When I was in major seminary, my next door neighbor once told me a story of his former bishop who was in the hospital dying of cancer. His bishop was visited by the local archbishop who was the head of their province. He recounted that the archbishop came into the room and sat down next to the dying bishop. The archbishop began his visit by asking a question: “do you trust?”

“Who do you say that I am?” Jesus asks the Apostles in this Sunday’s Gospel as recorded by St. Mark. Jesus poses the question to each of us, also. He is not looking for an answer from the Catechism or an answer that you can search for on Google. Jesus demands a personal response from every one of us, one rooted in trust.

An honest read of the Gospels lets us know that there is no “fine print” with Jesus’s invitation to us to be his disciples. The Gospels are perfect examples of full disclosure; this is demonstrated this Sunday when Jesus not only asks such a pointed question but then states what those who want to be true disciples must be willing to embrace: the cross. However, that full disclosure is not just about hardship and sacrifice. The Gospels also tell us about the love, the life, the grace, and the mercy that Jesus wants us to know and possess in and through him. Making that personal statement that Jesus is Lord and Messiah means going “all in” for Christ. To offer all to and for Christ can be rather intimidating, but, as the Lord repeatedly says, do not be afraid!

Saint Francis Xavier Seelos once said “no one was ever lost because his sin was too great, but because his trust was too small.” Do we trust in the Lordship of Jesus Christ? Do we trust in his power to change us and make us new? Do we trust in his power to save? Jesus’s question of “who do you say that I am?” presupposes trust if we are to answer the same as Saint Peter. Our total trust and reliance must be in and on the Lord Jesus. That trust is proven in our willingness to hold nothing back from him. We want to see the world renewed, the Church renewed, and ourselves renewed. This can and will happen, but if not in and through Jesus Christ then in and through whom?

Annual Priests’ Convocation

This coming week, Monday afternoon thru Thursday afternoon, Fr. Alex and I will be in Collinsville for our annual priests’ convocation. Masses will be offered next week on Monday and Friday with Communion services on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Adoration and benediction will be the same on Wednesday. The parish office will be open as normal to assist anyone’s needs.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Be Open!" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 19:11:04 GMT

Be open!

This Sunday’s Gospel tells us of Jesus traveling through the region of the Decapolis, a largely Gentile area, where people bring to him a man who is deaf and has a speech impediment. They beg Jesus to lay his hand on him. Jesus takes the man aside from the crowd, places his fingers in the man's ears, and touches his tongue with his own saliva. He then looks up to heaven, sighs deeply, and says, “ Ephphatha ,” meaning "Be opened." Immediately, the man’s ears are opened, and he begins to speak clearly. Though Jesus asks the people to keep this miracle quiet, they cannot help but spread the news of his deeds.

The word ephphatha is powerful not only in the immediate context of the man's physical healing but also symbolically. This command from Jesus is a call for spiritual openness. We, too, are called to open our ears to God's word and our hearts to his love. Often, we are deafened by the noise of the world, our prejudices, and our fears. Jesus invites us to be open to his grace, which can heal our spiritual deafness and loosen our tongues to proclaim his goodness. The man’s healing is followed by an immediate reaction from the people; despite Jesus’ instructions to keep quiet, they proclaim what they have seen. This mirrors the Christian life: once we have encountered the transformative power of Christ, we cannot keep it to ourselves. Our lives should become a testimony to his healing power, drawing others to him through our witness.

The setting of this miracle in the Decapolis, a Gentile region, underscores that Jesus’ mission is not limited to the Jewish people but extends to all nations. The healing of the deaf and mute man symbolizes the opening of the Gospel to the Gentiles, showing that the Good News of salvation is for everyone. This challenges us to reflect on our own openness to those who are different from us, encouraging us to embrace and share the Gospel with all people.

In our lives, we are called to respond to Jesus' invitation to "be opened." This means listening more attentively to God's voice in our daily lives, whether through prayer, Scripture, or the sacraments. It also means being open to the needs of others, responding with compassion and action as Jesus did. Lastly, it challenges us to be bold witnesses to the Gospel, not keeping our faith private, but letting it shine forth in our words and deeds. Let us ask for the grace to be truly open to God's will, to the needs of our neighbors, and to the mission of spreading the Good News. May our ears be opened to hear God's word, and may our tongues be loosened to proclaim his love to the world.

Buon Viaggio Father Troy!

Father Troy’s two month stay with us here at CTK is at its end. He departs on Monday for some personal and family time before heading back to Rome to finish his advanced studies in dogmatic theology. I am grateful for his presence at the altar as well as the camaraderie that he brought to me and Father Alex. We wish him safe travels, the best in his studies, and God’s grace and blessing in all things.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Called to Love and Holiness" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 17:25:43 GMT

This Sunday’s readings invite us to reflect on the true meaning of religion and righteousness. Often, like the Pharisees in the Gospel, we may find ourselves focused on external practices, traditions, and rules, which, while important, can sometimes overshadow the deeper call to genuine holiness. In the first reading, Moses speaks to the Israelites about the Law given by God. The Law was meant to be a guide, a way of living that reflected God’s will and wisdom. It was a gift to the people, showing them how to live in a way that would lead to life and communion with God. However, the Law was not an end in itself; it was a means to bring the people closer to God and to form a community that lived according to divine wisdom.

In the Gospel, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their focus on external rituals at the expense of true righteousness. They had become so preoccupied with the letter of the law—washing hands, cleaning vessels, and observing various traditions—that they missed the spirit of the law. Jesus calls them out, quoting Isaiah: “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” This is a powerful reminder that our religious practices, if not grounded in love and true devotion, can become empty and even hypocritical. We are called to observe God’s law because we are called to love and holiness; God’s law is a pathway to becoming who God wants us to be.

Jesus shifts the focus from external purity to the purity of the heart. He teaches that what truly defiles a person is not what they consume or touch, but what comes from within—evil thoughts, intentions, and actions. It is a reminder that our actions and words are a reflection of our inner selves. Therefore, we are called to examine our hearts continually, to root out anything that is contrary to God's love and truth. This is reinforced by the message of St. James in the second reading urging us to be doers of the word and not just hearers. True religion, he says, is about caring for those in need—the orphans and widows—and keeping oneself unstained by the world. This is a call to active faith, one that is lived out in love, justice, and mercy.

As we reflect on these readings, we are called to go beyond mere external observance of the law and rituals. We are invited to cultivate a heart that is pure, a faith that is active, and a love that is genuine. Let us ask God for the grace to align our hearts with his will, to be true doers of his word, and to live a faith that is authentic and transformative. May our lives reflect the wisdom and love of God, drawing others to him through our words and actions.

Labor Day Mass

School is in full swing and Labor Day is here marking the traditional end of summer with the welcoming of the “ber” months; time truly seems to fly. Mass on Labor Day, this Monday, will be at 8AM, asking our Lord to bless our labors that all may be for his glory and for our salvation.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"To Whom Shall We Go?" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 16:58:42 GMT

In the past I have stated that, among the Apostles and the Saints in general, there is no one who can put his own foot in his mouth quite like St. Peter. We saw that fact multiple times last year when the liturgical year moved us through Matthew’s Gospel. At the same time on the opposite side of the coin, when Peter gets it right, he truly hits the proverbial nail on the head and this Sunday’s Gospel, the culmination of the Bread of Life Discourse in John 6, demonstrates that.

The crowd has heard enough. John records them as stating “this saying is hard, who can accept it (6:60)?” Throughout John 6, Jesus has told the crowd exactly who he is: the Bread of Life come down from heaven. He is God and Son of God. He is the invitation of the Father to share in the divine life by feeding on him, literally. And this Sunday we hear the truth from our Lord’s mouth that the flesh, that is the world, is of no avail, and the only true life is that which comes from the Spirit. “This saying is hard,” the crowd says; maybe hard to understand but also hard to accept because if it is true then they the crowd...and us…must by virtue of who Jesus Christ is conform our lives to him.

The crowd has heard enough, and they begin to leave him; not just those who have had their interest recently piqued because of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes but others who have been disciples of the Lord up to this moment. In the midst of the crowd’s abandonment of Jesus, the Lord turns to Peter and the rest of the twelve and asks “do you also want to leave?” Peter responds “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life (6: 67-68).” To whom shall we go? Peter’s question is rhetorical, born of a growing faith; for many in our community, our parish, our families, perhaps even ourselves, the question is real and must be asked. In all things, in joy and sorrow, we must turn to Jesus Christ.

Jesus is not a guru or self-help guide, nor is he a stand-in for Santa Claus. He is not a slick preacher promising earthly prosperity, and he is certainly not the author of the gospel of nice. Jesus Christ is Lord and savior of the world. He is both God and Son of God who is inviting each of us, you and me, into a real relationship with him. He wants to be our hope and our peace and, most importantly, Jesus offers us the gift of eternal life, none of which the world can give us.

Like any relationship, we have to bring something of ourselves if the relationship is going to be fruitful. This means that we have to have lives open to him and that necessitates the need for daily conversion. Yes, the call of Christ can be hard to answer because it runs counter to the world’s ways, but is the world going to offer us anything better? And when the world turns on us, as it is bound to do, where will we turn? To whom shall we go?

Cougar Kickoff – Thank you

Many thanks to our CTK Men’s Club and for all who helped to make this year’s Cougar Kickoff a wonderful evening. Saturday night preceded a great opening of the new school year this past Monday. May the Holy Spirit continue to bless, guide, and protect all students, teachers, and school staff throughout this academic year.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Earthly Eyes Are Not Enough" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 18:55:31 GMT

This Sunday brings us to week three of the Bread of Life Discourse found in the sixth chapter of St. John’s Gospel. Two Sundays ago, we were presented with John’s account of Jesus feeding the five thousand by multiplying the loaves and the fish; last Sunday the crowd pursued Jesus, and this is where the actual discourse that we speak of in John 6 actually began and that discourse continues this Sunday.

Last Sunday’s Gospel recalled for us how the crowd that had eaten the loaves and the fish pursued Jesus back to Capernaum. They were excited, amazed, and they wanted to see more. Remember, Jesus challenged the crowd’s perception of what had just happened; many were looking at the multiplication through earthly eyes, seeing this wonder as an end in itself, failing to see it as a sign that was pointing to the goodness of God and his desire to do greater things for them still. That challenge to them from Jesus continues this Sunday; the challenge is for us too.

This Sunday’s Gospel picks-up with the crowd murmuring because Jesus had stated “I am the bread come down from heaven.” Again, just as with the multiplication, many in the crowd see this statement only through earthly eyes. “Is this not Jesus the son of Joseph,” they ask, unable to grasp the possibility of divinity hidden within Jesus’s human nature (note: of the four Gospels, John is most keen on presenting Jesus’s divinity). Many in the crowd were trapped in what we might term one-dimensional thinking. The danger of the one-dimensional trap expands as Jesus continues his self-revelation in the Bread of Life Discourse.

Jesus goes on to say: “I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” For the first 1500 years of the Church, it was the common and accepted understanding that these words were a clear reference to the gift of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist; that the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus are continually given to the faithful in the Eucharist, not symbolically but really and truly. Then came the Reformation and all of a sudden, some people began to believe and teach that these words only have a spiritual, non-literal significance. The fact is that the Church’s approach to the Lord’s words here is “both/and.” Yes, Jesus is inviting us to draw life and strength for our souls from his own divine life spiritually, and the ultimate way that this is done is by our participation in and reception of the Eucharist.

In a world that no longer takes anything on faith, these teachings can be hard to accept since the reality of the Eucharist is not discernible to the physical senses and only perceptible through faith. Let us continually ask the Lord to increase our faith, that we may come to deeper love and relationship with him in the Eucharist, the true gift of Jesus himself given to us to lead us to everlasting life with him in heaven.

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This coming Thursday, August 15 ^th , the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, remembering that Mary was taken into heaven body and soul at the end of her earthly life. The Solemnity of the Assumption is a holy day of obligation. Masses on Thursday the 15 ^th will be celebrated at 7:00AM and 5:30PM.

Summer Camp and Back to School

Thank you to Mrs. Carstens and all of the CTK Summer Camp crew for their hard work in making this year’s summer camp a great success. Camp is over so that signals that school is just around the corner. We will have the annual “blessing of backpacks” at the 4:30PM and 10:00AM Masses next weekend (August 17th and 18th); all students, wherever they attend school, are welcome to receive the special blessing at the end of those Masses. The Men’s Club Cougar Kickoff will also follow the 4:30PM Mass. All are welcome!

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Called and Sent" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 17:02:30 GMT

For the past three Sunday’s we have heard accounts of faith in Mark’s Gospel: shaky faith from disciples, an abundant but desperate faith from Jairus and the woman with the hemorrhage, and limited/restricted faith from the crowd in the synagogue at Nazareth. This Sunday our Lord sends his disciples out on mission; it is time for them to put their faith into action.

Mark does not let us know what the disciples were thinking when they received their commission from the Lord Jesus and truly became the Apostles (the word apostle means “one who is sent”). There may have been feelings of uneasiness among them or a hesitancy to be sent out for a time away from the Lord, perhaps something similar to what we hear in the first reading of the Prophet Amos who tells us that he was not looking to be called on by the Lord and that he was simply living his life as a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. What is clear from the Lord’s instructions to them was that their faith needed to be ready for the challenge because they were being sent out with little in their possession for the task ahead. The Apostles were being asked to go out and proclaim the reign of God and to trust that he would provide for what they needed in the process.

Like the Apostles, we have been called by Christ and we are invited to carry his Gospel into the world. This reality is echoed in the second reading from St. Paul in his Letter to the Ephesians. Paul speaks to the fact that, as Christians, we have received an election, a call by Christ to be his witnesses and the grace needed to answer that election comes with the call. We may feel that our faith is not where it needs to be or we may have the reluctance of Amos as did many of the other prophets and saints, but God always provides what is needed to answer his call to be his witnesses in the world.

Next Sunday we will hear of the Apostles’ surprise, as well as joy, at what they were able to do on mission by God’s grace. If we put ourselves at God’s service and open our hearts to the power and possibilities of his grace, we may find ourselves surprised too at the awesome things that God will do for, in, and through us.

Blessings to you and yours doe the week ahead,

Father Chris House

"Strength Perfected in Weakness" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 19:41:38 GMT

In this Sunday’s Second Reading from St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians,

Paul begins by speaking of a "thorn in the flesh," a persistent affliction that torments him. While he does not specify what this thorn is, it is clear that it is a source of great distress. He refers to it as a "messenger of Satan" sent to harass him and prevent him from becoming conceited due to the extraordinary revelations he has received. At times we deal with our own thorns in the flesh in the various trials and sufferings we all face in life, be they a physical ailment, emotional pain, or a difficult circumstance. Paul's openness about his struggle reminds us that suffering is a common part of the human experience and even the holiest among us are not exempt.

Paul states that he pleaded with the Lord three times to remove this thorn. This plea reflects his deep desire for relief and his recognition of God's power to heal. However, God's response is not what Paul initially hoped for. Instead of removing the thorn, God says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." This response invites us to a deeper understanding of God's ways. Often, we pray for relief from our sufferings, expecting that God will take them away. Yet, sometimes God allows us to endure our thorns, not as a sign of neglect, but as an opportunity to experience his grace more profoundly.

God assures Paul that "my grace is sufficient for you." God's grace is more than enough to sustain us through any trial. It is a reminder that God's presence and help are always available to us, even when our prayers for deliverance seem unanswered. This sufficiency of grace teaches us to rely not on our own strength but on God's. Our weaknesses and limitations can become the very places where God's power can be most visibly at work.

When we acknowledge our dependence on God, we open ourselves to his transformative grace. Paul’s declaration, "therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me," is both a wonderful paradox and a profound spiritual truth. Our weaknesses, far from being hindrances, can become conduits for God's power. When we embrace our vulnerabilities and surrender them to God, we allow his strength to shine through us. This perspective transforms our understanding of suffering and weakness. Instead of seeing them as curses, we begin to see them as opportunities for God's glory to be revealed. Paul's example encourages us to trust that God can use our weaknesses for his greater purpose.

As we reflect on Paul's experience, let us remember that God's grace is indeed sufficient for us. In our moments of weakness and trial, let us turn to him, confident that his power is perfected in our weakness. May we, like Paul, learn to boast in our weaknesses, knowing that through them, the power of Christ rests upon us. Let us not fail to bring our own thorns to the Lord, asking for his grace to sustain us and his power to be revealed in our lives. In our weakness, may we find the strength that comes from God alone.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Faith Becoming Action" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 16:55:54 GMT

The Gospel for this Sunday from Mark’s Gospel is what is referred to as a “Marcan sandwich;” one story in placed in-between the pieces of another story, both containing similar themes. Here we encounter two individuals in desperate situations. Jairus, a synagogue leader, approaches Jesus, pleading for the healing of his dying daughter. His desperation drives him to fall at Jesus' feet, begging for a miracle. On the way to Jairus' house, we meet a woman who has been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years. She has spent all she had on doctors, yet only grew worse. Her situation seemed hopeless. Both Jairus and the woman exhibit different forms of faith.

First, both Jairus and the woman exhibit a faith born out of desperation. They have exhausted all other options and turn to Jesus as their last hope. Their stories remind us that in our own moments of desperation and helplessness, we too can turn to Jesus, trusting in His power and compassion.

The woman with the hemorrhage demonstrates bold faith. Despite her condition making her ritually unclean and socially isolated, she courageously reaches out to touch Jesus' garment, believing that even this small act would heal her. Her faith is rewarded immediately; she feels in her body that she is healed. Jesus' response is striking. He acknowledges her touch and seeks her out, calling her "daughter" and affirming that her faith has healed her. This personal encounter shows that Jesus not only desires to heal our bodies but also to restore our dignity and relationship with Him.

As Jesus continues to Jairus' house, they receive the news that his daughter has died. The situation seems beyond hope, yet Jesus encourages Jairus with the words, "Do not fear, only believe." Upon arriving at the house, Jesus encounters mourners who ridicule Him for saying the child is only sleeping.

Jesus' response to the skeptics is to take the child's parents and His disciples into the room where the girl lay. He takes her by the hand and commands, "Talitha koum," which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." Immediately, the girl gets up and begins to walk. This miracle highlights the importance of persistent faith, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Jairus' faith persisted despite the discouragement and ridicule from others. Jesus' power transcends even death, offering hope where there appears to be none.

Finally, we understand that both of these stories are not just about the miraculous healings but about the faith that moves individuals to seek Jesus' help and the transformative encounters that follow. Faith, as depicted in this passage, is active and courageous. It propels us to take risks, to reach out, and to trust in Jesus' power to heal and restore.

This Sunday’s Gospel challenges us to examine the depth and quality of our faith. Have we experienced a desperate faith that turns to Jesus in our most hopeless moments? Do we possess the bold faith that reaches out to Him despite obstacles? Do we demonstrate persistent faith that clings to hope even when circumstances seem beyond repair? Let us take hope from the examples of Jairus and the woman with the hemorrhage. Their faith led them to personal encounters with Jesus, resulting in profound healing and restoration. May we, too, approach Jesus with faith, trusting in His love and power to bring about healing in our lives.

New Arrivals

This coming week our new parochial vicar, Fr. Alex McCullough, will arrive here at CTK. Please join me in offering a warm welcome to Fr. Alex as he comes to minister to us here in the parish. Also arriving this week is Fr. Troy Niemerg who spent the summer of 2022 with us here at CTK. Fr. Troy will be heading back to Rome in September to finish an advanced degree in dogmatic theology. Between now and then, I was asked if he could spend the intervening weeks with us here at CTK. Fr. Troy will be helping out with Masses and sacraments over the next several weeks. While one is here for the long term and one for a short span, please give both of these newly ordained priests a warm welcome to CTK!

4 ^th of July Weekend

Blessings to everyone for a safe and happy upcoming 4 ^th of July weekend. Let us pray for our Republic, for its unity and sanctification, and for its people to heed the call to truly be one nation, under God. Mass on Independence Day, Thursday July 4 ^th , will be at 8AM; the parish office will be closed both July 4 ^th and 5 ^th .

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Trusting in the Master of All" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 14:25:41 GMT

If you have not read the Book of Job in the Old Testament, make time to do so. As you may know, the Book of Job deals with the problem of human suffering through the story of a man named Job. Job is righteous and the devil makes a wager with God that he can get Job to break that righteousness and God allows the devil to put Job to the test. After a great series of calamities befall Job, three friends of his attempt to console him but challenge Job to acknowledge that he has obviously sinned and that his suffering is God’s punishment. Job rejects this, as he is not guilty of anything, and cries out in frustration that he wishes he could stand before the Lord and ask why such evil has befallen him.

Job gets his wish, beginning in chapter 38, when the Lord speaks to Job from a whirlwind. The Lord does not answer Job’s questions about his suffering, nor does God explain himself or his ways, but instead he challenges Job to consider the awesome, mighty, and powerful things that the Lord has done in the world. Through a rather long monologue by the Lord, Job is invited to consider the Lord’s power and to be moved to renew his trust in God that, as the Lord is master of all things, God has the power to make things right in Job’s life. Job humbles himself before the Lord and the Lord heals Job of all his ills.

The first reading this Sunday from Job and the Gospel selection from Mark both present us with the imagery of storms. In Job, through vivid imagery and poetic language, God rhetorically asks Job who it is that has dominion over the wind, the rain, and the waves. The Gospel for this Sunday recounts for us that Jesus and his disciples get caught by in a storm while crossing the Sea of Galilee. In the midst of the disciples’ fear, Jesus is actually sleeping and wakes up in response to the screams from the others. Jesus rebukes the storm and the sea becomes calm.

I am sure that just about all of us have had experiences where, like Job, we want answers from God or, like the disciples, we have found ourselves in situations where our prayer is simply the cry of “Lord, save me!” The Lord is master of all things, both the storms of nature and those we encounter in our lives. We are invited, challenged at times, to renew our trust in God, who is present in our joys and sufferings, and who can bring us peace even if he chooses not to always calm the storms we may be facing in life. As with Job, God will make all things right in the end, but in his good time and perhaps not even in this life; nonetheless, we are invited to say with the faith of our hearts “Jesus, I trust in you.”

This Sunday: Farewell Reception for Fr. Wayne

This Sunday, June 23 ^rd , is Fr. Wayne’s farewell reception in the parish center from 11AM to 1PM. Please come by to wish Fr. Wayne the very best in his new assignments in Decatur. Fr. Wayne will be departing CTK sometime the middle of this coming week.

I wish to thank Fr. Wayne for his ministry among us here at CTK. I have been blessed to know him for over twelve years since I first had lunch with him down in Vandalia when he wanted to talk about entering the seminary; I honestly don’t know if he said more than ten words at that lunch! Through his time in formation at Bishop Bruté College Seminary and Mundelein Seminary the Lord led him to ordination and we ministered together at the Cathedral his first two years of ministry and again here at CTK for a little more than the past year. I have been blessed to have Fr. Wayne not just as a brother priest but also as a friend and confidant. He will be serving in a variety of ministries in Decatur and I know that so many folks will be blessed through his ministry. Please join me in thanking God for the gift of Fr. Wayne’s ministry here with all of us; may the Lord continue to bless him with every good gift and grace as he continues to follow the Lord’s call in his life.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Hidden Potential" by Fr. Chris House

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 15:06:12 GMT

The image of a mustard seed was something very familiar to those living in the Holy Land 2,000 years ago. The mustard seed was symbolic for the smallest of things. The Lord Jesus teaches us in this Sunday’s Gospel to be cautious in underestimating something simply by its initial appearance.

A mustard seed yields a mighty tree, an image not unique to this Sunday’s Gospel. A strong tree was symbolic in ancient times, including in the Old Testament, of various empires on the earth. From this Sunday’s Gospel, the mustard tree becomes a symbol for the Church, small in her beginning yet growing large and strong to the point that others come and dwell in her shade and strength. Two millennia ago, the religious and secular authorities thought nothing more of Jesus after he was crucified, but his life, death, and resurrection became the singular seed from which the Church came forth. The world did not think much of the early Church either. Today, the Church invites all people to come to her as the source and fount of God’s grace in the world.

The Church is both a static and active reality. She exists because she is a divine initiative, but much of her vitality is contingent upon our discipleship, our free choice as to whether or not we cooperate with the grace of God in our own lives. We are the living stones that make up the Church. We must make the active choice to advance her agenda of the Gospel, given to her by our Lord.

The mustard seed may seem insignificant to the eye but locked within is much potential. The same is true with us. To the world we may seem insignificant or unremarkable, but not to God. God knows the potential that lies within each and every human life; the power and possibility to change the world by simply being the men and women that he has called each of us to be, to use the gifts and talents given by him to build up the Kingdom here and now.

Before the parable of the mustard seed, we were presented with the parable of the farmer who scatters the seed but knows that the rest is not up to him. Jesus is reminding us that we must rely on God’s grace. The farmer cannot make the seed grow on his own. He does his part in sowing the seed but nature does the rest; so it is with our discipleship. We are called to do what we can with what God has gifted us and to allow God to do the rest. This demands trust: trusting in the gifts and talents that God has given us, trusting that he will do his part, and trusting that, in the end, all things will work for his purposes.

Don’t under estimate the power and possibility that God has placed within you. Use your God-given gifts for his glory and for the good of your fellow sisters and brothers. If each of us would simply do our individual part in God’s grand design then we would find the world set ablaze with his grace, his love, and his mercy.

Father’s Day

To all of our dads, either through the birth of a child, adoption, or by fulfilling the role of a father in someone’s life, a blessed and Happy Father’s Day! May the Lord bless you abundantly with the graces needed to help you fulfill this sacred vocation.

Farewell Reception for Fr. Wayne

As we approach the last few weeks of Fr. Wayne’s ministry here at CTK before he departs for his new assignments in Decatur, everyone is invited to a farewell reception for him in the parish center next Sunday, June 23 ^rd from 11AM to 1PM. Please come by to wish Fr. Wayne the very best in his new assignment.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Our Need for the Holy Spirit" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 13:29:51 GMT

Today's Gospel passage presents us with a scene that is challenging and insightful. It brings to light several crucial aspects of Jesus' ministry and his relationship with his followers, his family, and his opponents, while also highlighting the necessity of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The passage begins with Jesus returning home, only to be surrounded by a crowd so large that he and his disciples cannot even eat. This is a testament to the growing interest and curiosity about Jesus and his teachings. However, not everyone is pleased. His own family, concerned by the reports they have heard, believes that he is out of his mind and sets out to take charge of him. This misunderstanding by Jesus' family highlights a profound truth: even those closest to us may not always understand our mission or the path we are called to walk in faith. It reminds us that following God's will can sometimes lead to conflict or misunderstanding with those we love.

Further complicating the situation, the scribes accuse Jesus of being possessed by Beelzebul, attributing his ability to drive out demons to the power of the prince of demons. Jesus responds with a parable, pointing out the absurdity of their accusation. He argues that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. If Satan were casting out Satan, it would signify internal conflict leading to his downfall. Jesus' logic is clear: his works of healing and casting out demons are evidence of the kingdom of God breaking into the world, not the work of Satan. This confrontation with the scribes serves as a reminder of the resistance we may face when living out our faith, particularly from those who feel threatened by the change and truth that Jesus brings.

One of the most challenging aspects of this passage is Jesus' warning about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. He states that all sins and blasphemies can be forgiven, except for this one sin which is an everlasting sin. This has caused much concern and confusion among believers. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, in this context, refers to a deliberate and persistent rejection of the grace and power of the Holy Spirit. It is a conscious and hardened stance against God's work and presence. Jesus warns against this because it represents a heart that is closed off to repentance and the transformative power of God's grace.

Towards the end of the passage, we see Jesus’ mother and brothers arriving and seeking to speak with him. When Jesus is informed of their presence, he responds by redefining the concept of family. He looks at those seated around him and declares, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother." This radical statement emphasizes that true kinship in the kingdom of God is not based on biological ties but on a shared commitment to doing God's will. Jesus invites us to see ourselves as part of a larger spiritual family, united by our faith and obedience to God.

This Sunday’s Gospel challenges us to accept that following Jesus may lead to misunderstandings, even with those closest to us. Our commitment to God's will must remain steadfast. Living out our faith authentically may provoke opposition, but we are called to stand firm in the truth and love of Christ, knowing that his works are manifest in our lives. To do this, we need to welcome the presences of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Through a constant openness to the Spirit, we receive God's transformative grace and allow the Spirit to guide and shape our lives.

Annual Mission Appeal

Next Sunday we will welcome Fr. Joseph from the Congregation Missionaries of Faith for our annual Mission Appeal. The congregation was founded in Italy in 1982 and began working in India in 1989 after the first six priests from India were ordained in Italy. Currently there are around 300 priests of different nationalities in the congregation, of which around 100 priests belong to India.

The Missionaries of Faith in India engage in the work of direct evangelization by taking up new mission areas of the country. The congregation has missions in the northeastern parts of India bordering with China, and with Myanmar and in the south. They have established village schools for children, orphanages, medical dispensaries, chapels and above all formation houses for the seminarians to be future missionaries. The congregation depends on the providence of God through the generosity of the people for its work of evangelization, formation of seminarians and charitable work.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Corpus Christi" by Fr. Chris House

Sat, 01 Jun 2024 12:37:29 GMT

Carlo Acutis was born in Italy in 1991, living a short life and dying in 2016 from cancer, but Carlo’s short life on earth made a big impact. He was a normal kid who enjoyed sports, being with his friends, and he was very tech savy. Carlo also had a deep devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist and he shared that faith with everyone around him; he could not imagine life without this most precious gift from our Lord. Carlo was beatified in 2020 and just a few weeks ago the Holy See announced that it had verified another miracle through his intercession paving the way for Blessed Carlo’s canonization next year. Blessed Carlo will be the first millennial saint to be canonized by the Church. Blessed Carlo was known for saying “people who place themselves before the sun get a tan; people who place themselves before the Eucharist become saints.”

The Eucharist is the life source of the Church, the ultimate manifestation of Christ’s presence among us, and it has been the strength of the faithful for the Church’s entire history. It is not a sign or symbol, because a sign or symbol points to another reality. The Eucharist is a reality because the Holy Spirit changes the humble gifts of bread and wine that we offer into the real presence of Jesus.

I always like to recall a story about the 20 ^th century American Catholic writer Flannery O’Connor on this feast. Amongst her writings is a letter where Flannery recounted being invited to a dinner party and feeling out of place in a group she termed “intellectuals.” She went on to say that she said nothing all night until the conversation turned to the Church and the Eucharist and that her hostess talked about that, even though she had left the practice of the faith, she still thought that the Eucharist was a wonderful “symbol.” Having heard enough, Flannery recounted: I then said, in a very shaky voice, ‘ Well, if it’s a symbol, to hell with it.’ That was all the defense I was capable of but I realize now that this is all I will ever be able to say about it, outside of a story, except that it is the center of existence for me; all the rest of life is expendable.

May we have the same grace that both Blessed Carlo Acutis and Flannery O’Connor did to recognize just how vital the Eucharist is for us. As the Church understands it, the Third of the Ten Commandments imposes an obligation on participating in Sunday Mass; the Eucharist should be incentive enough. The Eucharist has been the strength of martyrs, it has comforted the faithful over the centuries in the face of adversity, it is the source and summit of our life of faith, and the remedy for our mortality that will lead us to everlasting life. May we always approach the altar to receive this most precious gift with worthy hearts and lives.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris Hous e

"Trinity Sunday and Ordinary Time" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 24 May 2024 19:17:30 GMT

While we may be entering into the long period of ordinary time in the Church’s year, may this time be extraordinary in grace and in growth of love of God and of neighbor.

Priestly Ordinations

Congratulations to Father Alex McCullough, our soon to be parochial vicar, and to Father Troy Niemerg, our former seminarian intern, on the occasion of their priestly ordinations this weekend. May God bless them and all of our newly ordained priests with every grace and heavenly gift!

Memorial Day Mass

Memorial Day is a sacred day for our nation when we remember those women and men who gave their lives in military service for our republic. Mass on Memorial Day will be at 8:00AM.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"A Promise Made and Kept" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 17 May 2024 18:07:41 GMT

Congratulations Graduates

Congratulations to our CTK School Class of 2024 who graduated this past Tuesday. We wish them the very best as they move on to high school. Congratulations to all in our parish who are graduating at any level; may the Lord abundantly bless you in all of your endeavors!

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead,

Father Chris House

"What the Lord’s Ascension Means for Us" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 10 May 2024 19:00:22 GMT

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

What the Lord’s Ascension Means for Us

We are fast approaching the end of the Easter season. It was seven weeks ago that we celebrated the joy of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday and now the Church celebrates the first of two key events both in our life of faith: this Sunday with the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord into heaven and the second being Pentecost next Sunday. St. Luke teaches us in Acts of the Apostles that Jesus, having revealed his risen glory to his disciples after the Resurrection, returned to his place with the Father in heaven forty days following his resurrection. What does this mean for us two thousand years after the fact?

The Lord’s Ascension into heaven is the fulfillment of his mission to achieve our salvation and in this act, there is a marvelous new reality that makes all the difference for us. In his return to the Father, Jesus takes with him our human nature. When he first descended from the Father in the Incarnation, Jesus joined his divinity to our humanity in an inseparable bond. Jesus’s humanity was and remains real. It was not something that was an illusion nor was it discarded when his earthly ministry was completed. Jesus retains his glorified human nature beyond the boundaries of space and time in heaven. This fact points to the coming reality of the Resurrection of the Just on the last day when not just the soul but also the body will be redeemed, and the two realities reunited forever in heaven.

While the Ascension is the fulfillment of the Lord’s saving act for us, it does not mean that his work on our behalf is over. From his place at the Father’s right hand, the Lord Jesus continues his mission as our intercessor, as the one who continually pleads our cause to the Father. Jesus’s return to heaven also stands as a sign of hope for us that where he has gone, we also may follow. We are reminded of both truths in the Preface of the Mass for the Ascension in which in the Church prays: “Mediator between God and man, judge of the world and Lord of hosts, he ascended, not to distance himself from our lowly state but that we, his members, might be confident of following where he, our Head and Founder, has gone before.”

Finally, let us remember the command of the Lord Jesus from Mark’s Gospel: “Go into the world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” This great feast of the Ascension reminds us that the Lord Jesus has done his part and now, we must do ours. We must continue the proclamation of the Kingdom both in word and action. Every aspect of our lives is to point to Christ, crucified and risen, who will come again in glory. Until that day, we, as his disciples, must be about the work of the building up of the Kingdom of God. We cannot be like the disciples following the Ascension simply “standing there and looking at the sky.” The Lord’s Ascension calls us to be a people of action, proclaiming Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of sins and the coming of the Kingdom here and now.

Ordination of Priests

On Saturday May 25 ^th at 10:00AM at the Cathedral, Bishop Paprocki will ordain five men to the priesthood for service in our diocese. Among them is Deacon Alex McCullough who will succeed Father Wayne as parochial vicar here at CTK; also, among them is Deacon Troy Niemerg who spent the summer of 2022 here in the parish with us. The ordination is open to the public and the faithful are encouraged to attend and pray for these men.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Living in the Lord’s Love" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 03 May 2024 19:36:22 GMT

The readings for this Sixth Sunday of Easter center on the central theme of love – the love of God for us and our call to love one another as Christ has loved us. As we being to come to towards the end of our journey through the Easter season, we are reminded of the profound depth of God's love and the transformative power it has in our lives. In the Gospel passage from John, Jesus commands us to love one another as he has loved us. This is not a superficial or sentimental love but a love rooted in sacrifice, service, and selflessness. Jesus exemplified this love through his life, ministry, and ultimately, his death on the cross. He says, "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends."

The love of Christ is radical and all-encompassing. It transcends barriers of race, ethnicity, social status, and ideology. In the first reading from Acts, we see the Holy Spirit breaking down barriers as Peter proclaims, "In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him." This inclusivity of God's love challenges us to embrace and welcome all people as brothers and sisters in Christ. The letter of John reinforces the message of love, stating, "Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God." Our ability to love authentically flows from our relationship with God. As we abide in God's love, we are empowered to love others unconditionally and without discrimination. As followers of Christ, we are called to imitate his love in our daily lives. This means loving not only those who are easy to love or who share our beliefs but loving all people – even our enemies – with the same love that Jesus has for us. It's a challenging commandment, but it's also the most transformative and powerful.

As we reflect on these readings, let us recommit ourselves to living lives of love, compassion, and service. Let us seek to imitate the selfless love of Christ in our relationships, communities, and interactions. May our love be a reflection of God's love, drawing others closer to Him and building up the Kingdom of God on earth.

Changing of the Guard

Last weekend in a letter in the bulletin, and sent out electronically, Father Wayne announced that he has been asked to take a new assignment at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Decatur along with campus ministry at St. Teresa High School and Millikin University. Succeeding Father Wayne will be the soon-to-be Father Alex McCullough who will be ordained in our cathedral on May 25 ^th . Deacon Alex is a native of Mattoon and is currently finishing his seminary formation at Saint Meinrad Seminary in southern Indiana. The effective date for this change will be July 1 ^st . Dates will be announced for a farewell reception for Father Wayne in later June and for a welcome reception for Father Alex in early July. Please join me in praying for both of these men in this time of transition that God will bless them with every grace they need for their ministries.

Completed Initiation

Congratulations to all of our students who completed their Christian Initiation through the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Communion this past Tuesday evening at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Let us pray that these children may remain rooted in the love of God and continue to learn and understand the importance of cooperating with the graces that God has given to them.

Mary’s Month

May is traditionally known as the month of Mary. Centuries ago, May was dedicated to the pagan Roman goddess Flora who was the goddess of blooms. The month was dedicated to her as a way of casting out winter and welcoming the new life of spring. As the true Christian faith spread throughout the Roman empire and the rest of the world, this festival of Flora disappeared but various practices to welcome the change in seasons remained. Beginning in the Middle Ages, a popular devotion came about called Tricesimum which was a thirty-day period celebrated in honor of Mary. At one time, it was celebrated from August 15 ^th (the Assumption) until September 14 ^th (Our Lady of Sorrows). As time progressed, this celebration of Tricesimum was merged with honoring Mary in the month of May. By the 13 ^th century, May was becoming synonymous with being the month of Mary throughout many parts of the Church. Let us honor Mary both for being the Mother of our Savior but also for being our spiritual Mother, given to us by the Lord Jesus, who intercedes for us, her children, each and every day.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Remaining Rooted in Christ" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 23:50:08 GMT

Remaining Rooted in Christ

This Sunday’s readings remind us of the profound love of God and our call to abide in Christ like branches connected to the vine. The imagery of the vineyard and the branches in the Gospel of John invites us to reflect deeply on our relationship with Jesus and our mission as his disciples.

