Bulletin Article: August 30

On September 14th at 6pm our parish will again hold an open forum on Zoom. Please save the date and time and join us if you are able. I found the past open forum on Zoom to be very successful and look forward to trying this again. The room number and agenda will be made available in the near future.

We are currently putting together a third homebound list for the parish which will work in conjunction to our lists of those in a nursing home or at home. This list is for those who are currently unable to come to Mass due to COVID-19. If you know of someone who may need to be placed on this list please have them call the parish office to leave their name. This list will assist in our parish being able to reach out to them while they are unable to be with us at Mass.

Finally, our parish is currently developing first Saturday devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. On this day it is traditional to attend Mass receiving communion in the state of grace, make confession, and pray at least five decades of the rosary. On first Saturday there will normally be two priests who will be present to hear confessions. In time there will be an image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary which will be purchased which will be present at each first Saturday Mass. It is my hope that this devotion will enkindle devotion to the Blessed Mother and will aid many in making use of the sacrament of Confession on routine basis. 

In Christ,

Fr. Dustin Collins

13th Sunday After Pentecost Homily

In our modern day world leprosy is known as Hansen’s Disease. As time has passed we have learned a lot concerning this disease and how to properly treat it. At one point in time this disease was thought of as being highly contagious, but we now know that to not be the case. Nevertheless, at the time of our Gospel is was seen as being highly contagious and therefore extreme measures had to be put into place in order to protect the community.

Therefore the plight of leprosy keeps an individual at a distance from being able to enter back into communion with the community. When one begins to show symptoms of leprosy they are to go before the priest and after an evaluation will be named unclean. Once this happens they are sent off to live at a distance and are to have no contact with anyone who doesn’t have leprosy which includes their children and property which had been separated from them. As they walk about they are to also ring a bell to warn others that they are approaching a leper.

Another interesting aspect to leprosy is the fact that it moves slowly. Before symptoms show you would of been infected with the bacteria that causes it for a very long time. Symptoms then begin to show which are usually pale or slightly red areas on the skin. If this is left untreated it grows worse and can even lead to more serious symptoms such as paralysis.

In our Gospel Christ encounters ten who bare the burden of leprosy. It is noted that they “stood afar off” form they had been separated from the community through this burden. Christ then instructed them to return to the priest for it was only the priest who could evaluate them to declare them clean just bringing them back into the community, restoring their property, and reuniting them with their family. It was while on the way that they were made clean for they approached the priests with faith. They did not just have any faith, but faith placed in the healing mercy of Christ Jesus.

It is through our sin that we stand afar off from our Blessed Lord. He desires that we draw close to Him, but do we have the faith to do so? Or instead are we content with standing afar off through our participation in a life of sin and death? Leprosy makes a perfect analogy into the reality of sin. Sin seeps into our life and if left unchecked will grow worse until the point that we have entered into a life of mortal sin which destroys sanctifying grace and become content with our current state of life.

Our Gospel shows us that Christ does not want us to be left afar off. He desires that we be made clean and return into communion with Him. Indeed their is no sin that we can commit within this life which is too great for His infinite mercy. Despite the reality of this there are still those who will to stay afar off for they want nothing to do with the Sacrament of Confession and a life of conversion. This day may we seek out the infinite mercy of the Lord and always draw into communion with the one who restored us to life upon the wood of the cross.

22nd Sunday of OT Year A Homily

Saint Paul is very clear in our Epistle by stating: “Do not conform yourselves to this age.” Nevertheless, it is popular culture which forms so many hearts and souls instead of the truths which are contained within the Gospels and the teaching authority of the Church. Sadly, some children do not know the prayers of the rosary, but can recite the lyrics of popular songs without hesitation. Some are unable to navigate the pages of a bible, but are able to navigate a phone where an abundance of information awaits at one’s fingertips. To name something as simple as the 12 apostles or first pope is an impossibility, but one can rattle off the names of the actors of a favorite television show at ease. We go nowhere without our phone, but so easily leave our rosary behind.

No matter one’s age or if one be single or married we should devote our life onto the Lord instead of the ways of this age. Within our own home should be a place where the Lord comes and dwells with us. Nevertheless, when was the last time that your family gathered together for prayer? In doing so I hope this transcends a simple blessing given before one eats. On the other hand when is the last time that your family has watched television together? Some will not remember the answer to this first question while easily being able to recollect the answer to the second question which was proposed. Our homes must become places of prayer and study of the faith. Husband and wife should join together in this reality and should bring their children into this same relationship which models themselves after the ways of the Lord and not of this age.

