Pastor’s Letter: May 17, 2026

Pastor’s Letter: May 17, 2026

15 May 2026 | Posted by: chadmin

Dear St. Philomena Parish Family,

Blessings to you this day! As we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord this weekend, we are reminded of the many wonderful promises of Jesus, including that His ascension to Heaven would be “better” for us, since we will be receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. Also included will be a special way He will be present for us going forward—through the Sacraments. Knowing that promise helps us understand just how powerful the Sacraments are and how much they help us live life in Christ.

As we have been reviewing each of the Sacraments, we have focused on how much they unite us to Christ, strengthen us, and help us in living our Christian lives. This week, we’ll launch into the final grouping of Sacraments—the Sacraments at the Service of Communion—Holy Orders and Matrimony. As the Catechism notes, the other Sacraments we have looked at give us what we need to live the “common vocation of all Christ’s disciples, a vocation to holiness and to the mission of evangelizing the world” (CCC, 1533). As we reviewed, each one helps us to be united (or re-united) to Christ, and gives whatever graces are needed to live faithful life in Christ.

Continuing with the Catechism, “Two other sacraments, Holy Orders and Matrimony, are directed towards the salvation of others; if they contribute as well to personal salvation, it is through service to others that they do so. They confer a particular mission in the Church and serve to build up the People of God” (CCC, 1534). So, right away, we see that these two sacraments will be different in that they have an outward focus in service of others. The Catechism continues, “Through these sacraments those already consecrated by Baptism and Confirmation for the common priesthood of all the faithful can receive particular consecrations. Those who receive the sacrament of Holy Orders are consecrated in Christ’s name ‘to feed the Church by the word and grace of God.’ On their part, ‘Christian spouses are fortified and, as it were, consecrated for the duties and dignity of their state by a special sacrament’.” (CCC, 1535). Clearly, these two sacraments are related and, as we will see, truly can help to encourage and strengthen each other.

When reflecting on Holy Orders, I joyfully think about how God has made the priesthood a kind of bridge to help connect us to Christ and to one another. I often think of this gift each morning before the daily Masses.  Just this morning, as I looked out at the congregation, I saw a mix of people coming from different parts of town, joining together in prayer with the One Perfect Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross…some are at Mass before they will head off to work, some are retired people who like to start the day with Mass, some are school parents and students, some are people whose stories I don’t yet know. It is an incredible joy to be able to celebrate together with God’s people the perfect gifts of our Lord’s love for us.

One of my favorite counsels received from an older priest many years ago was a reminder of the powerful gift of the morning Mass. If I recall, I was telling him that I had several groups and projects I was balancing…in a practical way I was thinking about how I would give attention to each throughout the day. With a smile, the older priest reminded me, “The most important thing you do every day is done by 7:30am (the morning Mass there was at 7am)…even if you don’t finish everything on your list it will be a great day.” Especially when the schedule is ambitious, I recall this good priest and his reminder of the importance of the Mass. I truly do love the life and adventure of the priesthood—it is a great gift! I am especially thankful for the opportunity to begin the day with prayer and Mass—what a gift to start each day encountering the One who loves us perfectly!

In the weeks ahead, we’ll look more closely at the Sacrament of Holy Orders: background from the Old Testament, participation in the one priesthood of Christ, the three degrees of Holy Orders, the practical details of ordination, along with the effects and fruits of this great sacrament. As we are just one week away from Deacon Blake’s ordination, please keep him and his classmate Deacon JohnPaul Stedwill in your prayers. We will look forward to celebrating with Fr. Blake Miller at all our weekend Masses on May 30-31!

Know of my prayers and blessing for you all from the altar!

In Christ,
Father Luke