In the Gospel reading from John, Jesus speaks to us using the analogy of the vine and the branches. He says, "I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit because without me you can do nothing." This statement is at the core of our Christian faith – our union with Christ is essential for our spiritual vitality and fruitfulness. Just as branches draw their sustenance and life from the vine, so too do we draw our strength and purpose from our connection to Jesus. When we remain in him through prayer, the sacraments, and a life of discipleship, we are empowered to bear abundant fruit – the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To not remain connected to Jesus, the vine results in spiritual decay and death.

The first reading from Acts recounts the conversion of Saul, who becomes Paul, the great apostle to the Gentiles. Paul's transformation from a persecutor of Christians to a fervent follower of Christ is a testament to the transformative power of encountering Jesus. His life bears witness to the reality that when we abide in Christ, our lives are changed, and we become instruments of God's love and mercy in the world. In the second reading from the letter of John, we are reminded of the importance of love in our Christian walk. "Let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth," John writes. Our love for one another is a tangible expression of our connection to Christ. It is through acts of love and compassion that we bear witness to the presence of God in our midst.

As we reflect on these readings, let us recommit ourselves to abiding in Christ, remaining rooted in his love, and bearing fruit that glorifies God and brings hope to others. May our lives be a reflection of the vineyard tended by the Father, producing abundant fruit for the Kingdom.

Confirmation and First Holy Communion

This Tuesday evening students in our school and PSR program will receive the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist from our bishop at the Cathedral. Next Sunday at the 10AM Mass we will celebrate a solemn Communion Mass with those students who will receive their First Holy Communion this Tuesday. Please pray for our students who are receiving these great gifts of God’s love that the graces they receive will keep them firmly rooted in God’s divine life.

Christ the King School Presents Mary Poppins

All are welcome to attend our school’s production of Mary Poppins next weekend, May 3rd, 4th and 5th. Friday’s and Saturday’s performances are at 7:00PM and Sunday’s performance is at 2:00PM.

Auction Thank You

Thank you to all who organized, volunteered, donated, and purchased items making our school auction possible and successful. May the Lord bless you for your generous support of the work of our school!

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Called, Loved, and Sent" by Fr. Chris House

Sat, 13 Apr 2024 14:07:04 GMT

On Easter Sunday we heard from Mark. Last Sunday we heard from John. This Sunday we hear from Luke with another account of an encounter with the risen Lord on that first Easter Sunday. This Sunday’s Gospel begins with the two disciples who had encountered the risen Lord on the way to Emmaus recounting their experience to the other disciples. It is in the midst of their retelling, the risen Lord appears again to all present in that place.

The story of the road to Emmaus involved the two disciples making a day’s journey to the town of Emmaus outside of Jerusalem. During the journey, the risen Lord joins them on the way but they fail to recognize him for who he is. After they recount for him the events of the previous days, he recounts for them how all that had taken place was necessary as foretold by the Scriptures. When they come to Emmaus, it is the end of the day yet the Lord appears to be going on further. The disciples invite him to stay with them. When they sit down to eat, the Lord breaks bread and in that moment they recognize him for who he is, he vanishes, and they then race back to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples. Today’s Gospel takes up at this point.

Luke recounts for us many of the same details in this appearance that are also recounted by the other Gospel writers: that the disciples were fearful, unbelieving, and that the Lord explained for them, again, all that the Scriptures foretold about him. This Sunday’s Gospel, as well as the story of Emmaus, gives us some important take-aways.

First, both with the disciples journeying to Emmaus or those locked away in the upper room, the Lord draws near to them. He comes to them where they are: in their disbelief, their grief, and their suffering. Just because they do not recognize him does not mean that he is any less present to them. The same is true for us. Just because we do not recognize God’s presence among us does not mean that he is not in our midst.

Second, Jesus does not just appear to the disciples and say “here I am so just believe.” No, he takes the time to openly lead them once again through the Scriptures that pointed to his death and resurrection. Like the disciples, Jesus helps us to put the pieces of life together, to bring clarity to the mysteries that surround us. This is why a living faith, a real relationship with Christ is vital. Jesus helps us to make sense out of the world we live in or to at least at times see things from the perspective of “I don’t get it, but I trust in you, Lord.”

Third, he again commissions his disciples to be his witnesses because of what they have experienced and have come to know; it is the same for us. Again, our lives need to be a witness to the risen Lord and the difference that he makes in our lives; our lives also need to be an invitation to others to greater life in the Lord.

The Resurrection is not the end of the story, but the beginning of a new chapter that calls us to mission with the help of the Holy Spirit. In the appearance following the Resurrection, the Lord makes it clear that he is counting on us to be his witnesses to the world. May we have the grace to experience the love of the risen Lord in such a way that we are not able to keep the joy of the experience to ourselves.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Continuing Our Easter Journey" by Fr. Chris House

Sat, 06 Apr 2024 15:34:01 GMT

Triduum and Easter Masses – Thank you!

I also want to offer a special welcome to our seven neophytes in our parish school who were fully initiated into the Church at the Easter Vigil through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion. Let us continue to pray for them as the Lord enfolds them with grace and presence in their lives. Thank you also to Deacon Scott and those who helped to prepare them for their initiation.

Divine Mercy Sunday Devotions

This Sunday, April 7 ^th , is Divine Mercy Sunday. As in years past, the Cathedral is hosting the culmination of the Divine Mercy Novena with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, opportunity for Confessions, and Eucharistic exposition from 2PM to 3PM. All are welcome!

Easter Wisdom

We do not pretend that life is all beauty. We are aware of darkness and sin, of poverty and pain. But we know Jesus has conquered sin and passed through his own pain to the glory of the Resurrection. And we live in the light of his Paschal Mystery - the mystery of his Death and Resurrection. “We are an Easter People and Alleluia is our song!” - Pope St. John Paul II during his Apostolic Visit to Australia – November 30, 1986.

Blessings of Easter joy & peace to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"He Has Been Raised" by Fr. Chris House

Sat, 30 Mar 2024 00:16:56 GMT

The Gospel this Easter Sunday from Mark begins with Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome going to the tomb where Jesus was laid. They were carrying spices to anoint his body, showing their love and devotion even after his death. However, upon reaching the tomb, they were greeted by an unexpected sight – the stone had been rolled away.

Imagine the mixture of fear and wonder that must have filled their hearts at that moment. The angel in the tomb reassured them, saying, "Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here (Mark 16: 6)." These words changed everything. The Resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of our Christian faith. It is the ultimate victory of light over darkness, life over death, and love over sin. Through his Resurrection, Jesus conquered death and opened the gates of heaven for all who believe in him.

As we begin our celebration of the Easter season, let us reflect on the significance of the Resurrection in our own lives. It is a reminder that no matter how dark our circumstances may seem, God's light can shine through. It is a call to renew our faith and trust in God's promises, knowing that he is always with us, even in the midst of trials. Just as the angel told the women to go and tell the disciples about Jesus' Resurrection, we too are called to be witnesses of the Good News. Let us share the joy of Easter with others, inviting them to experience the transforming power of Christ's love.

On behalf of Father Wayne, Deacon Scott, and the parish & school staff, I pray that the Lord will bless you and yours this Easter with the fullness of his grace and the joy that comes from him alone. With every cross may you remember that it is not the end. In moments of sacrifice and desolation, may you know that you are not alone or forsaken. May you always be mindful that Easter teaches us that God gets the last word, and in moments of the cross and the tomb, his last word is life. All honor, praise, and glory to the risen Christ, who, by his death and resurrection, has gained for us the rewards of everlasting life! Happy Easter!

So, where did the Easter Bunny come from?

It was once believed that rabbits did not sleep because they seem to be seen both day and night. Today we understand that rabbits are crepuscular , meaning that they are most active at dawn and dusk. Because of this, a rabbit was many times included in early art depicting the Resurrection because it was assumed that a rabbit was in the garden and a witness to the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus; that rabbit was given the honor of becoming the Easter Bunny, tasked with bringing treats to boys and girls to celebrate the joy of the Resurrection.

Easter Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"No Greater Love" by Fr. Chris House

Sat, 23 Mar 2024 13:36:16 GMT

We are presented this Palm Sunday with the Passion according to Mark (14:1-15:47); this is believed to be the oldest of the Passion narratives and also the oldest part of Mark’s Gospel. The Passion begins with the ominous scene of the chief priests and scribes plotting to arrest Jesus and put Him to death. They feared His teachings, His authority, and His growing influence among the people. Meanwhile, Jesus, fully aware of what lay ahead, prepares for the Passover meal with His disciples, instituting the Eucharist for the Church as a perpetual memorial of His sacrifice.

As we accompany Jesus through His agony in the garden of Gethsemane, we witness His profound human struggle. He prays to the Father, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will (Mark 14:36).” We see that Jesus’s human nature is very real in his vulnerability and pain while submitting to the will of the Father with unwavering obedience and love. The betrayal by Judas, the denial by Peter, and the abandonment by the disciples underscore the harsh reality of human frailty and sin. Yet, amidst these betrayals, Jesus demonstrates forgiveness and mercy, exemplifying His message of love and reconciliation.

The subsequent trials before the Sanhedrin and Pilate highlight the injustice and cruelty that Jesus endured. He is mocked, scourged, and crowned with thorns, bearing the weight of our sins upon His shoulders. Despite the agony and humiliation, Jesus remains steadfast in His mission, never wavering in His commitment to fulfill the Father's plan of redemption. The pinnacle of Jesus' sacrifice unfolds as He is nailed to the cross at Golgotha. In His final moments, He cries out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Mark 15:34),” echoing the depths of His suffering and the profound mystery of His union with humanity's pain and brokenness. The Father has not abandoned Jesus, but just as sin separates us from God, so Jesus felt the pain that comes from such separation when He took on himself the sin of the entire human race.

We know the story does not end at the cross. The ultimate victory comes with Jesus' resurrection, affirming His triumph over sin and death. Through His sacrifice, we are offered the gift of salvation and the promise of eternal life. As we reflect on this Gospel passage and enter into Holy Week, let us remember that Jesus' sacrifice was not just an event in history but a living reality that is meant to continually transform our lives if we allow it to do so. We are called to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Him with unwavering faith and love. May the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ be our strength, our hope, and our salvation.

Schedule for Holy Week and Easter

Monday : Mass at 7AM; confessions heard from 6:30AM to 6:50AM.

Tuesday : Mass at 7AM; confessions heard from 6:30AM to 6:50AM; Chrism Mass at the Cathedral at 6:30PM.

Wednesday : Mass at 7AM; confessions heard from 6:30AM to 6:50AM; School Mass at 8:30AM; Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 12:30PM to 5PM, ending with Benediction; confessions heard from 4:15PM to 4:45PM; Living Stations of the Cross presented by CTK school students at 6:00PM.

Holy Thursday : Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 5:30PM followed by adoration in Roesch Hall until 10:00PM; there is no morning Mass on Holy Thursday.

Good Friday : Stations of the Cross at 12:05PM; confessions heard from 4:00PM to 5:00PM; Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 5:30PM; there is no morning Mass on Good Friday.

Holy Saturday : Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter at 8:00PM; there are no confessions heard on Holy Saturday and there is no 4:30PM Mass.

Easter Sunday : Masses at 8:00AM and 10:00AM; there are no afternoon confessions heard and there is no 5:00PM Mass.

Blessings to you and yours for a grace-filled Holy Week!

Father Chris House

"Entering Passiontide" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 17:46:59 GMT

This Sunday marks a turn in our Lenten journey; with the coming of the Fifth Sunday of Lent we now enter into the second part of this penitential season known as Passiontide. Following this Sunday, this time is marked by our use of the custom of veiling images in the Church, which not only mark a liturgical shift but also invites us to sharpen our focus. The custom comes from the Gospel reading from John which was always read on the Fifth Sunday of Lent, before the reform of the Lectionary, where Jesus hid himself from the crowds while in Jerusalem.

This Sunday’s Gospel reading from John invites us to reflect on the profound sacrifice that Jesus willingly embraced for the salvation of the human race. In this passage, Jesus speaks openly about his impending death and what it will accomplish. Some Greeks approach Philip, expressing their desire to see Jesus. This exchange points to the universality of Jesus' mission. It's not just for the Jews but for all people, regardless of their background or nationality. Jesus responds with words that echo throughout history: "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified."

What does Jesus mean by "being glorified"? It's not about worldly power or fame but about the ultimate act of love and sacrifice. Jesus compares his upcoming death to a grain of wheat falling to the ground and dying, producing much fruit. In this analogy, Jesus reveals the paradox of the Christian faith: through death comes life. Jesus acknowledges the anguish he feels about his impending suffering, but he also submits to God's will. He knows that his death is not an end but a beginning—a new birth for humanity. His sacrifice will reconcile humanity with God and bring eternal life to all who believe in him.

As we continue our journey through the season of Lent, we are called to reflect on the significance of Jesus' sacrifice in our own lives. We are invited to embrace the cross, not as a symbol of suffering alone but as a sign of hope and redemption. Just as Jesus surrendered himself to the Father's will, we are called to surrender our lives to God, trusting in his plan for us. In the midst of our own trials and tribulations, let us remember the words of Jesus: "Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be." Let us walk with the Lord, bearing our crosses with courage and humility, knowing that through our own sacrifices, we participate in the redemptive work of Christ.

Make Plans for Holy Week

As we prepare to enter Holy Week with next Sunday’s celebration of Palm Sunday, I want to invite you to prayerfully consider participating in all of the celebrations of Holy Week. The celebration of Easter (Masses at 8:00AM and 10:00AM; there will be not be a 5:00PM Mass on Easter) has a completely different feel when it is preceded by the celebrations of Holy Thursday (5:30PM) and Good Friday (5:30PM). If you have never been to the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday (8:00PM), please consider doing so. This year’s vigil will be a first for me as we have seven children from our school who will be fully initiated into the Church.

On Tuesday of Holy Week, at 6:30PM, Bishop Paprocki will celebrate the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral where the Holy Oils will be blessed and consecrated for the year and when the priests of the diocese will renew their priestly commitment. This is another beautiful Mass that I invite you to consider attending.

Weekday Mass will be at 7:00AM on Monday thru Wednesday; there are no morning Masses on Holy Thursday or Good Friday. Confessions will be heard at their normal times on Monday thru Wednesday. Confessions will also be heard on Good Friday from 4:00PM to 5:00PM.

Finally, the Wednesday evening Stations of the Cross during Holy Week will be “living Stations” offered by our grade school students. The Stations that evening will be at 6:00PM. All are welcome!

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Look and Live" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 19:36:41 GMT

Look and Live

Growing up, when watching a sporting event on television, it was not at all uncommon to see someone in the stands holding a sign that read “John 3:16.” The words of John 3:16 are given to us this Fourth Sunday of Lent, Laetare Sunday. John is recounting a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. Nicodemus is a Pharisee and a respected member of the Sanhedrin. Later in John’s Gospel, Nicodemus will caution the elders not to rush to a hasty judgement concerning Jesus and his ministry without attempting to understand his words and actions.

Before Jesus expresses to Nicodemus the words that we have come to know from John 3:16, he centers the conversation on the impending mystery of the Cross. Jesus refers to an event concerning Moses and the Israelites that is recounted in the Book of Numbers. The people grumbled against God, so God sent poisonous seraph serpents into their camp causing many to die. Moses interceded on behalf of the people and God, in response, commanded Moses to fashion a bronze serpent and to erect it on a pole and anyone who looked at it would be healed of the poison of the serpents. This lifting up of the bronze serpent prefigures the lifting up of Jesus on the Cross so that whoever looks upon Jesus in faith will be saved from the poison of the original serpent given through the bite of the sin.

This brings us to one of the most well-known phrases in all of the Scriptures: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. The concept of “the world” in the Gospels is many times equated with darkness and opposition to God, but we hear in this discourse from Jesus that, even though the world is covered in darkness and steeped in sin, God still loves the world. In the mystery of the Cross and Christ crucified we see God’s ultimate judgment on the world: not condemnation and wrath but love and mercy.

We must remember that this love and mercy are not irresistible. We must have hearts and lives that are open to receiving these gifts of God’s goodness. Jesus is the light that has come into the world and we must not be afraid to approach him. The light that he gives exposes our sinfulness, but only so that we might confess it and choose his love and forgiveness as a remedy for it. Sadly, there are many people who cannot bear the light, who are unwilling to acknowledge their own sinfulness and their need for a savior. They prefer to remain in the darkness with a false sense of fulfillment and happiness, neither of which can truly exist apart from a real and lasting relationship with God.

This Fourth Sunday of Lent is known as Laetare Sunday, a Latin command meaning rejoice ! We are called to rejoice because our Lenten journey is now more than half over and the joy of Easter fast approaches. We are called to rejoice in the depth of God’s love for us which is fully revealed through the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus which we will soon commemorate. As we continue our Lenten journey, let us be mindful of why we are fasting, praying, and giving alms. All of these practices should be responses of a heart that is grateful to God for the mercy that he has shown to us and marks of a desire for continued conversion. Let us look upon Christ crucified with eyes of faith and hearts open to his saving grace. As with Moses and the seraph staff of old, so now with our crucified Lord: look with faith and live.

Lenten Wisdom

“Lenten practices of giving up pleasures are a good reminder that the purpose of life is not pleasure. The purpose of life is to attain a perfect life, all truth and undying ecstatic love—which is the definition of God. In pursuing that happiness, we find happiness." – Venerable Fulton Sheen

"We must trust in the mighty power of God's mercy. We are all sinners, but His grace transforms us and makes us new." - Pope Benedict XVI

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Cleansing Our Temples" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 20:28:29 GMT

Imagine the scene of today’s Gospel. Jesus and his disciples are in Jerusalem for the celebration of Passover. Scholars tell us that the Lord and his disciples could have been a part of a crowd of up to 250,000 pilgrims who had made their way to the Temple. The Temple was the heart of Judaism. It was the epicenter of all things holy as it was God’s dwelling place among the human race. The Temple was quite different from what we are used to in our churches. Far from peace and quiet, groups of worshipers were loud and the Temple was not just filled with pilgrims but also money changers and sheep, oxen, and doves, and those who sold them; all of these things necessary for ritual sacrifice, which was the heart of Temple worship. Commotion in the Temple was normal but the commotion becomes pandemonium when this Galilean preacher is unleashed.

Jesus entered the Temple and found that the merchants, who had a legitimate place in the Temple precincts, had begun to encroach into sacred space along with the money changers. The money changers were there because one could not pay the temple tax using foreign or secular coins which had graven images on them and thus were considered unclean. The money changers charged high service fees that amounted to extortion. The law allowed them to make an honest living providing this service but the fees had become anything but honest. This was mirrored by those who sold animals for ritual sacrifice. Since animals to be offered for sacrifice had to be pure and free of blemish, they were subject to inspections by the Levites, but many failed to pass inspection, which meant that most pilgrims found themselves having to use the Temple merchants. As with the money changers, those who chose or were forced to use these merchants paid prices that were exorbitant compared to normal prices for the same animals outside of the Temple.

In a rather unique scene, John tells us that Jesus fashions a whip out of cords and drives the money changers and merchants out of the Temple, overturning their tables in the process. Simply put, Jesus is driving out what does not belong. Of course, those whom he pushed out were not pleased. The merchants’ area was known as “the booths of Caiaphas” because, while his family had a monopoly on the office of High Priest, Caiaphas also had a business interest in the Temple trade. Some scholars assert that this was the breaking point for Caiaphas with Jesus; in hitting Caiaphas’s pocketbook, this Galilean preacher had to go.

Through Baptism, each of us were made into temples of the Holy Spirit. God chooses to make his dwelling within each of us, body and soul. At the same time, we know that we deal with a fallen nature and the reality of sin in our lives. This Gospel invites us to examine the temples of our lives and make sure that nothing has crept in that does not belong; if it has, we need to push it out. Sin and sinful behaviors are invasive realities that do not like to be pushed out. When we seek to purify our lives we can bet that sin will push back but the Lord is there with his grace, ready to help us with the purge.

Jesus tells the crowds at the end of this Gospel passage “destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” Of course, the Lord is speaking of his future Resurrection, but this is for us and our lives too; Jesus Christ will make us new if we seek his grace and open our hearts and lives to his power. May the Lenten season help us to open our hearts to him who seeks to come in and cleanse the temples of our lives.

Lenten Wisdom

"God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy." – Pope Francis

"Lent is a time of going very deeply into ourselves... What is it that stands between us and God? Between us and our brothers and sisters? Between us and life, the life of the Spirit? Whatever it is, let us relentlessly tear it out, without a moment's hesitation." - Catherine Doherty

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"No Small Cost" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 21:46:03 GMT

Some people have books that they read multiple times or that they come back to in different seasons of life. This Lent has brought me back to The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The book was first published in 1937 after the Nazis came to power in Germany. Bonhoeffer was outspoken against Hitler’s regime and worked with the German resistance. Bonhoeffer was eventually arrested and linked with a plot to assassinate Hitler. He was executed at the Flossenbürg concentration camp on April 9, 1945, just two weeks before the camp was liberated by Allied forces.

In his book, The Cost of Discipleship , Bonhoeffer makes a distinction between what he calls “cheap grace” which is juxtaposed with “costly grace.” Bonhoeffer asserts that cheap grace was bringing about the ruin of society and one of the reasons that allowed for Hitler’s rise to power. Bonhoeffer describes cheap grace as “the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.”

Contrasting this with costly grace, Bonhoeffer writes “costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy for which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble; it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him. Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Finally, he states it is costly because “it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son.”

The first reading this Sunday from the Book of Genesis recounts the story of God asking Abraham to offer up his son Isaac. Isaac was not Abraham’s only son, but he was most precious to him. Even though it was never God’s intention for Abraham to actually kill Isaac, he wanted to see if Abraham was willing to offer up anything at the Lord’s command, to see if he was willing to make even the most costly of sacrifices. This reading serves as a segue to the Gospel of the Transfiguration. As Mark recounts the Transfiguration of the Lord, we are told that his glory is revealed to Peter, James, and John, the glory that will only be revealed after the Resurrection…after the Cross.

It was through the mystery of the Cross that the glory of Christ was ultimately revealed and the same is true for us, that Christ’s glory in us can only be fully realized when we are willing to take up the crosses of our lives and unite them with his own. The glory of God was revealed in Christ, not by any cheap means, but by the Father’s willingness to offer up his only son and the son being willing to offer up his own life. In light of the reading from Genesis and Mark’s account of the Transfiguration, we must ask ourselves if there a price that we are not willing to pay in our own discipleship? Is there only so much that we are willing to give in order to share in the Lord’s glory? Am I settling for cheap grace in life instead of seeking true grace from the Lord even though it may be a costly grace?

May the grace of our Lenten journey help us to grow in deeper relationship with the Lord, to understand the true cost of discipleship and remind us exactly who it is calling us to follow him. When we come to truly know God and the depth of his love for us, we will be willing, even desiring costly grace. To borrow from St. Ignatius of Loyola, we will find that we are willing to lavishly give of ourselves and not count the cost.

Lenten Wisdom

"As Lent is the time for greater love, listen to Jesus’ thirst…He knows your weakness. He wants only your love, wants only the chance to love you.” – St. (Mother) Teresa of Kolkata

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Tested But Never Forsaken" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 20:23:41 GMT

As we begin this holy season, one of the themes that is presented to us is the call for the renewal of baptismal grace in each one of us. Immediately in the first reading we are given an allusion to something great that is to come: baptism. The story of Noah and the Flood may not seem to be an image that moves us to think of baptism but what did the flood do? The flood washed away the evil that had ruined the world and, following the flood, God chose to renew his creation and bring new life back to the earth. In baptism, God chooses to do the same with us. Through those saving waters, the reign of sin is broken within each of us and we are incorporated into the mystical body of Christ. Just as God made a covenant with Noah following the flood, he also makes a personal covenant with us through baptism.

Preceding Jesus’s temptation as recorded by Mark is his account of Jesus’s baptism by John in the Jordan River. At that moment, the voice of the Father is heard acknowledging Jesus for who he is: the Son of God. The same is true for all the baptized. While it does not happen in the same dramatic fashion, God no less claims each of us as his child through baptism. It is in this saving act that we are made heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Immediately following Jesus’s baptism, Mark tells us that Jesus is driven into the desert and, surrounded by wild beasts; he is tempted by Satan. Mark presents this time in the desert as a time of testing, where Jesus is isolated and opposed by evil and the powers of the world. At times, we may find the same to be true for us. If we choose to cooperate with the grace given to us through baptism, we will find ourselves naturally in opposition to the powers of the world. At times, we may feel as though we are alone and left in desolation, like Job whom we heard about two Sundays ago. However, Mark also tells us that angels came to minister to Jesus. As with Jesus, so it is with us, the covenant that God has made with us is never broken by him. We are never forsaken or abandoned, even in moments that seem to be the most trying for us.

During this Lenten season, the Church invites us to seek the grace of God to renew the baptism that each of us has received. Let us make the most of this sacred time so that we may always remember who we are and whose we are: heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven and sons and daughters of God. We may be tested at times, but we are never forgotten or left alone.

Lenten Wisdom

From an Ash Wednesday homily given by Pope St. John Paul II: “Repent and believe in the Gospel”. This invitation, which we find at the beginning of Jesus’ preaching, introduces us into the Lenten season, a time to be dedicated in a special way to conversion and renewal, to prayer, to fasting and to works of charity. In recalling the experience of the chosen people, we too set out as it were to retrace the journey that Israel made across the desert to the Promised Land. We too will reach our goal; after these weeks of penance, we will experience the joy of Easter. Our eyes, purified by prayer and penance, will be able to behold with greater clarity the face of the living God, to whom man makes his own pilgrimage on the paths of earthly life.

On Retreat

Please know that I will be away on retreat this first week of Lent. I will be at the Mary and Joseph Retreat House on the grounds of Mundelein Seminary in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Pity, Compassion, and Anger" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 15:40:03 GMT

We do not hear about lepers today. Generally, when the word is used, it is used more as a figure of speech to describe someone who has become an outsider for one reason or another. The term leprosy was a wide-ranging term for any visible skin ailment in ancient times. One form of leprosy in Biblical times was known as nodule leprosy. It would discolor the skin and skin nodules would form in the folds of the face, on the nose, lips, and forehead, ultimately disfiguring the person who was afflicted with it. The disease would also cause ulcers on the body and vocal chords, and eventually even affect the person’s mental state. Another form of leprosy was known as anaesthetic leprosy. This form of the disease would attack a person’s nerves, especially in their hands and feet, eventually causing them to lose fingers, toes, and whole limbs.

Besides the intense physical suffering that this disease inflicted on its victims, there was also the pain of the social stigma that came with it. People long ago did not understand the nature of disease, how diseases were contracted, or how they occurred. Disease and illness were seen as punishments from God for sins that a person had committed. For this reason, and also for the contagious aspect of diseases, those who were found to be sick with leprosy were cast out of society. The first reading this Sunday from the Book of Leviticus tells us what was expected of those poor souls who found themselves afflicted. The unjust social stigma and shame that they faced, through no fault of their own, only compounded the suffering that they were already experiencing in their bodies. Leprosy was essentially an undeserved excommunication for which there was no real remedy. Only those who had a passing affliction, which would not have been true leprosy, were able to find themselves “clean” and able to rejoin the community.

This Sunday’s Gospel recounts the scene where the Lord Jesus is approached by a leper. The encounter was unthinkable as this man, because of his condition, was forbidden to be around others, let alone approach someone. He asks Jesus to heal him, if Jesus wills to do so; Jesus does. The Gospel tells us that Jesus was moved with pity. Other translations say that he was filled with compassion; however, some scholars say that both of these translations are incorrect, and that the proper translation was that he was filled with anger. Anger?

Jesus’s anger would not have been with the man, but rather with the social injustice that further victimized the man, causing him to qualify his request to be healed with “if you wish.” Of course, Jesus wanted to heal the man, to “make him clean,” to bring him from the outside back into the community. Are we willing to do the same for the “lepers” among us? We know all too well of societal sins in the forms of various shades of discrimination. As Christians, it should be second nature for us to be angered by the injustices around us and for us to seek to end them, to bring those on the outside in. Sadly, these sins find their way into the Church’s members as well, and there is no room for these attitudes and behaviors whatsoever. There are also “lepers” around us whom we do not recognize; those who carry shame and guilt for reasons unknown to us; for them, the power of shame and guilt brings about an invisible separation. We must always be ready to be sources of the mercy and compassion of God.

Why does Jesus tell people whom he has cured, such as the man in this Sunday’s Gospel, not to tell anyone? He does this because he knows that there is going to be pushback from the powers of the world who do not want to hear and heed his message or to accept the change that Jesus seeks to bring. Jesus knows that this pushback is inevitable, but he wants to be able to preach and minister as freely as possible in the limited time that he has. If we would follow the Lord’s example and seek to bring in those who have been cast out, we too can expect pushback from the powers of the world. These powers do not accept the Gospel today any more than they did 2,000 years ago. So, do what is right and holy and let the world pushback. Seek those who have been pushed out, those who are the modern “lepers.” The world will not like it, but the world’s opinion is ultimately worthless. We do not belong to the world. May we have the grace to model Christ the healer in our daily living, seeking to bind up the wounds of the mystical body of Christ and make it whole.

Ash Wednesday

This Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of the holy season of Lent. Masses will be at 7:00AM, 8:30AM (school) and 5:30PM; there will also be a Liturgy of the Word with distribution of ashes at noon. Please also find details in this bulletin about fasting and abstinence guidelines, Lenten prayer/devotional offerings, and alms giving opportunities.

Sound System Update

The internal chips from the speaker towers have been sent away for repair and will hopefully be back within a few weeks.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Teacher and Healer" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 16:44:02 GMT

The selection from Mark’s Gospel this Sunday presents us with a powerful scene in the early ministry of Jesus concerning his authority both in teaching and with his dealing with demonic forces. As He enters the synagogue in Capernaum on the Sabbath, the people are immediately struck by the way He teaches—with an authority that sets Him apart from the scribes. One aspect of this passage that stands out is Jesus' encounter with a man possessed by an unclean spirit. The recognition of Jesus by the unclean spirit is profound. The spirit acknowledges Jesus as the Holy One of God, revealing a spiritual awareness that contrasts with the confusion or resistance seen in other encounters.

Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit and commands it to leave. The immediacy and completeness of the spirit's departure highlight Jesus' authority not just in His words but in His actions. This authority over spiritual forces marks Jesus as more than a teacher but as one who possess divine authority which the Lord will speak more to later on.

This Gospel invites us to reflect on the authority of Jesus in our own lives. Do we recognize the Lord Jesus as the Holy One of God? Are there aspects of our lives where we need His authority to bring about healing and transformation? Let’s also not forget the authority with which Jesus taught. It wasn't a mere display of knowledge but a teaching that resonated with divine wisdom and truth. As followers of Jesus, we are called to take in all that He says, recognizing the authority His teachings hold in shaping our understanding of life, morality, and our relationship with God.

This Gospel also challenges us to examine the areas of our lives where we may be in need of Jesus' authoritative touch. It encourages us to invite Him into the spaces where unclean spirits may linger—whether they be negative influences, harmful habits, or spiritual struggles. The good news is that, just as Jesus had authority over the unclean spirit, He has authority in our lives today.

May we approach the Lord Jesus with the humble and open hearts to receive his teachings and healing touch, allowing Him to bring about transformation and freedom to our lives.

Catholic Schools Week

This year marks 50 years of celebrating Catholic Schools Week in our nation and our own parish school is worth celebrating! What makes our school great? It is a combination of factors. We have a dedicated administration, faculty, and staff. We have an exceptionally supportive group of parents and families which is matched by an incredible amount of support from the parish family at large. Finally, there’s our students. Our student body is not perfect, but we are blessed with a great group of kids in our school and they are at the heart of what makes it the special place that it is. We face challenges, some days are better than others, but we have something wonderful here at CTK; I hope that we never lose sight of this wonderful fact.

Blessings to You and Yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Three Paths of Discipleship" by Fr. Chris House

Sat, 20 Jan 2024 16:46:35 GMT

This Sunday’s and last Sunday’s Gospel passages are about discipleship. Last week we heard the call of Andrew, Peter, and another disciple as recorded by John. This Sunday we have the calling of Andrew, Peter, James, and John as recorded by Mark. There are differences between the two accounts, but the differences are in the details. Both Mark and John agree on the focus of their accounts: Jesus called and these men followed.

Again, we are presented with the importance of answering the Lord’s call to follow him. What does discipleship look like? Honestly, that depends on who you ask. When I was on faculty at Mundelein Seminary some years back, Bishop Robert Barron, then rector, gave us three paths for seminarian formation, but these three paths were not just about making priests, they were for making disciples which must come first. Discipleship is grounded in a relationship with Jesus and too often people confuse a relationship with the Church as a relationship with Jesus. Our relationship with Jesus is animated and expressed through our relationship with the Church but it must be something completely distinct. It is important that we ask ourselves if we can distinguish between the two.

The first path of discipleship is finding the center of our lives and there are many people, ideologies, behaviors and so on that vie for that position. The center must be Jesus. We cannot be true disciples if he is not central to who we are: not close to the center and not near the center, but the actual center. Jesus Christ, not an idea of him but the actual person, must be the central reality of our lives. His life, love, and grace must be the grounding forces that guide and move our thoughts and actions. If anyone or anything other than Jesus is occupying the center space of our lives, then our discipleship is lacking.

The second path is acknowledging that each of us is a sinner. For some people this may come as a shock, but, yes, all of us are sinners and this acknowledgement is vital for true discipleship. The Scriptures chosen for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time point to this necessity. The beginning of Mark’s Gospel links the acceptance of Jesus’s call to repentance with the ability to accept his invitation to discipleship. If we are unwilling to acknowledge our need for a savior, then our discipleship will be empty. Jesus has come to save us from our sins and to lead us back to the fullness of the Father’s love. Any good and lasting relationship requires that each party know and understand each other. If we cannot, or will not, acknowledge our own sinfulness and our need for redemption then Jesus cannot be for us the savior that he wants to be and that we need him to be. Part of respecting our free will means that the Lord will not go where he is not invited, including into our lives. We must acknowledge our need for his mercy and forgiveness. When we do, then we can truly begin to know him.

The third and final path is acknowledging that our lives are not about us. Contrary to what the world tells us, we cannot always have what we want, when we want it, and however we want it if we would truly be the Lord’s disciples. The Lord Jesus tells us plainly “whoever would be my disciple must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me (Mt 16:24; Mk 8:34; Lk 9:23).” Our Lord’s life was rooted in sacrificial love, and it must be the same for the disciple. Our lives must be about Jesus Christ and the building up of his kingdom here and now. That is expressed in our love that is shown to our sisters and brothers. If our life’s focus is self-centered then we cannot walk this third path of discipleship.

These three paths ultimately form one path, enabling us to fully answer Jesus’s call to follow him. Jesus is calling each of us by name to true discipleship. Are we willing to walk the path of discipleship on his terms and fully answer his call?

Thomas Merton Prayer

Last weekend in my homily I mentioned a prayer by the late Fr. Thomas Merton, a trappist monk from the Abbey of Gethsemane in Kentucky. Merton was a prolific spiritual writer in the 1950s and 1960s. Here is Merton’s prayer:

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Say Yes" by Fr. Chris House

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 19:29:39 GMT

Say Yes

The Scripture readings for this weekend tells us of invitations: God calling Samuel and the Lord Jesus calling his disciples. In the Gospel, the invitation is clear. The would-be disciples of Jesus asked where he was staying and he responds “come and see.” We know that this statement is not quite as simple as it seems because this invitation was about far more than seeing where the Lord was dwelling; Jesus was inviting Andrew and the other disciple to a new and different life. They would come to understand the gravity of this invitation in a short time since it was Andrew who in turn brought his brother Simon to the Lord simply stating “we have found the Messiah.”

Samuel’s calling was not as clear as it was for Andrew and the other disciples. Samuel heard a call but he simply assumed that it is from his master, Eli. The calling persisted as God does not relent, and Samuel, through Eli’s help, came to understand from whom the call was coming. While it took time for Samuel to understand that it was the Lord who was calling, he nonetheless gave the disciple’s perfect response: “speak, for your servant is listening.”

Like Andrew and Samuel, we are all being called by the Lord, however, that call is not just for one moment in time. The Lord’s call is continuous and unrelenting, and it demands the same response in kind. This invitation to follow the Lord, the invitation to deeper life and love with him, demands a daily response in faith and love, not one that is lukewarm and non-committal. Have you ever invited someone to your home or to an event, one that you have poured much love, energy, time, your whole self into only to get a lackluster response, or a response that is almost one of inconvenience? The life that God is inviting us to is one in which he has poured the total gift of himself into, not for his own need or gratification, but for our good. All too often our response is non-committal, cautious, half-hearted, or even an outright refusal.

Is answering the Lord’s invitation without challenge? No, and we see that demonstrated in the lives of Andrew and Samuel as well as in our own lives. Nevertheless, the invitation remains. Are there things holding us back from making a total yes to the Lord’s invitation: out-of-order priorities, uncertainty, fear? Will answering the Lord’s call mean that your life will not always be easy? Yes. Will answering the Lord’s call mean that your life is not about you? Yes. Will answering the Lord’s call involve dying to yourself? Yes. Will answering the Lord’s call offer you something that the world cannot? Yes, eternal life. May we cooperate with the grace God is giving us to make that daily “yes” to his invitation to follow him, to walk in his light, and to live in his love.

Church Sound System

Since coming to CTK as pastor in July of 2020, I have felt like the church’s sound system and I have been engaged in a struggle to the death; to say that I am not a fan is an understatement. The Friday before last, Jan. 5, a system update was done which resulted in it crashing with no sound coming from the sanctuary speakers. Cory, our associate music director, was able to get some sound by having the clergy and readers use mics that go through the choirs’ system. At the time that I am writing this, we are still waiting to hear from the company that installed and services the system to see what our options are for moving forward. Thank you for your patience as we try to navigate this newest challenge.

Back Into Ordinary Time

Finally, as we enter back into Ordinary Time, this is the time in the Church year when the mysteries and graces of the other liturgical seasons, like Christmas, are lived out. I share with you a poem entitled “The Work of Christmas” by Howard Thurman, an African-American theologian, educator, and civil rights leader:

When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with their flocks,
the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal the broken,
to feed the hungry,
to release the prisoner,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among the people,
to make music in the heart.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"The Manger and the Cross" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 17:22:04 GMT

This weekend the Christmas season reaches its second highpoint in the great Solemnity of the Epiphany. I say a second highpoint because Epiphany at one time was the Church’s celebration of Christmas, marking Jesus’s appearance in the world by using the term of his “manifestation.” While the celebration of his birth since early centuries has been differentiated from today, we remember that the Lord was manifested to all nations in the persons of the Magi who followed the star and found the infant savior.