Parents play an important role in building up the domestic church. The domestic church is the church at home which exists in order to draw souls towards love of the Lord. The Code of Canon Law states: “parents are under a grave obligation to see to the religious and moral education of their children, as well as to their physical and civic training, as far as they can.” Pope Paul VI also stated in Gravissimum Educationis: “the role of parents in education is of such importance that is almost impossible to provide an adequate substitute.” From these quotations we see the importance that the Church places upon education for education is a way to form an individual to love and serve the Lord who is the fullness of truth itself.

With the lack of attention which is placed here it is no wonder why we have so many issues within our world for we no longer dare to conform ourselves to Christ, but instead this age. Thus under normal circumstances the Mass is not frequented except for when it is convenient to fit our schedule. We begin to abuse the beautiful meaning which lies behind the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony to the point that it no longer meets its God given purpose. Thus the prevalence divorce, contraception, and an attempt to redefine marriage as between a man and a woman gives rise within society. We lose sight of the sanctity of human life from conception to a natural death. We lose sight of the poor for the amassment of our own kingdom on earth. Truly it is easy to be distracted by this age to the point that we allow ourself to lose sight of Christ.

Again let us heed the words which were given by Saint Paul in our Epistle: “Do not conform yourselves to this age.” In this manner let us be willing to stand against the tides of popular culture. Let us be willing to hold steadfast on the moral teachings of the church. Let us continue to take up practices such as spiritual reading and education in the faith. Let us study and emulate the lives of the saints.Let us be willing to make prayer a priority especially as a family. Let us frequent the sacraments of the Church and come to live out the grace that is given there especially by receiving Holy Communion in the state of grace and coming to frequent the sacrament of Confession. Truly our sight should not be set upon this age, but upon Christ and the Church that He has left upon this earth in order to draw us into deeper relationship with Him.

Bulletin Article: August 23

Next weekend, August 29 and 30, our parish arrives at a big celebration for we are finally able to celebrate the ordination of Zachary Griffith to the priesthood of Jesus Christ. His ordination will be August 29th at 11am at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville. His ordination Mass will be streamed to the Diocese of Knoxville webpage. Please note that due to this ordination there will not be an 8:30am Mass on Saturday nor will there be confessions at 9am.

On August 30th then Father Zachary Griffith will celebrate his first Mass of Thanksgiving at the 8am Mass. Following Mass he will be in the gathering area to give blessings to those who do wish as they exit the church. We will have a table set up where any gifts for him can be left. Originally I had hoped our parish could of offered him a banquet, but due to our COVID-19 restrictions that is not possible. I still hope that he will be able to join us for his first anniversary of priesthood allowing us to finally throw him a banquet sometime in the future.

He has been assigned to Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Chattanooga and his assignment will begin September 9th. Let us continue to pray for him and for more vocations from this parish community.

In Christ,

Fr. Dustin Collins

12th Sunday After Pentecost Homily

Christ worked many miracles and yet many of those who heard and saw these great works remained both death and blind to what they were shown and told. Likewise, the prophets had the foresight to proclaim a message of repentance. These messages which they proclaimed often came to be unheeded by those who heard their voice. We also find a loving God who is constantly entering into covenant with His chosen people and yet they continue to turn away from Him and the path that He has opened wide to them.

God’s covenant with His chosen people has led the way to the coming of Christ. The voices of the prophets further point the way towards the coming of the Messiah. As is stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “God has revealed himself fully by sending his own Son, in whom he has established his covenant forever. The Son is his Father’s definitive Word; so there will be no further Revelation after him.” Despite all of this our current age continues to do what was done before and thus some remain death and blind to the divine truths of faith.

It was at our baptism that we were greeted by the priest at the doors of the church. It was here that we came to be received into the life of the church through our baptism. Through these life giving waters Christ said to us as He said to the man born death and dumb, “ephpheta” “be opened.” Despite this life giving exchange in the waters of baptism we so often allow ourself to return to a life which we knew before when we were both death and blind.

