Pastor’s Letter: October 11, 2026

Pastor’s Letter: October 11, 2026

9 Oct 2026 | Posted by: chadmin

Dear St. Philomena Parish Family,

Blessings to you all this day! I appreciate so much many well wishes for my family time this past week—it was a great visit! I’m always thankful for my family being understanding and supportive when work in the Lord’s vineyard calls me away from family gatherings. They understand very well that I’ve been ordained to serve the Church and my heart belongs with my parish family. At the same time, they are always thankful for good quality time together—so am I! Thanks again for your prayers…it is great to be back with you all! This week, we continue our review of Msgr. Gray’s book study…

Treasure in Clay: The Autobiography of Fulton J. Sheen…Chapter 11

As Msgr. Gray notes, “It was later evident that Sheen suffered greatly because of opposition he had in Rochester, especially from the clergy. How does Sheen speak about the clergy and the laity in Rochester? What does this say about his character? Sheen described the spirit of the 1960s: the shift from the individual to the social and the emphasis on the ‘me.’ While the world focused on social sins and lost the sense of personal sin, no one can completely ignore the personal struggle against evil in every human heart. Do you believe this an accurate description of the 1960s or even our world today?

Instead of emphasizing his accomplishments (churches or schools built, money raised), Sheen emphasized several of his initiatives that turned out to be failures. Which of these stood out to you and what does this say about Sheen? Describe Sheen’s attitude at age 75 when he retired. Do most people today take the same approach to retirement?”

 Answers: Sheen is universally positive regarding his interactions with the clergy and the laity in Rochester. He appreciated the bond with his priests who pray for him by name every day in the Eucharistic Prayer. He referred to his priests as a source of consolation. 

Opinions about the 1960s and the world today will vary.

 Examples of Sheen’s failed efforts will vary. Of particular note was the gift of St. Brigid Church to provide housing for the poor. Sheen had a noble intention but encountered some of the harshest opposition from the faithful.

 Sheen did not “retire”; he “retreaded.” Retirement was not a time to cease activity, but a time to commit himself to different activity. He continued to focus on prayer, the interior life, and those apostolates that were available to him.

Recently, someone forwarded me an article about some of the challenges that Blessed Fulton Sheen faced during his years as Bishop of Rochester. I was especially edified by his reflections later on and by his public apology to the priests when he stepped down from his position as Bishop. He apologized to the priests for having sometimes been “monologuing” when he should have been “dialoguing.” I was struck by the humility of that moment—even though he was world famous and respected as a great Catholic teacher…he still had the humility to admit that he didn’t handle situations as well as he could have/should have. To me that is true evidence of how grace was at work in his heart!

Treasure in Clay: The Autobiography of Fulton J. Sheen…Chapter 12

Continuing with Msgr. Gray’s study for Chapter 12, “Sheen gave several reasons for making a daily holy hour before the Blessed Sacrament. What reasons impressed you the most? What fruits come from the daily holy hour as described by Sheen or from your own experience? In what way is a priest’s vocation especially preserved by the holy hour? What insight does Sheen give about Judas and how he lost his priestly vocation?”

Answers: The Holy Hour was an act of reparation united to the act of Our Lord. The Holy Hour is an hour of companionship with Jesus, not an hour of activity for him. The Holy Hour transforms us into the likeness of Jesus. The fruits of the Holy Hour are joy, a growth in divine love, like the fire of the burning bush that reinvigorates but does not consume, and personal knowledge of Christ.

 Judas didn’t lose his vocation over greed or avarice, but over the Eucharist. A priest must love the Eucharist if he wishes to preserve his vocation.

Of course, whenever I write about time in Adoration and the Holy Hour, I almost always think of Blessed Fulton Sheen. He was famous for his personal commitment to the Holy Hour, as well as his regular exhortation for people to spend that time with Jesus.Personally, I am so thankful that my seminary days had a built-in holy hour every afternoon which helped build a true love for that time spent with Jesus. Truth be told, I have shared before that I think I slept through most of the Holy Hours my first couple of years of seminary!    Although, I was sleeping…Jesus was not—He was at work helping prepare my heart for service in the Church. I am so thankful for His great patience with us!

One of the great gifts of our parish is our Adoration Chapel. It stands as a testament to the faithfulness and prayer of those who have gone before us—but especially it stands as a reminder of how much Jesus loves us and how available He wants to be for us. After the weekend Masses of Oct 17/18 we will have signups and access fobs available.  Blessed Fulton Sheen would remind us—one of the best ways to spend our time is by regularly being with Jesus in the Eucharist. Know of my prayers for you all during my next holy hour!

In Christ,
Father Luke