Pastor’s Letter: July 27, 2025

Pastor’s Letter: July 27, 2025

25 Jul 2025 | Posted by: chadmin

Dear St. Philomena Parish Family,

Blessings and joy to you all this weekend!  I had a great opportunity a couple Fridays ago to travel to the Historic Farm Days celebration in Penfield, IL.  Along with taking in all the great antique tractors, I also got to catch my Dad demonstrating broom making. I really enjoy spending time with my Dad—his problem solving and his skills—it is especially edifying to watch him make a broom by hand, especially since it is in the midst of talking with people and answering their questions. During the day there in Penfield, I also was able to look at many antique tractors, including some like those which our family used through the years. It was a great reminder of our family heritage—a true “back to our roots” kind of day!

This week, concluding our reflections on the 1700^th anniversary of the Nicene Creed, we finish with the last of the four marks of the Church…we come to one that reminds us of our roots and where we come from: The Church is Apostolic. Quite simply, the Church of Christ is built upon the foundation of the Apostles. “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it” (Mt 16:18).

The Apostles were the first witnesses of Christ and we abide by their teachings. As St. John wrote, the Apostles give an eye-witness account of the saving mission of Christ: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands…” (1 John 1:1).  For the Church, Apostolicity (coming from/of the Apostles) is the guarantee of correct transmission of the Faith without error. The gift of the Holy Spirit guarantees the Apostles do not err in teaching Christ’s doctrine and giving witness throughout the earth:  “The Holy Spirit will teach you all things…” (John 14:25-26).

The Church is apostolic because Christ founded her through the life, ministry, and ultimately martyrdom of the Apostles. The Church hands on the teaching of the Apostles, and the Apostles’ successors, the bishops, lead it. By following the preaching of the gospel through the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, we see the Church established, growing, and spreading throughout the world, beginning with Pentecost. The story continues with the ministry of preaching, the ministry of deacons, martyrdom and witness, conversions (especially the really big conversion of St. Paul), the missionary journeys, the first Church council, and the establishment of local churches.  Continuing with St. Paul’s letters (in particular the “Pastoral Letters”), we learn more about the establishment of local churches and Apostolic Succession (1-2 Timothy, Titus, etc.).

Strengthened by their time with Jesus, the Apostles were faithful witnesses of His saving love in the world. Our faithfulness to the Apostolic teachings keeps us united and on track in terms of the content of our Faith. Also as a gift to future generations, the Apostles chose and ordained their successors, ensuring a continuous consistency of teaching and leadership. One of the most amazing fruits of this succession is to consider how the unbroken chain takes us back to the Apostles themselves. Your priests were ordained by a bishop, who was ordained by a bishop, who was ordained by a bishop before him, etc. This line can be traced back through the line of Popes all the way to St. Peter! Now that is continuity! Through the ministry of the Church and the successors of the Apostles, Jesus continues to be present to His people through the Sacraments and the life of the Body of Christ. It is the practical way Christ fulfills his promise to the Apostles as he ascended into Heaven: “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Mt 28:20).

I hope these reflections on the Creed over the past couple of months have been a fruitful way of highlighting our core beliefs and a reminder of all those who have gone before us. Know of my prayers and blessing for everyone for the week ahead!

In Christ,

Father Luke