If we remain thrust down in this state we fail to hear the voice of the Lord and to see His great works. If we remain cast down we fail to see the importance of the Church and to allow it to guide us towards a life which is filled with the pursuit of holiness and God’s grace. In this parable that further unfolds we notice that the man who was left upon the road half dead was brought to the innkeeper and was left in the comfort of the inn. Thus too we who ought to strive for holiness and God in the midst of the constant changes of this life have been left with the Church. The Church which takes care of us, the Church through which we receive the sacraments, and the Church which guides us towards salvation. As was stated by Saint Cyprian, “there is no salvation outside of the church.”

As Lumen Gentium expounds upon this quote of Saint Cyprian: “Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism, and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through Baptism as through a door, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or to remain in it.”

Therefore, my sisters and brothers in Christ let us not be led astray by the ways of the world and the doubt that Satan desires to bring into our life through division. We must stay within the confines of the Church and continue to infuse ourselves with God’s grace. Through such an exchange our eyes and ears will continue to see and hear the truths which are discovered in the Church and are revealed to us by Christ Jesus.

21st Sunday of OT Year A Homily

It is Jesus who sets Saint Peter apart as the first pope of the church. He stands in line with many throughout history and he becomes known as being the first among the disciples. As was articulated by Saint Clement of Alexandria in the year 200: “The blessed Peter, the chosen, the preeminent, the first among the disciples, for whom alone with himself the Savior pair the tribute, quickly grasped and understood their meaning. And what does he say? Behold, we have left all and have followed you.”

Unless one is real young we should know the great anticipation that is held whenever a papal conclave is taking place. During this time we are glued to our screens in hope of finally seeing white smoke come from that little chimney that can be seen from Saint Peter’s Square. As the papal electors process into the Sistine Chapel the chant of the “Veni Sancte Spiritus” “Come, Holy Spirit” fills the air. Truly the Holy Spirit is invoked in order that the Holy Spirit may come into their midst and guide their deliberations.

As was instructed in our Gospel: “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” This brings me to the concept of papal infallibility which is something that is misunderstood by many Fundamentalists as well as some Catholics. The pope cannot walk out onto a balcony and state that the sky is now orange instead of blue. The pope does not reinvent and change doctrine as he sees fit. Rather, the pope defines something to be infallible by the fact that it is something that was held to be true by Christ and His apostles. Thus when the Immaculate Conception came under attack it came to be infallibly defined because this was already something that Christianity had held to from the beginning.

As was stated by Vatican II in Lumen Gentium: “Although the individual bishops do not enjoy the prerogative of infallibility, they can nevertheless proclaim Christ’s doctrine infallibly. This is so, even when they are dispersed around the world, provided that while maintaining the bond of unity among themselves and with Peter’s successor, and while teaching authentically on a matter of faith or morals, they concur in a single viewpoint as the one which must be held conclusively. This authority is even more clearly verified when, gathered together in an ecumenical council, they are teacher and judges of faith and morals for the universal Church. Their definitions must then be adhered to with the submission of faith.”

One issue that I see with modern day American Catholicism is our desire to lower the pope and hierarchy of the church to a place where they are forced to meet popular opinion if they are to be found worthy of paying attention to. Turn on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, or some other source of news to find out the constant banter of the president’s approval rating. The Church does not concern itself with winning a popularity contest, but instead protecting the truth of faith and morals. Along the way there might be bad popes, bishops, or priests as there have been throughout history. Nevertheless, we must show respect and obedience to the Holy Father and our bishops who speak with the authority of the apostles.

As is heard in the Gospel of Saint Luke: “He who hears you hears me.” Let us respect the office of pope and bishop and continue to pray for those to whose care we have been entrusted for to hear them is to hear the voice of the Lord.

Bulletin Article: August 16

I thank Deacon John for his service to our parish as deacon. He will retire from active ministry effective August 30, 2020. Despite this retirement being accepted by Bishop Stika he still plans on serving our parish in any way that he is able.

Let us continue to pray for the faculty, staff, and students of our parish school. This weekend we finally held the graduation of our 8th grade class. This was a huge graduation class of roughly 33. Despite so many of our students graduating enrollment currently sits at 161 students which is only down 10 from last year. With the distancing guidelines given from the diocese many of our classes are considered full. If you desire to enroll your children in our school please call the school office and check availability and if necessary be put on a waiting list. One class that has 2 open spots is our new Pre-3 program.

