#15 Lenten Reflection 3 6 2026 If you want peace, work for justice (St. Paul VI)

Cutting off the ear of someone you disagree with will never solve the problem. Violence will only beget more violence. In this time when we seem to be experiencing so much war, violence and distrust of others in our country and world, we pray for peace. Jesus reminds us that His word will bring about dissension both within the family and the larger community. Building trust, the first fruits of peace, come through listening and hearing to voice of the other. Self defense is necessary, but we are called to disarm the violence of conflict by seeking first and always a just outcome where violence and destruction are not sought as a solution. Let us pray for peace and let us work for Justice. St. Paul VI, pray for us.

#14 Lenten Reflection 3 5 2026 It is never to early to begin…not to late

Today we hear a beautiful story of St. Thèrése and the Sacrifice Beads that her family practiced. It was a spiritual practice, given to her at a very young age (before 4 years old), she practiced as she grew in holiness. This story reminds us of our need for spiritual practice and for families with children to challenge them to a spiritual practice throughout the years. Our Lenten practice of fasting, prayer and almsgiving should extend to the whole year, just deepened in Lent. These spiritual practice become a bulwark against the temptations of sin. Just remember… It is never to early to begin nor is it to late.

#13 Lenten Reflection 3 4 2026 Pray for us St. Casmir

A daily reflection where we examine our life and conscience is important for any growth. It helps us to remember all God’s blessings we have received (which we often forget among the troubles) as well as where we need to improve (to turn away from sin) so that we can life the more joy filled and holy life. As we are reminded, we often have good intentions that are left behind because we lack the strength or courage to turn them into actions. When we examine our day we are reminded how we need to call on God for the grace to be courageous and strong in living the Christian life and to become the saint God Called us to be.

#12 Lenten Reflection 3 3 2026 Thy Will be Done

The petition in the Our Father “The will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven” can be both a joy and a burden in our lives. The cup of gladness, of the will of the Father, brings us great joy and celebration as we grow and live with the people of God. The cup of bitterness and sorrow, also the will of the Father, brings us suffering and pain as we can doubt the direction, the necessary pruning that occur in our lives. Choosing to live the will of the Father is choosing to follow Jesus in the Way of the Cross, taking up our crosses daily in love of the Most Holy Trinity as we join with the saints in our life of faith…trusting in the will of the Father, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

#11 Lenten Reflection 3 2 2026 Preparing our heart with Prayer

St. Michael the Archangel defend us in battle. These words that begin the great prayer of St. Michael remind us that we are not in the battle alone. We are surrounded by a heavenly host and the Holy Catholic Church on earth. Prayer is a preparation for the struggle to “stay awake” in our journey of faith. As we face the adversities of life, we are called to prepare for the battle through constant prayer and joyful hope. God never gives up on us and is with us always. Let us walk with Him in prayer calling out to the Holy Spirit to fill us and strengthen us with the fire of grace.

2nd Sunday Prayer in the Community

We are reminded again how prayer takes many different forms. A life of prayer is found in the fullness of the human experience. We need quiet prayer where we sit alone with God and allow His word to fill us in a unique way. We need prayer in community where we not only hear the prayers of others but experience the noise and distraction of the community honing our hearts in sacrifice and service of others. A life of prayer encompasses both in joy, knowing God is present in the two extremes but also in all the manners of prayer in between. In a special way, let us sit with God and pray for peace in our world .

#10 Lent 2 28 26 Perseverance in the Journey of Faith

“Don’t underestimate the Struggle.” The Lenten journey is hard. “The good news is that failures don’t have to be fatal.” The promise of the cross, the grace of forgives are constant and strengthening when we place our hope and trust in Jesus Christ. “Everyone fails one way or another.” In this Lenten journey we are asked to when we fall, to get up, take up or cross and fallow Him. Amen

#9 Lent 2 27 26 The Church’s one Foundation is Jesus Christ our Lord

Living faith is being humble enough to remember our past, be in the present and hope in a future as we rely and trust in God our Father. The foundation of Jesus Christ is knowing the truth that we are made in the image and likeness of God at the same time knowing that in our sin God searches for us and guards us as a true Father. The Good Shepherd brings us home…Jesus I trust in you.