While the story of the Magi gives us warm images of their joy, the gifts they brought, and the light of a star, we cannot forget that connected to the Epiphany is the great tragedy of Herod and his brutal command to murder all the boys in Bethlehem two years old and younger. There is an old saying that says the manger always stands in the shadow of the cross. We know this to be true because of the dark parts of the Epiphany story but also because most of us have come to know that the joy of Christmas does not spare us from disappointment, grief, or pain and loss even in these most sacred days of the year. Even without Herod and the slaughter of the Holy Innocents, the mystery of the Cross is still foreshadowed in the visit of the Magi and the gifts they present.

Since the Cross is an inescapable part of our lives as disciples, even in this festive time, what are we to do? I suggest that we turn to Mary our Blessed Mother for the answer. Last Monday, when we celebrated her motherhood, the Church gave us the Gospel passage of the adoration of the shepherds from Luke, and in that passage Mary is mentioned three times: first she is seen as remaining close to Jesus, second she is found meditating on God’s actions in her life and the world around her, and third we see her being obedient to God’s will in her life. If we emulate Mary’s example of discipleship in our lives we will find, first, that it is the antidote for any traces of Herod in us, or the temptation to be completely self-centered. Second, Mary’s actions allowed God to be central to her whole being, giving her the peace that comes from Him alone. If we follow her example of discipleship, we can have that same peace that anchors us in the knowledge of God’s love even as we suffer.

So the manger stands in the shadow of cross; this is ultimately how it is in this life. But let us not forget that the cross gives way to the empty tomb. May the grace of God always keep this wonderful truth before our eyes, through our joys and sorrows, and in every season of our lives.

Thank you!

I wish to express my gratitude to all who helped to make our Christmas celebrations beautiful and fruitful. Thank you to our environment crew who always do a wonderful job in creating an environment that is beautiful and conducive to entering into the mysteries of Christmas. Thank you to our ushers, A/V operators, our ministers of hospitality and to all of our liturgical ministers. Thank you to all in our music ministry for your efforts and for the sacrifice of time that you made in your practices. Judging by the amount of hosts that we consecrated for the four Masses of Christmas and by the general layout of folks in the church, I would estimate that we had between 2,000 and 2,200 people worship over our four Christmas Masses. Thank you to all of our “regular” Sunday worshipers for your courtesy and hospitality to all those who joined us.

May the Lord continue to abundantly bless you and yours at the beginning of this new year!

Father Chris House

"The Holy Family of Nazareth" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 17:14:54 GMT

As we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family, let us draw inspiration from their lives. May we cultivate faithfulness to our religious duties, embody trust in God's providence, nurture humility and openness to His will, and find strength in our families, especially in times of trial.

This Sunday after Christmas we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The Holy Family is a timeless model for Christian living,. In this Sunday’s Gospel we encounter the Holy Family in the Temple, presenting the infant Jesus to the Lord according to the Jewish law. Simeon, a righteous and devout man, takes the child in his arms, and in a beautiful hymn of praise, acknowledges Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. This moment is a testament to the faithfulness of the Holy Family to the demands of worship. The Holy Family's example teaches us the importance of faithfulness to God's commands and the rituals of our faith. Just as Mary and Joseph presented Jesus in the Temple, we, too, are called to actively participate in the sacramental life of the Church, nourishing our spiritual journey through prayer, the Eucharist, and the other sacraments.

Mary is our model of humility and openness to God's plan. Her "yes" to the angel Gabriel at the Annunciation and her continuous pondering of God's mysteries in her heart demonstrate a profound receptivity to the divine. As we celebrate the Holy Family, we are reminded to model Mary's openness to God's will in our own lives. Joseph exemplifies obedience and trust in God's plan. Despite the challenges and uncertainties he faced, Joseph remained faithful and protective of his family. His unwavering commitment to God's will serves as a powerful example for fathers and all individuals entrusted with the care of others.

The Holy Family faced trials, including the flight into Egypt to escape King Herod's wrath. In their journey, we can find encouragement for our own struggles. The challenges they encountered underscore the reality that family life, like any aspect of our journey with God, is not immune to difficulties. However, within the context of these challenges, faith can be deepened and strengthened.

As we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family, let us draw inspiration from their lives. May we cultivate faithfulness to our religious duties, embody trust in God's providence, nurture humility and openness to His will, and find strength in our families, especially in times of trial. The Holy Family, through their example, invites us to make our homes a dwelling place of love, faith, and mutual support. May their intercession guide us on our journey of Christian living.

Mary. Mother of God – New Year’s Day

January 1 ^st is the Solemnity of the Motherhood of Mary. Since the feast falls on a Monday, the obligation to attend Mass is lifted for this year. Mass for the feast will be celebrated on Monday, January 1 ^st at 9:30AM.

Continuing our Christmas Journey

As always, we need this joyous season of light in the midst of the darkest days of winter. Even though the light has begun to lengthen ever so slightly, and the darkness has started to recede, it takes a while to notice it and feel its effects. Please continue to enjoy the beauty of the Christmas season that began, not ended, on December 25 ^th and continues through the feasts of Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord on January 7 ^th and 8 ^th . May the joy of Christmas continue to be yours and may you know God’s abundant grace and blessings in 2024.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead and for a Happy New Year!

Father Chris House

"The Impossible Becomes Reality" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 13:17:59 GMT

Christmas opens up for us a beautiful season in the life of the Church where we are invited to ponder, to stand in awe, and to celebrate these wonderful actions by our loving God in the coming days and feasts.

Advent always seeks to teach us the same lessons: to be patient, to be watchful, and to remember that our great God will show us the fullness of his glory in the future, that his love has been revealed in the past, and that he comes to us each day with his grace and mercy. In a world that places little value on silence and contemplation, Advent invites us to be still and allow God’s peace to envelop us.

Christmas is upon us. The Gospel for this Fourth Sunday of Advent sets the stage for our celebration. As we prepare to approach the manger, may it remind us that God performs some of his greatest acts in the unlikeliest of situations with some of the unlikeliest people. If God chose for the birth of his only begotten son to take place in these circumstances then why do we at times think that God is limited by the circumstances of our individual lives? The goodness of God is not locked in the past. God is still looking to do great things in our lives. Like Mary, may we open our hearts in faith to the power and possibility of God’s action in our lives and make that personal “yes” to his will each and every day.

This great mystery of Christmas, God becoming one with us in all things but sin, is a stumbling block to other faith traditions outside of Christianity; for some, that God would condescend to enter into our human condition is simply unthinkable. Yet here we are again at the manger to celebrate this wonderful reality, this wonderful mystery of the Word made flesh, the love of God incarnate.

The hustle and bustle of the secular world around us is at an end; sadly, there is so much build-up to this one day and then for many people it’s all over. How wonderful for us in the Church that this is not the case. Christmas opens up for us a beautiful season in the life of the Church where we are invited to ponder, to stand in awe, and to celebrate these wonderful actions by our loving God in the coming days and feasts. I hope and pray that we will all take time in the days ahead to ponder these mysteries, to allow the Lord to enfold us in his love, and to come to a deeper understanding of our own God-given worth that is testified to by the Lord Jesus coming to us in our flesh.

Mass for January 1 ^st Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

As January 1 ^st falls on a Monday this year, the obligation to attend Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is lifted. Mass will be offered on January 1 ^st at 9:30AM.

On behalf of Father Wayne, Deacon Scott, and all the parish and school staff, I wish you every blessing this Christmas. May the light of the Christ Child, born for us in Bethlehem, lead us and all the world to greater peace and joy. A Merry and Blessed Christmas to you and yours!

Father Chris House

"Gaudete" by Fr. Chris House

Sat, 16 Dec 2023 14:00:42 GMT

The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called “ Gaudete Sunday,” literally “Be Joyful Sunday.” What do we mean by joy? There is an important distinction to make between joy and happiness. Happiness is a mood and moods, like Mid-West weather, can change from one moment to the next. Joy is not a mood but rather it is a state of being and states of being and moods can both exist together. Of course, joy and happiness go together, but joy can also exist in grief and sorrow, in the face of adversity, and with any other mood or circumstance.

On this Third Sunday of Advent, we are invited, commanded actually ( Gaudete is in the imperative form), to be joyful and I offer you three reasons for that. First, we are nearing the end of our Advent journey, which will give way to the joy of Christmas. Second, we can be confident in our Lord’s promise to return in glory. His return will be the total establishment of his kingdom and the final destruction of the reign of sin and death. Third, the Lord is already present. There is an old Latin saying that says vocatus atque non vocatus Deus aderit , meaning “called and not called, God is present.” The Lord is always in our midst. Sinners though we are, the Lord is never far; he never forsakes us and that is reason enough to be joyful today and everyday.

We are a people in progress. God is not finished with us. We face challenges & adversity and life does not always go the way we want it to; however, we have the love of God, and the Lord reminds us that his grace is sufficient and that the fullness of his glory has yet to be revealed. So be joyful, always!

Many Thanks

Thank you to the Men’s Club for hosting Breakfast with Santa last Sunday. It was wonderful to welcome the “jolly old elf” back to CTK. Also a tremendous thank you to everyone who donated to the Giving Tree . It gave me great joy to once again open the door to the large closet where the gifts are stored and have them actually fall out into the hallway due to them being stacked to overflowing.

4 ^th Sunday of Advent/Christmas Schedule (Repeated)

This year Christmas falls on a Monday, meaning that the 4 ^th Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve are the same day. Both the 4 ^th Sunday of Advent and Christmas are days of obligatory Mass attendance where Catholics are obliged to attend a Mass for Sunday and a Mass for Christmas. With the two celebrations overlapping each other, we will have a modified Mass schedule on December 23, 24, and 25, owing that we only have so many musicians and minsters for Masses and that some folks will only come to Mass for Christmas that weekend on Sunday evening or Monday morning.

The Masses for that weekend are as follows: Masses for the 4 ^th Sunday of Advent will be Saturday, December 23 ^rd at 4:30PM and Sunday, December 24 ^th at 9:00AM. Those may be large Masses but, with extra chairs out for Christmas, there will be room for all (our church can fit approximately 600 people and our most recent October count was just under 1200). The Masses for Christmas will be Sunday, December 24 ^th at 4:00PM, 6:30PM, & 10:00PM and on Monday, December 25 ^th , at 9:30AM.

To fulfill the obligation for both days, one needs to attend two Masses as follows: Saturday night/Sunday night, Saturday night/Monday morning, Sunday morning/Sunday night, Sunday morning/Monday morning, or Sunday night/Monday morning. One cannot attend Mass Saturday night for Sunday and Sunday morning for Christmas because the Mass of Christmas must be after 4:00PM.

January 1 ^st is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, which is a holy day but the obligation is lifted this year due to it being on a Monday (Christmas is on a Monday too but its obligation to attend Mass is never lifted for falling on a Monday). I know that holy day schedules can be confusing so please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Prepare the Way" by Fr. Chris House

Sat, 09 Dec 2023 01:05:00 GMT

On this Second Sunday of Advent, we are thrust into the heart of the Good News. Mark's Gospel begins not with a Nativity narrative but with the proclamation of salvation. It starts with the powerful words, "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." Mark is eager to get to the point, to announce the arrival of the long-awaited Messiah.

In the verses that follow, we encounter John the Baptist, a figure clothed in camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist. Mark introduces us to John by quoting the prophecies of the Prophet Isaiah: "the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." These words resonate through the ages as the heralding cry of John, a voice calling out in anticipation of the coming Messiah. John, with his unique attire and ascetic lifestyle, should capture our attention not for his eccentricity, but for the urgency and importance of his message.

The wilderness, often a desolate and challenging place, serves as a metaphor for our hearts when they are distant from God. In the midst of our personal wilderness, John's proclamation echoes, inviting us to prepare the way for the Lord. But how do we prepare? What does John’s call entail? John's baptism of repentance symbolizes the starting point of our preparation. It is an outward sign of an inward transformation, a commitment to turn away from sin and make room for the grace of God. John's baptism with water foreshadows the baptism that Jesus will bring – a baptism in water and of the Holy Spirit.

Advent is a season of preparation. It is more than decking the halls, shopping, and wrapping presents; it's about making our hearts ready for the coming of Christ. In a culture that often emphasizes the external aspects of the season, the call to prepare in the wilderness of our hearts remains central. We are invited to reflect on our lives, identify areas in need of God's grace, and actively seek repentance. Repentance, far from being a gloomy exercise, is an invitation to freedom and joy. It is the path to experiencing the transforming power of God's love. As we repent, we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit, allowing God to make straight the paths of our hearts and guide us in the way of righteousness.

During this Advent season, let us embrace the call to prepare with a sense of urgency and hope. Just as John's voice echoed in the wilderness, may our lives echo the message of repentance and joyful expectation. As we eagerly await the celebration of Christ's birth, may the Holy Spirit help us to make our hearts a fitting dwelling place for our Savior.

Christmas Cantata

The Adult Choir here at CTK and the choir of Laurel United Methodist Church, accompanied by an orchestra of local musicians, will present a Christmas Concert this Sunday and Monday; Sunday, December 10 ^th at 4:00PM at Laurel United Methodist, 631 South Grand Avenue West and here at CTK on Monday evening, the 11 ^th , at 7:00PM. The concert is free and all are welcome. Thank you to Linda and all of our musicians for helping us to prepare for the joy of Christmas!

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Watch and Wait" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 20:44:24 GMT

Watch and Wait

Advent is a season of waiting and preparation. It's a time when we are called to renew our faith, to awaken our hearts, and to be vigilant in our spiritual lives. This waiting is about more than getting the calendar to December 25 ^th ; while the celebration of Christmas is important, the main thrust of Advent is the continuation of the need for us to be ready to greet Christ when he comes in glory as we heard at the end of Ordinary Time. The readings today remind us, hopefully, of our longing for God's presence and our need to be prepared for Christ's coming.

In the Gospel from Mark, Jesus exhorts us to be watchful, emphasizing the uncertainty of the time of His return. He urges us not to be complacent or spiritually asleep but to be alert and attentive, ready to welcome Him into our lives at any moment. As we journey through Advent, we are invited to reflect on our spiritual readiness. Are we spiritually awake, eagerly anticipating the coming of Christ? Or have we become distracted by the busyness of life, neglecting our relationship with God?

Like the prophet Isaiah, we acknowledge our human weakness and our need for God's mercy and grace. We cry out to God, asking Him to enter our lives, to renew us, and to guide us on the path of righteousness. St. Paul reminds us of God's faithfulness and the gifts He has bestowed upon us. We are called to live as faithful servants, using our God-given talents and blessings to build His kingdom and to be instruments of His love and mercy in the world.

As we begin this Advent season, let us set aside time for prayer, reflection, and acts of kindness. Let us prepare our hearts to welcome Christ not only in the celebration of Christmas but also in our daily lives. May we be vigilant and watchful, ready to encounter Him in our neighbors, in the Scriptures, in the sacraments, and in the unexpected moments of grace. Let us embrace this season of Advent with hope and anticipation, preparing our hearts to receive Christ anew. May we be vigilant in our faith, watchful in our prayers, and eager in our service to others, so that when the Lord comes, He may find us watching and waiting.

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – A Holy Day of Obligation

This Friday, December 8 ^th , the Church celebrates the great solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, remembering that Mary was conceived without sin to make her the perfect vessel both from which the Son of God would take his human nature and to carry him in her womb. This feast is also the patronal feast of the United States and of our diocese. The day is a holy day of obligation with Masses being offered on the day, Friday, at 7:00AM, 8:30AM, and 5:30PM.

4 ^th Sunday of Advent/Christmas Schedule

This year Christmas falls on a Monday, meaning that the 4 ^th Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve are the same day. Both the 4 ^th Sunday of Advent and Christmas are days of obligatory Mass attendance where Catholics are obliged to attend a Mass for Sunday and a Mass for Christmas. With the two celebrations overlapping each other, we will have a modified Mass schedule on December 23, 24, and 25, knowing that we only have so many musicians and minsters for Masses and the honest reality that some will only come to Mass for Christmas that weekend on Sunday evening or Monday morning.

The Masses for that weekend are as follows: Masses for the 4 ^th Sunday of Advent will be Saturday, December 23 ^rd at 4:30PM and Sunday, December 24 ^th at 9:00AM. Those may be large Masses but, with extra chairs out for Christmas, there will be room for all (our church can fit approximately 600 people). The Masses for Christmas will be Sunday, December 24 ^th at 4:00PM, 6:30PM, & 10:00PM and on Monday, December 25 ^th , at 9:30AM.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"We Will Be Judged on Love" by Fr. Chris House

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 16:36:44 GMT

As we celebrate our patronal feast day of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, we encounter a powerful and challenging message from our Lord in Matthew’s Gospel. Jesus presents us with a vivid image of the final judgment – the separation of the sheep and the goats. But beyond the apocalyptic imagery lies a profound message about the essence of Christian living.

The scene is set with the Son of Man coming in glory, surrounded by angels, to judge the nations. The criteria for this judgment, however, are not based on wealth, power, or social status. Instead, Christ our King's criteria are rooted in a simple yet transformative concept: love in action. Jesus, in his infinite wisdom, identifies himself with the least of his brothers and sisters. He says, "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me (Mt 25:40).” In these words, we find a profound revelation of the interconnectedness of our love for God and our love for our neighbor. Our faith, as St. James tells us, is dead without works (James 2:17). The Christian life is not merely about professing our beliefs but living them out in practical ways. In this Gospel passage, Jesus calls us to examine the authenticity of our faith through our actions of love and compassion toward others.

The "sheep" in the parable are commended for their acts of kindness: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, and visiting the imprisoned. These are concrete expressions of love that demonstrate a genuine faith in action. On the other hand, the "goats" are rebuked for their neglect of these acts of mercy. They failed to recognize the presence of Christ in their neighbors and, consequently, missed the opportunity to express their love for God through their love for others. In the end, they pay a high price for their self-absorption.

As we reflect on this Gospel, we must ask ourselves how are we responding to the needs of those around us? Are we attuned to the cries of the hungry, the lonely, the sick, and the imprisoned? Are we actively seeking to bring God's love and mercy into the lives of those who are most in need?

In the end, it is not the grandiosity of our deeds that matters, but the authenticity of our love. Each small act of kindness, every expression of mercy, contributes to the kingdom of God. In serving others, we are serving Christ himself. In the end, to borrow from St. John of the Cross, we will be judged on love.

A Blessed Feast Day!

As pastor, it is my great joy to wish all of you a blessed and joyous parish feast day. May Christ our King continue to grant us the graces we need to be co-workers with him in establishing his Kingdom. May our parish family continue to be a place of light, peace, and welcome for all people.

Parish Breakfast – Thank You!

Thank you to the ladies of the Altar and Rosary Society for their generosity in continuing the custom of our annual parish breakfast. May the Lord bless you for your kindness and generosity!

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead! Father Chris House

"That Glorious Day" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 20:28:03 GMT

In this Sunday’s second reading, St. Paul emphasizes the unpredictability of the Lord's coming. The analogy of a thief in the night reminds us that we do not know the exact hour when the Lord will return. It is a call to be vigilant, to be spiritually awake, and to live our lives in readiness for that glorious day. We are called to be children of the light. This means not only recognizing the truth of Christ but also living in accordance with His teachings. In a world that often succumbs to darkness, we are called to be beacons of Christ's light. Our faith should not be hidden but should shine forth in our actions, our words, and our relationships.

St. Paul's words also remind us of the importance of spiritual preparedness. It is easy to become complacent, to be lulled into a false sense of security. The world may promise peace and security, but true peace is found in Christ alone. Our faith is not meant to be passive; it requires active participation. We are called to be alert, sober, and engaged in a life of holiness.

As we reflect on these words, let us examine our lives. Are we living as children of the light, or are there areas of darkness that need to be illuminated by Christ's truth? Are we actively preparing our hearts for the Lord's coming, or are we allowing ourselves to be distracted by the false promises of the world? Let us pray for the grace to live as vigilant and prepared children of the light, eagerly awaiting the return of our Lord. May our lives be a testimony to the transformative power of Christ, and may we, through our faith and actions, bring others into the light of His love.

Next Sunday – The Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Next Sunday our parish will celebrate our feast day of Christ the King, which is always the last Sunday of Ordinary Time and the last Sunday of the Church year. Please join me in asking God to continue to bless our parish and school with every good gift and heavenly blessing.

Thanksgiving

As we approach Thanksgiving this week, I can think of no better way to begin the day than with Mass. Please join me on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 23rd, for Mass at 8:30AM before the other celebrations or activities that day may have in store for you. As we take time this week to offer thanks to God for his goodness, on behalf of Father Wayne, Deacon Scott, and our parish & school staff, I wish you and yours a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Remaining Vigilant" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 18:02:12 GMT

This Sunday we are given a parable from the Lord that teaches us important lessons about preparedness and vigilance as we await the Lord’s return in glory. In this parable, Jesus speaks of ten bridesmaids, five wise and five foolish. The wise bridesmaids were prepared, carrying extra oil for their lamps, while the foolish ones did not. When the bridegroom was delayed, all the bridesmaids grew drowsy and slept. However, when the call came to meet the bridegroom, the foolish bridesmaids found themselves unprepared and asked the wise ones for some oil. The wise bridesmaids, though, could not share their oil, as there would not be enough for all.

The message is clear: we must be prepared for the unexpected, just as the wise bridesmaids were. Jesus is the bridegroom for whom the Church must await. We do not know the day or the hour when He will come, but we are called to be vigilant and ready. What does this mean for us as Catholics today? It means living a life of faith, staying close to God through prayer, reading the Scriptures, and receiving the Sacraments. It means showing love and compassion to our neighbors. It means being good stewards of the gifts and talents God has given us, using them for the service of others and the glory of God.

We must not be like the foolish bridesmaids who were unprepared, but like the wise ones who were vigilant and ready. As we go about our daily lives, let us keep the light of faith burning brightly within us, so that when our Lord returns, He will find us ready and welcome us into the joy of His eternal kingdom.

Mass of Remembrance – Thank You

Thank you to everyone who was a part of making this year’s parish Mass of Remembrance happen. It was a beautiful and moving tribute to parishioners who have gone before us in faith since the previous All Souls Day. I also know that it is greatly appreciated by the family members of the departed. Thanks to all for your kindness.

Thank You to Our Veterans

This past Saturday was our national commemoration of Veterans Day; our parish school had a wonderful Mass and celebration for veterans this past Wednesday. To all who have served in our nation’s armed forces, whether in war or peace, thank you for your service and may God abundantly bless you.

Parish Breakfast – Sunday, November 19 ^th

Next Sunday, November 19 ^th , following the 8am and 10am Masses, the Altar and Rosary Society will be hosting their annual parish breakfast in the parish center. Normally the breakfast is celebrated on the Sunday of our patronal feast of Christ the King, but our feast falls on the Sunday after Thanksgiving this year so the ladies have opted to have it the Sunday before. Thank you to the Altar and Rosary Society for your generosity and hospitality in providing this fellowship opportunity.

New Book by Fr. Richard Chiola

Fr. Richard Chiola recently published a book, Science and Christ: a Dialogue, which shows how the traditional teachings about Jesus Christ relate to the Big Bang, the evolution of humans, environmental concerns, and the future of the universe. He will be signing his book after Masses next Saturday and Sunday and will have copies for sale. The book price is $18. You can read more about the book at scienceandchrist.org.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"To Be Great, To Be Selfless" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 17:35:40 GMT

This Sunday’s Gospel offers us a profound lesson in humility, authenticity, and the true nature of leadership as taught by the Lord Jesus. We find Jesus addressing the crowds and his disciples. He begins by acknowledging the authority of the scribes. However, Jesus quickly transitions from acknowledgment to admonition. He warns his disciples and the people against following the example of these religious leaders, who, while teaching the law of Moses, fail to live it themselves.

It's a strong message that Jesus conveys. He criticizes the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy. They love to be seen as holy and righteous, but their hearts are far from God. They place heavy burdens on others but do not lift a finger to help them. They seek honor and recognition in the public eye, yet their motives are self-serving. In contrast to this, Jesus teaches us the way of true leadership in God's kingdom. He emphasizes humility, service, and authenticity. He tells us that the greatest among us must be the servant of all. To lead in God's kingdom is to be a humble servant, not a self-seeking authority figure. True greatness is not measured by titles or positions, but by the willingness to serve and love one another.

Jesus’s message is as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago. We are called to examine our own lives in our families, workplaces, or communities. Do we live with humility and a genuine desire to serve, or are we seeking recognition and honor for ourselves? Are our actions aligned with our words and beliefs, or are we living a life of hypocrisy? We have the perfect example to follow in the Lord Jesus, who, despite being the Son of God, came not to be served but to serve. Let us seek true greatness in the kingdom of God, which is measured by the love and compassion we show to others.

Upcoming Raffles

It’s that time of year for raffles from the ladies of the Altar & Rosary Society and our school’s Bonus Raffle. Both support great efforts within our parish family; winning in either could truly lead to happier holidays which are coming soon. Please consider supporting these worthy causes.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Gone Before Us in Faith: All Saints and All Souls" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 19:28:50 GMT

This Wednesday, November 1 ^st , is the Solemnity of All Saints, the day when we honor all those in Heaven, especially the "small s" saints who are not formally canonized by the Church and who are known only to God. The Saints are not just models of holiness, they are also our friends, cheering us on in our earthly struggles and supporting us with their prayers so that we might eventually join with them in the praise of our God in Heaven. All Saints Day being a holy day of obligation, Masses will be offered at 7:00AM, 8:30AM and 5:30PM. Since All Saints Day falls on a Wednesday, the parish’s day for Eucharistic Exposition, there will not be the display of relics of the Saints on that day as in the past few years, but the relics will be out for prayer and veneration for the weekend Masses on November 4 ^th and 5 ^th .

The veneration of the memory of the saints goes back to the earliest days of the Church, to the middle of the second century. One of the first accounts of the early Christians doing this concerns the honoring of the memory, as well as the bones, of St. Polycarp following his martyrdom. It was around the martyrs that the veneration of saints began and by the sixth century that veneration extended to other men and women who themselves did not die a martyr’s death, but who nonetheless lived lives that were models of holiness.

Immediately following All Saints Day, the Church remembers all the faithful departed on All Souls Day, November 2 ^nd , as well as through the whole month of November. The Church is especially mindful of those souls who, while dying in the state of grace, died with some remaining attachment to venial sin and are experiencing a process of spiritual cleansing and perfection in purgatory. The custom of praying for the dead is found in the Scriptures, with one of the primary references found in 2 Maccabees 12: 26, 32 which says "turning to supplication, they prayed that the sinful deed might be fully blotted out. Thus they made atonement for the dead that they might be free from sin."

Beginning on All Souls Day, the Book of Remembrance will be placed in front of the baptismal font so that you may inscribe in it the names of family members and friends who have died; they will be remembered in prayer throughout the month of November. Our parish’s annual Mass of Remembrance for those who have died in the past year will be celebrated on Thursday, November 2 ^nd , at 5:30PM; Mass for All Souls will also be celebrated at 7:00AM, Thursday morning.

P.T.O. Trunk of Treat – Thank You

Thank you to our school P.T.O. and to all who helped to make our annual Trunk or Treat a great success. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon and I think I can say that a good time was had by all.

Blessing to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"October: Respect Life Month" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 18:06:17 GMT

October is Respect Life Month. We do not have to look far to find a sea of comments and opinions concerning the right to life but there is ultimately only one opinion, one truth that matters. Let us not lose sight of what God has said on this issue through his holy word: the word of the Lord spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: “before I formed you in the womb I knew you (1:5);” the word of the Lord spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you. See, upon the palms of my hands I have engraved you (49:15-16);” the word of the Lord spoken through the psalmist: “you (Lord) formed my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am wonderfully made (139:13-14).”

As Catholics, we must always stand for the unquestionable truth that human life is sacred and for the fact that it must always be defended, especially the life of the unborn who are the most innocent and the most vulnerable among us. Standing for this truth will not always be popular, but this is not about popularity or personal philosophies, it is about a divine truth written into the natural law that life is sacred because life is the act and the gift of God. As God’s people we are called to embrace the Gospel of Life in the face of a culture of death or, as Pope Francis has called it, “a throw-away culture.”

In all that we think, say, and do, we must strive to build a culture of life that honors and protects the dignity of the human person. In the Book of Deuteronomy, the Lord says to Moses and the people “I call heaven and earth today to witness against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God, obeying his voice, and holding fast to him (30:19).”

Reminder: No 4:30PM Mass – Saturday October 28th

Next Saturday, October 28th, is our diocesan Eucharistic Congress at the BOS Center here in Springfield. Since all the priests of our diocese have been asked to be present to offer Mass with Bishop Paprocki a the culmination of the day, there will be no afternoon confessions or Saturday evening Mass here at CTK or in any other parish. Our Sunday Mass schedule will be normal.

Thank You Funeral Luncheon Volunteers!

In the “thanks” that I express from time to time to different groups in the parish, one group I have been remiss in thanking are those women and men in the parish who help to provide for funeral luncheons for families in their time of grief. To this great group, directed by Arlene Beveridge, whether you serve or help by providing food: thank you!

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"A Deliberate Yes" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 16:49:37 GMT

This Sunday’s readings paint a wonderful image of our God who is inviting us into a deeper life and love with him. The Prophet Isaiah gives us the image of a banquet prepared by the Lord in which the finest food and wine is set before God’s chosen ones. Also, take note of the setting of the banquet; it is set in a time of victory and healing, when God will forever remove any shadow or vestige that remains of sin and death. The 23 ^rd Psalm also gives us the image of a banquet but in the face of our enemies; again the powers of sin and death, but God’s chosen have nothing to fear in the face of these powers with the Lord present. These images given to us by the Lord through Isaiah and Psalmist are not empty metaphors or symbols but promises of the reality that is coming for God’s chosen ones.

The Gospel continues with the parable of the king who held a great feast yet those invited refused his invitation. The parable speaks of the king’s wrath towards those who refused him. While we do not need to fear God’s wrath in the same way, we must remember that saying “no” to him brings its own consequences because each and every “no” to God means that we are saying “yes” to something or someone else; whoever and whatever that “yes” is being made to cannot ultimately offer us the grace, love, and life that God wants to give us. In short, to deny the Lord is to deny ourselves.

And then there is the man who accepts the king’s invitation but apparently has done so haphazardly because he had not come to the banquet properly attired. We must be deliberate in accepting the Lord’s invitation; this means putting on the life of grace bestowed on us at baptism and striving each and every day to keep it unsullied. Should sin stain the banquet garment given us, we need only turn to the Lord and be washed clean in his mercy through the sacrament of Reconciliation.

As we gather around the Lord’s altar, let us be mindful of the fact that it is by his gracious invitation. The Eucharist is a foretaste of the life of heaven, of a reality yet to be revealed. May the grace given us in this sacred meal and sacrifice assist us to live lives of grateful and intentional discipleship so that when all is ready and the great King’s invitation comes we might answer it with joy and robed in grace.

Baby Bottle Campaign

We are again participating in the Baby Bottle Campaign to raise funds for First Step Women’s Center. This campaign funds the life-saving work that First Step Women’s Center offers to mothers making unplanned pregnancy decisions. Baby bottles and envelopes will be in the vestibule throughout the month of October. Each household is encouraged to take one bottle or envelope, fill it with cash or a check and return it to the church by Nov 5th. By doing so, you are making a difference in an unborn babies life!

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Remembering Monsignor Lantz" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 16:44:47 GMT

It was February of 2001 and I was at CTK for the funeral Mass of a family friend. I was fifteen months away from priesthood ordination. After the Mass, I was speaking with then Father Lantz in the sacristy about how seminary was going. At the end of the conversation I remember him saying to me “who knows, maybe the bishop will assign you here next year.” Fast forward over those fifteen months, it was ordination week in late May when Bishop Lucas informed me that I would be assigned to Christ the King as parochial vicar. I remember coming to see Father Lantz that afternoon to talk about the assignment that would begin July 1; it was also the beginning of a treasured friendship over the next twenty plus years.

My initial time at CTK was short but I learned a good deal from Msgr. Lantz during that time, as well as in the years to come. For me, as a new priest, he was a kind mentor. He was never heavy-handed nor did he lord over me as his assistant. Living with him, there was always laughter in the rectory and I felt that it was my home as much as his, something that not every assistant could say in living with their pastor (even though we both knew, clearly, that he was the boss).

I was blessed to continue working with Msgr. Lantz after being here at CTK. He was the director of Lay Ministry Formation and I served as director of the liturgy specialization track. He was named director of the Permanent Diaconate Program and I served as associate director for spiritual formation and eventually succeeded him as director. Msgr. Lantz wore many hats while being a parish priest, something I learned from him early on, and he wore those many hats well. When he was honored with the title of “monsignor” in late 2002, it was a well-deserved accolade (and one that he enjoyed).

In April of 2012, we were at the Villa Maria on Lake Springfield for a deacon formation weekend. It was a sunny Saturday morning. We were outside down by the lake when he told me that he had been asked to take a new assignment that July and would be ending sixteen years as pastor of CTK. It was the only time that I ever saw him shed tears. He loved this parish and its people with his whole heart. It gave me great joy when Bishop Paprocki named Msgr. Lantz pastor emeritus of CTK when he took on senior priest status in July of 2022. I was hoping that after a year of rest in retirement that we might see “Monz” pop in and out of the parish from time to time; sadly, this hope will not be realized.

As heartbroken as I am, and as many of you are also, I thank God for the gift of Monsignor Lantz’s life and his ministry among us. I also give thanks for his friendship over my entire priesthood until now. For those in the parish family who came to CTK after Msgr. Lantz’s time here, I am sorry that you missed out on knowing quite a character. Some parishioners have reminisced recently about Monsignor using the image of the “many mansions” found in John’s Gospel in his funeral homilies. This reference from John by our Lord points to the fact that God desires for us to dwell with Him, intimately and forever, in heaven. May that be the reality that the good Monsignor now knows. May it be our reality one day too.

Thank you, Lord, for raising up a kind and loving shepherd in our time. Thank you, Monsignor Lantz, for your ministry among us; you are loved and you will be missed. May you now hear the words of our Lord: “well done, my good and faithful servant. Come, share your master’s joy (Mt. 25:23).”

"Actions More Than Words" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 17:17:51 GMT

This parable reminds us that our faith is not merely about words or intentions but it must also be rooted in our actions.

Actions More Than Words

Jesus tells of a father who had two sons in this Sunday’s Gospel reading. The father approached the first son and asked him to go and work in the vineyard. The first son, initially reluctant, eventually had a change of heart and went to work in the vineyard. The second son, on the other hand, immediately agreed to go but did not follow through with his promise. Jesus then asks the crowd, "Which of the two did the will of his father?" The answer is clear: the first son who, though initially resistant, ultimately obeyed his father's command.

Jesus gives this parable in response to intense questioning from the Scribes and the Pharisees who are attempting to discredit Jesus’s authority. In response, Jesus points out those who claim to be righteous did not respond to John the Baptist’s call to conversion just as they were not presently responding to the same call from Jesus himself. Who did respond? Those who were thought to be the worst of sinners.

This parable reminds us that our faith is not merely about words or intentions but it must also be rooted in our actions. It's not enough to say we believe in God and His teachings; we must live out our faith through our deeds. We see in the first son a reflection of our own journey of faith. There are times when we may initially resist God's call or commandments. We may struggle with doubt, fear, or reluctance, but it's what we do in the end that truly matters. Just as the first son had a change of heart and obeyed, we too can turn our hearts back to God and follow His will.

On the other hand, the second son, who readily agreed to go to the vineyard but failed to do so, serves as a warning to us. It's easy to make promises and profess our faith, but if our actions do not align with our words, our faith remains superficial. Hypocrisy can be a stumbling block to our spiritual growth and a hindrance to our witness as Christians. We must ask ourselves are we like the first son, sometimes hesitant but ultimately obedient to God's call? Or are we like the second son, quick to make promises but slow to act on our faith?

What is the “good news” for us this Sunday? Jesus says in the Gospel that tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God, even before the self-declared righteous. Our past sins and mistakes or initial reluctance in our discipleship do not define us but rather our willingness to turn back to God and live out our faith in action; this is the pathway to eternal life.

Faith Formation – The Mass

Next week I will be beginning to present a series on the theology of the Mass by Bishop Robert Barron. Each session will have a video presentation by Bishop Barron of approximately twenty-five minutes with discussion and questions afterwards. The Mass is where heaven and earth come together, literally, in the re-presentation of the saving sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. Please consider joining me for this series. Even if you cannot make all the sessions, I believe you will still find your faith enriched by any participation. Sessions are October 4 ^th & 18 ^th and November 1st, 8th, 15th, & 29 ^th , in Roesch Hall at 11AM and 7PM. All are welcome.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"You, Go Into My Vineyard" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 16:51:48 GMT

Some people hear the Lord’s call early in their lives, some in the middle, and some only in the very end; what is important is that we respond when the call is heard.

You, Go Into My Vineyard

The parable our Lord gives us this Sunday speaks of workers who are sent into someone’s vineyard at different times of the day; some go early and bear the heat of the day, while others go in only at the very end of the day. The owner of the vineyard disburses the day’s pay beginning first with the those who started working last. When those who started earlier see that the latter are getting the same wage that they themselves agreed to, they assume that they will receive more; they don’t, and they are not happy about it. The vineyard owner challenges them by asking if they received less than the wage agreed upon between him and them. They receive nothing less and are reduced to silence by the owner’s question: “am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?”

The parable points to the call of discipleship and the promised gift of eternal life for those who accept the call. There is no stipulation on when someone must hear the Lord’s call in order to merit the promise of eternal life because eternal life cannot be merited or earned; it is God’s free gift to give, just like the wages given by the vineyard owner in the parable. Some people hear the Lord’s call early in their lives, some in the middle, and some only in the very end; what is important is that we respond when the call is heard.

The Prophet Isaiah speaks to us with an urgency to “seek the Lord while he may be found.” The Prophet wants us to understand that once we hear the Lord’s call we cannot delay in our answering it. In this life we have today and, since no one is promised tomorrow, the need for us to answer the call is real and the time is now.

God’s call is not a one-time event. The Lord is calling us to go into his vineyard and work every day. As previously mentioned, we do not all hear this call or understand it at the same time, but once we hear and understand that we are being called by name, we have to respond to that call with every part of who we are and do so in our everyday living.

