Pastor’s Letter: July 26, 2026

Pastor’s Letter: July 26, 2026

24 Jul 2026 | Posted by: chadmin

Dear St. Philomena Parish Family,

Blessings and peace to you all this day! As we are moving toward the end of July, I have been thinking very much about gearing up for the school year ahead. It has been a very full summer of projects, especially at the school. Our biggest project has been replacing all of our flat roof sections–except for the East Jr. High roof which we did last summer. This was a big project and I am so thankful we have it completed! By doing the remaining flat roof sections together we were able to garner a substantial savings on the cost of the work (more on that in the fall when I share the annual pastor’s report). I am joyful to say that those sections of our roof should be set for the next 20 years!

Last week, as we reviewed through the Wedding liturgy, I mentioned that we would take a closer look at the Nuptial Blessing, a special blessing that is bestowed on a newly married couple. In a Wedding Mass, this blessing is given between the Our Father and the Sign of Peace…that is, just a short while before Holy Communion. In the celebration of Marriage outside of Mass, this blessing is usually given at the end of the General Intercessions

There are three options for the Nuptial Blessing that can be chosen, each of them highlighting God’s creation and the gift of marriage from the beginning. These special prayers also ask a blessing for the bride and groom, both individually and together as a married couple. They ask God for strength so the couple can live faithfully and be witnesses to Christ Finally, these prayers conclude asking God for the blessing of children and family and then a prayer to enjoy the Kingdom of Heaven when their years together on earth have come to an end.

For an example of the Nuptial Blessing, below is the first option, given after the priest’s invitation: “Now let us humbly invoke God’s blessing upon this bride and groom, that in his kindness he may favor with his help those on whom he has bestowed the Sacrament of Matrimony.”

      O God, who by your mighty power created all things out of nothing, and, when you had set in place the beginnings of the universe, formed man and woman in your own image, making the woman an inseparable helpmate to the man, that they might no longer be two, but one flesh, and taught that what you were pleased to make one must never be divided.

      O God, who consecrated the bond of Marriage by so great a mystery that in the wedding covenant you foreshadowed the Sacrament of Christ and his Church;

      O God, by whom woman is joined to man and the companionship they had in the beginning is endowed with the one blessing not forfeited by original sin nor washed away by the flood.

      Look now with favor on these your servants, joined together in Marriage, who ask to be strengthened by your blessing. Send down on them the grace of the Holy Spirit and pour your love into their hearts, that they may remain faithful in the Marriage covenant.

    May the grace of love and peace abide in your daughter, N., and let her always follow the example of those holy women whose praises are sung in the Scriptures.

    May her husband entrust his heart to her, so that, acknowledging her as his equal and his joint heir in the life of grace, he may show her due honor and cherish her always with the love that Christ has for his Church.

    And now, Lord, we implore you: may these your servants hold fast to the faith and keep your commandments; made one in the flesh, may they be blameless in all they do; and with the strength that comes from the Gospel, may they bear true witness to Christ before all; (may they be blessed with children, and prove themselves virtuous parents, who live to see their children’s children).

   And grant that, reaching at last together the fullness of years for which they hope, they may come to the life of the blessed in the Kingdom of Heaven.  Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

How fitting, that in the Wedding Mass, this blessing leads into Communion—where we receive the gift of Jesus Himself who is our source of true unity. What an amazing gift that Jesus strengthens the husband and wife in union through His love! As you might suspect, there is a great purpose in having the vows, Nuptial Blessing, and Communion (for those spouses who can receive) happen in front of the altar. Next week, we will look at this special place and just what it means for married couples!

Please continue to pray for our couples that are in marriage preparation. Know of my prayers and blessing for all of you!

In Christ,
Father Luke