In Christ,

Fr. Dustin Collins

11th Sunday After Pentecost Homily

The Lord touches the ears and tongue of this man who was found to be death and dumb. The ears represent our ability to hear while the tongue represents our ability to speak. From a position of faith it is important that we do both of these elements. Therefore, during a baptism in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite the priest touches the ears and lips of the child who is to be baptized. Through baptism the child enters into the life of the church and through these life giving waters they are sent forth to hear and speak the words of truth which come from our Lord Jesus Christ.

If we cannot hear we will not be able to speak the truths which are contained within the faith. We live in the midst of a culture of noise which is constantly bombarding each of us. We pride ourself on how busy that we are in our daily life. More important then all of this is prayer. Through prayer we enter into relationship with God and begin to hear His voice be made manifest in our daily life. When we enter into sin we push Christ off to the side and through these actions the voice begins to become muffled; maybe even to the point where it is completely blotted out.

Hopefully what we hear is something which is intergraded into who we are as a human person. The words which we speak with our lips should line up accordingly to what we hear and ponder in our heart. Sadly, there are those who live out their faith as if what happens inside of the Church on Sunday is independent of what is encountered in the rest of our daily life. If we are people of faith this cannot be the case. Rather we should fill our mind and heart with things of faith. We should pray especially the rosary, we should do spiritual reading, we should assist at the Holy Mass, and participate in the sacraments in a state of grace. To do such acts would open our our ears to not only hear the Word of God, but to speak the Word of God with our lips.

We cannot allow ourself to become so hardened of heart that we fail to ponder these things of faith. Some therefore fill there life with the noise of immorality in what is viewed on television, on the internet, or in the music that one listens too. If our ears become so attuned to such voices they in return will tune out that which important, God. Likewise with our ears closed off to these truths, our voices become objects which do not give glory to God, but instead detract from Him. As people of faith we cannot allow this to be so concerning us.

Therefore as we head into the world following this Mass let us find ways to give proper glory and praise to God. The more the we align our life to His Divine will the more our ears will come to hear His voice and our lips will come to give glory to His Most Holy Name. In our Gospel Christ brought healing to this man restoring his ears and mouth to it’s original purpose. Likewise, the Lord desires to do the same for each of us. Let us not impede His mercy and forgiveness in this life, but always remain open to His healing rays of mercy and forgiveness.

20th Sunday of OT Year A Homily

The words of Christ seem to be harsh: “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to dogs.” I would say that these words are not harsh, but instead these words are pastoral. To understand this statement made by our Lord we need to first understand the meaning of three words: children, food, and dogs.

Therefore, the children which are spoken of are representative of those of the Jewish faith. These are the chosen people which God had entered into covenant with. Concerning them it is said in Psalm 89: “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: I will establish your descendants for ever, and built your throne for all generations.” What is being referenced here is the fact that the Jewish people are the chosen people of God. These were the people who were freed from their slavery in Egypt and God entered into covenant with them.

Next we have the food which is representative of the Good News of salvation. This Good News of salvation was preached by Christ. It is Christ who fulfills what was instructed by the Prophet Daniel: “to him was given dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” We know of Christ that He worked great miracles which caused others to flock to Him. This food is the food of salvation which He brings into the world.

Finally, the dogs are the Gentiles. When we think of dogs we think of the furry companions which live in our homes and are known to us as man’s best friend. To the ancient Hebrew mind this is not the case. To them the dog is something which is repulsive. The dog would eat caracasses and vermin making it an unclean animal which should be avoided. In other words we can conclude from Christ’s words that the Good News given by Christ is not only for the Jewish people, but is also for the Gentiles. This response acknowledges the reality that the Jewish people are the chosen people of God, but points towards the fact that the Gentiles will also have the opportunity to share in this saving reality.

This woman shows her faith and trust placed in the words of the Lord. Likewise, we should model ourself after this Canaanite woman. When all in the world is not going as we would wish we should remember the humility and faith that this woman displays. Let us realize that the Lord loves each of us dearly. Let us realize that we are extended the grace which is necessary for us to be good and faithful servants of the Lord despite all the hardships that may come our way. The Lord clearly desired to extend salvation unto her even though others would of wanted her excluded from it. Likewise, the Lord desires that each of us may be saved. Upon the cross He has done the work for us, but in return what do we do with this great gift that has been extended unto us?

