In today’s Gospel from John (2:1-11), we witness Jesus performing His first public miracle at the wedding feast in Cana. At his mother Mary’s gentle prompting, Jesus turns water into wine—a quiet but profound sign of His divine presence breaking into the ordinary moments of life. This moment reveals how God’s grace can transform even the simplest of circumstances when we make room for Him.
Julianne Stanz, author of the book, Braving the Thin Place, speaks about the importance of creating a space for grace in our lives. While God’s grace is always operating in our lives, to see or experience it more clearly or more abundantly, we have to be deliberate and intentional about creating a space in our lives for it to break through. She reminds us that grace doesn’t just happen by accident; it requires deliberate action—a readiness to invite God into our homes, relationships, and communities. It’s in these spaces, crafted with intention, that God’s transforming love can move freely, just as it did at Cana. Julianne will join us at St. Simon to lead out Lenten Retreat on March 15, 16 & 17, 2025 (please save the date).
Here at St. Simon, we are called to be more than just a gathering of individuals—we are called to be a community of grace. This is exactly what we have focused on since COVID when we were all sequestered in our own homes with little or no contact with friends or extended family. We now know how detrimental that has been to our spirits and souls. Some people are still struggling to recover from those days.
This creating a space for grace in our lives by being a community of grace also means being intentional in how we support and nurture one another, especially our young families. One of the most vital ways we do this here at St. Simon is through our parish school, where faith and academics are seamlessly integrated to form the hearts and minds of our youngest disciples.
On Sunday, January 26, from 10am – 12:30pm, we will host our St. Simon Parish School Open House—an opportunity for families to see firsthand how our school creates a space for grace, where children grow not only in knowledge but in faith, compassion, and community. Our school is a vital ministry of the parish, and it thrives when we, as a faith community, actively support and engage with it.
Imagine the ripple effect if each of us extended a personal invitation to a family to attend the Open House or to join us for Sunday Mass. In doing so, we are not only welcoming them into a school but into a vibrant parish community where God’s grace is alive and moving. So next Sunday, please come and enjoy a cup of coffee after Mass and explore our extraordinary school. You can visit with our administrators, teachers, and students to hear about the breadth and depth of daily life in our parish school. Whether you are a prospective parent, a grandparent, alumni family, parishioner or visitor please join us and see what students are creating, reading, and learning on our beautiful campus.
This evening, I look forward to celebrating our volunteers at the Volunteer Appreciation Mass and dinner. By serving, our volunteers help our St. Simon community thrive! They are living out the example of Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve. Their acts of love and dedication inspire others to deepen their faith and join in building the Kingdom of God here on earth. Their efforts are deeply valued from every moment they give, every smile they share, and every task they complete.
Let us all take to heart Mary’s words at Cana: “Do whatever He tells you.” May we listen for how Jesus is calling us to create space for grace here at St. Simon. Whether it’s inviting someone to Mass, supporting our school, serving at Mass, giving of our time to help with events, reaching out to others in the community or simply being present to one another, every act of intentional love helps build a community where grace overflows.
Together, let’s continue to create a sacred space for grace and love to grow—within our hearts, our parish, and especially in the lives of our children.
God Bless,
Fr. Brendan