Remember, God’s ways are not our ways, as the Lord teaches us through the Prophet Isaiah. Ours is not to critique or question, but to answer the Lord’s call each day, to rejoice when those around us do the same no matter when it happens, and to help those who have yet to hear or respond to the Lord to answer his call to follow him to a more abundant life.

Seminarian Troy Niemerg

I hope that you remember Troy Niemerg, a seminarian for our diocese, who spent the summer of 2022 with us for a brief pastoral internship. Troy is being ordained a deacon this coming Thursday, September 28 ^th , in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Please remember him in your prayers as he becomes a member of the clergy and enters this final stage of his formation for the priesthood.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Fr. Chris House

"Justice and Mercy" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 19:21:01 GMT

As Christians, we must be sure that justice and mercy are intimately connected in our lives.

Justice and Mercy

We have been journeying through the middle of Matthew’s Gospel over the past several Sundays; through this journey we have been receiving instructions from the Lord on how disciples are supposed to live. The parable of the two servants, given to us by Jesus in this Sunday’s Gospel, teaches us that we must remember how the Lord has treated us mercifully and then allow that to guide us in how we treat each other. Like the first servant who owed his master a sum than he could never repay, so we could never make a return to God for the debt of sin, but God has chosen to lavish us with mercy and has forgiven our debt just like the master in the parable. For us, the news is even better because God continues to forgive the debt of sin in our lives when we turn to him with contrite hearts. Our grateful response to this great gift of mercy must be made manifest not just in our relationship with the Lord but in how we deal with those around us.

Having received mercy so generously from his master, the first servant refuses to show any mercy to the second servant whom he encounters in the parable. The first servant would have been justified in still expecting the second to repay him because the first servant may have been in need just as much as the second servant. The problem is that the first servant refused to show any mercy to the second servant when that servant pleaded for mercy, the first servant having just received mercy himself from his master.

As Christians, we must be sure that justice and mercy are intimately connected in our lives. Mercy safeguards justice in seeing that it does not become vengeance. Mercy tempers justice by seeking the ultimate good of everyone in each situation. At the same time, mercy without justice is worthless. Mercy without justice negates the value of responsibility, both personally and in relationship to one another. True justice and true mercy never seek to overturn the other, but stand arm in arm.

Tootsie Roll Time

The Intellectual Disabilities or "Tootsie Roll" Fund Drive is one of the most recognizable activities that the Knights of Columbus do. The funds generated from this drive are used to support local programs which help people with special learning and life needs. Please support the Knights and this very worthy effort of theirs. You can find a Knight or one of the yellow and red canisters at the doors this weekend.

Blue Mass

Throughout the United States “Blue Masses” are offered each year, sometime around September 29th – the Feast of the Archangels, to pray for those in law enforcement, fire personnel, and first responders. Our diocesan Blue Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Paprocki at the Cathedral here in Springfield on Sunday, October 1st, at 10:00AM. All are welcome!

Annual Convocation of Priests

This coming week is the annual diocesan priests’ convocation in Collinsville. Father Wayne and I will be gone from Monday afternoon until Thursday evening. There will be Communion services instead of Mass Tuesday thru Thursday at 7AM and no confessions those days; exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and benediction will still be at their normal times of 12:30 and 5PM on Wednesday. The parish office will be open normal hours.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"A Reconciling Community" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 18:04:42 GMT

While the Gospel teaches us that conflicts are a part of life, our Lord teaches us that as Christians we are called to handle those conflicts with love, humility, and a commitment to reconciliation.

A Reconciling Community

Our Lord presents us with valuable lessons on reconciliation and the importance of community within the Church in this Sunday’s Gospel. In these verses, Jesus provides us with a clear and compassionate guide on how to handle conflicts and disputes among fellow believers. Conflict is inevitable in any human gathering, including the Church. However, how we handle these conflicts sets us apart as followers of Christ. Instead of harboring resentment or gossiping about one another, we are called to approach the person with whom we have a conflict and seek reconciliation. In doing so, we fulfill Christ's command to love our neighbor as ourselves and to forgive one another as He has forgiven us.

While the Gospel teaches us that conflicts are a part of life, our Lord teaches us that as Christians we are called to handle those conflicts with love, humility, and a commitment to reconciliation. We are a community of believers, and together, we can work towards healing and restoration, with Christ's presence among us. Let us seek to be agents of peace and reconciliation within our homes, parish, and the greater community, following the guidance of our Lord Jesus Christ, who teaches us the way of love and forgiveness.

When Receiving Holy Communion

During this time of the Eucharistic Revival, I would like to offer a few reminders concerning receiving our Lord in Holy Communion.

The law of the Church states that we are to fast from all food and drink, except water, one hour before receiving the Eucharist; this rule does not apply to someone who has a legitimate medical reason that prevents the fast from being safe. Chewing gum is a violation of this fast and having it in one’s mouth with the Blessed Sacrament can lead to an unintended desecration should particles of the sacred Host become mingled with the gum and then the gum is disposed of in the garbage.

When receiving Holy Communion, the reception of the sacred Host may be on the tongue or in the hand. If the Eucharist is received in the hand, it is to be received with one’s clean hands making a “throne.” It is inappropriate to reach up to take the Host out of the minister’s hand. Since the Eucharist is the greatest gift of our Lord’s love for us, it is to be received, not taken.

There is only one way to receive the Precious Blood and that is by drinking from the chalice that contains it; the act of intinction, dipping the sacred Host into the Precious Blood, is expressly forbidden in the Latin Church (it is common in the Eastern Catholic Churches) because it can lead to accidental desecration of the Eucharist due to spillage or drops falling to the ground. Only priests are allowed to intinct in the Latin Church and it is rarely done, usually for the reason of the priest not feeling well. Recently multiple parishioners have been wanting to do this practice; thank you for your understanding in not doing so at Mass.

The Eucharist is not a sign or symbol but it is the real presence of Jesus Christ under the appearance of bread and wine. Thank you for your reverence in receiving our Lord in Holy Communion.

Mission Appeal – Thank you

Thank you to everyone for your hospitality to Patrick who spoke to us last weekend about the work of the Mary, Mother of God Mission Society in Eastern Russia. Thank you for your generous support of the Society’s work in helping to re-establish and grow the Church in Russia.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"God’s Ways, Not Ours" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 18:09:51 GMT

Following Peter’s rebuke by Jesus, the Lord then sets down the three conditions for discipleship.

God’s Ways, Not Ours

Poor Peter. In last Sunday’s Gospel he gets the gold star for correctly answering Jesus’s ultimate question of who do you say that I am ? Peter answers you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. This Sunday’s Gospel picks up right where we left off last week; following Peter’s confession of faith, Jesus explains to his disciples what his being the Christ ultimately entails. Peter and the others were not prepared to hear the grim truth that Jesus shared with him; it did not fit into their own personal thoughts of who and what the Messiah should be. Peter responds to Jesus saying that it could not be so and his protestation earns Peter a very strong rebuke from Jesus: get behind me, Satan!

Peter and the disciples, in fact all of Israel, held on to the notion that the Messiah would be the new David in the same vein as the old David: God’s anointed, a conquering hero, who would not only re-establish the glory of Israel but also inaugurate the Kingdom of God on earth. Jesus, as Messiah and the new David, was exactly that but not in the way that the disciples and others necessarily wanted. They fell into the trap of attempting to refashion God in an image and likeness of their own choosing. Jesus rebukes Peter for two reasons: first, it was Satan who tempted Jesus in the wilderness to go against the Father’s plan of salvation, thus why Peter gets called “Satan,” because his vision is not God’s vision. Second, Jesus tells Peter to get behind him; if Peter would be the Lord’s disciple, he must follow after Jesus and not attempt to dictate the course.

Following Peter’s rebuke by Jesus, the Lord then sets down the three conditions for discipleship. First, anyone who would be the Lord’s disciple must deny themselves. This notion is completely flabbergasting to a world that attempts to teach us to serve ourselves and to satisfy any want, desire, or urge that we experience. As a disciple, I must be willing to accept that my life is not my own and that life is not about me. Second, anyone who would be the Lord’s disciple must be willing to take up his or her own cross. As the Lord suffered for the salvation of the whole world, so we must also be prepared to suffer and to unite our sufferings with the Lord’s own sufferings for the salvation of the world. Third, anyone who would be the Lord’s disciple must allow the Lord Jesus to lead. The disciple who gets ahead of themselves, and the Lord, will find that they will lose track of him and become lost. We must follow the Lord, keeping our focus on him as he leads us to the fullness of life in heaven with the Father.

Peter was not perfect. He made a lot of mistakes in his own discipleship, but no matter what the blunder entailed, even to the point of denying Jesus, Peter always found his way back to the Lord. This is good news for us. We are not perfect either. Sometimes we lose sight of the Lord; sometimes we want to cling to things that are not of God or that will distract us from him. When we realize that we have mis-stepped or that we are off-course, we simply need to get back behind the Lord. Peter’s faith was not perfect yet Jesus used it as the rock on which he built the Church. Jesus will do great things with and through us too, like Peter, if we allow the Lord to do what he knows is best in our lives and if we make the conscious choice to follow him daily.

Missionary Appeal

This weekend we welcome Patrick Miner from Mary Mother of God Mission Society for our annal Mission Appeal to speak about the Roman Catholic Mission Churches in Eastern Russia. Welcome Patrick and God bless you in your ministry to the people of God in Russia!

Thank you Men’s Club and PTO

Last Saturday evening we had a wonderful, and well attended, Cougar Kickoff. I think that I can safely say that a good time was had by all. Thank you to our CTK Men’s Club and our CTK PTO for making it happen.

Labor Day Mass

Mass for Labor Day will be at 8:00am Monday.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Your Answer, Please" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 19:18:52 GMT

This Sunday’s Gospel gives us what I would argue is the most important question in all of the Scriptures.

Your Answer, Please

This Sunday’s Gospel gives us what I would argue is the most important question in all of the Scriptures. Jesus asks his disciples who do the crowds say that He is, who do they say that He is, and, through the Gospel, we are asked who we say that He is. For those who say Jesus was just a “nice man” and a “good teacher” then he must have been delusional in calling himself the Son of God. Others believe that Jesus was a liar, that he was a fraud claiming to be something that he knew he was not. For those of true faith, the answer is easy: Jesus is Lord!

What is our answer? Some may find the question puzzling: we are Catholic, we support the parish, we send our kids to Catholic school or to PSR, we wear gold or silver crosses around our necks….all that is well and good but for us to answer that Jesus is Lord takes more than all that. To say the Jesus is Lord means that we must be willing to give Him full sovereignty over our lives, over every aspect of who we are, and not just for sixty minutes on Sunday or Saturday evening. We must proclaim the Lordship of Jesus with the totality of who and what we are.

Jesus’s question of who we say that He is must be kept before our eyes constantly as a guard against Christian hypocrisy, for the Gospels are clear in informing us of Jesus’s disdain for hypocrisy. If Jesus is Lord for us then His life and His truth must be the way that guides our daily living and not the things of this world, be they power, pleasure, honor, or wealth. If we truly allow Jesus to reign as lord of our lives, the world may sneer at us for it, our lives will certainly not always be easy, but our salvation will be assured.

No Confessions Wednesday Afternoon, August 30 ^th

Due to overseen circumstances, there will be no confession heard this Wednesday afternoon, but exposition and benediction will still happen. I apologize for any inconvenience that anyone may incur because of this.

Missionary Appeal – September 2 ^nd /3 ^rd

Next weekend September 2 ^nd /3 ^rd , Patrick Miner, from Mary Mother of God Mission Society will visit our parish for our annual Mission Appeal to speak about the Roman Catholic Mission Churches in Eastern Russia. In over twenty years of priestly ministry, this will be the first time I have heard about the Church’s work in Russia; I look forward to hearing about the Mission Society’s work. A collection basket for the society will be in the vestibule of the church before and after all Masses.

Eucharistic Congress – October 28 ^th at the BOS Center

Last weekend at all of the Masses I spoke about the upcoming Diocesan Eucharistic Congress. Below is the day’s schedule for our Congress in celebration of the National Eucharistic Revival and marking the centenary of the transfer of the Diocesan See from Alton to Springfield:

10:30 a.m.: Doors open, family room open, vendor row open
11 a.m.: Eucharistic Adoration and Confession available in basement (both end at 3:30 p.m.), concession stands open
11:30 a.m. - 12:35 p.m.: Screening of documentary, God is Alive Stories of incredible faith and miraculous events in Central Illinois
12:50 p.m. - 1:35 p.m.: Dr. Scott Hahn presentation
1:50 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.: Screening of The Chair , video that highlights the history of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and Bishop Paprocki's journey to Springfield
2 : 30 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.: Father Chase Hilgenbrinck presentation
2:50 p.m. - 3:10 p.m.: Father Denis Robinson, OSB presentation
3:10 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.: Sister M. Karolyn Nunes, FSGM presentation
4 p.m.: Mass with Bishop Paprocki and the Clergy of the Diocese

Admission to the Congress is free and concessions will be available for sale at the BOS Center. I will be there and I hope you will consider joining me and other members of faithful throughout the Diocese for this historic celebration. Registration is done through the parish office.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Persistence Pays Off" by Fr. Chris House

Sat, 19 Aug 2023 14:09:12 GMT

This Sunday’s Gospel offers us two important lessons about our God.

Persistence Pays Off

This Sunday’s Gospel offers us two important lessons about our God. First, to be persistent in our prayer. Jesus appears to be somewhat obstinate towards the woman in this Sunday’s Gospel, not quickly acceding to her request for Him to free her daughter from demonic possession; in fact, His comments to her are rather shocking in comparing her as a non-Jew to a dog wanting scraps from the master’s table. His words though are as much for the disciples as they are for the woman. Jesus knows the depths of her faith and His difficulty towards her is a means by which He is drawing her faith out for everyone else to see. Ultimately He shows his disciples, and the woman, that persistence in faith is rewarded and Jesus sets the woman’s daughter free.

The second lesson in this Sunday’s Gospel is implicit compared to the first lesson regarding persistence, and that lesson is that everyone is welcome in God’s Kingdom; and if everyone is welcome in the Kingdom that also means that everyone must be welcome in the Church. At the same time we must also understand that while all are welcome does not mean that anything goes. To be a part of the Kingdom, means that we must be about the will of the King and not our own will or the world’s will. This is clear is the first reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah where the Lord states that “my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples”; and how is anyone admitted to the Lord’s house: by “loving the name of the Lord and becoming his servants.” To truly be a part of the household of God is not about political ideology or party affiliation, social contracts, or platforms; to be a part of the household of God is about seeking God on His terms, conforming our will to His will, dying to ourselves in the process, and allowing His grace to truly be living and effective in our lives.

Memorial Hospital Pastoral Care Changes

As you many know, Memorial Hospital announced the week before last a number of cuts in personnel. Among those cuts was its chaplain corps. The hospital still has a pastoral care department with two staff members in office Monday through Friday from 7:30AM to 3:30PM. Local priests were informed that Memorial will no longer be informing parishes of parishioners who are in the hospital; this has already been developing into a new norm with communication from both hospitals in town becoming less over the past few years. Holy Communion will continue to be brought to Catholic patients through generous volunteers.

Any parishioners who are in need of/desire pastoral care from the clergy here at CTK, please make sure that the parish office knows. If you have a planned hospitalization, you are always welcome to request the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick before your hospitalization.

School Days

After a long summer break, just a little over three months since the ‘22/’23 school year ended on May 19 ^th , the ‘23/’24 school year is upon us this Monday! Mrs. Jill Seaton is in the captain’s chair to sail us into another great year for Catholic education at CTK. Please remember our faculty & staff and students & their families in your prayers that God will bless our school with every grace needed to be a strong faith-filled witness to Him because a strong faith-filled school can only be a blessing for our parish.

Cougar Kick-Off

Thank you to the CTK Men’s Club and CTK PTO who will be hosting the Cougar Kick-Off in celebration of the new school year next Saturday, August 26 ^th , after the 4:30PM Mass. You can find more information in this bulletin. All are welcome.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"In Silence or Storm" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 21:15:06 GMT

Both passages from Scripture show us that God appears both in the expected and unexpected. We expect God to appear in the storms of life but sometimes we forget that God will also appear in the silence, in the quiet and gentle moments of our lives.

The first reading and the Gospel this Sunday present us with vivid scenes where the Prophet Elijah and the Apostles, in particular St. Peter, encounter God. In the first reading from the First Book of Kings, Elijah stands at the mouth of the cave on Mount Horeb to witness God who will be passing by; however, God is not found where Elijah expects to encounter him, not in the power of the wind, or an earthquake, or fire, but in the tiny sound of a whisper. In the Gospel passage as recorded by Matthew, the disciples are out on the Sea of Galilee being tossed about by a night’s storm when they encounter the Lord Jesus coming to them on the water amidst the wind and the waves. When the Lord Jesus calls Peter to come to Him, Peter begins to sink because he turns his focus to the chaos of the storm instead of on Christ.

Both passages from Scripture show us that God appears both in the expected and unexpected. We expect God to appear in the storms of life but sometimes we forget that God will also appear in the silence, in the quiet and gentle moments of our lives. He wants us to see Him, to know that He is present to us always, whether we perceive our need for Him or not. Our challenge is to look for Him and, when His presence is made known to us, to keep our focus on the Lord.

School Masses

During the school year our students gather for Mass on Wednesday mornings at 8:30AM and all are welcome at this Mass. When I first arrived at CTK we could not make the Mass public for the first two years because of COVID restrictions. Starting the week of August 20 ^th , we will begin publishing the 8:30AM Wednesday Mass time in the bulletin as a way to let you know if the Mass is canceled that week because the children are not in school or if the Mass is moved to another day because of a holy day or special circumstance that week, such as the beginning of Thanksgiving or Christmas break.

August 15 ^th : The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Holy Day Masses

Masses on holy days are not attended like they used to be, and the Solemnity of Mary’s Assumption is probably the least attended holy day along with the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God on New Year’s Day. Apart from Christmas, Easter, and Mary, Mother of God (New Year’s Day) only three holy days happen in the U.S. that are not also secular holidays: Assumption (August 15 ^th ), All Saints (November 1 ^st ), and Immaculate Conception (December 8 ^th ); in the dioceses of Illinois, the Solemnity of our Lord’s Ascension was permanently transferred to the 7 ^th Sunday of Easter over twenty-five years ago. For those last three holy days, depending on what day of the week they fall on each year, also depends on if the obligation is lifted for that year.

For those three days (Assumption, All Saints, and Immaculate Conception) our norm at CTK will be to offer three Masses on the day: 7:00AM, 8:30AM, and 5:30PM. Since the Solemnity of the Assumption falls before school begins this year, Masses for the Assumption will only be at 7:00AM and 5:30PM. Given that holy day attendance is sadly low, and that our church can seat approximately five hundred people comfortably without adding chairs, this should not be a problem, especially if previous attendance numbers are any indication of what to expect. If it is a problem, then I will happily admit my error and correct it moving forward! So, Masses for the Solemnity of the Assumption, on Tuesday, August 15 ^th , will be offered at 7:00AM and 5:30PM.

Blessing of Backpacks

Next weekend is the last weekend before school starts here at CTK and so it’s time for the annual “Blessing of Backpacks.” All children at any level and from any school are invited to come forward and receive a blessing for the beginning of the new school year. I will offer the blessing at the end of each Mass next weekend, August 19 ^th /20 ^th .

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"The Transfiguration" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 17:21:12 GMT

The Transfiguration calls us to embrace the Divine. Just as the disciples were astonished by the radiant transformation of Jesus, we too must open our hearts to encounter God in ways that surpass our understanding.

The Transfiguration

This Sunday finds us breaking from the green of Ordinary Time as the Feast of the Transfiguration, August 6 ^th , falls this Sunday. The Gospel account of the Transfiguration should be somewhat familiar because, apart from August 6 ^th , the story of the Transfiguration is recounted each year on the Second Sunday of Lent.

The Transfiguration calls us to embrace the Divine. Just as the disciples were astonished by the radiant transformation of Jesus, we too must open our hearts to encounter God in ways that surpass our understanding. The event on Mount Tabor reminds us that Jesus is not merely a great teacher or prophet, but the Son of God, the promised Messiah. In our busy lives, it is crucial to set aside time for prayer and reflection, seeking moments of spiritual renewal and allowing God's light to illuminate our hearts. Through prayer and contemplation, we can experience a personal encounter with Christ, drawing us closer to the divine reality that sustains our faith.

The Transfiguration reminds us of the importance of listening to God’s voice. As the disciples stood in awe, a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." In our journey of faith, we encounter various distractions and conflicting messages that can lead us astray. However, God calls us to focus our attention on Christ, the Word made flesh. By attentively listening to His teachings, we gain insights into living a life of love, compassion, and justice. As we follow Jesus' example, we become bearers of God's light, radiating His love to the world and becoming agents of transformation in our communities.

The Transfiguration prepares us for the crosses and challenges of life. After the extraordinary experience on Mount Tabor, Jesus instructs his disciples not to speak of it until He has risen from the dead. This instruction points to the coming crucifixion and resurrection, reminding us that the path of discipleship many times involves moments of hardship and sacrifice. Just as Jesus willingly faced the Cross, we too must embrace our crosses with faith, trusting that God's glory will be revealed through our trials. In times of darkness, let us remember the glorious Transfiguration and find solace in the hope of Christ's resurrection, knowing that through our struggles, we are united with Him and participate in the triumph of eternal life.

As we contemplate the Transfiguration of our Lord, may we be inspired to seek God's presence in our lives, listen to His voice, and embrace the challenges of our earthly journey with unwavering faith, until the glory of the Lord is fully revealed.

Welcome Reception for Mrs. Jill Seaton

Next Sunday after the 8am and 10am Masses there will be a welcome reception for our new principal, Mrs. Seaton, in the parish hall. All are invited to come for fellowship and to welcome Mrs. Seaton as she begins her ministry as school principal here at CTK.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"The True Priceless Treasure" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 20:40:17 GMT

Some people love perusing garage sales, some flea markets, and, for others, maybe Ebay. Some are looking for something specific, some are just looking to see what they can find, and others are looking for a non-specific treasure and they’ll know it when they find it. This Sunday’s Gospel gives us two parables: the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price and the Parable of the Hidden Treasure.

The True Priceless Treasure

Some people love perusing garage sales, some flea markets, and, for others, maybe Ebay. Some are looking for something specific, some are just looking to see what they can find, and others are looking for a non-specific treasure and they’ll know it when they find it. This Sunday’s Gospel gives us two parables: the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price and the Parable of the Hidden Treasure. In both parables when the pearl and the treasure are each found, those who find them are willing to go to great lengths to acquire them.

The parables are both analogies of the Kingdom of God; it is the pearl of great price and it is the treasure hidden from worldly senses. These parables beg some questions of us: what value do we place on the things of Heaven? What value do we place on eternal life with God? Are we willing to do anything to make sure that Heaven truly becomes our final home? To help us make sure that God’s Kingdom is central in our lives, I offer some spiritual considerations for all of us:

Prioritize God : We are called to make God the center of our lives and allow His will to guide our decisions; to seek Him in prayer, the sacraments, and in the Scriptures. Practice Detachment: Are there any possessions or habits that hinder our relationship with God. If so, pray for the grace to let go of anything that does not lead you closer to Him. Practice Sacrificial Love: Like those in the parables, embrace sacrificial love for God and others. Seek to love and serve God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself. Seek Wisdom: Like the merchant seeking fine pearls, cultivate a hunger for spiritual wisdom and understanding, always seeking to grow in faith and knowledge of God's ways.

May these parables inspire us to evaluate our priorities to be sure that the Kingdom of God is the ultimate treasure for us.

Welcome Home Fr. Tom!

I am very happy to welcome Fr. Tom McDermott to all of our Masses next weekend; he will be presiding at a couple of them and preaching at all four. We will be having a special collection for his ministry in Bangladesh. For those who do not know Fr. Tom, he is a son of CTK and a member of the Congregation of Holy Cross; you may better know the Congregation of Holy Cross as the religious community who founded the University of Notre Dame. While Fr. Tom comes home to CTK for a visit each summer, we take up a collection for his ministry every other year for the great work that he has done over the years throughout Africa and currently in Bangladesh.

Upcoming Eucharistic Congress

As part of the on-going Eucharistic Revival implemented by the bishops of the United States and in conjunction with the 100 ^th anniversary of the transfer of our diocesan see (seat) from Alton to Springfield, Bishop Paprocki has called for our diocese to celebrate a Eucharistic Congress. A Eucharistic Congress can be a diocesan or national event that is focused in some way on the gift and mystery of the Holy Eucharist in an effort to promote greater devotion to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Our congress is happening on Saturday, October 28 ^th , at the BOS Center in Springfield. Doors open at 10:30am. Dr. Scott Hahn is the keynote speaker for the day along with three other speakers who will give short talks. There will also be opportunities for Eucharistic adoration and celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The day will culminate with Mass with Bishop Paprocki and the clergy of the diocese at 4PM. The event is free, but admission is by ticket only. Our parish has been allotted 160 tickets. Registration for the day is made through our parish office with the deadline extended to September 15 ^th . Much more information can be found at dio.org/revival-bos .

Pilgrimage to Italy and the Vatican – June 2024

Over the past few years, with leading two pilgrimages to the Holy Land, I’ve been asked if I would offer a pilgrimage to Rome; so, I’ve put one together. Next year, June 9 ^th -20 ^th , I will lead a pilgrimage to Italy and the Holy See. For anyone interested, I will offer an informational meeting on Sunday, August 20 ^th , at 1:30PM in the parish center. Flyers for the trip are available in the parish office.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Weeds and Wheat" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 19:04:55 GMT

In this weekend’s Gospel, Jesus again gives us a parable concerning the produce of the fields; this time it is the story of the weeds among the wheat. The parable that our Lord preaches is grounded in real living 2,000 years ago.

Weeds and Wheat

In this weekend’s Gospel, Jesus again gives us a parable concerning the produce of the fields; this time it is the story of the weeds among the wheat. The parable that our Lord preaches is grounded in real living 2,000 years ago. There is a weed called darnel that was commonly found in wheat fields. The problem with darnel is two-fold: first, it is a weed that causes havoc by looking just like wheat until full maturity which mixed in with the crop and, second, when the wheat is finally harvested, the darnel must be separated out because it is toxic. Today this is done with machinery but, in Biblical times, it had to be done by hand and that was a very time-consuming process.

The same is true with evil and sin. All too often, sin and evil, like the darnel weed, disguise themselves to blend in among the good. Many times, we only finally recognize sin and evil for how they have embedded themselves in our lives or in society. However, with the grace of God, and some patience, we can extract the toxic things that do not belong in our lives and in our world so that they can remain clear and open fields for the good things of God. Both last Sunday’s and this Sunday’s Gospels remind us that we must be good stewards of our lives because our lives are the Lord’s fields.

The Importance of Self-Care

This past Wednesday marked a somewhat odd milestone for me: ten years since I suffered a heart attack at thirty-seven years old. I mention this to remind all of us that we are called to be good stewards of our own health and to not put off until tomorrow what we need to be doing today. I am very blessed that I had and continue to have great medical professionals to work with; thankfully, I am healthier in my late forties than I was in my late twenties, but that came from learning that only I could take care of myself (with the skill/assistance of others) and that no one could do it for me. Taking care of ourselves is an obligation before God as well as part of being responsible to each other. As you read this, know that there is only one of you and there will never be another. Take care of yourself in body, mind, and soul so that all of us can continue to play our part in God’s great design of building up the Kingdom until He calls each of us to Himself.

Grief Share

Theresa Hansen and I are again hosting grief share sessions. The group sessions are opportunities for assistance in dealing with grief as well as maybe getting some answers to questions of faith that can confront us in times of loss. It’s not too late to attend. Remaining sessions are Saturdays July 29 ^th and August 5 ^th at 10AM in the parish center. For more information, please contact the parish office.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"The Sower, the Seed, and Us" by Fr. Chris House

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 14:36:08 GMT

Living in central Illinois, you don’t have to be a farmer to know a little bit about agriculture. We all know that it takes more than dropping a seed on the ground and hope to have something come the harvest.

The Sower, the Seed, and Us

Living in central Illinois, you don’t have to be a farmer to know a little bit about agriculture. We all know that it takes more than dropping a seed on the ground and hope to have something come the harvest. It takes the seed, it takes good ground, water, sunlight, and other things to bring forth something good. It is the same with the Christian life and our Lord points that out to us in this Sunday’s Gospel with the parable of the sower, the seed, and the ground.

Agriculture 2,000 years ago was nothing like it is today. Crops that were grown were mostly done on a very small tract of land with only a few rows. Where Jesus is preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, there would have been a path along the shore with some rows of crops alongside of it in most places, thus people would have readily been able to understand the image of the hard path, the rocky ground, the shallow earth, and the good soil. When someone would plant seed, it was generally not a precise act but the seed was scattered liberally, landing on all types of ground with the hope being that the good swatches of land would receive it.

The parable is easy to understand, but putting into practice may have its challenges. The seed is the Word, not just what we find in Scripture, but God sending forth His will and a share in His divine life into the world and he does it generously. The challenge is receiving the gift of God that is sent out. While receiving the gift of God’s life and grace may be a passive act on our part, we must be active in making sure our lives are primed for receiving it; we must make sure that our lives are good ground ready to receive the good things of God that will in turn bring forth even more goodness and grace for our well-being, that of our neighbor, and for the glory of God.

Sometimes our lives become hardened because of sin or perhaps because of sorrows or hurts that we have faced. If that may be the case then let us seek the gentle rain of God’s love and mercy to soften that ground of our lives in order that we can receive the good things of God which our Lord really wants us to have.

Grief Share

I will again be assisting Theresa Hansen of our parish in hosting grief share sessions starting this month. The group sessions are opportunities for assistance in dealing with grief as well as maybe getting some answers to questions of faith that can confront us in times of loss. Grief support is done in three session modules quarterly, with this upcoming module running on Saturdays July 22 ^nd , 29 ^th , and August 5 ^th , at 10AM in the parish center. For more information please contact the parish office.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Mass Attendance and School Tuition – The New Family School Agreement" by Fr. Chris House

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 17:14:05 GMT

Since 2015, all families whose children attend a Catholic grade school in our diocese have signed what is called the “Family School Agreement” as part of their yearly registration. The core of the agreement is that all families understand that their children will be taught the fullness of the Catholic faith and, for Catholic families, that they are expected to worship at Sunday Mass as a matter of divine law.

Mass Attendance and School Tuition – The New Family School Agreement

Since 2015, all families whose children attend a Catholic grade school in our diocese have signed what is called the “Family School Agreement” as part of their yearly registration. The core of the agreement is that all families understand that their children will be taught the fullness of the Catholic faith and, for Catholic families, that they are expected to worship at Sunday Mass as a matter of divine law. It became apparent that some of the aspects of the Family School Agreement were not being achieved, namely Sunday Mass attendance, and that there was a need for accountability for families who identify as active parishioners and receive a significant scholarship from the parish. Every family who comes to CTK School receives a scholarship, with active parishioners receiving the largest scholarship; no one pays the full cost of education per student which is subsidized through the generosity of parishioners and through fundraising.

Multiple times over the last three years I have stated that I believe that the greatest pastoral challenge that our parish is facing is a lack of participation in parish life by most of our school families, particularly at Sunday Mass. Acknowledging this fact is in no way a moral judgement but an opportunity to invite all our parishioner school families to make Sunday Mass a priority. Last year Bishop Paprocki asked the pastors of the five Catholic grade schools in Springfield to formulate a new Family School Agreement.

The new agreement was the same as the old with two significant changes: first, the new agreement continues to call for school families to support the mission of the parish, but it does not quantify that support as the former agreement did. Second, we are moving to a new tuition structure with the categories of “Active Parishioner,” “Catholic Non-Parishioner/Inactive Parishioner,” and “Non-Catholic.” Nothing has changed in expectation for non-Catholic families, and they continue to be a welcome part of our school family; non-Catholic families also pay the highest tuition rate. The new Family School Agreement is being implemented in two phases: Mass attendance accountability began this past weekend, July 1, and follows the fiscal year thru June 30 ^th and the new tuition structure/categories will be implemented starting with the 2024/2025 school year.

The “Active Parishioner” and “Catholic Non-Parishioner/Inactive Parishioner” rates are new categories, and both are tied to accountability for attendance at Sunday Mass. It is a matter of divine law and a precept of the Church that Catholics worship at Mass every Sunday and holy day of obligation; the new Family School Agreement mandates that all who identify as active parishioners attend Mass 51% of the time in their home parish that is subsidizing their child(ren)’s tuition. This expectation understands that families travel and have other commitments but also challenges them to take an active role in the life of the parish. Parishioners from other parishes are to be held to the same accountability by their pastors; those families will be charged the same rate as non-Catholic families with the family being billed the active rate while their parish will be billed the residual amount. This is a significant step in parishes without schools helping the parishes with schools to educate their children so that the parishes that have schools will have a decreased financial burden. Those families who register as active parishioners but fail to attend Mass at CTK at least 51% of Sundays and holy days will be moved to the inactive parishioner rate. It is understood that some of our families may have special circumstances such as custody arrangements or other situations that may be a challenge to the 51% attendance expectation; I have invited those families multiple times to please speak with me.

How will we track accountability for participation at Sunday Mass? Each pastor can choose how accountability is to be measured. Our first plan was to use the Sunday envelope, but some people stated that they felt that was a “money grab.” Hearing that, I chose a new method for CTK with the use of a simple card to be filled out with the family name, the child(ren)’s name(s), and the date along with any prayer intentions they may have, to be given to one of the clergy after Mass by the children.

I know that some might see this new policy as punitive for those school families who are parishioners but choose to not participate at Mass on the weekend. Our school exists not to be a private alternative to public education, but it exists because of Jesus Christ and His call to make disciples of all the nations. If a Catholic school does not exist because of Jesus Christ, then it should not exist. I hope and pray that all our parishioner families choose to be active members of our parish, but if they choose not to be they will still be a welcomed part of the school and parish community, but they will not receive the same scholarship on tuition that active parish families receive. I firmly believe that this will be good for our families, our school, and our parish. As we implement this new program my only regret is that we did not do this sooner.

So, after Mass, if you see a line of kids heading for one of the clergy, you will know why. This is a short space to inform parishioners about this new program so if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Upcoming Eucharistic Congress" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 17:21:07 GMT

As part of the on-going Eucharistic Revival implemented by the bishops of the United States and in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the transfer of our diocesan see (seat) from Alton to Springfield, Bishop Paprocki has called for our diocese to celebrate a Eucharistic Congress.

Upcoming Eucharistic Congress

As part of the on-going Eucharistic Revival implemented by the bishops of the United States and in conjunction with the 100 ^th anniversary of the transfer of our diocesan see (seat) from Alton to Springfield, Bishop Paprocki has called for our diocese to celebrate a Eucharistic Congress. A Eucharistic Congress can be a diocesan or national event that is focused in some way on the gift and mystery of the Holy Eucharist in an effort to promote greater devotion to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Our congress is happening on Saturday, October 28 ^th , at the BOS Center in Springfield. Doors open at 10:30am. Dr. Scott Hahn is the keynote speaker for the day along with three other speakers who will give short talks. There will also be opportunities for Eucharistic adoration and celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The day will culminate with Mass with Bishop Paprocki and the clergy of the diocese at 4PM. The event is free, but admission is by ticket only. Our parish has been allotted 160 tickets. Registration for the day is made through our parish office with the deadline being August 1. Much more information can be found at dio.org/revival-bos with ongoing information also in the Catholic Times . It promises to be a great day; I hope you consider attending!

CTK’s 2023 Woman of Distinction

Each year the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women asks each pastor to nominate a woman to receive the DCCW’s “Woman of Distinction” award. I am happy to let you know that Mrs. Pam Fahey was our parish’s Woman of Distinction for this year. This past Friday, Pam officially retired as our school principal after nine years of service with distinction in that role. Please join me in congratulating Pam and thanking her for her outstanding service to our school and parish!

Thank you Garden Club and Facilities Staff

In spite of our on-going lack of rain, the parish grounds are still looking pretty good. My thanks to the Garden Club and our facilities staff for their continual efforts in keeping our parish grounds beautiful in spite of adverse summer weather.

Happy Independence Day

Blessings to everyone for a safe and happy 4 ^th of July weekend. Let us pray for our Republic, for its unity and sanctification, and for its people to heed the call to truly be one nation, under God. Mass on Independence Day, Tuesday July 4 ^th , will be at 8AM.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Answering the Prophetic Call" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 16:18:28 GMT

Among the prophets of the Old Testament, Jeremiah may stand out as the longest suffering of them all. Called at a young age (likely before he was able to fully grow a beard), Jeremiah was called by God to call the Kingdom of Judah back to righteous living before the Lord.

Answering the Prophetic Call

Among the prophets of the Old Testament, Jeremiah may stand out as the longest suffering of them all. Called at a young age (likely before he was able to fully grow a beard), Jeremiah was called by God to call the Kingdom of Judah back to righteous living before the Lord. Jeremiah found success with King Josiah early on but, following Josiah’s death, Judah fell back into idolatry and other practices contrary to the Lord.

In the nineteenth chapter of the Book of Jeremiah, God instructs Jeremiah to take a clay vessel and smash it before the leaders of Judah as a warning of what will happen if the people do not change their ways and return to the Lord. This causes one of many episodes of great suffering for Jeremiah at the hands of his own people. Judah does not heed the Lord’s warnings given through Jeremiah and Judah is crushed by Babylon, Jerusalem is sacked, and the Temple is destroyed. Jeremiah will find himself taken away as an old man to die in exile in Egypt. Did God punish Judah directly? An honest interpretation of the Scriptures would answer “no,” but Judah did have to suffer the consequences of their choices; poor political alliances, immoral living, and failure to heed the Lord’s warnings all led to Judah’s destruction and the Exile.

By virtue of our baptism, we are called to share in the three-fold ministry of Jesus as priest, prophet, and king; the prophetic ministry, the call to witness to God and to call people back to the Lord when they are on the wrong path is arguable the hardest of the three ministries to fulfill. In fulfilling this role of witnessing to God’s ways over the world’s ways, we will be rejected at times by the world, acquaintances, friends, and even family members. The Gospel this Sunday reminds us, however, that God sees everything, including the suffering witness of those who remain faithful to Him and to His Word. May the Lord grant us the grace to choose Him at all times, even at the cost of rejection from those we love.

