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Pastor’s Letter: August 9, 2026

Dear St. Philomena Parish Family,

Blessings to you all! Last weekend I had the opportunity to host my priest group here at St. Philomena for one of our regular gatherings. We prayed a Holy Hour in the church, spent some time catching up by sharing joys and challenges, and enjoyed a meal together. A couple of the priests arrived early, and so we had an opportunity to walk around and see our campus, especially noting some of the summer projects we have been working on. I am always edified to hear the comments from priests who visit here—there is a true sense of this being a family place (one priest commented on the stepping stools for the bathroom sinks). Another priest remarked how our buildings look in such good condition (he was also impressed with our renovated teachers’ lounge!). No doubt, this is a parish that loves being a growing family…and loves giving of ourselves to help our family keep growing. Of course, we share good life together in this place…but we also hope to be strengthened here to carry the blessings out the doors—to be shared at home, at work or at school, on the ballfield, at the store–wherever we are.

Last week, we reflected on the gift of having the marriage vows near the altar and how Christ strengthens the husband and wife to live the love of Christ together and with their family. That will serve for a great lead in to the Catechism section on the Domestic Church. As our Catechism points out, “Christ chose to be born and grow up in the bosom of the holy family of Joseph and Mary. The Church is nothing other than ‘the family of God.’  From the beginning, the core of the Church was often constituted by those who had become believers ‘together with all [their] household.’ When they were converted, they desired that ‘their whole household’ should also be saved. These..