#8 Lent 2 26 26 Being transformed into the blessing of life

The offertory at the Mass is a moment of offering in preparation for receiving. We are invited to place our prayers, or very self on the altar to be transformed and made new in the image and likeness of God. “We become what we receive.” is something we often say, but do we life this reality: Becoming Christlike! We are called to broken and shared with the world in our service to our Father and to come back renewed in the Eucharist. God bless.

#7 Lent 2 25 26 “Surely, It is not I.”

Those tragic words spoken by the disciples at the beginning of the Last Supper echo throughout history. It is hard to imagine how many times I speak those same words. Asking the simple question as we stand before God and the Cross of Jesus Christ. When we seek forgiveness and reconciliation the words “Surely, it was I.” becomes the healing words of humility and the words of mercy we desire to hear from our God. My we seek reconciliation and peace today and all the days of my life.

6 Lent Tuesday First Week 2 24 2026 Not Just and Ordinary Day

No day is ordinary when we see with eyes of faith and love. God fill each day with extraordinary gifts of blessing when we choose to open the eyes of a heart of love. Trusting in the goodness of God, we begin to recognize our path to holiness in sharing the gifts and the graces God blesses us with as we then receive blessings of our heavenly love. God Bless

#5 Monday First Week of Lent 2 23 2026 Communicating with God in Prayer

We can often fall into the rote pattern of prayer where we no long share our heart with God and just the list of things to be done and people to be prayed for in our life. God invites us daily into a relationship of love where we share the deepest parts of our heart, not just words, but our very self. I invite you to pray Psalm 19 today as part of your prayer.

First Sunday in Lent 2 22 2026..Temptation strikes when we get out of our routines

Temptation Strikes when we get out of our routines..I’m a little late with the video today. Normally I do it very early in the morning. Today, I got off track. My voices argued between doing the video and “it’s already way late…just don’t do it!” How many times do we get off our routine…something throws us for a loop and we …..
God Bless

4 Lent after Ash Wednesday 2-21-2026 Generosity in Love

The Alabaster Jar is a symbol of God generous love towards each one of us. Think about how love is poured out each day. We may be having a hard day but a simple smile turns everything around. God seeks us, to heal us, to bless us, to embrace us…we only need to look towards the light of Christ. Troubles are all around us…but God’s love never goes away.

3 Lent after Ash Wednesday 2-20-2026 Becoming an Alms

To become what we pray, what we receive and what we give. To become the gift from God (alms) as we receive the gift from God (fasting) as we become the beloved child (prayer) is the spiritual gift of renewal offered by God to us.

2 Lent after Ash Wednesday 2-19-2026 Fragrance and Works of Grace

Fragrances (smells) bring about many memories in life. While our works of Lent may not have a fragrance in the physical sense, they do have the sweet smell of Jesus which fills the souls of our life and the lives of others. May we do our Lenten work with the smells of joy and love.

1 Lent Ash Wednesday 2 18 26 Humble Patience in Lent

On this first day of Lent we begin with the call to humility and patience. The cross that marks our foreheads is a sign of choosing to follow Jesus. We may not be perfect but is seeking first Jesus and his cross we find the joy of serving and following him. Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka…pray for us

Pre-Lenten Video…Perseverance in Lenten Practice 2/17/2026

Taking time to enter fully into the discipline of Lent. Allowing God’s presence to change our heart and convert our souls to following Jesus more closely.