Second Collections

Beginning July 1, while we will still be taking up second collections, we will begin only using one basket for offerings on the weekends. Please continue to use the particular envelope for second collections and your offering will go to the place of your intention. In the event of unplanned collections, such as in the event of natural disasters, a second basket will be used.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"God’s Unrelenting Mercy" by Fr. Chris House

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 17:44:33 GMT

This Sunday’s first reading from the Book of Exodus is at the heart of what the people were called to remember. This section of Exodus lays out God’s desire for a covenant with His people and how He gives them the law as a way to safeguard them in keeping that covenant. Again, it is God, not the people, who seeks the covenant. Just the same, it is God who is always seeking us.

God’s Unrelenting Mercy

Last Sunday on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ (Corpus Christi), we heard from the Book of Deuteronomy in the first reading. There, at the end of his life, Moses instructed the Chosen People to remember all that God had done for them so that they would remain faithful to the Lord. This Sunday’s first reading from the Book of Exodus is at the heart of what the people were called to remember. This section of Exodus lays out God’s desire for a covenant with His people and how He gives them the law as a way to safeguard them in keeping that covenant. Again, it is God, not the people, who seeks the covenant. Just the same, it is God who is always seeking us.

In the second reading, St. Paul extols the greatness of God’s love for us in that, though we are sinners, Jesus Christ still gave his live for us out of compassion for our sinfulness which Paul understands as a perpetual weakness or flaw in our human condition: the result of original sin. It is clear in Paul’s writings that right relationship with God is only achieved through the reconciliation won for us in Jesus; it cannot be achieved in any way on the part of humanity. Again, knowing our weakness and our need, God does not fail to act for our good.

What is our response to be to the goodness of God? Our answer to the question is found in this Sunday’s Gospel passage from Matthew. Matthew records for us that Jesus sees the crowd, knows their brokenness, and that he is moved by the experience. He sends his Apostles out to further his work of reconciliation. This commission that the Apostles received is for us too. We are called to be agents of the Lord’s love, mercy, compassion, and reconciliation. The commission is stated plainly by the Lord at the end of this Sunday’s Gospel: “without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” If we have truly come to know that goodness and mercy of God in our lives, we must then allow the Holy Spirit to use us as agents of reconciliation in the world.

Father’s Day

A happy Father’s Day to all those men who fulfill the role of a father in someone’s life. Fulfilling that role is a special vocation from God; may all who have received it, in the many varied ways in which is comes, have the needed grace from the Lord to fulfill that sacred duty. May all those fathers who have gone before us in faith know the goodness and mercy of God in heaven.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Corpus Christi" by Fr. Chris House

Sat, 10 Jun 2023 15:36:13 GMT

This weekend we celebrate the feast formally titled the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, but popularly known as Corpus Christi. Every time the Church gathers to celebrate the Mass, the Eucharist, which is the body, blood, soul, and divinity of our Lord, is at the center of our worship.

Corpus Christi

May we have the same grace that Flannery O’Connor did to recognize just how vital the Eucharist is for us. As the Church understands it, the Third of the Ten Commandments imposes an obligation on participating in Sunday Mass; the Eucharist should be incentive enough. The Eucharist has been the strength of martyrs, it has comforted the faithful over the centuries in the face of adversity, it is the source and summit of our life of faith, and the remedy for our mortality that will lead us to everlasting life. May we always approach the altar to receive this most precious gift with worthy hearts and lives.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"A Promise Made and Kept" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 26 May 2023 19:11:36 GMT

Following the Lord’s Ascension into heaven, the Apostles were gathered once again in the Upper Room where the Lord had instituted both the Eucharist and the Priesthood at the Last Supper. It was also the place where He first appeared to them following the Resurrection. Tradition tells us that the Apostles were not alone on this particular day and that Mary, the Mother of the Lord, was with them.

A Promise Made and Kept

Today, we, the living stones of the Church, claimed by Christ in Baptism and anointed with the Holy Spirit through Confirmation, are called to carry on this mission given to the Apostles some 2,000 years ago. We who profess the name of Christ are His disciples because we have come to believe in Him, but our discipleship must be transformed into apostleship. The word apostle means “one who is sent.” The Apostles were the first to be sent and we are called to continue their mission. On this Pentecost Sunday and always, let us open our hearts to the gift of the Holy Spirit who continues to guide the Church. Let us cooperate with the grace of the Spirit that seeks to make us witnesses of the crucified and risen Lord so that, through our lives, others may come to know and believe in the Lord Jesus and accept His gift of salvation.

Memorial Day Mass

Memorial Day is a sacred day for our nation when we remember those women and men who gave their lives in military service for our republic. Mass on Memorial Day will be at 8:00AM.

Priests Out

On Monday I will be heading out with 40+ pilgrims for Israel, Jordan, and Egypt. I will be back in the parish on Sunday, June 10. While I am gone, Fr. Wayne will also be out due to previously scheduled commitment before he was assigned to CTK. Both of us priests will be away May 30 ^th /31 ^st and the following week June 5 ^th thru 9 ^th ; Fr. Wayne will be on the annual priests’ retreat that week. Deacon Scott will offer Communion services those days and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and benediction will still happen on Wednesdays. The parish office will be open on those days and will be able to assist should any emergency needs arise.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead,

Father Chris House

"What the Lord’s Ascension Means for Us" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 19 May 2023 17:10:02 GMT

We are fast approaching the end of the Easter season. It was seven weeks ago that we celebrated the joy of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday and now the Church celebrates the first of two key events in our life of faith: this Sunday with the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord into heaven and the second being Pentecost next Sunday.

What the Lord’s Ascension Means for Us

We are fast approaching the end of the Easter season. It was seven weeks ago that we celebrated the joy of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday and now the Church celebrates the first of two key events in our life of faith: this Sunday with the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord into heaven and the second being Pentecost next Sunday. Acts tells us that Jesus, having revealed his risen glory to his disciples after the Resurrection, returned to his place with the Father in heaven forty days following his resurrection. What does this mean for us some two thousand years later?

The Lord’s Ascension into heaven is the fulfillment of his mission to achieve our salvation; we might use the phrase that he has come “full circle” in his return to the Father. However, there is a marvelous new reality that makes all the difference for us. In his return to the Father, Jesus takes with him our human nature. When he first descended from the Father in the Incarnation, Jesus joined his divinity to our humanity in a bond that was made inseparable in the Resurrection. Jesus’s humanity was and remains real. It was not something that was an illusion nor was it discarded when his earthly ministry was completed. Jesus retains his glorified human nature beyond the boundaries of space and time in heaven. This fact points to the coming reality of the Resurrection of the Just on the last day when not just the soul but also the body will be fully redeemed and the two realities reunited forever in heaven.

Let us not forget the command of the Lord Jesus from Matthew’s Gospel today: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” This great feast of the Ascension reminds us that the Lord Jesus has done his part and, now, we must do ours. We must continue the proclamation of the Kingdom both in word and action. Every aspect of our lives is to point to Christ, crucified and risen, who will come again in glory. Until that day, we, as his disciples, must be about the work of the building up of the Kingdom of God. We cannot be like the disciples following the Ascension simply “standing there and looking at the sky.” The Lord’s Ascension calls us to be a people of action, proclaiming Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of sins and the coming of the Kingdom here and now.

The Lord’s Ascension does not mean that his work on our behalf is over. From his place at the Father’s right hand, the Lord Jesus continues his mission as our intercessor, as the one who continually pleads our cause to the Father. Jesus’s return to heaven also stands as a sign of hope for us that where he has gone we also may follow. We are reminded of both of these truths in the Preface of the Mass for the Ascension in which in the Church prays: “Mediator between God and man, judge of the world and Lord of hosts, he ascended, not to distance himself from our lowly state but that we, his members, might be confident of following where he, our Head and Founder, has gone before.” We are also reminded of the Lord’s abiding presence with us in today’s Gospel, which hopefully strengthens our hope in these on-going pandemic days: “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

CTK Cougars at State for Track

Congratulations to McKenzie Doe, III who took 1 ^st place in both 8 ^th grade boys’ Hurdles and High Jump and congratulations to Abigail Gossett who took 2 ^nd place in 7 ^th grade girls’ 100 Meter Dash and 6th place in the 200 Meter Dash. Congratulations to all of our athletes for a great showing at State!

School’s Out – Congratulations Class of 2023 – Thank you Mrs. Fahey

It was a whirlwind of a week. This past Tuesday we celebrated the graduation of the CTK Class of 2023 and Friday saw the last day of the 2022/2023 school year. Congratulations to our graduates and best wishes for a great summer to all of our students and to our faculty & staff. Finally, this week many have offered tributes to Mrs. Pam Fahey and I would like to offer a special word of thanks to her as she is finishing her last year as principal of our school. I have spoken previously of the excellent job that she has done and how blessed we have been to have her at the helm as principal. In summation, I will simply say this: Pam Fahey has made a difference for children and, in doing so, she has made a difference for our parish, for our community, and for our world. Thank you Mrs. Fahey. Enjoy your retirement and may God bless you abundantly! We will see you in church.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Choosing Jesus - Choosing Our Good" by Fr. Chris House

Thu, 11 May 2023 17:22:43 GMT

Has anyone ever made a request of you by beginning with the caveat “if you love me?”

Choosing Jesus - Choosing Our Good

Has anyone ever made a request of you by beginning with the caveat “if you love me?” Prefacing a request like this seems to be a form of emotional manipulation or a form of demand. I have had it done to me before and I really do not care for that approach, yet in this Sunday’s Gospel we hear Jesus doing exactly that.

Jesus gets a pass here, not just because of who He is, but because it becomes clear why He uses this turn of phrase when you understand what the statement entails. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Honestly, how can we argue with that? Many times when people preface a request with “if you love me” it is because they are preparing to ask for something beyond a reasonable or agreeable request. Can we make an argument against what Jesus is asking? For the disciple, the only answer is no.

The answer is no because there is nothing unreasonable in the Lord’s request. There is nothing in the commandments that is contrary to our personal well-being. There is nothing in the commandments that will adversely affect us by our being faithful to what is asked. Here is our problem: many times we have a false notion of what is truly good; at times we want what is contrary to our ultimate good because sin has darkened our intellect and disordered our passions and appetites. Our ultimate good is in receiving God’s free gift of salvation. God wants that good for us and assists us with His grace to be able to receive that good. However, we have to want that good as well, and not act in ways contrary to it or in ways that will result only in obstacles to our receiving it.

This brings us to another aspect of Sunday’s Gospel: the promise of the Advocate. As Ascension and Pentecost approach, we are reminded that the Holy Spirit is the on-going gift of God’s presence with the Church, collectively and individually. It is the Spirit who seeks to cast light on our darkened intellect and passions so that we can see our choices for what they are; either a help or a detriment in deepening our relationship with God and keeping our focus on the things of heaven.

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments,” the Lord says to us. Dovetailing on that we could also say “if you love yourself, you will keep His commandments,” since keeping the commandments will lead us to eternal life. Loving God and keeping His commandments may seem to involve sacrifices but what are we really giving up? If anything is contrary to God then it is also contrary to our own good.

May the Holy Spirit, the promised Advocate, continue to shine God’s light on our choices so that we may see the good and choose it daily. In choosing the good, we are choosing God and His promise of life with Him forever in heaven.

Happy Mother’s Day

To all ladies who fulfill the sacred role of “mom” either by the birth or adoption of a child or by fulfilling that role in a different way in someone’s life, may the Lord bless you abundantly in your vocation. And for all the moms who have gone before us in faith, my they know light, joy, and peace forever in heaven.

Thank You Teachers!

This past week was Teacher Appreciation Week and, as we approach the end of the school year this coming Friday, we are preparing to end it well thanks to the dedication of our teaching staff. If you want to know why our school is so strong, it’s because of our teachers and all our staff that are dedicated to its mission and the children we serve. I wish to especially thank Mrs. Fahey, our principal, as she prepares for her retirement. Her dedication and hard work has been foundational to the renewed strength and vigor of our school. Please join me in thanking our Lord for Mrs. Fahey, for all of our teachers, and for all of our staff who have dedicated themselves to the mission of Christ the King School.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Forward in Faith and Hope" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 05 May 2023 16:06:16 GMT

For this Fifth Sunday of Easter this year, the Church provides for us a selection from the Gospels that takes us back to the night before Jesus died. These passages that are presented to us are from the fourteenth chapter of John’s Gospel, a section known as the Last Discourse.

For this Fifth Sunday of Easter this year, the Church provides for us a selection from the Gospels that takes us back to the night before Jesus died. These passages that are presented to us are from the fourteenth chapter of John’s Gospel, a section known as the Last Discourse. Jesus would have been speaking in a way that would have bewildered the disciples; they would most likely have been perplexed and confused, as we hear from Thomas’s question. Little did the disciples know that in a matter of hours their lives were “going to fall in” as one commentator puts it. They would find themselves turned upside down in chaos and uncertainty.

The Scriptures are timeless. We must never forget that the word of God is as apropos for us today as it was in the days when it was first heard/lived. Most of us can relate to the unfolding drama recorded for us by John; we know that we can be going about our lives and suddenly, and without warning, something drastically changes. At times we may want to put God to the test. We don’t want to have to rely on faith alone. Like Philip who says to Jesus “show us the Father and that will be enough for us,” we might be tempted to say “just manifest your power or glory in some undeniable way, Lord, and we will believe.” We do not need to ask God to reveal Himself in such ways since He is always present, in good times and in bad times; it is up to us to recognize Him.

Being able to see and feel God present around us is vital to our moving forward in our lives because moving forward almost always involves some degree of uncertainty; sometimes it may also have some apprehension or fear for as it did for Thomas in the Gospel. As we look forward to the days ahead, with a desire to return to some normalcy, if we are able to see God in our midst, then we can look forward in hope, even if the path and the details are unclear. St. Paul teaches us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever; so is His love, His mercy, and His presence among us. Find Him present in your life so that you can always move forward in faith and hope.

Spring Musical - Congratulations

Last weekend our school presented its annual Spring musical, this year “High School Musical Jr.” It was a wonderful success! I wish to thank all of our students, school staff, and the many volunteers who put several months of practice and work into a fun production for our parish community and beyond.

The Order of Lincoln – Congratulations

Created in 1964, the Order of Lincoln is the highest honor bestowed by the State of Illinois on any individual. I want to congratulate our fellow parishioner Karen Hasara on receiving that honor last weekend. The following was posted on the State of Illinois’s website about Karen: Illinois State Representative and Senator, two-term mayor of Springfield, and teacher. A lifelong Springfield resident, Hasara's public service career has spanned 40 years and she became the first and only female mayor of her hometown. Hasara continues to advocate for women, the community, Illinois, and global relations . Chicago native Wilton Cardinal Gregory, Archbishop of Washington D.C., was also awarded the same honor; I hope His Eminence knew that he was fortunate to be in such good company with Karen.

Men’s Club Golf Outing

Thank you to our Men’s Club for another great golf outing this year and for their on-going generosity and service to our parish and school! It was a bit cooler and breezier than it was the past few years but it was still a great day.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"The Path to True Freedom" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 18:15:48 GMT

When I was in eighth grade (1989/1990), I saw the movie The Shoes of the Fisherman for the first time; it has since become one of my favorites.

When I was in eighth grade (1989/1990), I saw the movie The Shoes of the Fisherman for the first time; it has since become one of my favorites. The 1968 movie stars Anthony Quinn as a Ukrainian archbishop named Kiril Lakota who is imprisoned in a Siberian labor camp by the Soviet government. The movie begins with Lakota being brought to Moscow and face to face with Soviet Premier Kamenev, played by Sir Laurence Olivier. The crux of the meeting is that the Vatican has brokered a deal for Lakota’s freedom, but before Lakota finds this out, Kamenev asks Lakota if he has learned enough in his confinement to face freedom. Lakota responds that he has already been free for a long time, obviously referring to a spiritual freedom over physical freedom. True freedom is not about the things of this world, nor is true freedom something that this world can give us.

The Fourth Sunday of Easter is traditionally nicknamed “Good Shepherd Sunday” because, you guessed it, the Gospel for this Sunday always speaks of Jesus being the Good Shepherd. When I envision a shepherd, two main qualities come to mind: one who protects and one who leads. The Lord Jesus seeks to do both for us. He offers us grace upon grace to aid us in the struggle against evil, sin, and temptation. The challenge for us is to open up and direct our lives to receiving these graces from the Lord. When we do, not only will we have divine aid in our struggle against sin and temptation but we will also find ourselves being led more and more to detachment from the world, and detachment leads us to true freedom in Christ.

It is good for us to regularly ask ourselves how attached are we to the world and to those things that belong to it? Are the world and the things of it bad in and of themselves? No. However, if we seek to attach ourselves to the things of heaven and the life of grace then we will experience greater inner freedom in our lives, the freedom that Lakota knew in The Shoes of the Fisherman . Let us ask the Lord Jesus, our Good Shepherd, to lead us to greater detachment; the grace of detachment leads to greater happiness and peace. Should you achieve perfect detachment, please let me know how, because I am still trying.

Congratulations to Our Fully Initiated Students!

This past Tuesday our 3 ^rd graders were confirmed by and received their First Holy Communion from Bishop Paprocki at our Cathedral. Please join me in praying that our Confirmati and First Communicants will always allow the Lord Jesus to draw them deeper and deeper into the mystery of His love for them. Next Sunday, May 7 ^th , we will celebrate their full initiation with a Solemn Communion at the 10AM Mass.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Walking Towards or Running From?" by Fr. Chris House

Sat, 22 Apr 2023 13:06:58 GMT

On this Third Sunday of Easter, the Gospel keeps us again at that first Easter Sunday, this time placing us on the road to Emmaus.

Walking Towards or Running From?

On this Third Sunday of Easter, the Gospel keeps us again at that first Easter Sunday, this time placing us on the road to Emmaus. We know nothing more about Emmaus other than what St. Luke’s Gospel tells us: it was supposedly a town about seven miles outside of Jerusalem.

I am sure that most of us are familiar with story. Two disciples are walking to Emmaus. It is Sunday, two days after the Crucifixion. These disciples are heartbroken following Good Friday. Their world is further turned upside down because they have heard that Jesus has been raised from the dead. All of this they tell to the stranger who draws near to them on their journey and walks with them. The one who walks with them is no stranger, it is the Lord, but these two disciples are not able to recognize him.

There are different interpretations of this story. A more ancient one says that the disciples were walking into the sunset and their vision was obscured. While the setting sun may have obscured their sight, what prevented them from seeing Jesus was likely either their grief or disappoint that maybe Jesus wasn’t who they were hoping him to be. As these disciples pour their hearts out to Jesus, He in turn helps them to make sense of all that has happened, putting them back on the road to right spiritual vision which will be fully restored for them later that evening in the breaking of the bread.

Another interpretation of this story is that “Emmaus” did not actually exist and that these disciples were on the road to nowhere. Fleeing Jerusalem, confused by all that had happened and further confounded by news of the Resurrection, they attempt to just get away from everything and everyone, but Jesus draws near to them and sends them back to where they need to be.

The same can be true with us. Life has a way of overwhelming us at times, making us want to run or not allowing us to see things or people clearly for what/who they are; this can also happen in our relationship with the Lord. Just like with these disciples, Jesus is near to each and every one of us, whether we recognize Him or not. As disciples, we must accept that this life will not always make sense, but we are invited to place our frustrations, our brokenness, our grief, our fears, and our “whys” into the Lord’s hands, trusting in His goodness.

New Principal for CTK School

I am happy to let you know that Mrs. Fahey’s successor as principal of Christ the King School has been chosen. Beginning July 1 ^st of this year, Mrs. Jill Seaton will be our next principal. Currently, Mrs. Seaton is CEO/Executive Director of the YMCA in Streator, IL as well as the IT Coordinator for St. Michael the Archangel Parish and School in Streator. Mrs. Seaton also has eleven years of teaching experience in Catholic schools.

Springfield native, Mrs. Seaton (nee Rosa) was a member of the Church of the Little Flower in Springfield and graduated from Little Flower School. She attended Sacred Heart-Griffin High School for two years before her family moved to Bloomington. She is a graduate of St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and Benedictine University.

Mrs. Seaton and her husband, Matt, have six children, and the family will be moving to Springfield early this summer. I was able to join Mrs. Seaton and her family on a tour of our school and I had a very enjoyable time with them. I am excited to welcome them to our parish/school family.

I want to again express my gratitude to Mrs. Pam Fahey for her outstanding leadership as our principal since 2014. I also want to thank the search committee for their help and dedication to this process over the past three months.

Wishing you and yours peace in the Risen Lord for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"The Wounds of the Risen Jesus" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 14:53:19 GMT

This Sunday concludes the Octave of Easter. An octave is a celebration of eight days in the Church and each day is honored liturgically in the same way as the day in which the octave began, in this case Easter Sunday.

The Wounds of the Risen Jesus

The Gospel for this weekend, the Second of Sunday of Easter, is popularly known as the Gospel of Doubting Thomas. Here our Lord appears to Thomas, and the other ten Apostles, and invites Thomas to see and probe his wounds so that Thomas might believe that the Lord is truly risen and that he is who he says he is. While the Lord’s body has been changed and glorified, the wounds from his crucifixion remain. Theologians have marveled over this reality for 2,000 years and posed various reasons as to why. As in the case of St. Thomas the Apostle, the wounds identify the Lord for who he is, and they also tell us what death is not; death is no longer an eternal reality for those who live and die in God’s friendship. The marks of the Lord’s death remain, but death has no power over him, and through him neither over us. St. Leo the great says it more eloquently in a homily on the Lord’s Passion: He did away with the everlasting character of death so as to make death a thing of time, not of eternity .

Divine Mercy Holy Hour - Cathedral

This Sunday in the Church is also known as Divine Mercy Sunday. In visits to St. Faustina, a Polish nun, our Lord stated that He wished that the gift of his divine mercy be celebrated on the Second Sunday of Easter as the “Feast of Mercy.” In honor of Divine Mercy Sunday, our Cathedral is hosting a city-wide holy hour with veneration of the image of our Lord, confessions, and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 2PM-3PM this Sunday, April 16 ^th .

Thank You!

I wish to thank all those who helped with our liturgical celebrations during Holy Week. Thank you to our readers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, ushers & greeters, servers, those who beautified the church environment, our facilities crew who moved many chairs and did a lot of cleaning, and to all our singers and musicians for the tremendous work that they put into our Holy Week liturgies. We had some truly wonderful liturgies for Holy Week which I believe offered fitting worship in thanksgiving to our God for his goodness; I hope that you found our celebrations spiritually rich and enjoyable too.

Blessings of Easter joy & peace to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"The Empty Tomb’s Promise" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 18:01:13 GMT

I wonder what those holy women were feeling early in the morning on that first day of the week, as the Scriptures teach us, when Mary Magdalene and the others came to the tomb only to find it void of the one whom they sought, when in their amazement they were told : do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said (Matthew 28:5-6) .

The Empty Tomb’s Promise

I wonder what those holy women were feeling early in the morning on that first day of the week, as the Scriptures teach us, when Mary Magdalene and the others came to the tomb only to find it void of the one whom they sought, when in their amazement they were told : do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said (Matthew 28:5-6) . Those holy women were the first to receive the good news that has forever changed the course of human history and the meaning of our shared human experience.

On this Easter day, the mysteries of the cross and the empty tomb loom large, but the two truly form one mystery because their meanings are not fully realized apart from each other. Without the empty tomb, the cross stands only as a monument to brutality; without the cross, there can be no empty tomb. It is the same for us in our lives. We carry the burden of our crosses, but faith teaches us that these crosses are not ends in themselves when we unite them with the Cross of the Lord Jesus; no cross comes without the promise of resurrection.

The resurrection moments of our lives are made all the sweeter because of the sacrifices and hardships that have preceded them. In the end, having borne the trials of this life and having persevered in faith, the joy of everlasting life will be unlike anything that we can imagine now. Until then, the empty tomb stands as an invitation to hope in the Lord’s promise to us and all who live and die in his friendship.

On behalf of Father Clint, Deacon Scott, Mrs. Pam Fahey and all the parish and school staff, I wish you and yours a Blessed and Happy Easter!

Father Chris House

"My God, why have you abandoned me?" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 22:52:10 GMT

This year’s liturgical reading cycle focuses on Matthew’s Gospel, thus the Passion Narrative that is presented to us this Palm Sunday. Matthew, like Luke, relies heavily on Mark’s Gospel. Luke’s Passion Narrative, however, has a different feel than Mark’s narrative.

My God, why have you abandoned me?

This year’s liturgical reading cycle focuses on Matthew’s Gospel, thus the Passion Narrative that is presented to us this Palm Sunday. Matthew, like Luke, relies heavily on Mark’s Gospel. Luke’s Passion Narrative, however, has a different feel than Mark’s narrative. Luke’s narrative shows us a Jesus who ministers to those around Him to the very end; as grim as the narrative is, it is immersed with compassion and light. That is not the same feeling that is elicited from Matthew’s Passion Narrative. Like Mark’s narrative, from which Matthew greatly draws, Matthew’s narrative is dark with a sense of swirling and impending doom around Jesus. Towards the end of Matthew’s narrative, he records the Lord crying out in the words of Psalm 22: My God, my God, why have you abandoned me (Ps 22: 2)?

The Church prays this Psalm every year on Palm Sunday, no matter whether the Passion Narrative is from Matthew, Mark, or Luke. What we hear every year is the beginning of the Psalm; we do not hear the whole Psalm; we do not hear how it ends. The same is true with the Passion Narrative; we hear the beginning of the culmination of the Paschal Mystery but we have to wait a week to hear how it ends, even though we know how it ends.

If you read the whole of Psalm 22, you will find that the prayer turns from one of fear and the sense of anxious abandonment to a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. Psalm 22 has four parts and the turn happens with the beginning of part three. Part two ends with the verses: deliver my soul from the sword, my life from the grip of the dog. Save me from the lion’s mouth, my poor life from the horns of wild bulls (vv 21-22). And then shorty after, in verse 25, the Psalmist prays: For he has not spurned or disdained the misery of this poor wretch, did not turn away from me, but heard me when I cried out . Ultimately, Psalm 22 becomes a prayer of praise to God who hears the cries of His faithful and comes to them in their need.

Men and women far more learned in the Scriptures than I am will argue over what the context was when Jesus made the prayer of Psalm 22 His own. We face enemies, challenges, and perils that are real, but God is just as real and so is His power to save. Cast your cares, your fears, and your anxieties on the Lord. He will hear you and respond with the fullness of His grace. With the end of the Passion Narratives, we are not in suspense since we know how the story ends; the ultimate victory belongs to God and to those who place their hope in Him.

Thank you!

I wish to thank everyone who helped put together, steer, donated to, helped, bid, and so much more for the success of this year’s school auction. While the numbers are still being crunched, it may turn out to be the most successful yet. Thank you!

A belated Happy Birthday!

Deacon Scott celebrated his birthday two Sundays ago. Please join me in offering a prayer of thanks to our Lord for Deacon Scott’s ministry among us as well as asking the Lord to bless him abundantly.

Blessings to you and yours this Holy Week! Please make plans to walk with the Lord Jesus through the varying celebrations this week. This week’s schedule is in the bulletin.

Father Chris House

"Answering the Call" by Fr. Chris House

Sat, 25 Mar 2023 14:41:33 GMT

Next Sunday, Jesus’s ministry reaches its earthly climax with the triumphal entry into Jerusalem marking the beginning of Holy Week. Today’s Gospel, as recorded by St. John, provides an impetus for the fervor of the crowd as Jesus performs arguably his greatest sign in raising Lazarus from the dead.

Answering the Call

Next Sunday, Jesus’s ministry reaches its earthly climax with the triumphal entry into Jerusalem marking the beginning of Holy Week. Today’s Gospel, as recorded by St. John, provides an impetus for the fervor of the crowd as Jesus performs arguably his greatest sign in raising Lazarus from the dead. This Gospel stands out as a beautiful demonstration of the reality of Jesus Christ being both God and man.

Jesus comes to Bethany at the request of his friends. Martha and Mary have sent Him word that Lazarus their brother is gravely ill. Jesus comes to Bethany, though later than Martha and Mary had hoped for, and finds that Lazarus is dead; in fact, he has been buried for four days. At the reality of Lazarus’s death and the grief of Martha and Mary, John records for us that Jesus weeps. This is a detail that we cannot simply pass over. It is important for us to see that Jesus truly did assume our human nature and that, like us, he was affected by the tragedies and sorrows of life.

Here we see how wondrously our shared human nature is joined in Jesus with his divinity. Jesus comes to Lazarus’s tomb and, over protestations, asks that the stone be rolled away. In what must have been an astonishing moment, Jesus then calls Lazarus forth from the darkness of the tomb back to life, showing that He truly is the Lord of life. In these late Lenten days, as we enter into Passiontide, we need to remember that Jesus Christ shares in our human trials and at the same time offers us the grace to be lifted above them. Jesus is no stranger to frustration, disappointment, uncertainty, and even fear. He truly is one with us in all things but sin. At the same time, He is the God who is calling us out of darkness and beyond our fears into light and hope.

Entering Passiontide

This Sunday marks a turn in our Lenten journey; with the coming of the Fifth Sunday of Lent we now enter into the second part of this penitential season known as Passiontide. This time is marked by our use of the custom of veiling images in the Church, which not only mark a liturgical shift but also invites us to sharpen our focus. While the custom predates the reforms following Vatican II, when the Gospel for this Sunday (John, chapter 8) mentioned Jesus hiding himself from the crowds, the covering of these images, this “deprivation” of our sense of sight is meant to heighten our listening to the Word of God which will focus on our Lord’s impending passion, death, and resurrection.

Make Plans for Holy Week

I want to invite you to prayerfully consider participating in all of the celebrations of Holy Week. The celebration of Easter (Masses at 8:00AM and 10:00AM) has a completely different feel when it is preceded by the celebrations of Holy Thursday (5:30PM) and Good Friday (5:30PM). If you have never been to the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday (8:00PM), please consider doing so. This year we have the joy of being able to welcome Linda into the fullness of the faith through the reception of the Easter Sacraments. On Tuesday of Holy Week, at 6:30PM, Bishop Paprocki will celebrate the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral when the Holy Oils will be blessed and consecrated, and when the priests of the diocese will renew their priestly commitment. This is another beautiful Mass that I invite you to consider attending.

On a final note, the Wednesday evening Stations of the Cross during Holy Week (April 5th, 5:30PM) will be the living Stations offered by our grade school students. All are welcome!

An Unexpected Absence

I am away from CTK this weekend, out of state actually, for the funeral of the mom of one of my best friends; I’ll be back in the parish late Sunday. Janet was a wonderful lady and I’m honored to be able to celebrate her funeral Mass. Janet was a tremendous nurse and from her home in Florida she actually took charge of my care when I had COVID back in its first year, checking in with me constantly during those days.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Refusing to See" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 23:47:47 GMT

After the Passion Narratives in the four Gospels, this Sunday’s Gospel from John of the healing of the man born blind is both the longest and probably the most action-packed of all Gospel passages proclaimed at Mass.

Refusing to See

After the Passion Narratives in the four Gospels, this Sunday’s Gospel from John of the healing of the man born blind is both the longest and probably the most action-packed of all Gospel passages proclaimed at Mass. This passage is made up of rapid movement and interchanges between the Lord and His disciples, the Lord and the man born blind, the man once healed being interrogated by the Scribes and Pharisees, then the Scribes and Pharisees interrogate the man’s parents followed by a second interrogation of him, Jesus’s encounter with the man, and finally Jesus’s rebuke of the Scribes and Pharisees. What becomes clear in these interchanges is that there are two simultaneous journeys happening: one is moving towards the Light and one is moving away from the Light.

The man whom Jesus heals is said to have been blind from birth. The disciples assume, as was normative for the time, that his blindness was the result of sin, perhaps that of the man’s parents. The Lord tells them that his blindness is so that the glory of God might be revealed. This points to an interesting aspect of John’s Gospel. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus’s miracles are always noted as the result of Jesus being moved with compassion for someone or for a group; in John, the signs that Jesus performs are not due to his compassion (which surely was not lacking), but to show the glory of God.

Another fascinating aspect of this passage is that Jesus is not the main actor. He is the one who animates the scene by healing the man, but we see the man himself as the central evangelist. The man does not know who Jesus is, but he knows that Jesus must be of God because of what Jesus has done for him. Despite the bullying and intimidation visited on him by the Scribes and the Pharisees, the man only becomes more persistent in wanting to know more about the man who healed him. Greater than the opening of the man’s eyes, is that his heart is opened to a new experience of faith. He professes his faith in Jesus and becomes the Lord’s disciple. He begins to walk by the light that is Jesus.

While the man journeys closer and closer to the light that is the Lord Jesus, we see the Scribes and the Pharisees going in the opposite direction. They are comfortable and safe with a belief that God only works within specific parameters, only within the dictates of the law given by the Lord through Moses. They cannot accept that while God may choose to bind Himself to the law, He is never bound by the law. The law is given to lift people up to God, to help them on the journey to Him; but the Scribes and the Pharisees all too often saw the law as an end unto itself and thus made it an idol. The law is good, but God is also able to bring about good beyond it. Ultimately, the Scribes and the Pharisees see Jesus as a threat. They choose to blind themselves to the manifestation of the power of God in Jesus’s actions because to accept the truth of Jesus’s actions will mean that they must change, and they simply are not willing to do so.

Do we fall into the same traps at times? In our heart of hearts, do we at times know the truth that God is seeking to convey in our lives, but we find it easier to “turn a blind eye” rather that acknowledging that maybe we are holding on to something that is contrary to God’s will or what God is asking of us? May the Lord heal us of any spiritual blindness and grant us the grace to not be afraid to see life by His light and to walk in his ways.

Prayers for Pope Francis

Last Monday marked ten years since our Holy Father Pope Francis was elected to the Papacy. Let us pray that the Lord will bless him with every grace needed to fulfill his ministry as successor of St. Peter and head of the Church on earth.

Good St. Joseph

The Solemnity of St. Joseph is celebrated annually on March 19 ^th , but the feast is transferred to March 20 ^th this year because of the 19 ^th being the Fourth Sunday of Lent. Nothing that St. Joseph ever said is recorded in the Scriptures, but his fidelity to God in his actions is remembered in God’s word. St. Joseph is the patron and protector of the Universal Church; may he intercede for us that we may be faithful to God each day in thought, word, and deed.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"The Well of Mercy" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 21:47:28 GMT

This past May I marked twenty years as a priest and half of those years were spent at our Cathedral in two different assignments. When I was there the first time around, I was serving as the diocesan Master of Ceremonies and one of the highlights of my time as the mc was being tasked with overseeing the dedication of the Cathedral after its fifteen-month renewal project.

The Well of Mercy

This past May I marked twenty years as a priest and half of those years were spent at our Cathedral in two different assignments. When I was there the first time around, I was serving as the diocesan Master of Ceremonies and one of the highlights of my time as the mc was being tasked with overseeing the dedication of the Cathedral after its fifteen-month renewal project. This was the first dedication of a church that I oversaw and the fact that it was the Cathedral made it very special and also very nerve-racking. There are wonderful prayers and ritual actions that make up the Rite of Dedication that in turn make for a beautiful celebration. The central prayer of the rite is the actual prayer of dedication. In studying the text of the prayer, I remember being struck by one specific line in it: here, may the waters of Baptism overwhelm the shame of sin .

This Third Sunday of Lent presents us with the story of the Woman at the Well as recorded in St. John’s Gospel. The story is rich in details that should not go unnoticed. The disciples have gone into the town to buy food. Jesus remains, alone, at this well to rest. It is an odd place to rest being that it is noon and the hottest time of the day, but none of this is by accident, just as Jesus’s encountering the Samaritan woman is not a matter of chance.

The woman comes to the well. No one goes to fetch water at noon; water is fetched either early in the morning or in the evening so as to avoid the sun and the heat. Yet, here this woman approached the well and encountered the Lord who was waiting for her. In the course of the conversation we come to understand that the woman is in a relationship that is contrary to God’s law. While some people today might be inclined to brush off the woman’s circumstance, 2000 years ago this woman would have been faced with shame and being ostracized from the community; thus why the woman went to the well at noon when no one is around.

Jesus meets the woman where she is. He engages her in a way that brings her sin into the light without condemning her or seeking to shame her. While He asks her for a drink of water, He is actually thirsting for her faith and an openness to His grace and mercy. He wants the same from us.

As we continue through this holy season of Lent, may we heed the Lord’s call to return to the grace of our baptism, to leave the old life of sin behind, as well as the shame and guilt that it brings. I want to invite you to take advantage of the sacrament of Reconciliation offered here daily or in another parish. I am especially inviting you if you find that you are carrying the burden of shame and don’t seem to know how to lay it down. Reconciliation is the well of mercy where the Lord Jesus is waiting for all of us. Come there and meet the Lord; allow Him to wash you clean and to remind you that you are loved, that you belong to Him, and that no sin can ever change that fact.

We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures, we are the sum of the Father's love for us and our real capacity to become the image of His Son Jesus. -Pope St. John Paul II

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Children of the Covenant" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 21:15:34 GMT

This Sunday’s first reading from the Book of Genesis tells us about God’s promise to Abraham. This promise was because of the covenant that God made with him. Abraham was not the first person with whom God made a covenant.

Children of the Covenant

This Sunday’s first reading from the Book of Genesis tells us about God’s promise to Abraham. This promise was because of the covenant that God made with him. Abraham was not the first person with whom God made a covenant. Before Abraham, God made a covenant with Noah after the flood and God would later make covenants with Moses and David. Finally, through the Prophet Jeremiah, God made a promise of a greater covenant still to come and we find that covenant is made and fulfilled in our Lord Jesus Christ.

So why does this act with Abraham stand out? As God fashions His covenant with Abraham in Genesis, He promises to make of him a great nation, but He goes further in promising Abraham that their bond will be unique and personal. A covenant is more than an agreement or a series of promises, a covenant is a sacred relationship.

The covenant that God made with the children of Israel through Abraham is not undone but rather perfected in Jesus Christ and we have been made partakers of that same covenant. This Christian covenant is both corporate and personal, and we are brought into this sacred relationship through baptism. In baptism, we are chosen by God and rescued from the power of sin and death. In this wonderful sacrament the promise made to Abraham is also made to us individually: I will be your God and you will be mine.

As with any other form of agreement or contract, a covenant’s value is only as good as each party’s resolve to keep it. The good news for us is that God’s resolve is infinite which is why His covenants are everlasting. God does not relent in His love and He is forever true to His word. What about us? What about our resolve to keep our part of the covenant? I doubt that any of us if asked would say that our resolve to maintain our relationship with the Lord is anything but resolute; our words may say that, but what does the lived reality of our daily lives say? Are we living up to our side of the covenant each day?

Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Church has this sacred season of Lent. This season is an invitation from a loving and merciful Lord to examine our lives, our part of the covenant, and truly reckon with ourselves if we are living up to our part of the agreement, maybe only somewhat, or maybe not really at all. The journey of Lent is a call to return to the grace that was given to us at baptism, when God made a covenant with us individually and thus made us corporate members of Christ’s Mystical Body, the Church. In this weekend’s second reading, St. Paul says to each of us through Timothy “bear your share of hardship for the Gospel.” We must be ready and willing to do our part in this covenant relationship with the Lord, and the Good News continues because God’s goodness is never outdone, as Paul reminds us, because God gives us the strength and assistance to do it.

Wednesday Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

It is a great blessing that we can have an afternoon of Eucharistic exposition each Wednesday. Thank you to all who volunteer to formally cover time each week. We can always use more people in each time slot to make sure that someone is always present before our Lord since the rule of the Church is that the Blessed Sacrament, when exposed, is never to be left unattended. For those who are regularly scheduled adorers, if you cannot make your usual time please find a substitute; if you cannot find a sub, please let the parish office know.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Dealing with Temptation" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 21:12:36 GMT

Temptation is real. It is not the stuff of legend and myth nor is it some figure of speech. Temptation is not sin although people sometimes confuse the two. If we consent to temptation, then the actual act that constitutes the turning from God is what is sinful.

Dealing with Temptation

Temptation is real. It is not the stuff of legend and myth nor is it some figure of speech. Temptation is not sin although people sometimes confuse the two. If we consent to temptation, then the actual act that constitutes the turning from God is what is sinful. We know that temptation itself cannot be sinful because of the Gospel proclaimed to us this weekend from Matthew regarding Jesus being tempted by the devil.

Why was Jesus tempted? The Catechism (538-540) teaches us that Jesus underwent temptation for us, to show us that we are not alone in our struggle to follow God’s will in our lives, and to show us that we can be victorious in the face of temptation. While the devil tempted Jesus through the allurements of pleasure, power, and honor, the basis for this temptation was Jesus’s sonship, to get the Lord to forget who he truly was. Twice in Matthew’s account of the temptation of Jesus the devil premises his temptations with “if you are the Son of God.” The devil tempted Jesus with a perverted notion of Jesus’s sonship, yet Jesus clung to the truth of His sonship which called for perfect obedience to the Father’s will. In the Garden, Adam and Eve lost sight of what it meant to be children of God, of the obedience that was expected of them and the grace that comes as the fruit of obedience. Jesus, in His temptation and ultimately in the Cross, shows us that He is the new Adam whereby He completely and perfectly chooses the Father’s will over his own.

When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we ask the Father to “lead us not into temptation.” Immediately we are faced with the problem of an insufficient translation from the original Greek to English. We do not have to ask God to not lead us into temptation. He won’t, because for him to do so would be contrary to his divine nature; God wants us to be free from the power of evil. However, God does allow us to be tempted. He allows us to be challenged to use the grace the He has given us to discern what is of Him (good) and what is not (evil). Facing temptation and overcoming it leads to spiritual growth. Again, this is why prayer, the sacraments, mediating on the Scriptures, and good works are all so important in our discipleship because these are pathways to the grace that we need.

Let us pray together that these Lenten days may be a time of increased grace for us through our prayer, fasting, and acts of charity. The grace given to us, which is the fruit of these holy acts, will strengthen us in our struggle against temptation and evil and allow us to stand victorious with the Lord Jesus over the power of sin and death in our lives.

Exposition and Wednesday Confession Times Adjustment

Beginning this Wednesday, March 1, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will end with benediction at 5:00PM instead of 5:30PM. Confessions will still be heard on Wednesday afternoons but now from 4:15PM to 4:45PM. Also starting this Wednesday, we will be praying the Stations of the Cross at 5:15PM on the Wednesdays of Lent; Stations are also prayed on Fridays at 12:05PM.

Bulletin Printing

The parish office staff has been in discussion about possibly switching bulletin printing companies. The decision was made for us when we learned only a week ago that this print edition of the bulletin is the last to be done by our current provider as they are ceasing operations immediately. We have a contract with a new company, and I hope that there will be no disruption in bulletin service, but it is possible. We are currently working on how to keep basic information flowing out to you should there be an interruption during the transition. As with these unforeseen situations, your understanding is appreciated.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Preparing for Lent" by Fr. Chris House

Sat, 18 Feb 2023 15:44:33 GMT

This coming Wednesday the Church will mark Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the holy season of Lent. Like many things in life, what you get out of Lent will depend on what you put into it and with Lent, as with many things in life, attitude is everything.

Preparing for Lent

This coming Wednesday the Church will mark Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the holy season of Lent. Like many things in life, what you get out of Lent will depend on what you put into it and with Lent, as with many things in life, attitude is everything.

Lent is a great love story though it may not seem so at first glance. If we first focus on sacrifice, self-denial, and penance without understanding why, then we will be placing our focus in the wrong area. Lent is a great love story because it is about our God who has a love for us that is unbreakable, unrelenting, and inexhaustible, even though we are guilty of rejecting His love time and time again. The selections that the Church gives us from the Scriptures at Mass during Lent demonstrate this. We are reminded that God has chosen us to be His own and that He has done this in a wonderful way in His only Son through baptism. Through sin we squander the grace that God has given us through this baptism, but Lent is about the Lord’s call to return to that grace again and to be made new. This call to return is what the first part of the season speaks to, from Ash Wednesday until the Fifth Sunday.

The second part of Lent continues to tell that same great love story but recalls how the love of God was perfectly manifested in the Paschal Mystery of Jesus, in His passion, death, and resurrection. The fifth week of Lent transitions us to Holy Week which ends with the triumph of Easter. It is at this glorious feast that we renew our baptismal promises, having focused on allowing God to renew the grace of that same sacrament in us throughout Lent.

Sacrifice and self-denial are our responses to the gift of God’s grace that is offered to us for our renewal. The penances and pious acts that we may choose to adopt are not ends in themselves, but avenues by which we seek to root out what does not belong in our lives. The same is true about the reception of ashes on Ash Wednesday. The ashes we receive are nothing more than the ash of old palms that have been blessed. There is nothing mystical or magical about the ashes. What is important about the ashes is that we receive them as an outward sign of an inner desire to change our lives, to be converted back to right relationship with God. The reception of ashes and pious acts of sacrifice and self-denial must come from a genuine desire to change; if not, then these acts are empty and do us little, if any, spiritual good.

An insert is in this bulletin concerning Mass and confession times and other Lenten information. Concerning Ash Wednesday, Masses will be at 7AM and 5:30PM; there will also be a Liturgy of the Word with distribution of ashes at noon. At CTK we will again follow the ancient tradition of ashes being imposed by sprinkling them on the crown of the head and not traced on the forehead, a tradition used in many parts of the world including in Rome by the Holy Father. This is in conformity with the command of the Gospel on Ash Wednesday: When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you (Matthew 6: 16-18).

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Taking God at His Word" by Fr. Chris House

Sat, 11 Feb 2023 15:09:05 GMT

The Book of Sirach is full of some of the Scriptures most beautiful poetic verses. It is also contains some plain prose such as the text of this weekend’s first reading.

Taking God At His Word

The Book of Sirach is full of some of the Scriptures most beautiful poetic verses. It is also contains some plain prose such as the text of this weekend’s first reading. The word of God spoken through Ben Sira is clear: choose wisely, choose me. Freedom is God’s gift to us but this gift must be used responsibly because, while true freedom is about choices, choices have consequences. Accepting that choices have consequences is part of a mature attitude towards life, both in the here and now and in the life yet to come. The fact that our choices have consequences before God does not make God mean or punitive but consequences, like blessings, are an aspect of the fact that He is just while He is also merciful. And we should want God to be both…we need God to be both since justice without mercy easily slides into tyranny and mercy without justice is worthless.

In our Gospel reading from Matthew this Sunday, Jesus is clear about his mission that he has not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. Sometimes Christians make the serious error that Jesus came preaching the false notion of “you’re fine, I’m fine, we’re all fine” and that the law of God is more of a suggestion. In saying that he has come to fulfill the law he is telling us that we must go beyond the letter of the law and seek the law’s heart; that is how the law is ultimately fulfilled. Take for example the Fifth Commandment; most of us, I would venture to guess, are not murderers at the surface meaning of the commandment but the heart of the commandment goes beyond a prohibition concerning unprovoked physical harm. To fulfill the commandment, to strive for its heart means that I will seek to do nothing that breaks my neighbor down through my actions or words; this is why the sins of verbal assaults, slander, and gossip are also a part of the commandments prohibition at its heart.

If we want the blessings of the righteous, if we want to grow as disciples then we must take God at His word. May the Lord grant us the grace to strive for true perfection; to seek to fulfill the letter and the heart of the law in imitation of the Lord Jesus.

Church Housekeeping

Every weekend there are a lot of folks that come through the church and that is a wonderful thing. Our church remains in pretty good form throughout all the weekend Masses but there is one thing that I would ask for your help with and that is to please stop discarding bulletins and used tissues in the church pews. Finding used tissues in a pew or stuffed into the hymnal rack is, well, not pleasant; it is also unsettling for some as the past few years have made many more sensitive to germs, etc. Concerning the bulletins, please take it with you or dispose of it in one of the waste baskets in the vestibule and bulletin reading should not be done in the church proper as our attention should be on the Lord. Thank you for your help and for your understanding.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Salt and Light" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 21:55:48 GMT

We hear our Lord’s continuation of the Sermon on the Mount in this Sunday’s Gospel. Moving on from the Beatitudes, Jesus tells the crowd that they are both salt and light.

Salt and Light

We hear our Lord’s continuation of the Sermon on the Mount in this Sunday’s Gospel. Moving on from the Beatitudes, Jesus tells the crowd that they are both salt and light. We may find these images odd in terms of modern day sensitivities, salt is plentiful, too plentiful many would argue, and light is usually just the flip of a switch away. In ancient times salt was important because it was used for preserving foods as well as flavoring them. Light was precious because it was only by the light of day that most work was able to be done. There were oil lamps then but, for those who could afford several of them, the quality of light was still not very good.

Jesus asks what good is salt if it loses its flavor? This question implies that salt can be corrupted by being mixed with other things around it. And concerning light, what good is light if its covered up, as with a bushel basket in the Gospel? Light is meant to shine brightly. Both salt and light are metaphors for us. God did not make us for corruption or hiding. As his people, we are called to remain unsullied, pure in grace, and as far as the light that he has put into each of us, we are called to let it shine brightly for all the world to see.

School Principal Search

A few weeks ago our principal, Mrs. Pam Fahey, announced her retirement at the end of this school year. I cannot begin to thank her for the wonderful servant leadership that she has provided for our school since becoming principal in 2014. We will celebrate Mrs. Fahey’s time as principal of CTK school later in the spring. In the meantime, we have begun our search for her successor. We also plan to hire an assistant principal after our new principal has been chosen. If you know anyone who is a qualified applicant, who you believe would serve our children well as principal, they can send their résumé to me at the parish office.

Catholic Schools Week

Speaking of our school, this past week was our annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week, a time of fun activities for our students that celebrate the gift of Catholic education. I wish to thank all those who make it possible for us to have the wonderful school that we have here at CTK: our principal, faculty & staff, our school board, PTO, the many, many volunteers who help out, and you our parishioners who support the work of our school through your prayers and material support of its fundraisers and other efforts. May the Lord bless all of you for your goodness!

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Not the World's Blessings" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 19:38:24 GMT

In all four Gospels, Jesus’s public ministry begins after his baptism by John in the Jordan River. In three of the four Gospels, the ministry is inaugurated by some fantastic sign.

Not the World’s Blessings

In all four Gospels, Jesus’s public ministry begins after his baptism by John in the Jordan River. In three of the four Gospels, the ministry is inaugurated by some fantastic sign; for Mark and Luke, it is Jesus driving out a demon and for John it is Jesus turning water into wine at Cana. For Matthew, Jesus begins his ministry with an intense set of teachings that we know as the Sermon on the Mount. Traditionally said to be given on a hillside next to the Sea of Galilee, chapters 5, 6, and 7 of Matthew record these teachings in which we hear of familiar symbols of salt and light, are told to love our enemies, and given the prayer that we know as the “Our Father.” This Sunday’s Gospel reading gives us the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes.

Matthew records our Lord as making eight statements about those who are “blessed,” because they will know true joy resulting from some fulfillment that is not in the present time but that will be bestowed upon them after life in its current order has changed. In the eyes of the world the blessed are seen as weak, as “suckers,” or as those who are to be pitied but in no way emulated. The world does not claim the blessed as its own and that is fine because the blessed do not claim to be of the world nor do they look for their fulfillment in it. The Beatitudes speak both to those who may have been dealt hard circumstances in life but accept those circumstances in the hope of greater things, as well as to those who may have the comforts of this world but do not see them as ends in themselves; they want what only God can give.

When we look into our lives we should be able to identify ways in which we have been blessed by God but do we think that we are among the “Blessed?” Finding the answer is easy: are we content with ourselves and the world with the status quo or are we looking for better things, the gifts of God, and, if necessary, are we ok knowing that ultimate will only come on the other side of heaven?

Grief Support

I will be assisting Theresa Hansen of our parish in hosting a grief support sessions starting in February. The group sessions will be opportunities for assistance in dealing with grief as well as maybe getting some answers to questions of faith that can confront us in times of loss. Grief support will be done in three session modules quarterly, with the first module running on Saturdays Feb. 11 ^th , 18 ^th , and 25 ^th , at 10AM in the parish center. For more information please contact the parish office.

Old Palms

With Ash Wednesday being less than a month away, I know that many folks will be looking to discard their palms from last Palm Sunday by bringing them to the parish office or church… please do not do that . The custom is to burn those palms to make ashes for Ash Wednesday but I truly believe that we have enough ashes to last us until Jesus comes again. The easiest way to recycle old palms is to give them back to the earth. They can be cut into small pieces and placed in a flower bed, garden, or potted plant and to be broken-down by the elements and absorbed back into the soil.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Him Whom We Seek" by Fr. Chris

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 18:34:45 GMT

This past week I read an article about the rise of Satanism in the United Kingdom, but this is not the Satanism that we might think about when we hear the term.

Him Whom We Seek

This past week I read an article about the rise of Satanism in the United Kingdom, but this is not the Satanism that we might think about when we hear the term. This “religious expression” is not about the worship of the father of lies, directly, but rather about what one newer adherent referred to as a “journey of self-realization.” This nouveau Satanism is about the worship of one’s own self and the push to meet every personal want, need, or desire. This is a destructive path, not just because it inadvertently still leads to the devil, but because a life lived totally inward is a life that will never be fulfilling. God made us to live lives that are focused beyond ourselves and ultimately towards Him.

The same day that I read the article I mentioned about, I also come across an excerpt from an address given by Pope St. John Paul II at World Youth Day in 2005. Our late Holy Father said: It is Jesus you seek when you dream of happiness; he is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; he is the beauty to which you are so attracted; it is he who provokes you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise; it is he who urges you to shed the masks of a false life; it is he who reads in your hearts your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle .

This Sunday’s Gospel gives us the call of the first disciples as recorded by Matthew; it also tells us that Jesus continued proclaiming the message of John the Baptist to repent but now with a greater meaning and urgency. None of the Gospels tell us that Jesus explained to his disciples what their discipleship would demand of them until later on. Unlike the disciples, we know what this call demands, to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow after the Lord. There are moments when these demands may seem surreal, moments when we say to ourselves “I did not realize that it would be this difficult.” We must remember that He who has given the call also gives the grace needed to answer the call. Let us use the grace given us to answer the daily demands of discipleship, small or large, and, as Pope St. John Paul exhorted the Church so often, to not be afraid to open the doors of our lives to Christ!

Grief Share

I will be assisting Theresa Hansen of our parish in hosting a grief share group starting in February. The group sessions will be opportunities for assistance in dealing with grief as well as maybe getting some answers to questions of faith that can confront us in times of loss. Grief share will be done in three session modules quarterly, with the first module running on Saturdays Feb. 11 ^th , 18 ^th , and 25 ^th , at 10AM in the parish center. For more information please contact the parish office.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"The Lord’s Baptism and Ours" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 23:48:30 GMT

This year the end of the Christmas season kind of got lost. Last Sunday we celebrated the great Solemnity of the Epiphany and many understand that feast as marking the formal end of Christmas.

The Lord’s Baptism and Ours

This year the end of the Christmas season kind of got lost. Last Sunday we celebrated the great Solemnity of the Epiphany and many understand that feast as marking the formal end of Christmas. There are also some Catholics who hold to an older traditional end date for Christmastide and that is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2 ^nd , the 40 ^th day since Christmas. Officially, Christmastide ends on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which is normally celebrated the Sunday after Epiphany. This year, due to the “accordion nature” of the Advent and Christmas seasons, Christmastide was shorter because we celebrated a full four weeks of Advent which also meant that Christmas was abbreviated and ended the Monday after Epiphany when the Lord’s Baptism was commemorated.

While the Baptism of the Lord was celebrated last Monday, this Sunday’s Gospel, taken from John (the Evangelist), takes us right back to the event, to the day after actually. Back at the Jordan, John the Baptist encounters Jesus a second time as the Lord passes by. Here, the Baptist testifies to his disciples concerning the identity of Jesus, referring to him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This is not a messianic title, at least not until that time. The notion of the messiah was one of a conquering hero who would reveal the reign of God with great power and might. The notion of a sacrificial lamb is far from the popular notion of what the messiah was supposed to be or do.

John says that Jesus is the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. This is different from what we say at Mass before receiving Holy Communion as we say “sins.” There, we acknowledge that the Lord Jesus offers us the mercy of God for our many and varied transgressions. With John’s statement, the truth is presented that Jesus’s act of redemption is not just about forgiving individual transgressions but also about redeeming our nature and that of the whole world, of breaking the power of sin and death and not just undoing its individual acts or effects in the world.

When the Lord was baptized, his reception appeared passive but he was acting in that moment as John was, though Jesus’s action was unseen. Jesus did what John could not do and that was to give baptism a spiritual/sacramental effect. John’s baptism was a ritual action in response to people’s desire to convert, to change; baptism after Jesus is no longer contingent on the recipient’s disposition. The attitude of the recipient remains important because that determines whether or not the grace given by God in the sacrament will be effectively used. However, the initial effects of God’s grace in baptism are to wipe away original sin and break the reign of sin and death in our lives as well as to incorporate us into His family as members of the Mystical Body of Christ. God continues to work in our lives after baptism, no matter how many years may pass, by continually giving us grace; we are called to act on that grace so that sin and death may not re-establish their reign in our lives.

As we stand still at the beginning of 2023, let us remember that it, and every year, is intended to be a year of grace. Let us use the grace given us by our baptism to remain close to Christ so that we may be his witnesses in the world, pointing to him, and continuing his work of sanctifying the world.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"The Manger and the Cross" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 14:50:24 GMT

This weekend the Christmas season reaches its second highpoint in the great Solemnity of the Epiphany. I say a second highpoint because Epiphany at one time was the Church’s celebration of Christmas, marking Jesus’s appearance in the world by using the term of his “manifestation.”

The Manger and the Cross

There is an old saying that says the manger always stands in the shadow of the cross. We know this to be true because of the dark parts of the Epiphany story but also because most of us have come to know that the joy of Christmas does not spare us from disappointment, grief, or pain and loss even in these most sacred days of the year. I have been especially mindful of this truth this Christmas due to various events and circumstances that I have been witness to in the lives of parishioners and friends. Even without Herod and the slaughter of the Holy Innocents, this truth is still foreshadowed in the visit of the Magi and the gifts they present.

Of the three gifts, myrrh is the most foreign and mysterious for most of us. Derived from the thorny branches of the Commiphora myrrha tree and originally sought as a perfume, used especially with the preparation of a body after death, myrrh is seen as a prophetic sign that the child Jesus is the sacrifice who will take away the sins of the world. In this gift of myrrh, hidden in the warmth of that image of the adoration of the Magi is one of the first predictions of the Lord’s Passion.

Since the Cross is an inescapable part of our lives as disciples, even in this festive time, what are we to do? I suggest that we turn to Mary our Blessed Mother for the answer. Last Sunday, when we celebrated her motherhood, the Church gave us the Gospel passage of the adoration of the shepherds from Luke, and in that passage Mary is mentioned three times: first she is seen as remaining close to Jesus, second she is found meditating on God’s actions in her life and the world around her, and third we see her being obedient to God’s will in her life. If we emulate Mary’s example of discipleship in our lives we will find, first, that it is the antidote for any traces of Herod in us, or the temptation to be completely self-centered. Second, Mary’s actions allowed God to be central to her whole being, giving her the peace that comes from Him alone. If we follow her example of discipleship, we can have that same peace that anchors us in the knowledge of God’s love even as we suffer.

Godspeed, Pope Benedict!

On New Year’s Eve morning, Pope Emeritus Benedict was freed from the bonds of this earthly life. His election to the Papacy was one month before my third anniversary of ordination and I vividly remember watching to see who would come out on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica; I was delighted, to say the least, when his name was announced that day. Several years before he was elected pope, his theological writings were a part of my seminary formation and I remember several bishops then remarking that he was one of the easiest and kindest prefects to deal with in the Vatican. While his theological contributions to the Church will still be unpacked and evaluated for many years to come, personally, I would say that his lasting contribution to the Church was his resignation from the Papal office, which was a monumental display of both humility and strength, and demonstrated that the Church is far greater than anyone who holds any specific office within it, except for our Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

I am blessed to have met both his predecessor and his successor, but I am sorry that I never had the privilege to meet him, either as when a cardinal or pope. I am grateful to God for the gift of Pope Benedict to the Church and I pray that His Holiness may now have the reward of the good and faithful servant. May Pope Benedict XVI know light, joy, and peace forever in heaven.

May the Lord continue to abundantly bless you and yours at the beginning of this new year!

Father Chris House

"Continuing Through Christmastide" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 30 Dec 2022 17:41:34 GMT

This weekend, we come to the end of the Octave of Christmas with the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Normally the feast the Sunday after Christmas is that of the Holy Family, but with Christmas and today’s feast falling on Sundays, Holy Family was celebrated on December 30th.

Continuing Through Christmastide

This weekend, we come to the end of the Octave of Christmas with the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Normally the feast the Sunday after Christmas is that of the Holy Family, but with Christmas and today’s feast falling on Sundays, Holy Family was celebrated on December 30 ^th . Today we celebrate the motherhood of Mary, remembering that it was from her that Jesus took his human nature, becoming one with us in all things but sin. We also remember that Mary rightfully has the title of “Mother of God” since she is the mother of Jesus who is both God and Son of God.

As we continue our journey though the Christmas season, I wish to thank all who ministered and assisted in making our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations so wonderful, especially to those in our music ministry, our liturgical ministers, our ushers & greeters, and a special thank you to our environment and maintenance staff for their work.

As always, we need this joyous season of light amid the darkest days of winter. Even though the light has begun to lengthen ever so slightly, and the darkness has started to recede, it takes a while to notice it and feel its effects. Please continue to enjoy the beauty of the Christmas season that began, not ended, on December 25 ^th and continues through the feasts of Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord on January 8 ^th and 9 ^th . May the joy of Christmas continue to be yours and may you know God’s abundant grace and blessings in 2023.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead and for a Happy New Year!

Father Chris House

"The Impossible Becomes Reality" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 23 Dec 2022 16:29:43 GMT

This great mystery of Christmas, God becoming one with us in all things but sin, is a stumbling block to other faith traditions outside of Christianity; for some, that God would condescend to enter into our human condition is simply unthinkable.

The Impossible Becomes Reality

On behalf of Father Clint, Deacon Scott, and all the parish and school staff, I wish you every blessing this Christmas. May the light of the Christ Child, born for us in Bethlehem, lead us and all the world to greater peace and joy.

A Merry and Blessed Christmas to you and yours!

Father Chris House

PS, a reminder that next weekend (New Year’s Day) is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Masses next weekend are 4:30PM on Saturday evening, December 31st, and 8AM and 10AM on Sunday morning, January 1st; there will be no 5PM Mass on New Year’s Day.

"Drawing Near" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 19:58:47 GMT

The Gospel for the Fourth Sunday of Advent always prepares us for the celebration of Christmas. This year we hear the story of the Annunciation to St. Joseph, where God, through his angel, calls on Joseph to not be afraid and to welcome Mary, and through her, Jesus, into his home.

Drawing Near

The Gospel for the Fourth Sunday of Advent always prepares us for the celebration of Christmas. This year we hear the story of the Annunciation to St. Joseph, where God, through his angel, calls on Joseph to not be afraid and to welcome Mary, and through her, Jesus, into his home.

Throughout Advent we have been reminded that just as the Lord Jesus came to us in time, so He will also return to us at time’s end. He also draws near to us in many and varied ways each day; one of the most common and wonderful ways in which He does this is in and through the people we encounter daily. Dorothy Day once wrote: if everyone were holy and handsome, with ‘alter Christus (another Christ)’ shining in neon lighting from them, it would be easy to see Christ in everyone. If Mary had appeared in Bethlehem clothed, as St. John says, with the sun, a crown of twelve stars on her head, and the moon under her feet, then people would have fought to make room for her. But that was not God’s way for her, nor is it Christ’s way for himself, now when he is disguised under every type of humanity that treads the earth. May we open our hearts to the grace of God that allows us to see Him drawing near to us, especially in our sisters and brothers.

As Christmas draws near, I encourage you to make some time for just you and the Lord; it may not be as much as you would like, but any time with the Lord yields piece and grace. We tend to romanticize Christmas as a time of calm and peace, yet it fails to be that for so many. Make time for the Lord; the world will not make the time for you, just as it will not give you true peace. We must make time for the Lord so that He can give us what we truly need.

Vigil of the Longest Night

This week we will once again be having the service of the “Vigil of the Longest Night” at 7:00PM on Wednesday, December 21 ^st . While many people may be feeling a rush of excitement in the days leading up to Christmas, others may feel something quite the opposite: stress, anxiety, or grief from the loss of a loved one, a broken relationship, or some other hardship in life. This service is held on the first day of Winter, the longest night of the year, to remind us that God is always present, and calling us to find hope and peace in him. Afterwards, the church will remain open until 10:00PM for anyone who wishes to sit and pray in the silence after the service, or to stop by later in the evening for some quiet time. The empty manger will be placed at the foot of the sanctuary to collect prayer intentions from anyone who wishes to leave them. Even if you are full of Christmas joy and anticipation, perhaps consider coming to pray for those who are finding the season challenging. All are welcome.

Thank You…

Many thanks to our CTK choir members and musicians and to those from Laurel United Methodist Church for providing us with the beauty of this year’s cantata Love Came Down at Christmas . Thank you for the hard work and effort that you put into this labor of love while also working to be prepared for the music of our Christmas Masses. God bless you for your generosity!

If you will be here for Christmas, I will see you next week; if you will be somewhere else, please be safe in your travels and may the good Lord bless you and yours with a grace-filled, joy-filled, and Merry Christmas!

Father Chris House

PS, Christmas only starts on December 25 ^th ; keep that tree and Nativity scene up and those lights on!

"Guadete!" by Fr. Chris House

Sat, 10 Dec 2022 14:48:43 GMT

On this Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, we are invited, commanded actually (Gaudete is in the imperative form), to be joyful and there are three main reasons for that.

Gaudete!

On this Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, we are invited, commanded actually (Gaudete is in the imperative form), to be joyful and there are three main reasons for that. First, we are nearing the end of our Advent journey, which will give way to the joy of Christmas. Second, we can be confident in our Lord’s promise to return in glory, which will bring about the complete establishment of his kingdom and the final destruction of the reign of sin and death. Third, the Lord is already present. There is an old Latin saying that says vocatus atque non vocatus Deus aderit, meaning “called and not called, God is present.” The Lord is always in our midst. Sinners though we are, the Lord is never far; he never forsakes us and that is reason enough to be joyful today and every day.

Love Came Down at Christmas Cantata

Our choir here at CTK and the choir of Laurel United Methodist Church are performing the Love Came Down at Christmas Cantata this Sunday, December 11th, at 4PM at Laurel United Methodist Church and here at CTK on Monday evening, December 12th, at 7:30PM. All are welcome to these free performances. Please take the opportunity to enjoy one of these wonderful performances that will be the fruit of a labor of love from our choir and musicians!

Vigil of the Longest Night

We will once again be having the service of the “Vigil of the Longest Night” at 7:00PM on Wednesday, December 21st. While many people may be feeling a rush of excitement in the days leading up to Christmas, others may feel something quite the opposite: stress, anxiety, or grief from the loss of a loved one, a broken relationship, or some other hardship in life. This service is held on the first day of Winter, the longest night of the year, to remind us that God is always present, and calling us to find hope and peace in him. Afterwards, the church will remain open until 10:00PM for anyone who wishes to sit and pray in the silence after the service, or to stop by later in the evening for some quiet time. The empty manger will be placed at the foot of the sanctuary to collect prayer intentions from anyone who wishes to leave them. Even if you are full of Christmas joy and anticipation, perhaps consider coming to pray for those who are finding the season challenging. All are welcome.

Santa Brunch and Giving Tree

Thank you to the Men’s Club for hosting “Breakfast with Santa” last Sunday. It was wonderful morning for those who attended. Also a tremendous thank you to everyone who donated to the Giving Tree. I know that many in our parish are facing some growing fiscal challenges so I am even more grateful for your generosity.

Diocesan Year of the Eucharist and Centenary Celebration

As you hopefully already know through reading the Catholic Times, the Church in the United States is currently in a multi-year Eucharistic Revival and we have just begun our diocesan year of the Eucharist. This is also coinciding with the centenary of the diocesan see (seat) being transferred from Alton to Springfield in 1923. In celebration of this particular centenary, the Holy See has granted the possibility to receive a plenary indulgence to anyone who makes a pilgrimage to either the Cathedral in Springfield or to Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Alton (the former cathedral), while also fulfilling the normal conditions for an indulgence. I would like to refer you to Bishop Paprocki’s column in this week’s Catholic Times for more detailed information. You can also find the Catholic Times online anytime at ct.dio.org. In the new year, we will continually announce opportunities for faith formation and liturgical celebration opportunities here in the parish to help us grow in our knowledge of and devotion to Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist.

Masses for Christmas and Mary, Mother of God (New Year’s Day)

While both Christmas and the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (New Year’s Day) fall on Sundays this year, there will still be modified schedules for both weekends. The Masses of Christmas are Christmas Eve, Saturday, at 4PM, 6:30PM, and 10PM. Mass on Christmas Day, Sunday, will be at 9:30AM. The Masses for Mary, Mother of God (New Year’s Day) will be on Saturday at 4:30PM and on Sunday at 8AM and 10AM. There will be no 5PM Mass on New Year’s Day, Sunday, January 1st.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"John's Call" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 20:22:45 GMT

There really can’t be Advent without John the Baptist. Last Sunday, the First Sunday of Advent, we were admonished to be awake and alert and John is just the man for the job.

John’s Call

There really can’t be Advent without John the Baptist. Last Sunday, the First Sunday of Advent, we were admonished to be awake and alert and John is just the man for the job. John is that person who bends down next to your ear and screams WAKE UP! John is a unique character; there is nothing subtle or gentle about him. The rough description of his appearance matches the roughness of his personality; if you were walking down the street and John was walking towards you, you might consider crossing to the other side, if not actually doing so. And as for politically correct/woke culture, it would literally fold-in on itself upon hearing John. This is why you will likely never find a Christmas card with John the Baptist on it.

John may not have been overly concerned about anyone’s feelings, but he was totally concerned about everyone’s salvation; thus the strength and the urgency in his message. We need John the Baptists in our lives. We need those who are on-fire with zeal for the Kingdom of God which is also zeal for souls. We also need not be afraid to allow God to channel a little of John through us at times since our Lord is calling us to work with him in building the Kingdom. John was not nice, he was kind, the same as Jesus. He didn’t give a wink to people’s sins but called everyone to true conversion. May we have the grace to call people to right relationship with God as well as allow ourselves to be called to conversion when needed in our own lives.

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This Thursday, December 8 ^th , the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This day remembers that Mary was kept free from all touch or stain of sin from the very first moment of her conception in the womb of her mother, St. Anne. This great gift of grace was to prepare her to be a perfect vessel in which the Lord Jesus would take on our human nature in all things but sin, taking his flesh and bone from Mary. This great solemnity is a holyday of obligation; Masses will be at 5:30PM for the vigil on Wednesday the 7 ^th and at 7:00AM and 5:30PM on Thursday the 8 ^th . Come and honor Mary our Blessed Mother, the Immaculate Conception, who is patroness of our diocese and nation.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Watch and Pray" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 16:45:37 GMT

This weekend the church year begins anew with the start of the holy season of Advent, a name derived from the Latin word adventus , which means “the coming.”

Watch and Pray

This weekend the church year begins anew with the start of the holy season of Advent, a name derived from the Latin word adventus , which means “the coming.” This holy season looks to the two comings of Christ; first, we look forward to our Lord’s return in glory at the end of time, and second, beginning December 17th, we look back, remembering that our Lord came to us in time to be one with us in all things but sin. While it may not have the same depth of austerity as Lent, Advent is also a penitential season where the words of the Prophets echo to us from ages past to prepare a way for the Lord in our hearts and lives.

Each of the four Sundays of Advent have their own theme. This first Sunday always has the theme of “Watch and Pray.” This year we hear from Paul’s Letter to the Romans where we are told to “wake from sleep.” Why? The answer follows in this Sunday’s Gospel from Matthew: “you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” This Gospel is not one of doom and gloom but an admonition for us to be ready every day and always for the Lord’s appearance; for those who will be ready to receive him, greater things will follow.

This time of year can be busy time for many, but I encourage you to not get swept away in the commotion. Advent is a beautiful season and even though it is penitential (thus the use of the color violet), it also possesses a subdued joy and peace. I encourage you to make use of this season and set aside some time for yourself with the Lord.

With Gratitude

Thank you to everyone who helped to make our celebration of our patronal feast of Christ the King so beautiful. Thank you to all our liturgical ministers, especially to Linda, Cory, and all in music ministry. Also, many thanks to Amy, Justin, and crew for their work on the church’s liturgical environment.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Thy Kingdom Come!" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 19:48:12 GMT

The passage from Luke for this Sunday, the Solemnity of Our Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, may be one of the last passages that we would think of having for this day as it presents us with Christ crucified, not the most kingly presentation from a worldly point of view.

Thy Kingdom Come!

The passage from Luke for this Sunday, the Solemnity of Our Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, may be one of the last passages that we would think of having for this day as it presents us with Christ crucified, not the most kingly presentation from a worldly point of view. As Jesus hangs on the cross, he is mocked three times by the “rulers” who are most likely the Jewish religious authorities, the soldiers, and by one of the criminals crucified alongside Jesus. Each mockery is about challenging Jesus to save himself if he truly is the Messiah. The last mockery from the criminal comes with a plea for Jesus to save him from the agony and death that he is experiencing as well. All three mockeries can be summed up as “save yourself from the pain and suffering of this life and we will believe.” That is the messiah the world wants and, at times, it may be the messiah that we want, but that is not the Messiah who is Jesus Christ.

The other criminal gets it right. Tradition calls him “the good thief” and names him Dismas, but of that we cannot be sure as Luke does not name his crimes, which were probably more heinous than robbery given that he and his accomplice have been sentenced to death. This criminal acknowledges his guilt and his repentance is implied in his stating that his punishment is just, he acknowledges the innocence of Jesus, and then follows one of the most beautiful exchanges in all of the Scriptures when he makes his own profession of faith: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom” to which our Lord replies “today you will be with me in Paradise.”

The salvation that our Lord Jesus has accomplished is for us, but it is not for this life. Salvation does not mean that we will be spared from the heartaches and sufferings that are inevitable because of sin. The repentant criminal appears to understand that Christ’s Kingdom truly is not of this world and that the salvation that he is accomplishing will be revealed only through our own exodus from this life.

As we celebrate this great feast of Christ the King, our patronal feast as a parish family, may we remember in times when we may be tempted to expect God to save us from the trials of this life, that God’s will indeed is to save us but that his salvation is not about this world but liberation from it. Those who mocked the Lord could not see beyond this present life and the world continues to mock the crucified Lord today as it holds on to a reality that is fleeting. Thanks be to God that we are called to a hope beyond this world, to a greater life to be revealed, to something better than this world could ever offer. As we prepare for the Season of Advent, let us be mindful that as Christ has come so he will return again in glory with salvation for those who live and die in his friendship. May the grace of Christ lift our minds beyond the cares of this life to the Paradise to be revealed. Thy Kingdom come!

Fifty Years Young

As we celebrate our patronal feast this weekend and fifty years for our church building, let us give thanks to God for the blessings and graces that have been received and celebrated in our church over five decades. Let us also offer our prayerful thanks for those who brought our church into existence: Msgr. Bretz and the other priests assigned to CTK during the years of planning and building, the architects, engineers, and all who labored to build the church, our parishioners who worked and sacrificed to bring our church into being, many of whom are still here today. May God bless all who made our church a reality, and may God bless everyone who continues to support and care for it and our parish family!

With Gratitude

Thank you to the ladies of Altar and Rosary Society and the CTK Men’s Club for providing meals after all of the Masses this weekend! Thank you also to the Ladies for the gifts of the new cassocks and surplices for the servers as well as the new processional cross, and thank you to the Men’s Club for the gift of the new altar cloth and sanctuary chairs. All of these gifts have been given in honor of the church’s 50 ^th anniversary.

Thanksgiving

A reminder that we will have a Mass at 8AM on Saturday, November 26 ^th , the actual anniversary date of the church dedication.

It’s time for Thanksgiving and I can think of no better way to begin Thanksgiving Day than with Mass, so please join me on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 24 ^th , for Mass at 8:30AM before the other celebrations or activities that day may have in store for you. As we take time this week to offer thanks to God for his goodness, on behalf of Father Clint, Deacon Scott, and our parish & school staff, I wish you and yours a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Christ the Center" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 17:59:21 GMT

Fear is a powerful force that can paralyze or can be used to control or manipulate. We can see fear used all throughout the world today; it is used at times in marketing & sales, in politics & international affairs, and even in religion.

