This Sunday, Jesus gathers his disciples on a mountainside and shares the Beatitudes, the very heart of his teaching. “Blessed are the poor in spirit… Blessed are those who mourn… Blessed are the meek… Blessed are the peacemakers.” These words, so familiar to us, describe not just the people God loves but the kind of people we are called to become.
The prophet Zephaniah echoes this call in the first reading: “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth, who have observed his law; seek justice, seek humility.” These ancient words feel remarkably urgent today. In our current moment, when voices are raised in anger and fear, when rhetoric inflames and divides, we are called more than ever to be people of peace, humility, and justice.
I am deeply troubled by the events unfolding in Minneapolis. The killing of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and American citizen, during an immigration enforcement protest has shaken communities across our nation. We cannot look away from this. Whatever the circumstances, we must ask ourselves: how have we arrived at a place where a citizen exercising his right to peaceful protest can be shot by federal agents? We cannot keep going like this.
Archbishop Paul Coakley, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has called for “calm, restraint, and respect for human life in Minneapolis, and all those places where peace is threatened.” He reminds us that public authorities have a special responsibility to safeguard the well-being of all people. Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis has likewise urged prayer and stated clearly that peace “will not be achieved until we are able to rid our hearts of the hatreds and prejudices that prevent us from seeing each other as brothers and sisters created in the image and likeness of God.”
This November, our U.S. bishops issued a rare “Special Message” on immigration, the first such statement in twelve years, calling for meaningful reform and opposing indiscriminate mass deportation. They remind us that human dignity and national security are not in conflict. Both are possible if people of good will work together. We must add our voices to this call. We need immigration reform that respects both the rule of law and the sacred dignity of every human person. We need accountability and transparency when force is used. We need to resist the dehumanizing rhetoric that makes violence seem acceptable.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” This beatitude is not passive. Peacemaking requires courage. It requires us to speak up for justice while refusing to return hatred with hatred. It requires us to protect the vulnerable while treating all people, including those who enforce our laws, with dignity. The Beatitudes call us to be poor in spirit, recognizing our dependence on God rather than on worldly power. They call us to mourn with those who mourn, including families grieving loved ones lost to violence. They call us to hunger and thirst for righteousness, to work tirelessly for a more just world.
Brothers and sisters, let us not become numb to what is happening. Let us pray for Alex Pretti and his family. Let us pray for our nation, for our leaders, for those who enforce our laws, and for all immigrants who live in fear. And let us find our voices. Contact your representatives. Support organizations working for just immigration reform. Most importantly, live the Beatitudes in your daily life. Be instruments of peace in your homes, workplaces, and communities.
On a joyful note, I want to express gratitude for a wonderful celebration of community last weekend at the Father Murray Basketball Tournament. Our gymnasium was filled with energy, laughter, and the beautiful spirit of competition and sportsmanship. Boys and girls from parishes and schools across the county played their hearts out, and families gathered to cheer them on. I am deeply grateful to Kelly and Rob Mibach, Tournament Chairs, Joshua Miller, Athletics Director and their incredible team of volunteers who worked tirelessly to organize this beloved tradition. Events like this remind us of the joy that comes from gathering as a community. Thank you to all who participated and helped make it such a success – Joshua Miller, Kelly & Rob Mibach, Jaime Chapin, Maria Deguara, April Lane, Martha Crosby, Jose & Lorena Casas, Laura Ruelas, Sarah Niswonger, Tuesday Kintana, Theresa Clark, Christina Montalvo, Jeremy Lane, Monica Hickam, Juliana Araujo, Jennifer Cardoza, Kalena Moreira, and Baldemar Godoy Rosales.
Catholic Schools Week (CSW) 2026 was a vibrant celebration of our identity and mission. From spirited theme days to meaningful community gatherings, the week perfectly showcased the heart of our school. Our students kicked off the festivities with poise, sharing their Saint Simon highlights at each of the Masses last weekend, while our Student Council served as wonderful ambassadors at Monday’s CSW Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph. One of the week’s brightest moments was Generations Day, which brought families and friends together for a special Mass followed by collaborative STEM and art activities. Principal, Ann Kozlovsky, and I thank everyone who contributed to making this week so memorable. We are deeply grateful for your continued support of our community.
Looking ahead, I want to share important news about our campus this summer. Ann Kozlovsky and I sent an email out about this yesterday. This June, we begin significant campus improvements that have been fully funded through generous foundational gifts, fund-a-need auction proceeds and current gifts. We are undertaking three projects simultaneously while school is out: a Community Gathering Plaza connecting the Church and Parish Center; the Little Saints Preschool Expansion with a new classroom, reception area and office space; and Campus Accessibility improvements including an ADA-compliant ramp to Schram Field.
This weekday construction schedule will affect summer meetings and programs. With multiple construction zones, heavy equipment, and contractor activity across our campus Monday through Friday throughout the summer, we face a reality we cannot ignore: the safety and wellbeing of our children, families, staff, and volunteers must come first.
After prayerful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to cancel both Vacation Bible School and our Little Saints Preschool Summer Program for this year. Both will return in summer 2027. While this brings disappointment, especially for families who treasure these summer traditions, we had to prioritize keeping our children safe. If you have questions, please reach out to Don McGovern, Chair, Pastoral Council and Bold Vision Committee. We have prepared a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) doc, you can read it HERE.
May we take the Beatitudes to heart this week. May we be people who seek justice and humility. May we be peacemakers, even when peace is costly. And may we never lose hope that, with God’s grace, a more just and compassionate world is possible. Please read this week’s ebulletin to learn about parish happenings and events HERE.
God Bless,
Fr. Brendan