Pre Lent Monday 2/16/26 Spending Time in Prayer

Monday before Lent 2/16/26
Preparing ourselves for prayer. Check out Pope Leo XIV’s Lenten Message for 2026. Join me daily in praying our way through Lent.
St. Lawrence Dual Language Catholic SchoolSaint Lawrence the Martyr Catholic Parish and School #Lent2026 #Godisgood

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-02/pope-leo-xiv-lent-2026-message-disarm-words-embrace-peace.html

#18 New Year Reflection Don’t Forget Baptism of the Lord 1/11/2026

New Year Reflection Don’t Forget The Baptism of the Lord 1/11/202

Final Reflection of the Season…don’t forget to continue to pick up the Gospel each and every day to live out your Christian vocation to be the saint God created you to be. Celebrate the sacramental life of the Catholic Church and give glory to God all the days of your life. Amen

#17 New Year Reflection Loosing is Good 1/10/2026

Loosing to God is good. As we end our Christmastime we are called to loose ourself in the person of Jesus Christ. We understand the more we give away what God blesses us with, the more we grow in love and live within the blessings of a intimate encounter and relationship with our Creator and Lord. The mystery of the more we loose the more we attain becomes a lived reality of hope.

#16 New Year Reflection Moving from Quiet to Silence 12 9 2026

When we find a place of quiet in our lives to dedicate this time to search for the voice of God we begin to desire the silence of true peace and live the life of virtue. Choosing the virtuous life we discover the perseverance to remain in silence and run towards our encounter with God

#15 New Year Reflection Renew and Putting Away 1/8/2026

Our faith journey is not a straight line. As we begin to put away Christmas decorations and look forward we call renewal of spirit to continue. We cannot live in one spot in our faith journey. We are invited to see anew our journey as a walk with Jesus. We know that all the symbols of Christmas will again invite us to continue this journey towards the life of unity in heavenly glory.

#14 New Year Reflection Open My Eyes Lord 1/7/2026

God places opportunities for us to receive his grace and blessing both from serving and being served. Removing our egos and allowing us to open the eyes of our heart and accept the gifts that are given in gratitude and joy allows us to be better stewards of the gift of life that we are called to share. Do we feed the 5,000 on day and then not accept the gift of being nourished the next day. Help me Lord to accept your presence and your desire to feed my soul.

#13 New Year Reflection Head to Heart Memorial of St. Andres Bessett 1/6/2026

What would you do if someone asked you to feed 5,000 people with five loves and two fish? From my head a quick calculation would get me to NO very quickly. But Jesus asks us to listen and act from the heart. We aren’t seeking foolishness but the plan of God in my lives. God asks us to look differently at the multitude before us, whether it is our problems and difficulties seeming to place roadblock after roadblock in our lives or if it the gifts of Christmas joy we are called to live daily. Choosing God’s gift to serve is always moving us in the right direction.

#12 New Year Reflection Seeking with Purpose Memorial of St. John Neumann 1/5/2026

God has made us for a purpose. In seeking the presence of God and the gifts he shares with us we begin to discover more fully our purpose. To use the gift given with the intended purpose leads us down the road of holiness. And if we do this…then we discover ever greater gifts confirming our purpose in life. That we become the saint God created us to be.

#11 New Year Reflection Epiphany Sunday Joyful Encounters 1/4/2026

The Wise men of the East follow the star of hope leading them to Jesus, the Son of God. We are also invited to see in the signs of the time and in our daily encounters the presence of God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Do we choose to ignore these encounters or do we embrace them and then choose to walk with our Savior Jesus Christ…Let us pray we also choose the encounter and live a life of holiness.