Christ the Center

Fear is a powerful force that can paralyze or can be used to control or manipulate. We can see fear used all throughout the world today; it is used at times in marketing & sales, in politics & international affairs, and even in religion. However, fear is not a Christian virtue, and true religion seeks to dispel it, just as we hear in the first reading this weekend from the prophet Malachi. As we are approaching the end of the Church year, which culminates next weekend on the Solemnity of Christ the King, we hear once again about the end of days, being reminded that all of the created world is a finite reality, and that our Lord will return in his glory with judgement for all peoples. While verses and imagery in the Scriptures can be cherry-picked to foster feelings of doom and gloom, if we read the Scriptures as whole, we find that those who truly seek the Lord, and seek to do His will, have no need to fear.

We live in an ever-changing world with shifting realities, priorities, and challenges. As disciples, our foundation, our security, and our strength must come from Jesus Christ. He is the sure bet in this life; His life is eternal, His love is everlasting, and His promises are true. We must make Christ the center of who we are and He actively invites us to anchor ourselves in His grace, most wonderfully in the gift of the Eucharist. The Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium , refers to the Eucharist as the source and summit of the Church’s life (SC #10). It is the source of the Church’s power because the Eucharist is Jesus Christ Himself, and, in turn, it is the summit of the Church’s life, because all of the Church’s action is directed to union with Christ; there is no greater union with the Lord Jesus than in the Eucharist.

To remind us of this truth, that Christ must be central to all that we are, individually and as a parish family, after conversation with the parish pastoral council last spring, I have made the pastoral decision to move the tabernacle to the center of the church sanctuary, at the same time moving the celebrant’s chair down to the sanctuary left side. This will also bring our church into conformity with Bishop Paprocki’s desire for the tabernacle to be central in the parish churches of our diocese, a desire that was expressed in his pastoral letter Ars celebrandi et adorandi (The Art of Celebrating and Adoring) in 2014. For most of the fifty years that our church has stood, the tabernacle placement was proper because it is double-sided and served as a tabernacle also for the Sacred Heart Chapel located behind the church proper. With the complete closing-off of the chapel from the church five or so years ago, the tabernacle’s dual functionality is no longer used so there is no reason for it not to be moved to the center of the sanctuary.

Barring any unforeseen challenges, this change will take place before the celebration of our patronal feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe next weekend. It is fitting that the tabernacle, and more importantly our Eucharistic Lord who dwells inside of it, will occupy the most prominent place in our church, starting with the Feast of Christ the King.

Mass of Remembrance

Our parish celebrated its annual Mass of Remembrance on the evening of All Souls Day, remembering in particular thirty-one parishioners who have gone before us in faith. I wish to thank our many volunteers, liturgical ministers, and choir who helped to make the Mass so beautiful, with special thanks to Ann Forrler for coordinating the Mass and Chris Butler for providing us with the remembrance video with pictures and names of our deceased parishioners.

Looking Ahead

Thanksgiving is fast approaching. The word Eucharist in Greek means “thanksgiving,” so every time we gather for holy Mass, no matter the day, we are gathering to give thanks to God for his goodness, his mercy, and his love. I can think of no better way to begin Thanksgiving Day than with Mass , so please join me on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 24 ^th , for Mass at 8:30AM before the other celebrations or activities that you may have planned that day.

Saturday, November 26 ^th , is the actual 50 ^th anniversary of the dedication of our church. Since the evening Mass must be celebrated for the First Sunday of Advent, I will offer Mass at 8AM that morning, offering the proper prayers for the anniversary of the dedication of a church. All are welcome.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Into the Homestretch" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 20:13:30 GMT

This is a subtitle for your new post

Into the Homestretch

Now that October is behind us (oddly, it seemed like it was just September), time for many of us will appear to move even quicker; Thanksgiving is less than three weeks away, then comes Christmas, and then, before you know it, it will be 2023. The Church year is also moving at that same clip with the end of the Church year approaching on the Solemnity of Christ the King in two weeks and then the Church year begins anew on the First Sunday of Advent.

As the Church year moves into the homestretch, the readings for the next few Sundays call us to train our sights on heaven; but this Sunday’s Gospel is more subtle about it. Unlike the passages that speak of the Lord’s return and all that will surround it, this Sunday’s Gospel speaks about marriage, using it as lesson about the things of earth versus the things of heaven. Many of the realities of the present life, like marriage for those who have been called to it, are important above all because they are meant to help people get to heaven. As we go about our daily living, in our individual circumstances and situations, let us remember that we all share a common call to eternal life with God in heaven. May we have the grace to make sure that our earthly realities are leading towards, and not away from, the greater things yet to come.

50 Years On

Two weekends from now, November 19 ^th and 20 ^th , on the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King of the Universe, we will commemorate the 50 ^th anniversary of the dedication of our parish church. As we honor Christ our Lord and King at that weekend’s Masses, we are invited to also give special thanks for the blessings that we have known as a parish family. I am grateful that the ladies of the Altar and Rosary Society will have their annual parish breakfast after the 8AM and 10AM Masses that Sunday and that the CTK Men’s Club will be providing a chili supper after the 430PM and 5PM Masses. All these meals are being generously provided at no charge by these two groups so please plan to attend after Mass that weekend for food and fellowship. There will also be many photos and other items on display from the time of building of the church for you to look through.

Many Thanks….

To the Men’s Club and the PTO for a very successful and enjoyable “Trunk or Treat” two Sundays ago. Thank you also to the on-going dedication of our Garden Club; we have lots of beautiful trees on our property that leave a not so beautiful mess as autumn progresses, so thank you to the Garden Club for the on-going work keeping the church area so beautiful. Finally, a special thank you to all our veterans in the parish as we commemorate Veterans’ Day this coming Friday; may the Lord bless you for your service to our nation and may He continue to protect those who serve.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

"Our Response to God’s Goodness" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 15:53:10 GMT

Last Sunday Luke recounted for us our Lord’s parable about the Pharisee and the tax collector who each went to the Temple to pray. Our Lord told us that it was the tax collector, not the Pharisee, who went home justified in the eyes of God due to the humility of both his prayer and his heart. This parable has many lessons for us, one of which is that no one is beyond God’s mercy. This Sunday we hear about another tax collector named Zacchaeus.

Our Response to God’s Goodness

Last Sunday Luke recounted for us our Lord’s parable about the Pharisee and the tax collector who each went to the Temple to pray. Our Lord told us that it was the tax collector, not the Pharisee, who went home justified in the eyes of God due to the humility of both his prayer and his heart. This parable has many lessons for us, one of which is that no one is beyond God’s mercy. This Sunday we hear about another tax collector named Zacchaeus.

Luke tells us that Zacchaeus was short in stature, and being a tax collector, was not well thought of by his local community. When Jesus passes through Jericho, Zacchaeus has to climb a sycamore tree to see the Lord since no one is willing to make room for Zacchaeus to get up front to see the Lord. Luke’s Gospel is known for showing our Lord making reversals; here, the Lord singles out Zacchaeus before the crowd, announcing that he must stay with Zacchaeus that day. In response to our Lord’s action in bringing Zacchaeus from the outside in, Zacchaeus converts his life and pledges a portion of his livelihood to be given away in charity.

Within the context of this story of Zacchaeus in the Gospel, our parish is also marking our annual Season of Stewardship and I am asking all of us to examine what our response is to God’s goodness in our lives through our prayer, financial giving, and service. Often we fall into the trap of giving God our “leftovers;” as disciples we are called to mark out a portion of all that we are for God first. This can be challenging or downright hard, but remember that God is never outdone in generosity and whatever we offer to him from ourselves will always be returned in greater portion. Please take some time to examine your own personal stewardship, discerning if God is asking you to increase some aspect of it. If we search within, we will find that God truly has done good things for us; what is our response to his goodness?

Gone Before Us in Faith: All Saints and All Souls

This Tuesday, November 1 ^st , is the Solemnity of All Saints, the day when we honor all those in Heaven, especially the "small s" saints who are not formally canonized by the Church and who are known only to God. The Saints are not just models of holiness, they are also our friends, cheering us on in our earthly struggles and supporting us with their prayers so that we might eventually join with them in the praise of our God in Heaven. All Saints Day is a holy day of obligation and Masses will be offered on Monday evening at 5:30PM and on Tuesday at 7:00AM and 5:30PM.

Immediately following All Saints Day, the Church remembers all the faithful departed on All Souls Day, November 2 ^nd , as well as through the whole month of November. Mass vestments on this day, as at funerals, may be white, violet, or black. The Church is especially mindful of those souls who, while dying in the state of grace, died with some remaining attachment to venial sin and are experiencing a process of spiritual cleansing and perfection in purgatory. The custom of praying for the dead is found in the Scriptures, with one of the primary references found in 2 Maccabees 12: 26, 32 which says "turning to supplication, they prayed that the sinful deed might be fully blotted out. Thus they made atonement for the dead that they might be free from sin."

Beginning on All Souls Day, the Book of Remembrance will be placed in front of the baptismal font so that you may inscribe within it the names of family and friends who have died; they will be remembered in prayer throughout the month of November. Our parish’s annual Mass of Remembrance for those who have died in the past year will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 2 ^nd , at 5:30PM; Mass for All Souls will also be celebrated at 7:00AM on Wednesday morning.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"The Right Disposition for Prayer" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 19:55:09 GMT

This Sunday’s Gospel reading continues with the theme of prayer, focusing on the right disposition or attitude for prayer. To demonstrate this, the Lord Jesus gives us the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector who go to pray in the Temple.

The Right Disposition for Prayer

Last Sunday’s readings taught us about the necessity for persistence in prayer. Luke recorded our Lord’s parable of the widow who would not back down in the face of a dishonest judge until she was rendered a just verdict. The first reading from Exodus demonstrated for us the power of persistent prayer; as long as Moses kept his arms raised over the battle between the Israelites and Amalek, Israel has the better of the fight, but when Moses stopped, Israel began to falter in the battle. This Sunday’s Gospel reading continues with the theme of prayer, focusing on the right disposition or attitude for prayer. To demonstrate this, the Lord Jesus gives us the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector who go to pray in the Temple.

The disposition, or attitude, of the two men in the parable could not be more different. The Pharisee’s “prayer” is really a monologue of why he is so good and why God should be impressed with him. Instead of offering any real praise to God, the Pharisee extols his own virtues and why he is better than those around him, including the tax collector in proximity to him. His prayer is one sided; in making his prayer about himself, there is no real chance for dialogue with God or an openness to receive anything from God.

The tax collector’s disposition is quite different. Our Lord describes him as standing off at a distance without raising his eyes towards heaven. He simply beat his breast while praying for God’s mercy. We don’t know what motivated the tax collector’s contrition: is it a particular sin or a feeling of guilt over his occupation? The motivation is not clear but what is clear is that he has humbled himself before the Lord and it is that humility that renders him justified before the Lord, not the Pharisee, because his humility opens him up to receive God’s grace and mercy.

Let us seek the grace of humility in our prayer. Humility moves us to honesty before God, helping us to own our sinfulness, to admit that we don’t have all the answers, and to acknowledge that we are not our own masters. Humility then opens us up to the good things of God; it quiets our hearts so that we may hear the Lord speaking to us, it allows us to perceive his strengthening of us, and enables us feel his love permeating to the depths of our being.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Persistence in Prayer" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 16:01:45 GMT

This Sunday, St. Luke recounts for us Jesus’s parable of the dishonest judge. He tells us that while this judge fears neither God nor anyone else, there is a widow who is an exception.

Persistence in Prayer

This Sunday, St. Luke recounts for us Jesus’s parable of the dishonest judge. He tells us that while this judge fears neither God nor anyone else, there is a widow who is an exception. We do not really know anything about this woman. We might think of her as tough and tenacious but that is purely conjecture. We know that she is persistent in her appeals to this judge. We also know that she is not being unreasonable because Jesus tells us that all she is asking for is justice.

And what is justice? The traditional philosophical definition for justice is rendering to each what each one deserves. Once again, in light of that definition, we can argue that this widow is being completely reasonable. Jesus tells us in this parable that the judge, while not moved by justice, is moved by fear of physical harm from the widow. It is because of that fear that he will ultimately render a just decision for the widow and the widow’s persistence will pay off.

This parable is an analogy for prayer. In light of that I pose the following questions for all of us: Do I pray? Do I pray frequently? Why do I pray? Do I truly believe in the power of prayer? I ask these questions in light of Jesus’s comments following the parable. God wants our prayers. He wants us to approach him with faith and trust in his love for us. The last statement is key regarding this parable; again, God wants us to trust in his love for us.

The dishonest judge is motivated by fear to answer the woman’s pleas. God is not motivated by fear or our perception of merit or because he owes us anything. God hears our pleas and he answers us because of one great fact and that fact is that he loves us with a love that is total and unconditional. God truly does hear and answer every prayer; sometimes he does so in the way that we want him to and sometimes not, but even in those times our prayer is answered with the gift of his grace that will help us to accept his will over our own.

Now, for the last question: do we believe this? So often we allow fear, disappointment, anger, a false sense of self-righteousness, and many other things to hamper our trust both in God’s great love for us and that he will always act for our ultimate good. As I read this passage from Luke, I find a certain sadness in Jesus’s last question: but when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? Jesus fully comprehends the greatness of the Father’s love for us. Are we willing to let go and trust in that love?

Let us be persistent in our prayer, never fearing to approach the Lord with humble and faithful hearts, knowing that our God is a God who loves us and who is always attentive to our pleas. Prayer may not give us what we want but it will give us grace and the more grace that we are open to receiving the better people, the better disciples we will be.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"The Christian Necessity for Gratitude" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 18:02:44 GMT

How often have you held the door for someone and not received a thank you? When that happens to me, sometimes, if I’m in the “right” mood, I will reply to someone’s silence with “you’re welcome.” Perhaps you have done some other small act of kindness and the receiver appeared not to notice. It can be maddening when we show small acts of kindness to others and there is no simple “thank you” or, even worse, you get the sense that perhaps they feel entitled to your kindness.

The Christian Necessity for Gratitude

How often have you held the door for someone and not received a thank you? When that happens to me, sometimes, if I’m in the “right” mood, I will reply to someone’s silence with “you’re welcome.” Perhaps you have done some other small act of kindness and the receiver appeared not to notice. It can be maddening when we show small acts of kindness to others and there is no simple “thank you” or, even worse, you get the sense that perhaps they feel entitled to your kindness. Showing gratitude in some form or another, for some kindness received large or small, is a mark of humility and character. It should also be a hallmark of the Christian life.

This Sunday we hear of ten lepers who were cured by Jesus. Jesus has been journeying through Samaria towards Galilee and performs this miracle before returning to his home region. The Gospel tells us that the lepers stood at a distance, begging Jesus to show them pity. Jesus simply tells them to go and show themselves to the priests. This command is in conformity with the Law of Moses which prescribed such an examination because a priest had to declare a leper “clean” in order for them to rejoin the community. On their way, the lepers are cured. When they realize what has happened, only one, a Samaritan, returns to Jesus to thank him.

This incident is a powerful commentary on the human condition and our response to the works of God in our lives. Part of the mystery and act of salvation is our ability to see and recognize God’s action for what it is in our daily living. As I said before, gratitude is a mark of humility, a necessary virtue in the Christian life. Humble gratitude acknowledges that, first, God does not owe me anything, but all that I have: my life, my talents, my time, my treasure, while my life may be built-up and improved by my own industry, even that is from God’s goodness. There is no such thing as a truly “self-made man/woman;” anything that is good has its origin first in God.

The Samaritan leper that was cured is a poignant symbol for us; he or she, who was assumed to be outside of God’s grace because they were a Samaritan, was able to recognize God’s power in their life and responded to it with gratitude. What about us who are members of the household of God by baptism, who make claim to Christ and his kingdom as disciples? Do we recognize the power of God’s grace at work in us and, in recognizing it, are we grateful for it? The wonderful thing about a life lived in humble gratitude is that it will make us more and more aware of God’s action in our lives, and that awareness can move us into deeper life and love with him.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Keeping the Fire Burning" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 17:16:21 GMT

St. Paul exhorts St. Timothy to “stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands” in this Sunday’s second reading. Paul is speaking about the grace that Timothy received through the Sacrament of Holy Orders as a bishop.

Keeping the Fire Burning

St. Paul exhorts St. Timothy to “stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands” in this Sunday’s second reading. Paul is speaking about the grace that Timothy received through the Sacrament of Holy Orders as a bishop. While not the same grace or measure necessarily, all of us by baptism are given the “gift of God,” an outpouring of the Holy Spirit into our lives and the Sacrament of Confirmation is the divine act whereby that gift is stirred up in us. We must work to keep that gift aflame within ourselves, not letting it go down to the embers or burn out. We are challenged to daily seek those things that will nourish the fire of God within, to remain as active disciples. As you’ve heard me say before, we cannot be passive disciples, which itself is actually a contradiction in terms. Do you feel that the fire within is dying down? Like any fire, we have to feed it, sometimes poke it, to stir those flames again. God has given the fire of faith that is within; we must cooperate with him to feed it and keep it burning brightly.

Cougar Pride

Next week will be the seventh week of the school year and things are rolling along. At present we have 511 students in our school, the largest enrollment since 1982. There are challenges as children’s developmental needs are different than they were in the 1980s but we have a faculty and staff who are there to meet those challenges. The spiritual challenges are there too, especially with trying to convince our families to make Sunday Mass a priority; the kids’ Wednesday school Mass is not a substitute for Sunday Mass because Sunday is the Lord’s day and worship as a family is vital. The challenges are worth the effort in meeting them because we have a school full of great kids that we can be proud of in the classroom and on the field/court/course/track/diamond. Thank you to all of you who continue to support the work of our parish school.

Church Roof

If you haven’t noticed, our church roof (not the flat part) got a much needed facelift over the past several weeks. It was due for some repairs for blistering that had developed; with the repairs it was also power washed and painted. We have been working since the spring of 2021 to find someone who would get it done and I offer my thanks to Nikki and Justin on the parish staff for shepherding the project along.

Parish Nurse Ministry

Thank you to those members of our parish nurse ministry who provided blood pressure screenings before and after the 4:30PM, 8AM, and 10AM Masses last weekend. This is wonderful ministry that we are blessed to have in our parish; thank you to all who are a part of it!

Holy Land Pilgrimage

In response to many requests, I have planned another pilgrimage to the Holy Land. This trip will be a little different that the one last June/July in that we will also visit Jordan and Egypt. The pilgrimage will depart May 29, 2023. I am happy to also be doing this pilgrimage in conjunction with Vicki Compton at the Cathedral. Vicki is the current faith formation director at the Cathedral and the former director of our diocesan Office for the Missions. We will have an informational meeting for those interested in possibly going on Sunday, October 30 ^th , at 12:30PM in the parish center. You can also get a flyer from the parish office.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"A Consolation and a Warning" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 15:55:50 GMT

The parable presented to us in this Sunday’s Gospel is unique in that it is the only parable that gives a name to someone in the parable. It is also the only parable that mentions an Old Testament figure, Abraham in this case. The parable of Lazarus (not the brother of Martha and Mary) and the Rich Man present us with these two men in widely different circumstances.

A Consolation and a Warning

The parable presented to us in this Sunday’s Gospel is unique in that it is the only parable that gives a name to someone in the parable. It is also the only parable that mentions an Old Testament figure, Abraham in this case. The parable of Lazarus (not the brother of Martha and Mary) and the Rich Man present us with these two men in widely different circumstances. The rich man lacks for nothing and enjoys the finer things in life, clothing and food being mentioned in the parable. Lazarus sits outside of the rich man’s home, lacking the basic necessities of life, our Lord stating that Lazarus was also burdened with sores on his body that dogs would come and lick. In the parable both die; Lazarus is taken to heaven, to the bosom of Abraham, and the rich man goes down to hell.

It is interesting that the Gospel does not speak of any specific virtue on the part of Lazarus other than his suffering. Likewise, the Gospel does not describe the rich man as wicked but he is punished for his failure to attempt to alleviate Lazarus’s sufferings. The mercy of God provides comfort to Lazarus for the suffering that he endured in his earthly life. The justice of God allows the rich man to suffer eternal punishment because he either refused to help Lazarus or because he was so self-absorbed with himself that he did not even notice Lazarus at his doorstep. From the midst of his suffering, the rich man begs God to send Lazarus to his brothers to warn them to avoid his fate. God’s response to the rich man is that they are already warned since they have the law and prophets; if that is not enough, nothing else will convince them.

This parable stands as both a consolation and a warning for us. First, for those who find themselves lacking or deprived in this life, God is the one who rights all wrongs; in His kingdom, no one will lack for anything. Second, we must be attentive to those in need whom God has placed in front of us. We may not be able to solve every problem or heal every wound, but we can always do something to address the needs of our sisters and brothers, be it through spiritual or material assistance. We must not fail in responding to this opportunity to serve the Lord in those whom we find in need, either through pure neglect or self-absorption; the end result could be dire.

Retreat Take Two

This past June, I wrote in the bulletin letting you know that I would be away for retreat but that never happened due to a death in my family. This coming week I will be making my yearly retreat. Please know of my prayers for you during this time. You will be in Fr. Clint’s capable hands during those days.

God bless you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"See the Person, See Christ" by Fr. Chris House

davis@ctkcougars.com (Jessica Davis) — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 18:17:36 GMT

See the Person, See Christ

Some years back, I met up with a friend of mine in London who was there presenting at a workshop. One evening, during dinner, sitting at a sidewalk table outside of a restaurant, there was a gentleman who appeared to be possibly homeless as well as suffering from some psychological challenges. He was sitting down on the sidewalk about five or six feet from our table, talking to himself and smoking, but not causing any disturbance, at least not for me. My friend said we should move tables and I responded by asking him “what if that man is Jesus Christ?” This is one of those friends who didn’t say anything to me but shot me a look that clearly said “don’t try to play that card with me.” I smiled and laughed, and we stayed at our table and the gentleman moved on a few minutes later.

My reply to my friend was not a judgement of him. Honestly, I said what I did for my own benefit as much as for his (if not to jab at him too). That man on the sidewalk was not someone to be avoided; he was as much a son of God as I am or anyone else is. That man, made in the image and likeness of God like all of us, has remained in my mind ever since that evening. As Christians, we need to be conscious of separating problems from persons, because people should never be seen as problems. Behaviors may be problematic, physical, mental, emotional conditions may be problematic, attitudes may be problematic, but a person and their existence is never problematic. This confusion can be found at the root of the evil of abortion, that too many times pregnancy is seen only as a condition or a problem or a situation, rather than a woman who is carrying an unborn child where one or both may be facing issues, challenges, or difficulties.

The personhood of those around us cannot be ignored. We must always strive to see it first and foremost. To achieve this, we must see Jesus Christ in those around us; if we see Christ in another, we will not lose sight of their humanity, even if they themselves aren’t doing much to put it on display. We see this necessity because of the condemnation that we hear in the Book of Amos in the first reading this weekend. The condemnation is given by the prophet to those who have chosen to ignore the humanity of their brothers and sisters for the sake of their own comfort and gain, and, regarding this sin, the Word tells us that the Lord will not forget it (Amos 8: 4-7).

As disciples, we must work to make our ability to see Christ in others second nature to us. We must do this because we want to be among those at the Last Judgment who say “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me (Mt 25: 38-40).” Those who are called the righteous by the Lord in this moment are those who saw in front of them a person with a problem, not the person as a problem.

Sunday Collections

Hopefully over the past few years since I’ve been pastor here at CTK, you’ve noticed that I do not like to talk about money. When I do talk about it, I do so because it’s necessary. Next month I will address the parish concerning stewardship but I need to bring up the subject of parish support now because, since July 1, we have begun to run a serious budget deficit of already over $30,000 in weekly offerings. One explanation could be that, since switching to our new on-line giving platform in July, some have fallen off of on-line giving without realizing it. If you give on-line, and did not complete a new registration in June, you may not be making an offertory gift to the parish. Another explanation could be that the parish itself is now feeling the sting of rising costs, etc., in the way of diminished donations because of challenges that individual parishioners are facing. If this trend continues, I will need to approach the finance council to look at cuts that will need to be made across the parish, including our school. I bring this up simply to keep everyone informed. I thank you for your generosity to the parish.

Blue Mass for First Responders

The “Blue Mass” is one that is celebrated in dioceses for First Responders, asking God to protect them in their service to the community. It is usually done so in proximity to the Feast of the Archangels on September 29 ^th . Last year Bishop Paprocki celebrated our diocese’s first Blue Mass. This year’s Blue Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 27 ^th at 9:30AM at the Cathedral here in Springfield; all are welcome to attend to show prayerful support for our First Responders.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

"Rich in Mercy" by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 15:54:19 GMT

In the first reading from Exodus this weekend, the writer of Exodus is clear that God has had it with the misdeeds of the Israelites and the wanton ingratitude they have shown him by their behavior. Exodus tells us that God is prepared to be done with them, permanently; yet Moses intervenes on their behalf and the Lord relents, once again extending his mercy to his people.

Rich in Mercy

In the first reading from Exodus this weekend, the writer of Exodus is clear that God has had it with the misdeeds of the Israelites and the wanton ingratitude they have shown him by their behavior. Exodus tells us that God is prepared to be done with them, permanently; yet Moses intervenes on their behalf and the Lord relents, once again extending his mercy to his people. In the Gospel, our Lord gives us three parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost (prodigal) son. In all three of these parables, our Lord makes it clear that God is overjoyed by the return of someone who has been lost; that God is always prepared to lavish those who go astray with this love, mercy, and forgiveness.

Remember the younger (first) son in the story of the Prodigal Son. As he makes his return, the parable says that his father ran to him, and, before that son can get out any of his excuses or apologies, the father shuts him down by giving orders to his servants: “quick, bring the finest robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Kill the fattened calf and let us celebrate with a feast because this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.” The ring that the father calls for may seem like a small detail but it is of vital importance. The ring is a visible sign that the son belongs to his father’s household. It is a sign of reconciliation; the son has been returned to the place that he once occupied before he abandoned it as a result of his sinfulness.

The beauty of these parables comes from their reflecting the beauty of the love that God has for each of us, sinners though we are. God’s love is a reconciling love that seeks to restore us to right relationship with him, without recounting our past failures or holding our misdeeds over us. God’s kingdom is open to us. The fullness of God’s divine life is open to us. We are invited to the banquet of his love, where both saints and sinners are guests. What is needed from us? Hearts that are humble, contrite, and open to receive the richness of the Lord’s mercy.

Meeting with Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion - This Monday

This is a reminder that current and new lectors and EMHCs have been asked to meet with me this Monday, September 12, at 7PM in the church. This meeting is to get us all on the same page as far as practices, etc. The meeting will begin promptly at 7PM and will be done no later than 7:30PM. Thank you!

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

To Be Truly Useful by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 18:01:07 GMT

In this Sunday’s second reading, we hear from St. Paul’s Letter to Philemon (FIE-lee-men); it is one of the shortest texts in all of the Scriptures and undisputed by scholars as truly written by Paul himself.

To Be Truly Useful

In this Sunday’s second reading, we hear from St. Paul’s Letter to Philemon (FIE-lee-men); it is one of the shortest texts in all of the Scriptures and undisputed by scholars as truly written by Paul himself. Paul writes to Philemon on behalf of a man named Onesimus who is a slave to Philemon. Philemon has some connection with Paul, what exactly no one can be sure of, but Philemon is a fellow Christian. Onesimus has fled from Philemon and, depending on how you read the letter, may be guilty of a crime against Philemon like theft. How and why Onesimus finds his way to Paul is unknown especially since Paul is in prison in Rome when he wrote this letter. While in Paul’s presence, Onesimus is converted to Christianity and Paul sends him back to Philemon, not just his master now but also his fellow Christian, and Paul asks Philemon to receive Onesimus as a brother in Christ.

We may scratch our heads at the fact that Onesimus is a slave who is owned by a Christian, and Paul does not outright demand that Philemon release Onesimus from slavery, but it is clear that Paul is exhorting Philemon to do just that by asking him to take Onesimus back as brother in Christ. As a slave, Philemon would only have Onesimus in time as something of this world, but if he receives him as a Christian then he will have him forever according to Paul.

Jesus in this Sunday’s Gospel calls on us to be willing to renounce everything in this life in the name of discipleship. Interestingly, the name Onesimus means “useful” in Greek. Philemon saw Onesimus as an object to be owned and used in worldly matters. As a Christian, Paul hoped that Philemon might see Onesimus as his brother in Christ and that the two of them might be a help to each other on the way to the Kingdom. How do we see people, things, opportunities in this life? As means to an end or do we look for the people, things, and opportunities that will be useful to us for salvation, helping us to make that yes to Christ each day. Are each of us individually useful to those around us as a bridge to Christ and a help to heaven?

Labor Day

This Labor Day, let us pray for any and all who labor in its many forms, asking the Holy Spirit to help all to value human labor that must always respect the inherent dignity of each person. Let us also pray that those who are unemployed or underemployed may find suitable work with a just wage. Mass on Labor Day, Monday, will be offered at 8:30AM.

Blessings to you and yours for a safe holiday weekend and the week ahead!

Father Chris House

Simple Wisdom by Fr. Chris House

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 18:12:39 GMT

Our Lord offers us what might be termed “simple wisdom” in this Sunday’s Gospel, but wisdom that will nonetheless bear fruit unto eternal life. Jesus is attending a dinner at the house of a leading Pharisee and Luke tells us that everyone is watching Jesus and he is watching everyone else as well. He then turns the events of the occasion into a parable.

Simple Wisdom

Our Lord offers us what might be termed “simple wisdom” in this Sunday’s Gospel, but wisdom that will nonetheless bear fruit unto eternal life. Jesus is attending a dinner at the house of a leading Pharisee and Luke tells us that everyone is watching Jesus and he is watching everyone else as well. He then turns the events of the occasion into a parable.

Jesus is observing the guests as they choose where they are going to sit for the dinner. Both honor and shame were significant cultural parts of life in Jesus’s day. On observing his fellow guests, Jesus offers an admonition that it is better to be moved up than to be moved down, the former bestowing honor, the latter bestowing shame. Jesus teaches that it is better (and safer) to always seek the lower position. While this may seem to be savvy social etiquette, it also has meaning for our discipleship.

Luke juxtaposes the lowly and the lofty in another place in his Gospel, early on when he records for us Mary’s prayer of praise when she visits her cousin Elizabeth. We call this prayer the “Canticle of Mary” or the Magnificat . In that prayer, recounting the goodness of God, Mary offers praise to the Lord because he “has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly.” The Christian life reminds us that seeking high places can result in us holding a very tenuous position. However, if it is God who is doing the lifting then who can bring us back down? Just as with places at table, it is far better to be moved-up than to be knocked-down.

And regarding those who are invited to table, Jesus turns social convention on its head a second time. Jesus tells us that in seeking others to share your hospitality with do not look for those who can offer you anything in return. This is counter to a society, then and now, that is quid pro quo or “this for that.” In offering hospitality, care, or concern to those who can offer nothing in return, the world cannot second guess our sincerity; however, when we open our lives in generosity simply for the sake of generosity, do not think that there will not be a return on the gift. The return will be made by God, both with grace in this earthly life and the promise of a greater life in the Kingdom of Heaven.

150 Years for the Dominican Sisters of Springfield

On Friday, August 19 ^th , the Dominican Sisters of Springfield began a yearlong celebration to mark what will be 150 years of service in central Illinois and beyond in 2023. Coming from Springfield, Kentucky, six sisters first arrived in Jacksonville in 1873 and, as they say, the rest is history. So many in our community and beyond have been touched by their long history of dedicated service to the Church and the community. I was formed by the Sisters during my high school years at SHG in the early 1990s and the Sisters’ service was integral in creating the strong parish school that we have today here at CTK. Let us ask the Lord to abundantly bless the Sisters for the good they have done for so many of us. Thank you and Congratulations, Sisters!

Adult Faith Formation

Adult Faith Formation sessions this fall will be forth coming, from me and from others in the parish so continue to check the bulletin for schedules and times.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

The Power of a Parent's Prayer by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 16:14:17 GMT

This Saturday, August 27th, is the liturgical remembrance of St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine. If you have a chance to visit Rome, go to the Church of St. Augustine off of the Piazza Navona and there you will find her tomb.

The Power of a Parent’s Prayer

This Saturday, August 27 ^th , is the liturgical remembrance of St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine. If you have a chance to visit Rome, go to the Church of St. Augustine off of the Piazza Navona and there you will find her tomb. St. Monica was born in modern day Algeria in the fourth century. Her life was marked with both tears and faith-filled devotion. Monica, a devout Christian, married a pagan named Patricius who was known for his fierce temper, which he apparently got from his mother who lived with the couple after their marriage. Tradition tells us that the tempers of both Patricius and his mother constantly flared at each other, robbing St. Monica of much peace. The couple had three children, two boys and a girl, Augustine being the eldest.

Patricius died when Augustine was seventeen, both Patricius and his mother having been successfully converted to Christianity by St. Monica one year earlier. Monica’s tears, however, were not at an end. Augustine was sent to school in Carthage after his father’s death. Still having never been baptized because of his father’s earlier refusal, Augustine fell into the false religion of Manicheanism while there.

From the time Augustine arrived in Carthage, his life continued on a trajectory contrary to the Christian life. At Monica’s behest, Augustine ended a fifteen-year affair that he had with a woman, which produced a son, Adeodatus. Augustine agreed to an arranged marriage that was to take place in two years’ time, but the Lord had something else mind. The following year, at the age of 31, after years of prayers and tears on the part of Monica, Augustine was converted to the faith by the grace of God and the spiritual care of St. Ambrose, bishop of Milan. Later, Augustine would eventually be ordained a priest and bishop.

Following his baptism, Monica and Augustine believe that the Lord was calling them to spread the faith in Africa; but six months later, as the pair were making their way to the continent, Monica died just outside of Rome. In his great autobiographical work Confessions , Augustine recounted one of their final conversations as his mother was dying. Monica said: Son, as far as I am concerned, nothing in this life now gives me any pleasure. I do not know why I am still here, since I have no further hopes in the world. I did have one reason for wanting to live a little longer, to see you become a Catholic Christian before I died. God has lavished his gifts on me in that respect, for I know that you have even renounced earthly happiness to be his servant. So what am I doing here?

By all accounts, Augustine had lived a life void of God for many years, but Monica never gave up hope in the Lord’s power to save. At a time of the Lord’s choosing, the hardness of Augustine’s heart was broken and he would eventually become one of the greatest theologians and saints in the Church’s history. I offer this short sketch of Monica’s life especially for those parents who are grieved by their children’s lack of practice of, or departure from, the faith. Many times through the years I have been asked by parents in this situation what they should do and my response has always been based on St. Monica’s actions: love them, pray for them, and continue to be an example of faith for them.

In remembering St. Monica the Church prays: O God, who console the sorrowful and who mercifully accepted the motherly tears of Saint Monica for the conversion of her son Augustine, grant us, through the intercession of them both, that we may bitterly regret our sins and find the grace of your pardon. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Back to Rome

I am sorry to say that this is Troy’s last weekend with us at CTK; it has been a fast two months! Troy will return to Rome in a few weeks to begin his final two years of formation and study for the priesthood. During his summer, Troy was a part of summer camp, worked with those who minister to the sick and homebound, was a weekly volunteer at both St. John’s Breadline and Holy Family Food Pantry, and helped out with various liturgical duties. I am very grateful for his presence in the parish. Please join me in sending Troy back to the Eternal City with our gratitude and our promise of prayers for him.

New School Year

This past Tuesday was the beginning of the new school year here at CTK with 512 students, the largest number of students that our school has had since 1982! I wish to express my gratitude for Mrs. Fahey, our principal, as well as to our faculty and staff and all who support the great work of our parish school.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

A Two-Edged Sword by Fr. Chris House

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 19:07:16 GMT

While the Gospel is always the “good news,” sometimes the passages that we are given for our mediation have that good news message somewhat hidden as is the case with this Sunday’s Gospel reading. There is a lament, almost an anxiety, in our Lord’s words that he has come to light a fire on the earth and how he wishes that it was already blazing.

A Two-Edged Sword

While the Gospel is always the “good news,” sometimes the passages that we are given for our mediation have that good news message somewhat hidden as is the case with this Sunday’s Gospel reading. There is a lament, almost an anxiety, in our Lord’s words that he has come to light a fire on the earth and how he wishes that it was already blazing. Most scholars agree that this fire that Jesus is speaking of is a reference to his sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, an event that cannot happen without the Lord’s “baptism.” Here our Lord is not speaking of the baptism that he received from John in the Jordan but rather the baptism of his passion and death which will lead to the unleashing of the power of Spirit in the world.

Jesus tells us that he has not come to establish peace on the earth, at least not the peace that the world wants him to give. The peace that Jesus gives is a two-edged sword. The Lord grants peace to all who seek him with sincere hearts, but his peace is not that of the world; his peace is not freedom from conflict but the ability to stand firm in the midst of conflict and division. To accept the Lord on his terms and not our own will surely lead to conflict with the world and those in it, possibly even with those who are nearest and dearest to us. To walk with the Lord means that we do not get to walk the smooth and easy path. To choose Christ means that he must come before all others, even ourselves and those who are most important in our lives. This is part of the hard cost of discipleship. Let us seek the Lord’s grace to be able to receive the same baptism of the Cross with him so that we may ultimately receive the promised gift of the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This Monday, August 15 ^th , the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary body and soul into heaven. We remember that at the end of her earthly life, Mary fell asleep in the Lord having lived a life of total discipleship and, because of the that, our Lord Jesus took his mother totally to himself. While the Solemnity of the Assumption is a holy day, the obligation is lifted this year since it falls on a Monday; however, we will still offer Mass at 7:00AM and 5:30PM for those who wish to celebrate this great feast of our Blessed Mother.

Meeting for New and Current Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

A brief tutorial/refresher meeting will be held at 7PM on Monday evening, September 12 ^th in the church. The meeting should last no longer than thirty (30) minutes. This will be a chance for everyone in these two ministries to “be on the same page” as well as for me to answer any questions. A reminder will be sent out to everyone in these ministries. If you are interested in joining one or both of these ministries, please contact Ann in the parish office. We are always in need of more liturgical ministers.

Back to School

This Tuesday our parish school will begin another wonderful school year. Let us pray for all students, teachers, and school staff in our parish at all levels and in various schools, asking the Holy Spirit to bless and guide them now and always.

Holy Land Pilgrimage

As most know, I was privileged to lead thirty-six pilgrims to the Holy Land in late June. Since many of you have inquired about the Holy Land or stated that you wanted to go but could not for various reasons, I have begun to plan another pilgrimage for the Holy Land for June of 2023, with an eye to a possible pilgrimage to Italy in 2024. I am planning this trip with Vicki Compton, faith formation director at the Cathedral and former director of the Office for the Missions for our diocese. This pilgrimage will be almost the same, but a few days will be taken off of Israel to allow for a few days in Jordan to see Mt. Nebo and Petra as well as for a few days in Egypt to see the pyramids and enjoy a cruise on the Nile. I hope to have more information in a few weeks.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

Where is Your Treasure? by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 17:37:15 GMT

D o not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

Where Is Your Treasure?

Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

Unless you happened to buy a Lottery ticket in Des Plaines a few weeks ago, I am assuming that none of us won the $1.3 billion dollar jackpot. It’s probably just as well. Many of us fantasize about the fun and the ease that such a windfall could provide for us and, of course, all the good things that we could do with all that money. It’s a nice day dream that, should it become a reality, has the real possibility of becoming a nightmare. A jackpot could buy many things, nice things, but just that…things and things of the world, which are all finite and thus have the potential to lead us to great sorrow.

In last Sunday’s first reading from Ecclesiastes, we heard the emptiness that Qoheleth felt regarding the vanity of the things of the world as well as their finite nature. This Sunday’s readings continue to invite us to look beyond the things of this present life, placing our faith and hope in that which is eternal. Jesus tells us this Sunday that our heart will be wherever the things are that we place value in. Again, we are faced with the question: is my treasure here in this life or is my ultimate fulfillment yet to be revealed in heaven?

The world does not place much value, if any, on faith, at least not in faith in something other than itself. Sadly, neither do many Catholics. Faith is paid a good lip-service by many, but is it a priority in our lives, something that is worth spending our time and energy on to cultivate? For the true disciple, faith is more precious than gold because, as the writer of the Letter to the Hebrews tells us, faith is the realization of what is hoped for and the evidence of things unseen. If our faith is in the things of this world, the realizations of our hopes will come to nothing. If our faith is in God and the things of heaven, then what we will come to know will exceed all expectations and that same faith will give us glimpses here and now of those greater things still to come.

You know the old saying, only two things are certain, death and taxes. Some people manage to avoid taxes, but no one can avoid death and standing face to face before God. So where is our faith placed; where is our treasure? If our faith is in God, and if we have placed God as our greatest good, then we can go forward in true hope. If this is not the case, then it’s time to reprioritize our lives.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

With an Eye Towards Heaven

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 14:13:05 GMT

This Sunday’s first reading offers us a passage from the Book of Ecclesiastes. The book tells us that its author is named Qoheleth. We do not know anything about this Qoheleth except one thing: he is not happy.

With an Eye Towards Heaven

This Sunday’s first reading offers us a passage from the Book of Ecclesiastes. The book tells us that its author is named Qoheleth. We do not know anything about this Qoheleth except one thing: he is not happy. While Ecclesiastes offers us many beautiful passages, its overall tone is one of skepticism and frustration with the world. If we read Ecclesiastes in light of the world’s fixation on materialism, and especially in conjunction with today’s Gospel reading, then it makes perfect sense for any true disciple that Jesus Christ makes all the difference and not the world.

Ecclesiastes gives us the famous phrase “there is nothing new under the sun.” This is proven true in that the root of Qoheleth’s frustration over some twenty-three hundred years ago is the same for many people today: everything, every person, and every labor, all of these things are finite and will pass away. This doesn’t mean that we just shrug our shoulders and give up, but this reality invites the disciple to ask his or herself a vital question: “why do I do what I do” or, put another way, “what motivates me in life?”

In the end, what do we want? Do we want to be like the man in this Sunday’s Gospel who labored for the things of this world but who did not live long to enjoy them or do we want to labor for the things of heaven, the things that “matter to God” as Jesus says in today’s Gospel passage? Everything that a disciple does, be it in word or deed, is to be done with an eye towards heaven or, more aptly, with an eye towards God. God alone is eternal and the good news for us is that he wants us to share eternity with him in heaven. This does not mean that we cannot enjoy the fruits of our labors or the “good things” of this life, but if our ultimate desires are for comfort and wealth or the things of this world then we will be sorely disappointed in the end.

The tragedy for Qoheleth is that he did not know Jesus Christ, being that he lived in a time before the Lord’s coming. This is not the case for us. We are invited to grow deeper each day in our knowledge of and relationship with Jesus and to derive our hope and comfort from his true promise of everlasting life with him in heaven. The more we come to know the Lord and value the life he freely offers, the easier it is to live our lives each day with an eye towards heaven.

We are faced with a choice: look at what the world will ultimately offer us and look at what Jesus Christ will ultimately offer us. Our choice should be obvious.

CTK’s 2022 Woman of Distinction

For the past ten years, the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women has invited the pastor of each parish in our diocese to nominate a Woman of Distinction from the parish, and last Saturday ladies from throughout the diocese were honored in a special Mass with Bishop Paprocki at our cathedral. I am happy to share with you that Linda Younkin was CTK’s Woman of Distinction for 2022. From her dedication to the liturgical life of our parish through her music ministry, to her working with bereaved families in planning their loved ones’ funeral Masses, to being a special help to me in my past two years as pastor here as well as in the transition, to so many other ways, for over thirty years Linda has been a living sign of Jesus the Servant in our parish. Please join me in congratulating Linda and thanking her for her continual service to our parish.

Summer Camp Thank You

School days are quickly approaching, and we expect another great year in our school here at CTK. One of the many areas where our school stands out is that it has a wonderful summer camp program that is available for students, but it takes a special dedication from its staff to make it happen. Summer camp ended this past Friday and I want to thank the camp’s staff for all their efforts in making it happen by providing a fun and educational summer experience for those students who were a part of it.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

Covering the Bases of Prayer by Fr. Chris House

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 18:21:17 GMT

This Sunday’s Gospel reminds us of the wonderful truth that we have a God who is accessible, a God who wants us to come to him with our cares, concerns, sorrows, joys, and everything else. This underscores the importance of prayer for our lives, the fact that God wants to be in relationship with us, that God wants to be in constant contact with us.

Covering the Bases of Prayer

This Sunday’s Gospel reminds us of the wonderful truth that we have a God who is accessible, a God who wants us to come to him with our cares, concerns, sorrows, joys, and everything else. This underscores the importance of prayer for our lives, the fact that God wants to be in relationship with us, that God wants to be in constant contact with us.

Why do we pray? For most of us, we find ourselves motivated to pray by a sense of need either for ourselves or for someone else. There is nothing wrong with that as, again, the Lord invites us to cast our needs on him. However, petition is only one form of prayer and as disciples we need to make sure that we are rounding all the bases of prayer in our life of faith.

There are four basic types of prayer. The one that we are most familiar with is petition, but in asking the Lord for something we must be careful to not mistake God for Santa Claus in that we only go to him with our wants/needs. The other forms of prayer are adoration, contrition, and thanksgiving. Offering prayers of all forms serve to make us stronger in our discipleship.

In looking to the other three types of prayer, we need only ask ourselves three simple questions each day to make sure that we are not lacking in these other forms: Adoration: have I praised God today for his greatness and glory? Contrition: have I acknowledged the ways in which I have sinned and offended God and asked for his forgiveness? Thanksgiving: have I thanked God for the richness of his graces and blessings today?

The disciple is a person of prayer, and our daily prayer should encompass all four forms: praising God for his greatness, acknowledging our sins and seeking his forgiveness, asking the Lord for whatever we need, and thanking him for his goodness and blessings.

Yearly Mission Appeal

Next weekend we will welcome Sr. Constansia Cyliro of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Bernadette who will offer this year’s mission appeal on behalf of her congregation’s missionary work. I share with you some information that Sr. Constansia sent me.

The Congregation: The Late Bishop Alfred Lanctot -W. F (White Fathers) today, Missionaries of Africa from Canada founded the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of St. Bernadette in 1958 in Tanzania, East Africa. The Congregation works in the steps of the founder, which is to preach the Good News to all people mostly in Tanzania and in the USA by teaching and doing different activities. Currently, the congregation has 220 professed members.

The Spirit and Charisma: We live the Franciscan spirit by loving and accepting all God’s people as gifts. We are close to people and participate according to the signs of the time by rendering pastoral and social services especially in taking care of the orphans, the sick in hospitals, HIV/AIDS victims, refugees, women’s groups, children’s formation, youth, caring for disabled, lepers, widows, widowers, and teaching in schools.

Mission Appeal: At present, the Franciscan Sisters of St. Bernadette have one great challenge facing them– lack of funds to support rainwater harvesting tank construction at St. Bonaventure English Medium School. Our new school is facing an acute shortage of water mostly in the dry seasons. In this period, the sisters and other workers are forced to walk long distances to search for water for our orphans and other children whom we serve. However, it is difficult to carry a lot of water 2 km away on the head. Therefore, we carry little by little thus wasting a lot of time. We believe that this effort of constructing rainwater harvesting tanks during a rainy season will reduce the shortage of water and costs. We are relying on your support for its accomplishment. We thank you in advance for your anticipated generosity which will be very highly appreciated. We assure you of our humble prayers.

As always, I know that our parish will give Sr. Constansia a warm and supportive welcome.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

Prayer and Work by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 18:46:46 GMT

This past July 11th, as every year, the Church celebrated the memory of St. Benedict, the man who is called the “father of western monasticism,” from whom the Benedictine Order takes its name. Benedict was born in 480 and lived in central Italy.

Prayer and Work

This past July 11 ^th , as every year, the Church celebrated the memory of St. Benedict, the man who is called the “father of western monasticism,” from whom the Benedictine Order takes its name. Benedict was born in 480 and lived in central Italy. As a young man, Benedict was sent to Rome to study. While there, he became disillusioned with Roman life, abandoned his studies, and left the city to find peace away from it, eventually becoming a hermit in Subiaco. It was there that Benedict wrote his famous Rule , which has been the guiding force of Benedictine life, and reference for religious life in general, for 1500 years.

At the heart of the Benedictine life is the rhythm of prayer and work, in Latin ora et labora . A balance between contemplation and activity is key to balance in the Benedictine way of life. In reading the Rule , it may appear that work takes more time than prayer, but ultimately prayer should permeate every aspect of the monk or nun’s life, work included. The Rule ’s prologue begins with listen carefully, my son, to the master’s instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart. This is the advice from a father who loves you; welcome it, and faithfully put it into practice . While the monastic’s life is all about listening, about making sure that one can hear the voice of God over the voices of the world, this is also true for every Christian.

This Sunday’s Gospel tells us of the welcome that Jesus received from his friends Martha and Mary. Martha is dutiful in her responsibilities towards hospitality, but she becomes lost in her efforts, and is angered by her sister Mary who has chosen to sit and listen to the Lord. Martha attempts to win the Lord’s backing to rebuke Mary, but it is Martha who finds herself gently corrected by Jesus. In his response to Martha, Jesus does not dismiss her efforts nor downplay the importance of hospitality, but invites her, like Mary, to see what is most important, in this case it is the Lord himself who simply wants to be with the two sisters.

All of us have things going on in our lives, some of which are very important. As disciples we must be sure, in things large or small, that we do not become distracted from the Lord. The monk or nun goes about their work with God before their eyes as they complete their labors, but mastering that awareness takes time and discipline for anyone; even the most “experienced” monastic takes time from their labors to sit at the Lord’s feet. In going about our daily living, we must keep the Lord before our eyes in all things; learning how to do this takes time at his feet to listen. Excelling in our discipleship will only be possible, and sustained, through taking the time to be with the Lord, to listen, to love, and to allow ourselves to be loved.

Martha’s labors were important, but she lost sight of why, or rather for whom, she was doing them. Each day, as we go about our living, as we are faced with choices and decisions, may everything be for the Lord. For us to have the grace to make those choices for him, we must first take time with him.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

Love the Lord your God AND… by Fr. Chris House

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 20:35:19 GMT

The scholar of the law in this Sunday’s Gospel asks the ultimate question of Jesus: “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Love the Lord your God AND….

The scholar of the law in this Sunday’s Gospel asks the ultimate question of Jesus: “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” First, Jesus quotes part of the Shema found in the Book of Deuteronomy. The Shema is a foundational prayer for the Jewish people: “you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind.” In short, we are called to love God with the totality of who we are; however, Jesus adds something to it.

What Jesus adds is nothing new and, while it is not a part of the Shema , it is a part of the law found in the Old Testament. In reciting the Shema and how we are to love God, Jesus adds at the end “and your neighbor as yourself.” He joins this commandment to the Shema and places it at the heart of the law. Total love of God is a hard enough, but I have to love my neighbor too? Yes, and this is what the Lord says is required for eternal life. Our Lord then adds a further twist to drive the point home.

Saint Luke recounts for us that the scholar of the law seeks further clarification. Most likely this scholar was a scribe who was an expert in the law and why he presses Jesus on the issue of “who is my neighbor” is unclear, but the answer that Jesus gives would have been hard for most of his listeners to bear. In response to the scholar’s question, Jesus tells the crowd a parable, the one that we know as the story of the Good Samaritan.

The journey down from Jerusalem to Jericho is not down in the sense of heading south. Jericho is actually east/northeast of Jerusalem, but “going down” refers to the descent in elevation and this descent is through a very hot, barren, and rugged terrain; I made the actual journey last week from the comfort of an air-conditioned tour bus. It is here that the story’s victim, a Jew, falls prey to robbers, which was common in this area known as the Valley of the Shadow of Death, the same that Psalm 23 speaks of. The two people who first come upon this man are religious figures, a priest and a Levite. Both of them pass him by with the likely excuse that to help this man, who would have been bloodied by the robbers, would have left them defiled and unable to fulfill their duties in the Temple in Jerusalem. Here, Jesus demonstrates for us the danger of extreme religiosity where the law becomes idolatrous; true duty to God would never demand the dismissal of someone in dire need.

Then comes the third person, a Samaritan. In the history of warring peoples in the Middle East, the conflict between the Jews and the Samaritans was classic; their hatred for each other was total and absolute. Imagine yourself in the place of the Jewish man who had been attacked. The person who is approaching him is a Samaritan and the thought of “now he is going to finish me off” could likely have crossed his mind. However, the Samaritan is moved with compassion when he comes upon this man who is his “enemy” by societal norms. In his compassion, the Samaritan tends to his needs and goes above and beyond to ensure the victim’s well-being. This is a demonstration of what is demanded of us if we would have eternal life with God.

Loving our neighbor does not mean excusing bad behavior or condoning sin. Loving our neighbor means that, in loving God totally, we have to love God in how he is present in those around us, especially in those who may hide God’s image and likeness by their actions, attitudes, and behaviors. We are called to love our neighbor not just because God commands it but also because the time may come when we are the one broken and bruised in the ditch and hopefully someone will come to us who allows the grace of God to help us through them. To truly love God is to truly love our neighbor. This is the heart of the Christian life and it is non-negotiable.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

The Joy of Discipleship by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 14:20:05 GMT

All of the readings this Sunday have an air of joy to them. The first reading from Isaiah speaks of a joy yet to come that will be in response to the good things that God has done for his people. In the Gospel, the disciples rejoice because of the power of Christ that is evidently working in and through them.

The Joy of Discipleship

All of the readings this Sunday have an air of joy to them. The first reading from Isaiah speaks of a joy yet to come that will be in response to the good things that God has done for his people. In the Gospel, the disciples rejoice because of the power of Christ that is evidently working in and through them. Even Paul in his letter to the Galatians speaks with joy about the Cross of the Lord, understanding that the Cross is that instrument by which the Lord has united Himself to his people and the same tool by which He has set his people free from the world.

Joy is a Christian virtue. It is not a mood like happiness, but a state of being and one that the Christian is called to live in constantly. If we are sincere in our discipleship, coming to understand the depth of the goodness that God has shown us, as well as understanding that God is not done lavishing us with his grace and mercy, then we cannot help but have that same joy that we hear about in the readings this Sunday. That joy then is what grows the Church. That joy becomes the unspoken invitation to others to come, see, and experience the goodness of God. May the Holy Spirit open our eyes and hearts to the reality of God’s love for us that our joy may increase, and that the joy we have may be an invitation to greater life in Christ for those around us.

Thank you Garden Club

When coming on to the parish grounds, you cannot help but notice the beauty of the trees, lawn, plants, and flowers. My thanks to the Garden Club for their continual efforts in keeping our parish grounds both beautiful and inviting for both our parishioners and for those who are our guests.

Happy Independence Day

Blessings to everyone for a safe and happy 4 ^th of July weekend. One of the many unfortunate side effects of a 24 hour news cycle and social media is the ever growing sensation that our country is tearing apart. All the more reason for us to pray for our Republic daily, for its unity and sanctification, and for it to heed the call to truly be one nation, under God.

Greetings from Jerusalem

This weekend our pilgrimage group is making its way to Jerusalem, having spent Tues-Fri in Galilee. After three nights in Jerusalem, we will spend three nights in Bethlehem and then return home on Friday. Please know of my prayers for all of us at CTK in these days.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

True Freedom by Fr. Chris House

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 18:06:05 GMT

The Fourth of July is fast approaching; I know that teachers hate to hear that because it is a harbinger of the fact that their summer is half over. With the upcoming celebration of Independence Day, our national mindset naturally turns to the notion of freedom.

True Freedom

The Fourth of July is fast approaching; I know that teachers hate to hear that because it is a harbinger of the fact that their summer is half over. With the upcoming celebration of Independence Day, our national mindset naturally turns to the notion of freedom. In this Sunday’s second reading, St. Paul tells us “for freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.” Greater than freedom from excess taxes and non-representation in government imposed on our forebearers by the British Crown, this freedom spoken of by St. Paul is the freedom from sin. This is the true and highest form of freedom, and, like any true freedom, it calls us to responsibility.

To enjoy this freedom given by God, we are called to detach ourselves from the things of the world because attachments, as good as they may seem, have a way of leading us into sin; with attachments come disordered affections: the need for more, the need to control, or the need to have it all. If we find ourselves with a “need” from someone or something, we need to look within ourselves to see if something is off balance. Wanting something is not necessarily bad nor is the desire to have people in our lives; the danger with “needing” something or someone can lead to the compromising of freedom, both ours or another’s. Our Lord’s words in the Gospel may sound harsh but it is how the disciple must live. The Lord is reminding us that nothing can come before our answering our Lord’s call to discipleship.

Eucharistic Procession

Some may be wondering why we didn’t have a Eucharistic procession on Corpus Christi like some other parishes did. I had planned on it but there is something that is needed for it: a canopy to be carried over the Blessed Sacrament and CTK doesn’t have one. I ordered one but the canopy is coming from Poland and the poles for the canopy are coming from India, and when it was clear that neither would not be arriving on time for the feast day, I did not move forward with announcing/coordinating the procession. However, just because we did not have a procession for Corpus Christi does not mean that we cannot have one at another time during this time of the Eucharistic Revival, especially with our parish feast day and the 50 ^th anniversary of the dedication of our church in November. More to come.

Off to the Holy Land

This Monday, June 27 ^th , I will be departing with 36 other pilgrims for the Holy Land. We will return on July 8 ^th . Please know of my prayers for you and your intentions during this time. Please pray for the safety of our pilgrimage group.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

Corpus Christi by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 19:37:57 GMT

One of the highlights of making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land is visiting Capernaum on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum was the home town of St. Peter and St. Andrew and became an adopted home of Jesus.

One of the highlights of making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land is visiting Capernaum on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum was the home town of St. Peter and St. Andrew and became an adopted home of Jesus. I have been blessed to stand in the ruins of Capernaum’s ancient synagogue. It was in this synagogue where Jesus gave one of his most famous teachings found in the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel known as The Bread of Life Discourse. Jesus repeats himself several times in this discourse, commanding us to feed on him, to literally eat his flesh and drink his blood. This is not figurative language; this is John’s exposition on the Eucharist.

This weekend we celebrate the feast formally titled the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, but popularly known as Corpus Christi . Every time the Church gathers to celebrate the Mass, the Eucharist, which is the body, blood, soul, and divinity of our Lord, is at the center of our worship. We must avoid the danger of growing lax in our reverence and awe due to our familiarity with this great and wonderful sacrament, which is one reason why the Church dedicates a particular day of solemnity to focus solely on this mystery. The Eucharist is the life source of the Church, the ultimate manifestation of Christ’s presence among us, and it has been the strength of the faithful for the Church’s entire history. It is not a sign or symbol, because a sign or symbol points to another reality; the Eucharist is the reality of Jesus’s real presence among us.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus’s feeding of the five-thousand is recounted for us which happened at another site a few miles from Capernaum called Tabgha. The transformation of those five loaves and two fish, meager as they were, reminds us that our simple gifts of bread and wine, when changed by the power of the Holy Spirit, become something new and wonderful in the Eucharist. In the Church of the Multiplication at Tabgha, there is a famous mosaic on the floor of two fish but only four loaves. The absence of the fifth loaf in the mosaic invites us to raise our eyes to the Blessed Sacrament present either on the altar or the tabernacle and to see that it is Jesus who is the true bread who continually comes down from heaven in the Eucharist.

Beginning this weekend with the Feast of Corpus Christi , the Church in the U.S. is beginning a three-year Eucharistic Revival . The first year of the revival will focus on the diocesan level; in our diocese this will culminate in October of 2023 with a Jubilee celebration of the centennial of the transfer of our diocesan see from Alton to Springfield. A year from now we will begin a year of parish renewal. The final year of the revival will focus on the call to missionary discipleship to give witness to our community of the great gift that we have in the Eucharist. I truly believe that this revival is going to be a wonderful opportunity for an outpouring of grace into the Church, nationally and locally. I will keep you informed of new initiatives during this time as they are presented.

*From Last Weeks Bulletin Since Many Did Not Receive It*

New Parish Census/Giving Program

We are transitioning from WeGather to Our Sunday Visitor for our church census management software as well as our online giving platform. The transformation is occurring because WeGather is decommissioning their product. We will need to transfer all online giving accounts to the new platform in the next few weeks. All online giving with WeGather (including recurring transactions) will end on June 30, 2022. If you are an online donor please look for an email invitation from OSV Giving to transfer your recurring donation. The parish office will also be in further contact with parishioners as we work through this transition. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

Seminary Summer Intern

We have been asked to host seminarian Troy Niemerg here at CTK for a parish experience this summer. Troy is a native of Dieterich, on the east side of our diocese, and has completed his second year of theology at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He will be with us from June 20 ^th through August 22 ^nd . I know that you will make Troy feel welcome.

Thank you Jerry!

Our fellow parishioner Jerry Smith, who has served several years as the director of facilities, has retired. Jerry was a great help to me in my transition as pastor two years ago. I wish Jerry the very best and thank him for his service to our parish and school.

The Precious Blood

Several weeks ago I stated my intention to return the option to receive the Precious Blood at Mass starting the first week of June. At that time, I did not envision a significant rise in Covid cases. I have made the decision to delay the return of cup at Mass until the beginning of July, continuing to evaluate the size of this new Covid wave. While I firmly believe that our Lord’s Precious Blood will make no one ill, I cannot definitively say that the virus cannot be passed on the outside of the cup. I know that some in our parish have been waiting for this option to return and I am sorry that I believe we need to wait a little longer; thank you for your patience!

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

Trinity Sunday and Ordinary Time by Fr. Chris House

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 17:02:03 GMT

This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. From a purely intellectual standpoint, we cannot unlock the mystery of the one God united in three persons. However, we can come to better understand the divine mystery when we see it as a mystery of a relationship of total love.

Coming off of Pentecost Sunday, we find ourselves out of the Easter Season and back in Ordinary Time. This season will stretch all the way to the First Sunday of Advent, but let’s not fall into the trap of misunderstanding the word “ordinary” as its used for this season of the Church year. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website states:

While we may be entering into the long period of ordinary time in the Church’s year, may this time be extraordinary in grace and in growth of love of God and of neighbor.

New Parish Census/Giving Program

We are transitioning from WeGather to Our Sunday Visitor for our church census management software as well as our online giving platform. The transformation is occurring because WeGather is decommissioning their product. We will need to transfer all online giving accounts to the new platform in the next few weeks. All online giving with WeGather (including recurring transactions) will end on June 30, 2022. Please look for further information on the process over the next few weeks. The parish office will also be in further contact with parishioners as we work through this transition. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

Seminary Summer Intern

Thank you Jerry!

Our fellow parishioner Jerry Smith, who has served several years are the director of facilities, has retired. Jerry was a great help to me in my transition as pastor two years ago. I wish Jerry the very best and thank him for his service to our parish and school.

The Precious Blood

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

Happy Birthday Church! By Fr. Chris House

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 14:56:11 GMT

Following the Lord’s Ascension into heaven, the Apostles were gathered once again in the Upper Room where the Lord had instituted both the Eucharist and the Priesthood at the Last Supper. It was also the place where He first appeared to them following the Resurrection.

Following the Lord’s Ascension into heaven, the Apostles were gathered once again in the Upper Room where the Lord had instituted both the Eucharist and the Priesthood at the Last Supper. It was also the place where He first appeared to them following the Resurrection. Tradition tells us that the Apostles were not alone on this particular day and that Mary, the Mother of the Lord, was with them. Jerusalem was filled with Jews who had come to the holy city for the feast of Pentecost, a feast celebrating the wheat harvest that was celebrated seven weeks and one day (50 days) following Passover. That particular day was a day that would forever change the face of the earth.

Today, we, the living stones of the Church, claimed by Christ in baptism and anointed with the Holy Spirit through Confirmation, are called to carry on this mission given to the Apostles some 2,000 years ago. We who profess the name of Christ are His disciples because we have come to believe in Him, but our discipleship must be transformed into apostleship. The word apostle means “one who is sent.” The Apostles were the first to be sent and we are called to continue their mission. On this Pentecost Sunday and always, let us open our hearts to the gift of the Holy Spirit who continues to guide the Church. Let us cooperate with the grace of the Spirit that seeks to make us witnesses of the crucified and risen Lord so that through our lives others may come to know and believe in the Lord Jesus and accept His free gift of salvation.

Annual Priests’ Retreat

Every priest is required by the Church’s canon law to make a retreat every year. Most times I make my retreat privately at Saint Meinrad Archabbey in southern Indiana but this year I will be making the annual diocesan retreat with other priests from our diocese over in Eureka, Missouri. I will be gone from Sunday night through Friday night. Please know of my prayers for you and your intentions during this time. Father Clint will be here at CTK should you be in need of anything.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead,

Father Chris House

Stop Staring at the Clouds by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 27 May 2022 16:09:45 GMT

The end of our fifty-day Easter journey is near. It was seven weeks ago that we celebrated the joy of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday and now the Church celebrates the first of two key events in our life of faith: this Sunday with the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord into heaven and the second being Pentecost next Sunday.

Memorial Day

This holiday weekend be sure to take some time to remember and offer a prayer for the repose of the souls of those who died in the armed service of our nation. Mass on Memorial Day, this Monday, will be at 8:30AM .

School’s Out

CTK School ended another great year this past Friday. It wasn’t another great year by chance but because of the efforts, generosity, and dedication of our school’s principal, faculty & staff, parish staff, its many volunteers, and you! Thank you to everyone in the parish and beyond for their continued support of the work of Christ the King School. Your time, talent, and treasure on behalf of the school is well used and greatly appreciated.

In Your Charity

This past Wednesday, May 25th, I celebrated the twentieth anniversary of my priestly ordination; I can honestly say that I don’t know where those years went. I am grateful to the Lord for the many blessings and graces of these years and for part that the parish family of CTK plays in those here and now. Please say a prayer for me that, sinner that I am, God will continue to give me the graces needed to fulfill my ministerial calling and sacred duties as your pastor.

Blessings to you and yours for a safe and relaxing Memorial Day weekend and for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

Peace in the Holy Spirit by Fr. Chris House

Wed, 18 May 2022 17:07:26 GMT

The Gospel for this Sunday takes us back to Holy Thursday in John’s Gospel, to the section known as the Last Discourse. John sets the stage for events to move fast after Jesus’s death and resurrection. Our Lord tells his disciples that his time with them is coming to an end.

Peace in the Holy Spirit

Our Lord promises his disciples that the Father will send the Holy Spirit after his departure and the Church will see that the Holy Spirit remains as the continuing guarantor of God’s grace unfolding in the Church’s life. The Holy Spirit is given to all of the faithful in the Church both to know the Lord’s word, what he asks of us, as well as strengthening us to fulfill the Lord’s will in our lives. With the Holy Spirit also comes the gift of God’s peace. This peace is the direct effect of the divine presence of Spirit. As the Lord tells his disciples, and us, this peace is not a world peace. The peace of God that the Spirit brings is not an absence from trouble, frustrations, conflict, or pain, but strength and resolution in the face of latter to persevere and push onward towards the Kingdom, our true home.

As we prepare for the great feasts of Ascension and Pentecost let us keep our hearts open to the Spirit who seeks to strengthen us, console us, love us, and guide us onwards to the Kingdom.

Congratulations Graduates!

This past Wednesday we celebrated the graduation of our 8 ^th graders from our parish school. Alums from CTK graduated last Sunday from SHG and others are preparing to graduate from other high schools or colleges. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide and bless all of our graduates, reminding them of God’s presence and love in their lives, and leading them to greater things still.

Priestly Ordinations

Next Saturday, May 28 ^th , Bishop Paprocki will ordain Deacon Zach Samples and Deacon Paul Lesupati to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ at 10:00AM at the Cathedral here in Springfield. All are welcome to attend. Our diocese is blessed by God in these two good men. Please pray for Deacon Samples and Deacon Lesupati at they begin their priestly ministry.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

The Hope of the Eternal Easter by Fr. Chris House

Fri, 13 May 2022 15:27:09 GMT

Throughout the Easter Season this year, our second reading at Sunday Mass has come from the Book of Revelation. Of all the books in the Bible, I think that Catholics struggle the most with Revelation in not knowing what to make of it.

Throughout the Easter Season this year, our second reading at Sunday Mass has come from the Book of Revelation. Of all the books in the Bible, I think that Catholics struggle the most with Revelation in not knowing what to make of it. For some Christians, the Book of Revelation speaks of things yet to come. The Catholic interpretation is that, yes, Revelation does speak of future realities but not literally in specific details.

The description of Revelation from the US Bishops’ website states “this much, however, is certain: symbolic descriptions are not to be taken as literal descriptions, nor is the symbolism meant to be pictured realistically. One would find it difficult and repulsive to visualize a lamb with seven horns and seven eyes; yet Jesus Christ is described in precisely such words ( Rev 5:6 ). The author used these images to suggest Christ’s universal (seven) power (horns) and knowledge (eyes). A significant feature of apocalyptic writing is the use of symbolic colors, metals, garments ( Rev 1:13 – 16 ; 3:18 ; 4:4 ; 6:1 – 8 ; 17:4 ; 19:8 ), and numbers ( four signifies the world, six imperfection, seven totality or perfection, twelve Israel’s tribes or the apostles, one thousand immensity). Finally the vindictive language in the book ( Rev 6:9 – 10 ; 18:1 – 19:4 ) is also to be understood symbolically and not literally. The cries for vengeance on the lips of Christian martyrs that sound so harsh are in fact literary devices the author employed to evoke in the reader and hearer a feeling of horror for apostasy and rebellion that will be severely punished by God.”

The first part of Revelation seems to capture readers more than the second part; the first part being of doom and gloom, actually speaking symbolically of the early Church’s situation at the time that Revelation was written. This Sunday’s second reading comes from the second to the last chapter of the book and it is in these last chapters that I find the book’s true beauty as it invites us to hope in things yet to come.

This Sunday, the reading from Revelation invites us to hope in two wonderful aspects of the future. First, we hear John speak of his vision of a new heaven and a new earth, a clear reminder for us to hope in the fact that all of creation will be made new by our God. The second greater hope given to us is that, for the faithful, this life will give way to an eternity with God; an eternity free from darkness and sin, pain and death, and an eternity of divine intimacy with our Lord. As we continue through the Easter season, may the word of God given to us in the Book of Revelation remind us that this is what Easter is pointing us towards. Easter is a two-fold mystery. It remembers first the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead but it also points to the truth that we shall share in his Resurrection, that we will live in the eternal Easter. May that truth be a source of hope for us today and every day.

Bravo Frozen Jr.

Last weekend our school returned to the performance of a larger spring musical with Frozen Jr. and it was a triumph! Thank you and congratulations to our students who through their hard work put on three wonderful performances. Thank you also to the members of our school staff and the many volunteers who helped to make this year’s show happen.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

In the Shepherd’s Grasp by Fr. Chris House

Thu, 05 May 2022 17:50:24 GMT

The Fourth Sunday of Easter is traditionally nicknamed “Good Shepherd Sunday” because, you guessed it, the Gospel for this Sunday always speaks of Jesus being the Good Shepherd. When I envision a shepherd, two main qualities come to mind: one who protects and one who leads.

In the Shepherd’s Grasp

In this Sunday’s Gospel from John, Jesus tells us that no one can take his sheep from his hand. That is a very comforting and reassuring thought, but there should be an asterisk at the end of that statement. It is completely true that if we have placed ourselves firmly in the Lord’s grasp that nothing nor anyone who can take us from him…except ourselves. We can remove ourselves from the loving embrace of the Lord directly or indirectly by our actions and attitudes. The good news for us is that if we realize that we have leaped out of the Lord’s embrace, we can always place ourselves back there. May we have the grace to consciously remain in the Lord’s hands or, if we are not where we need to be, may we have the grace to acknowledge our error and return to where we need to be, firmly in the Lord’s care.

Happy Mother’s Day

To all of our moms, whether you are a mom by birth, adoption, or by fulfilling that role for someone in their lives, may the Lord bless you abundantly for your goodness and strengthen you with his grace. For those moms who have gone before us in faith, may the Lord, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, grant them light, joy, and peace forever in heaven.

Help Wanted: Liturgical Ministers

The parish needs more parishioners so please consider serving as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, readers, ushers, and greeters. We have a very dedicated, but small group of ministers, many of whom serve on a weekly basis and we need to grow their number. More information will be coming in the bulletin, but please begin to consider if you would be willing to give the gift of service in one or more of these needed ministries.

Reverend Monsignor David Lantz, Pastor Emeritus of Christ the King Parish

Many of you recently saw that Msgr. Lantz was appointed Pastor Emeritus of CTK; so what does this mean? Effective July 1, Msgr. Lantz is retiring from active ministry. Bishop Paprocki does not like referring to priests as “retired” because a priest never stops being a priest and that is why he started the custom in our diocese of designating priests who retire from active ministry as pastors emeriti. CTK holds a special place in Msgr. Lantz’s heart as he spent more time here as both a parochial vicar and pastor than in any other of his assignments, thus he was named pastor emeritus here. The title is purely honorific and comes with no rights or responsibilities, and Msgr. Lantz will have his own private residence. While Msgr. Lantz is always welcome here at CTK, and I hope that we might see more of him, nothing changes at the parish regarding the current pastoral staff.

CTK Men’s Club Golf Outing

Thank you to everyone who helped to make the Men’s Club golf outing a success. A big thank you to the Men’s Club for their hard work and generosity to our parish and school.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House

The Not-So-Fine Print by Fr. Chris House

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 19:56:12 GMT

This weekend as we celebrate the third Sunday of Easter, we continue with the appearances of the risen Lord as recounted in John’s Gospel. This Sunday’s Gospel selection is packed with details, beginning by taking us to the shore of the Sea of Galilee; the disciples, who are out on the sea fishing, again encounter the risen Jesus who is waiting for them on land.

This weekend as we celebrate the third Sunday of Easter, we continue with the appearances of the risen Lord as recounted in John’s Gospel. This Sunday’s Gospel selection is packed with details, beginning by taking us to the shore of the Sea of Galilee; the disciples, who are out on the sea fishing, again encounter the risen Jesus who is waiting for them on land. The Gospel implies that they do not recognize Jesus physically, as his appearance has been glorified in the resurrection, but they do recognize him in faith due to their catch of fish having followed Jesus’s command to lower their nets.

This is Peter’s first personal encounter with Jesus since denying knowing him while in the court yard of the high priest during Jesus’s trial. What a change we see in Peter. Most of us would be reluctant to come face to face with the Lord, but Peter, who ran from him, now cannot wait to get to him. Peter does not wait for the boat to get to shore but jumps over the side in a hurry to greet Jesus. While Peter sinned against the Lord, it is apparent that Peter trusts in the Lord’s love, mercy, and forgiveness.

While at breakfast, Jesus asks Peter “do you love me more than these?” This could mean one of two things. One interpretation is that Jesus is not comparing Peter’s love for him with Peter’s love for his brothers, but rather that Jesus asks Peter if Peter’s love for him surpasses the others’ love for Jesus. Another interpretation is that Jesus is asking this in reference to the boat and the nets, symbolic of Peter’s former life; Jesus could be asking if Peter is truly willing to leave it all behind for love of him. What is agreed upon by scholars and theologians is that this is the moment of Peter’s rehabilitation. It was next to a fire that Peter denied that he knew the Lord three times; here, again by a fire, Peter affirms his love for Jesus three times, not with great remonstrations as he had done at the Last Supper but simply by saying with emotion “Lord, you know that I love you.”

Assured of his love, Jesus now tells Peter, rather plainly and not hidden in fine print, what the reality of that love will mean, that days will come when Peter will suffer for that love and even give his life for it though a martyr’s death; then, in the same breath, Jesus once again makes the great invitation to Peter: “follow me.”

As disciples, the same question is asked of us: “do you love me more than these?” Are we striving to perfect our love for the Lord? Are we willing to place love of him before everything and everyone else? Are we willing to accept the crosses that come from loving him? While loving him will certainly bring crosses, his love will bring us beyond those crosses to greater life, both here and in the life to come. Jesus lays everything out before us concerning discipleship, the good and the unpleasant. He also renews for us the same invitation that he renewed for Peter: “follow me.” What’s our answer?

Bringing Back the Cup at Communion

For over two years the Eucharist under the form of the Precious Blood has not been available to most of the faithful due to the COVID pandemic. At Mass on Holy Thursday, without any commentary beforehand, two chalices of the Precious Blood were offered to the faithful that evening and not a drop of the Precious Blood remained at the end of Communion. It was apparent to me that the privilege of the option was well received.

I understand that this is one of those areas where parishioners will have differing opinions: some will have no opinion, some will think it should not come back at present, and some will very much want to have the option of the Precious Blood returned (interestingly, the United States is one of the only places in the world where the Holy See has given permission for the Precious Blood to be given regularly). As pastor, I plan to return the availability of the Precious Blood to those who wish to receive it. Being that this will require two more extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion per Mass, the return of the option to receive the Precious Blood will coincide with the new ministry schedule beginning in June. For those minsters who minster the cup but themselves are not comfortable receiving from it, please know that the priest or deacon at Mass will consume any of the Precious Blood that remains if you ask them to do so.

Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!

Father Chris House