Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus!

I’m sure you have seen the rather macabre Halloween scenes in front yards around your neighborhood. The fascination with evil is troubling. The way our culture currently recognizes Halloween is more than scary… it is wrong. Let me attempt to clarify a few things. Next week we will celebrate the Feast of All Saints, which is celebrated every November 1st. This celebration dates back to the fourth century. It was originally called the Feast of All Martyrs. The words “martyr” and “saint” originally meant basically the same thing — someone who is a witness to Christ even unto death.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus Christ!

The third tactic I want to address is known as argumentum ad populum or the "appeal to the people." This tactic uses emotion and hyperbole to appeal to the feelings of an audience and bring them to his or her side without demonstrating the validity of his or her position.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus Christ!

The next type of argument that people may use to make their point is called ad hominem. This tactic is often used against pro-lifers. The approach is referred to as argumentum ad hominem, or "arguing to the man," and it consists of attacking a person or the organization instead of the person’s moral or logical position. Instead of arguing to the point, the person making their argument attempts to distract the other person’s attention away from the topic that is being discussed and rather focus on tearing them or their organization down personally.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus Christ!

I recently listened to a Catholic talk show host by the name of Jim Burnham. Jim is considered a wise sage in the Catholic media world who is known for his ability to share the faith in ways that are accessible to those blessed enough to hear him speak. During his show, Jim was discussing how to have meaningful conversations with people who would rather shut you up or as some say, “cancel you”.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus Christ!

A few years ago, I was blessed to travel with a brother priest and some friends to island of Molokai where St. Damien De Veuster and St. Marianne Cope ministered to lepers (both Saints are now painted in the apse of our church). There are a few people who afflicted with Leprosy or Hansen’s disease who are now cured remain on Molokai. We did not get a chance to meet any of these people on the island because they prefer to be hidden from the world after being treated so harshly when diagnosed.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus Christ!

When I was growing up (and I still have a way to go), I remember being an altar boy. Serving the priest at Holy Mass is, and will always be, a very special memory for me. I remember my dad would take me to the 6:15am Mass at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral when I was in kindergarten. He was the sacristan who would set up for Mass. He also served the priest during Mass. As a six-year-old, dad would have me stand off to the side and watch.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus Christ!

In John’s Gospel, Chapter 14, Jesus gives us a great gift. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

For many people, peace means the absence of conflict or trouble. While this is certainly a definition of peace, it’s not what Jesus was talking about. The peace that Jesus was talking about means rest, quiet or a stillness in your heart despite the world around us.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus Christ!

I had just finished offering the 6:15am Mass at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral. I returned to the rectory for breakfast. When I walked into the kitchen, I heard Fr. Frank watching the news on the television in the living room. I will never forget that feeling of helplessness and fear as I watched the planes fly into the twin towers in New York. This experience would forever shape the history and the landscape of our country and our world. Life would never be the same.

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus Christ!

You may have noticed that the current labor shortage is forcing businesses to reevaluate how they can meet public demand. Many businesses are having to cut hours of operation simply because they lack adequate staff. “Help Wanted” signs can be seen in many stores and restaurant windows.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It has been said that Mark Twain saw overly pious Christians as being a bit phony. One of the famous stories that validates his concerns happened at a dinner party where a man cornered Twain and said, “Before I die, I am going to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. When I arrive, I will climb Mount Sinai, and from the very top I will boldly proclaim the Ten Commandments.” Twain replied, “I have a better idea. Why don’t you stay right here at home and obey them.” While the story reveals Twain’s sarcastic side, it also points to today’s readings which invite us to look at the difference between talking and doing. The letter to James reminds us that we are to “be doers of the word, not only hearers.” And Jesus turns to the prophet Isaiah in today’s gospel to make the point that “these people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We hear in today’s Gospel: “Many of His disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied Him.” The reason: They heard His teaching and what it demands of them. Tragically, they could not accept it. The Sacred Scriptures tell us that many of Jesus’ followers walked away because they found His teaching “too difficult”. Jesus then focuses on His closest followers. Looking at Peter, Jesus asks him, “Do you also want to leave?” Peter responds “no”, but then he asks Our Lord this important question: “To whom can we go?” Peter seems to be saying, “When I look at the other possibilities, you are still the best option. Among all the choices out there, you are my first choice.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary into heaven. The Catholic Church teaches that the Virgin Mary “having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” This doctrine was dogmatically defined by Pope Pius XII on November 1, 1950, in the Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus Deus, while exercising papal infallibility. But this feast has long been a belief in the Church.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Mother Teresa knew that it is in giving that we receive, dying that we are born to eternal life. She was called to live the words of St. Paul: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” I just wanted to thank you, the extraordinarily generous stewards of our community who remained stalwart supporters of our beloved parish, even when your jobs and livelihoods could have been in pandemic jeopardy. I was so inspired by you. May God bless you for your generosity!

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This past week was designated Natural Family Planning Awareness Week because it was fifty-three years ago on this day that Pope Saint Paul VI issued his encyclical Humanae Vitae (On Human Life). In this papal letter, Paul VI provided instruction on the responsible transmission of human life, describing the nature of married love as designed by God and echoing the Church’s unchanging teaching on the immorality of contraceptive behavior.