#10 New Year Reflections: The Name of Christian 1-3-2026

“Different men have different names, which they owe to their paretns or to themselves, that is, to their own pursuits and achievements. But our great pursuit, the great name we wanted, was to be Christians, to be called Christians.” (St. Gregory Nazianzen) As adoptive children, daughters and sons, we strive to choose to the holiness and love of our God and Father, to walk with Jesus in the pursuit of living the life of a Christian. Spiritual Renewal in the Holy Spirit. Amen

#9 New Year Reflections Spiritual Renewal 1-2-2025

On the memorial of St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory of Nazianzus we are reminded of the need for continual Spiritual Renewal in Jesus Christ. We thank God for the gift we are give as we strive to make space for Jesus and take time with him in remaining in his love. As this calendar year begins, let us make a resolution for a path of renewal for both our own soul and the heart of our family.

#8 New Year Reflections Mary our Mother 1-1-2026

As we begin this New Year we are asked to look closely at our relationship with Mary, Mother of God and as our Mother too. We place our trust in Mary to walk with us and help us to ponder the Word of God in our lives as she leads us ever closer to the Triune God. As we begin our New Year we ask her to help us find a path of peace and joy in knowing we are sons and daughters of the true and living God.

#7 Christmas Reflections Proclaiming the Good News Memorial of St. Sylvester I 12-31-2025

As Pope St. Sylvester I lived in challenging times and exciting times, we too are called in our own challenging times and exciting times, to remain faithful. The old year has concluded, the New Year will begin and we are called once more to renew our resolution to make Jesus Christ the center of our lives each and every day. Let us proclaim Jesus in praise and Thanksgiving.

#6 Christmas Reflection: Choosing and Praising 12-30-2025

How do we recognize God in our daily lives? Do we give praise to God for the blessings surrounding us? Do I seek a conversation with God in a constant and prophetic way? A lot of questions to be asked as we come to the end of a year. As we make our new year’s resolutions don’t forget that prayer and spiritual growth should be at the center of all our resolutions in life.

#5 Christmas Reflection: Denial of Hate 12-29-2025 Memorial of St. Thomas Beckett

How do we move from hatred to peace? We can only do so in the love of Jesus Christ. St. John reminds us that hatred leads us into darkness where we cannot see the good in others and in God’s creation that surrounds us. Jesus tells us, He is the light that will lead us from darkness (hatred) into the light (peace and love) where we become the saint he has made us to be.

#4 Christmas Reflection: to Move 12-28-2025

In the messiness and the joys and sadness of life we are called to move in perserverance of faith in bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to the poor and abandoned. This es especially true in the family as we pass on our faith in loving and honoring our spouse and children….and everyone. God delights in being present and walking with us as we share our story with him. Happy 4th day of Christmas.

#3 Christmas Reflections: Fellowship with God

God come into the world not to be distant but to be with us. We are called in prayer and in the works of life; charity, mercy and daily interactions to be with God. We are invited to share the good news of Jesus’ presence in our lives and lead others closer to the Gospel message of life.

24 Advent Reflection 12 23 25 Doing the Work

#25 Advent Reflection 12-24-25 Remembering and Looking Forward

Zechariah sang out with great joy at the birth of his son in remembering the promise God made to Israel and to him. It is a song of joy that is found in the reality of the difficulties of daily life and in the promise of future peace in and through the Messiah. Today let us remember with gratitude and look forward in the peace and love of Jesus Christ.

As Zachariah was made mute, he continued the work of serving the Lord. As he returned home and his wife Elizabeth becomes pregnant, Zachariah, who is mute, continues to do the work of seeking understanding and wisdom in God’s plan. When his son, John, is born he continues to do the work of proclaiming God’s plan of life and freedom. May we continue to do the good work God has invited us to share.

#23 Advent Reflections 12-22-2025 Radical and Remembering

Both our Blessed Mother and Hannah share a trust in the Lord where giving to God, Hannah in her son Samuel and Mary her very self, are examples of our Advent journey into joy. The radical remembering of the living Word of God and how this calls forth a conversion of heart and a sense of great gratitude toward God. Let us continue to pray for gratitude to be our first and foremost call to action in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

#22 Advent Reflection 12-21-2025 Interruptions and welcoming

Joseph is called to adjust his plans and welcome God’s plan more fully into his life. As we near the Christmas season are we ready to welcome a change of plans in our life and celebration. God’s call to holiness and peace is the struggle of forgiveness and reconciliation to our brothers and sisters. May God’s peace be with you all as we end our Advent time this week.

