Pastor’s Letter: April 26, 2026

Pastor’s Letter: April 26, 2026

24 Apr 2026 | Posted by: chadmin

Dear St. Philomena Parish Family,

Blessings be in your hearts today! What a grace-filled week we had here at St. Philomena! Our First Communion celebration last Sunday was so joyful—it is always so inspiring to see the reverence of our First Communion students! On Monday, we then had a prayerful Memorial Mass celebration for Fr. Albert’s father Andrew—thanks so much to all who were able to join in prayer. Tuesday, Bishop Lou was here for a wonderful Confirmation—our 8^th graders were strengthened by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit! Wednesday, a great group of parish members representing Finance Council, Education Commission, and Building and Grounds got together to work on long-term planning for our campus. I was also happy to share with our Finance Council at our last meeting that we pushed over the $2 Million mark of our Changing Lives Tuition Assistance Campaign—we moved past 2/3 complete for our $3 million goal! It has truly been a week of blessings here! This coming week, our momentum will slow a bit as I am away for my continuing education series—thanks to Fr. Albert and Fr. Daniel for covering the sacraments for us while I’m away.

Continuing our reflections on the Anointing of the Sick, our Catechism teaches that “Jesus has the power not only to heal, but also to forgive sins; he has come to heal the whole man, soul and body; he is the physician the sick have need of” (CCC, 1503). Sometimes you may see Jesus referred to as the “Divine Physician,” almighty God dwelling among us who can heal anything that ails us—body, mind, heart. This title is always a reminder of who Jesus is and why we can go to Him with all our needs.

If we look in the Old Testament, we often see a connection between illness, healing, and forgiveness of sins. This is clear when we think about the things that can make us suffer—some of us know well that the pains of the mind and heart can be just as challenging (or sometimes more) as those we experience in the body. When we think about the Divine Physician, it certainly makes sense that interior healing and forgiveness would be tied to physical healing. We will often see a similar pattern present in the Gospels—Jesus will tell the person his sins have been forgiven…right ahead of whatever physical healing is needed.

Of course, Jesus will also ask for faith in connection with the healing, often using the opportunity to affirm and bolster faith. In Mark 5:34, speaking to the woman who suffered with a hemorrhage and received healing through touching his garment, Jesus said, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.” Just a couple verses later in Mark 5:36, Jesus will tell Jairus and his wife (who just heard their daughter had died), “Do not be afraid, just have faith.” Of course we know that Jesus raises the little girl who is restored to health. In another passage in Mark 9:23, Jesus says to the father of a boy who was suffering from a demon, “Everything is possible to one who has faith.” The boy’s father then responds with a great prayer which can be a model for us: “I do believe, help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).

Jesus always draws near to us in the midst of illness and suffering, even at times when we don’t realize how close He is. As we recalled during our celebration of the Passion of Jesus: “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases” (Mt 8:17; Is 53:4). Our Catechism (CCC, 1503, 1505) notes that Jesus feels close with us in illness, even that He identifies with us, “I was sick and you visited me…whenever you did this for the least of my brethren, you did it for me” (Mt 25:36). St. John Paul II and others have taught that moments of suffering are a unique opportunity for union with Christ.

The Catechism continues, reminding us that Jesus did not heal all the sick. The healings are “signs of the coming of the Kingdom of God” and point to a more important healing: “the victory over sin and death” (CCC 1505). Through the years, I have seen many healing miracles through the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick—they have been amazing! But it is also true that many have not received a particular healing. These times of sorrow invite us to trust in the greater wisdom of God…and point us to the true peace and fulfillment of Heaven. I once heard a wise priest say that “health and freedom from suffering in this life isn’t our end…we are made for Heaven. Jesus in His wisdom allows each what can be a pathway for us to the Kingdom.” We certainly pray for faith, especially in those times of suffering that are hard to understand. We trust in the love of Jesus…and we trust in His promise of the Kingdom!

Know of my prayers for you all while I’m away this coming week for continuing education. Sending everyone my blessing from the Mass!

In Christ,
Father Luke