20th Sunday of OT Year A (Graduation) Homily

2020 has been an odd year and so I welcome the students of the Saint Mary School class of 2020 who finally have their 8th grade graduation today as well as their families and friends who are able to join us. When it became apparent that holding graduation at the normally scheduled time was impossible the decision was made to hold this graduation on August 15th with the hope that we could be past our hardships. Despite that hope we must still practice social distancing and our graduation has been pushed outside due to the size of this class, but thankfully your graduation ceremony will still be able to take place.

August 15th was chosen for it is on August 15th that the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven. This is a fitting day for we are a Marian parish and school and this is a Marian celebration. It is also fitting because our Blessed Mother is assumed into Heaven as each of you move on from this stage in your life to the next. Hopefully, as you move on from this school each of you will continue to foster devotion to the Blessed Mother. Devotion to her always leads us back to her Son, Jesus Christ.

Our reading from the Prophet Isaiah reminded that “my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” Thus I must remind that each of you have a home in the Church. At your baptism you where greeted by the priest at the doors of the church and brought into the church. This serves as a reminder that through the waters of baptism you who were once outside of the church were received into the church. So too the church is a place a refuge for each of you, but sadly many allow themself to become too busy to enter into these hallowed walls.

We must realize that our life its full of transition. One day you are pre-k and before you know it you are in 8th grade. From here you move onto high school and before you know it you will be making the transition to college. Your parents may be filled with fear at this thought of your eventual growing up and independence, but it will indeed come. No matter the transition and change that we are to make let us never leave behind the church and all that she teaches us. Each of you have been provided an education in not just any school, but in a Catholic school. You have been taught not only run of the mill things such as mathematics and science, but about morality and thus to the pursuit of virtue in your daily life.

As you leave behind this school please remember the importance that God plays in our life. It is my hope that each of you will continue to learn which includes investing yourself in the Catholic faith. Make sure to never become too busy to enter into prayer and please make sure to attend Mass each and every week. As you depart from here your life will be filled with many joys, but there will also be struggles. In the midst of these joys and hardships again remember the words of the Prophet Isaiah: “my house shall be called a house of prayer.”

Bulletin Article: August 9

 I would like to thank Elizabeth Acosta for her time as parish nurse. She has decided to step aside from her role as parish nurse. Until further notice she will continue to organize Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the homebound. Hopefully once we can get back to life as normal we will be able to have a reception to thank her for her service to our parish.

The Saint Mary School class of 2020 will hold their graduation on August 15th following the 5pm Mass. Graduates are invited to attend the 5pm Mass and the graduation will be held outside if weather permits. Congratulations to the class of 2020.

In Christ,

Fr. Dustin Collins

10th Sunday After Pentecost Homily

The pharisee and the publican are a stark contrast from one another. On one hand we have the pharisee who was filled with a spirit of pride and on the other hand we have the publican who was filled with a spirit of humility. The pharisee was concerned with self while the publican centered his life upon the Lord with a spirit of faith and thus he came to say, “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.”

I believe these two individuals can give us a lesson in the necessity of faith and works. There are those who would wrongly claim of the Catholic Church that she professes that in order to be saved one must do good works. Then one dies they are able to show the list of their good works unto God and for them they will be found worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven. Of course this is not a true representation of our Catholic faith and its understanding upon this matter.

Of the pharisee we were told that he prayed as following: “O God, I give Thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers; as also is the publican. I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I possess.” Through his prayer we see his accomplishments and works. Nevertheless, the Catholic Church does not teach that we do works in order to give a list unto God in order to receive something in return. Instead we are sent forth to do good works as a response to our faith. From the Epistle of Saint James we are told: “justified by works and not by faith alone.” Even in the Gospels are Blessed Lord states that He does not know those who failed to cloth, feed, or give drink to those who were in need. If we hear the Gospel message we must be sent forth to respond to it by our life.

The prayer of the pharisee was not found acceptable for this prayer was not given in a spirit of humility. The pharisee was transfixed upon all the right and good things that he was doing and failed to humble himself in God’s presence. On the other hand, the publican was able to be humble. He did not hide behind accomplishments, but realized that he was a sinner who was in need of God’s mercy.