#21 Advent Reflection 12-20-2025 Inspire

We encounter Mary as she encounters God through the Angel Gabriel. Her yes, is a real yes that changes her life (for the better) with all the challenges and struggles of a life lived in the generosity of love. It is a time to remember, as we get closer to Christmas, within the trials of life we discover the greatest blessings; the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ in our hearts.

#20 Advent Reflection 12-19-2025 How to respond

The mystery of new life is beyond understanding. God’s plan of life is a call to be open to this great mystery. We don’t know where God will lead us but we do know our response is to be one of hope and joy with a determination to be before God in the intentional gift of sharing our lives with Him and the holy people are invited to be part of this day.

#18 Advent Reflection 12-17-2025 Connected to the great story.

We are connected to the great story of salvation. Our story is an important part of the story of salvation as our life and the lives of all people are important and filled with the reality of holiness (sainthood). Let us pray for all those who have fallen away from the Church. My we all be reunited in Christ.

#17 Advent Reflection 12-16-2025 Today is the Day 17 Advent Reflection Today is the day!

Jesus reminds us that to do the will of God is a process of continual conversion. It is not what we say but what we do.and hopefully they match to the glory of God. What did I say “no” to when God called me to action…today make that “no” a “yes” and live your life fully in God.

#16 Advent Reflection Yes and No

Today we are confronted with the truth and the Yes and No about living the truth and denying the lies of the world. We discover the truth in the Commandments and Beatitudes and within the teaching of the Church. The culture wishes us to make it about our ego and about me…and God invites into the bigger picture of love of neighbor. How do I live this today? 10 days until Christmas. amen

Today on the 3rd Sunday in Advent we hear the word of God call us to wait and work patiently. Like a Farmer we are invited into a relationship of growing in faith. Planting and then waiting for the harvest only to begin again. This is how our faith expands…to prepare, harvest then begin again. To know God with deeper love.

#14 Advent Reflection St Lucy 12 13 2025 Toughness and gentleness in life. Knowing who we are as we live our life with the toughness of truth and the gentleness of love. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=75 Being prepared for what will happen and entrusting her life to God she shows us finding of our mission. As the patroness of the blind we pray for her intercession for those with trouble with their eyes.

Saint Lawrence the Martyr Catholic Parish and School St. Lawrence Dual Language Catholic School Saint Lucy Parish

#13 Advent Reflection Our Lady of Guadalupe 12 12 2025 Our Lady of the Americas How we are called to respond to God’s invitation.

“Enduring” How do we experience God’s enduring love, and beauty. In Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe we experience the enduring beauty of the Tilma, the enduring beauty of being joined in the Body of Christ with Mary our Mother, and the enduring beauty of the sacrificial love.

#12 Advent Reflection 11 December 2025 A generous heart. How do we deal with our anger and especially our anger with God. The prophet Isaiah reminds us in 41:13 “I am the Lord your God, who grasp your right hand; It is I who says to you, “Fear not, I will help you.” Do we allow God to hold our hand? It is hard to argue when you choose to hold the hand of the other. The sacraments bring us into an intimate touching of God in our lives. A life of trust and compassion

#11 Advent Reflection 10 December 2025 Lightness Memorial of Our Lady of Loreto Living https://ascensionpress.com/blogs/articles/the-extraordinary-story-of-loreto?srsltid=AfmBOoqOOdlImKle4-sUNQc0flWDhDEzLbQ1QGKYkuh7q5CJZ_M53tBUout our true vocation and embracing the peace of Jesus Christ transforms the hurt and heaviness of the world into the peace and joy of Our Lord Jesus. We still must suffer and experiences the trials life, but with Christ the burden is not ours alone…Live your vocation in sacrificial love.

