2022 archive of From the Pastor's Desk
From Father Jose Our New Pastor
Posted by Karen Neubauer on 7/07/22
My name is Fr. Jose Jacob. I am glad to be back here in the Midwest and to serve you all St. Theresa of Avila and St. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Let me introduce myself.
I was born into a devoted Catholic Family in the State of Kerala in ... Read More »
IT IS THE LORD’S DOING
Posted by Karen Neubauer on 7/01/22
I am grateful to God to have found me worthy to have a share in the priesthood of Jesus Christ and the opportunity to serve as your Pastor for the last three years.
I truly cherish the faith and the fellowship we have shared together. May we continue to ... Read More »
THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION) IS A TIME TO ENCOUNTER GOD
Posted by Karen Neubauer on 6/22/22
While people must be honest and specific about their sins when they go to confession, they will miss the sacrament’s key grace if they are “completely mechanical” about listing their sins, Pope Francis said.
Confession is not a time for judgment, but for an encounter with the merciful God ... Read More »
“FIVE LOAVES AND TWO FISH ARE ALL WE HAVE HERE”
Posted by Karen Neubauer on 6/17/22
In the Gospel of John 6:1-15, the disciples were too quick to confess their inadequacies. And they said, “five loaves and two fish are all we have.” They only saw the problem not the solution. They only saw their weaknesses and not their strength. They embraced pessimism and elbowed ... Read More »
THE MOST HOLY TRINITY
Posted by Karen Neubauer on 6/09/22
Today we celebrate the Most Holy Trinity. The Trinity is One. We do not confess three Gods, but one God in three persons, the “consubstantial Trinity.” The divine persons do not share the one divinity among themselves but each of them is God whole and entire: “The Father is ... Read More »
IT’S PENTECOST SUNDAY – PROMISE MADE; PROMISE KEPT.
Posted by Karen Neubauer on 6/09/22
Yes, Promise made; promise kept. Our Lord Jesus promised his Apostles before he Ascended to heaven that he would send them the Holy Spirit- the advocate. Today is Pentecost. The Holy Spirit has come.
“This is the mystery of Pentecost: The Holy Spirit illuminates the human spirit and, by ... Read More »
COME, HOLY SPIRIT ; FILL THE HEARTS THY FAITHFUL AND KINDLE IN THEM THE FIRE OF THY LOVE.
Posted by Karen Neubauer on 5/11/22
With great joy, I Congratulate all our candidates (Confirmandi) who will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. And we welcome our Local Ordinary, Bishop Michael McGovern to our parish for this special occasion. Let us pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon them. Dear people of God, ... Read More »
THE "GOSPEL OF CONVENIENCE"...???
Posted by Karen Neubauer on 4/22/22
We often hear people say, "I cannot go to Mass every Sunday because it is not convenient for me." We hear some people say, "I cannot join the Pastoral Council or that other committee because it is not convenient for me."..."Oh Father, honestly I would love to help but ... Read More »
JOY COMES IN THE MORNING . . . IT’S EASTER!
Posted by Karen Neubauer on 4/14/22
The transformative lesson God taught us during Lent is that the morning will come when you learn how to endure the night. God promised His people, “I will be as the dew unto my people”. Dew is the tiny drops of moisture that appear on cool surface in the ... Read More »
IMPORTANT DAYS AHEAD
Posted by Karen Neubauer on 4/06/22
Palm Sunday, the final Sunday before Easter Sunday, marks the beginning of Holy Week. Catholics and in fact, other Christian churches distribute palms on Palm Sunday to commemorate Christ's triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, when palm branches were placed in His path, before His arrest and Crucifixion on Good Friday.
... Read More »