What a truly incredible weekend we just experienced! Our Lenten retreat with Julianne Stanz was a profound time of grace, reflection, and renewal. Over 350-400 people gathered each night to hear her powerful message of hope, centered on the Cross of Christ and the “thin places” in our lives—those moments when God breaks through in…
The Second Sunday of Lent brings us to the mountaintop with Jesus, Peter, James, and John as we witness the Transfiguration (Luke 9:28b-36). In this moment of divine revelation, Jesus is transfigured before them, his face dazzling, his clothes radiant, and Moses and Elijah appearing beside him. It is a stunning glimpse of his divinity,…
As we step into the first Sunday of Lent, we follow Jesus into the wilderness, where He fasts for forty days and faces three temptations from the devil (Luke 4:1-13). These temptations strike at the very core of identity: “Turn these stones into bread” – The temptation to believe that we are what we do.…
This past weekend, I had the privilege, with several members of staff, of attending the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, a gathering that brings together thousands of people from across the country, and the world, to deepen their faith and be inspired for ministry. This year’s theme centered on compassion, a fitting reflection as we…
This past weekend, I had the joy of leading a group of pilgrims to Rome and the Vatican to celebrate the Jubilee of Artists and Culture. We gathered with others from around the globe to encourage and honor artists in their crafts, recognizing their profound role in shaping culture and faith. Pope Francis was unable…
In the Gospel this Sunday, we hear Jesus’ powerful Sermon on the Plain, where He proclaims four blessings—blessed are the poor, the hungry, those who weep, and those who are hated for His sake. These words challenge us because they turn the world’s values upside down. In a culture that often seeks comfort and security,…
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells Peter to “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4). Peter, an experienced fisherman, had been working all night and caught nothing. He was tired and likely skeptical, but something in Jesus’ voice made him trust. “At your command, I will lower the…
This Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, a moment of revelation and prophecy. When Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the temple, the prophet Simeon took the child into his arms and proclaimed that He was “a light of revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your…
This weekend, as we gather for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, we also celebrate Word of God Sunday, a special call by Pope Francis to focus on the importance of Scripture in our lives. Our readings today beautifully emphasize the power of God’s Word to inspire, guide, and unite us. In the first…
SSPS CSW Letter to Parish 2025.docx