#10 Advent Reflection 9 December 2025 Lost and Found On the memorial of San Juan Diego we are reminded of how an encounter with God can completely change our direction. Our Lady of Guadalupe show San Juan Diego a new path, he then is found in God with the miracle of the Tilma and helps to bring the faith to millions opening the hearts of the lost that they now may be found.

#9 Advent Reflection 8 December 2025 Mary: Full of Grace Today we remember the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary…how do we say “yes” to God’s will in our life? Remembering: we are chosen by God

#8 Advent Reflections #8 2nd Sunday of Advent 12/7/2025Repent and Believe
The joyful gift of forgiveness and mercy in knowing we are chosen by God to be his sons and daughters.
How do we discover the joy and blessing in the sacramental grace of the Church.
Do I run and jump for joy into the arms of the Father?

He too should be a many-sided man — I say many-sided, not unreal, nor yet fawning and hypocritical, but full of much freedom and assurance, and knowing how to adapt himself profitably, where the circumstances of the case require it, and to be both kind and severe, for it is not possible to treat all those under one’s charge on one plan, since neither is it well for physicians to apply one course of treatment to all their sick“ (St. John Chrysostom)

In the quote above St. John Chrysostom in sharing the wisdom written by the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 9:19-23), we are to be aware of serving all people in all circumstances at all times in an authentic love of Christ.
The priesthood is a daring proposition and when embraced is full of many blessings. Daring, for me, is not the jumping off of buildings, it is not doing and saying silly things because you wish to seem courageous and witty, it is not risking stupidly, nor is it putting others at risk. This is foolishness. What is daring? It is choosing to look outward toward hope and peace. It is choosing to see possibilities with others. It is listening with an open heart. It is embracing the Cross of Jesus Christ.
When you dare to trust in the Cross of Jesus you then begin to see the Church not as a lot of things to do but as a people/family to walk with. Venerable Fulton Sheen reminded priests, “You must remember to love people and use things, rather than to love things and use people.” To many times in all walks of life we can begin to see people as static, as objects meant to be used. The truth is we are for a purpose, but the purposes is to know and be in relationship. “The shepherd must smell like his flock.” (Pope Francis)

The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus. When you see a priest, think of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (St. John Vianney) In daring to dream and act, the great patron of parish priest, reminds us by both his example of priesthood and by his prayerful words to dream in hope and love a life in care of God’s sons and daughters within community. His prayerful discernment, his acts of reaching out and his steadfastness in opposition of evil gave us the blessing of who we, as priests, are called to be in true vocation. As ordained minister and in the kingdom priesthood of the baptized we are called to live in daring service that shows forth constantly in ministry and as Church. When we begin to loose the looking outward, looking towards the cross of Jesus Christ we stagnate and fall away from the zeal of life. We see this in work, play and relationships every day. In priests as with religious, married couples and in singles…the loss of hope is choosing to risk less and less and see only the limited possibilities and not the reality of the greater love that comes only from a daring relationship of life with Christ Jesus.

Daring to act and to dream is always an act of humble service where, as the quote below from the United States Bishops reminds us, we submit ourselves to the will of the Father in proclaiming the Good News.
The priest cannot consider himself “lord” of the word, but rather its servant. He is not the word, but rather, as John the Baptist proclaimed, (precisely today we celebrate the birth of John the Baptist), he is the “voice” of the Word: “A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths'” (Mark 1:3).

Gracious and loving God, we thank your for the gift of our priests. 
Through them, we experience your presence in the sacraments.
Help our priests to be strong in their vocation. 
Set their souls on fire with love for your people.
Grant them the wisdom, understanding, and strength they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. 
Inspire them with the vision of your Kingdom.
Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel. 
Allow them to experience joy in their ministry.
Help them to become instruments of your divine grace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest.
Amen.
God Bless Fr. Mark