For each of us it is my fervent hope that we are sent forth from here to perform works as a response to our Christian faith not as a means to show God our worthiness of Heaven. Let us never be like the pharisee who embraced a spirit of pride and failed to see the need of God’s mercy and forgiveness. The publican shows us the correct path for the publican was humble of heart. He did not rely upon achievements in order to be saved, but upon the mercy of God. He understood as we should understand, “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.”

19th Sunday of OT Year A Homily

The fourth watch of the night is referenced in our Gospel and so we were told: “During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea.” The fourth watch comes from the Roman dividing of the night into four parts. Each watch constitutes a period of three hours and the four of them stretch from 6pm-6am. The fourth watch is the period of time lasting between 3am and 6am and it represents the most important of the watches for it leads the way to the conclusion of night, the coming of dawn, and thus the sun which brings forth light which illuminate the darkness.

The fourth watch represents a period of waiting and anticipation. We have passed through three other watches and have yet to arrive at the ultimate destination of dawn. During this stretch of time we know that all is pitch black and after awhile we may even start to question if there is the hope to bring forth light. Through the experience of time we know that this hope springs forth from the darkness of night no matter how dark and long this period of time may seem to be.

In our Gospel we know that there was a great storm which beat about the boat containing the apostles. It would of been possible for Christ to come in any of the watches of the night, but he chose to come during this fourth and final watch. It was during this stretch of time that the apostles’ faith was been tested. After awhile it may even of seemed as if there was no hope in store for them to have this stormed calmed.

Nevertheless, “during the fourth watch of the night, He came toward them walking on the sea.” We are told concerning them that that “they were terrified,” but our Lord instructed them from the midst of His compassion and mercy: “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Later our Lord would question Saint Peter: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

The fourth watch of the night should be something that is familiar to each of us. On rare occasions I find myself waking up in the middle of the night looking at my phone to see that it is only 3am. The night still draws on and sometimes it can seem as if it is an eternity that lies before me. So to in this world in which we live there are many who find themself in this fourth watch of the night. I think of the poor souls in Beirut who recently experienced an explosion. In a matter of time so many lives have been changed forever. I think of those throughout the world who anticipate life returning to normal from the effects of COVID-19. At times it seems as if that time will never come.

We must be people of faith. We must come to place our trust in the merciful hands of the Lord. “During the fourth watch of the night” He will come towards us to usher in the dawn which brings forth light to illuminate the darkness. We should remember the period of mourning that was felt as our Lord was crucified upon the cross, but be filled with hope at the Good News of His Resurrection which brings forth a great light. Despite all that we endure in this life may we remember all of this with the spirit of faith and hope placed in the Lord. Despite all that we endure in this fourth watch of the night He consoles us and says “take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.

St. Mary Men’s Evening of Recollection Sermon IX: Humility

Before our shutdown in March I spoke about the importance of virtue. It was then my hope to break down each of the virtues over a series of months, but our campus ended up getting shutdown for COVID-19. I now wish to resume that conversation beginning with the virtue of humility.

Pride ,the opposite of humility, is known to us as being the root of all sin. Is Dante’s Inferno the prideful have a millstone hung around their neck. The millstone causes them to look downward as they study the world’s great lessons in humility. One of these lessons is that of the Annunciation when our Blessed Mother gave her “yes” to the angel of the Lord. In giving her “yes” she did not cry out in a spirit of pride, but instead lowered herself in God’s presence and said: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord be it done unto me according to your word.”

Saint Josemaria Escriva states of humility: “Don’t wish to be like the gilded weather-cock on top of a great building: however much it shines, and however high it stands, it adds nothing to the solidity of the building. Rather be like an old stone block hidden in the foundations, underground, where no one can see you: because of you the house will not fall.”

This is a true lesson in humility because we do not have to be seen nor recognized for what we do. Saint Therese of Lisieux instructs us in the Little Way where one can do little ordinary things in a spirit of prayer. These little ordinary things may never go noticed, but that is okay because that is not the reason why we do them. There will come points in our life where others will receive the recognition that we think that we deserve. Hopefully, we will allow ourself to take this lesson in humility to heart and not fight it in order that we may be recognized.

As Saint Josemaria Escriva states: “The more I am exalted, Jesus, the more I want you to humble me in my heart, showing me what I have been, and what I will be if you leave me.” This statement should make us realize our dependence upon God. So often we go throughout the day as if we are at life’s center and thus push the Lord off to the side. Today we celebrate the Memorial of Saint John Vianney. People were drawn to him not because of his own merit, but because of God who he was close to. The same goes for all the saints. We too receive this same invitation to allow the Lord to dwell in our midst and to be at the center of our life.

Through pride we push the Lord off. It is said that Saint John XXIII would end his day saying: “Well Lord, it’s your Church, you take care of it; I’m going to sleep.” These words are truly humble because they put everything into perspective. We too must come to this realization and allow ourself to be humbled in the Lord’s midst. Just because we pray does not mean that the path we must walk will be easy. We must learn to know and accept our limitations thus allowing the Lord to humble our heart with our realization of the help of others. 

May we always come to practice the virtue of humility. May we especially come to humble ourself in the Lord’s presence by frequenting the sacrament of confession. It is here that we come a sinner into the Lord’s presence in order that we may be healed. From Luke’s Gospel we join with the tax collector who “stood at a distance. He would not even look up to Heaven, but beat his breast and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

Bulletin Article: August 2

Please pray for the faculty, staff, and students of our parish school as they return for a new school. This have been difficult times for all that have required a lot of adaptations from us, but the diocese has given good direction in reopening out school. May this be a fruitful school year for all.

I ask that each of you continue to be vigilant with Bishop Stika’s mandates. Please remember that you are to have your face mask on before you open any doors to your vehicle and are to keep it on until you return to your vehicle with all doors shut. While attending Mass do not greet others or gather with others outside of your household. Once Mass is over do not linger on our campus, but go straight to your car and immediately depart from our campus.

While in the church remember that you can only sit with those who live in your household. If a relative or friend lives in a different household they must sit in a different area. When coming up for communion remember to keep a distance of six feet, use the hand sanitizer station, and at the request of Bishop Stika receive communion in the hand.

As COVID-19 cases become more prevalent in our area I remind you that if you have been in close contact with anyone with COVID-19 you need a negative test result and a period of 14 days must pass before you can return to our campus. In you are feeling ill do not enter our campus. Remember that at this time there is not an obligation for us to assist at Mass on each Sunday and Holy Day or Obligation.

In Christ,

Fr. Dustin Collins 

9th Sunday After Pentecost Homily

“My house is a house of prayer.”

This is a wonderful thought, but is it practical for our modern ears to hear? There is so much chatter that fills these sacred walls before and after Mass. This chatter fills not only seconds, but minutes which at times can transcend into hours.

Again it was Christ who said: “My house is a house of prayer.”

Outside of the walls of this church I know that it is a fact to say that every inch of our life is filled with noise. That is what should be liberating about entering into this sacred space. Whenever we enter in we leave the world behind in order to come into an encounter with the divine. To think of the great gift that we encounter here for we encounter Christ our Lord present with us in the Eucharist. To think that the light of the sanctuary lamp signals to us the presence of Christ who is currently in our midst not in symbol, but in all actuality.

Christ calms our fears and instructs us from the midst of the noise of this world: “My house is a house of prayer.”

How many souls would be won for the Lord if we in return could trust in these words? If I were a visitor to this parish I would be blown away not by the noise that fills it, but by silence because silence is the direct opposite of what I encounter in my daily life. Silence would force me to reflect that something special is taking place in this sacred space. When I attended college seminary I am pretty sure that you could hear a pin drop in the basilica for this was a place of prayer. Out of the noise of everyday life I would go to the basilica to pray and be with the Lord. This was a retreat from everyday life.

Again, “My house is a house of prayer.”

As Cardinal Sarah properly pointed out in his book “The Power of Silence: Against the Dictatorship of Noise:” “How I would love it if pastors and the faithful would enter joyfully into this silence that is full of sacred reverence and love for the ineffable God. How I would love it if churches were houses in which the great silence prevails that announces and reveals the adored presence of God.”

Therefore, my brothers and sisters in Christ may this sacred space remain always a house of prayer that welcomes us in and centers our mind, heart, and soul upon Christ our Lord who dwells in this sacred space. From the encounter with this silence we will come to encounter God for “my house is a house of prayer.”