Pastor’s Letter: September 13, 2026

Pastor’s Letter: September 13, 2026

11 Sep 2026 | Posted by: chadmin

Dear St. Philomena Parish Family,

Blessings to you all this day! I hope everyone enjoyed a great Labor Day Weekend! I was thankful to get in a visit to the farm for my day off. Following our family Labor Day tradition, we had a few projects we worked on—it was beautiful weather and great to get in a visit with my folks! This week, we’ll continue working through Msgr. Gray’s book study on Treasure in Clay.

Treasure in Clay: The Autobiography of Fulton J. Sheen…Chapter 3

Msgr. Gray asks us in this chapter to “Reflect on how Sheen heard the Lord’s voice, like the biblical story of Samuel” [1 Samuel 3]. Did you know that “Sheen gave up a full scholarship to enter seminary?” Msgr. Gray then asks us to “Reflect on what the Lord has asked you to give up for your vocation. Describe the three stages in discovering a vocation using the biblical call of Isaiah [Isaiah 6]. Have you ever encouraged someone to become a priest? What happened?”

Answers: Samuel heard the voice of God in its persistence, calmness, and peace of soul, even if he didn’t recognize the voice at first. This was the voice that told Sheen to give up his university scholarship to go to seminary, because that was what God wanted him to do, not what Sheen wanted to do. The call of Isaiah was first an experience of God’s holiness, second of our unworthiness, and third of our response after God has blotted out our sins.

Personally, I love to reflect on vocation and what it means to follow God’s will. For me as a priest, these past 23+ years have been joy-filled, inspiring, and challenging in ways that have helped me grow. I think often of that moment of prayer when I felt certain that Jesus was asking me to help take care of His people as a priest. I slept so well the night after I told Jesus I would follow that call to seminary! Knowing the goodness and gifts of this life, I have often encouraged young people to be open to God’s call.  It is incredibly joyful to now have former students and parishioners numbered among my brother priests. What a gift!

Treasure in Clay: The Autobiography of Fulton J. Sheen…Chapter 4

Msgr. Gray continues, “What made Sheen successful as a parochial vicar at St. Patrick Parish, Peoria? Reflect on Sheen’s desire build up Catholic University “to high standards” and not tearing it down “to meet a situation.” How should we be approaching the problems in the Church today? How did Sheen handle political controversies in academia at Catholic University of America. Describe what we learn about his character through these interactions.”

Answers: At St. Patrick, Parish, Sheen encouraged people in confession to come to daily Mass. He taught through dedicated preaching. Most importantly, he accepted his assignment wholeheartedly since he believed that the will of God was found in obedience. His dedication to the Eucharistic Holy Hour (not mentioned in this chapter) would also be part of his success. Sheen always believed in holding up high standards, both at Catholic University, but also in his personal life. Lowering standards often seems right and prudent, but Sheen preferred to take the narrow path. We can accommodate the culture by lowering ourselves to meet the world and lowering the demands of the Gospel. Rather, we should hold up the Gospel and call the world to rise up to God. Sheen did not give into gossip, but remained honest and charitable, which is no small task. He demonstrated true integrity, even if it would potentially cost him.

Treasure in Clay: The Autobiography of Fulton J. Sheen…Chapter 5

Wrapping us up for this week, Msgr. Gray asks, “How did Sheen stay fresh in his teaching and not become stale? What techniques did he use to make his lectures engaging? Can you apply any of these techniques personally?”

Answers: Sheen never stopped learning and did not settle for repeating something he had worked on before. He destroyed his notes and forced himself to recreate his teaching anew every year. He spent many hours preparing and rehearsing for every hour he spent teaching. Sheen stood when he taught. He didn’t teach with notes, but committed the points to memory, even at the risk of forgetting what he was to say. He made some points with a soft voice and not a loud voice, to draw the attention of the listener. He used humor to break up his talks. Sheen challenged his students by not talking down to them but challenging them to excellence, such as his talk on chastity to college students after a campus riot the previous day.

I think I could speak for many when I say Sheen’s teaching was so vigorous. No doubt, his preparation was evident in speaking with such clarity from no notes. As a priest, I am inspired to keep stretching myself in a similar way—please pray for me and all priests to more and more faithfully imitate Archbishop Sheen’s great virtues. May many benefit from those efforts! Know of my prayers and blessing for you this day!

In Christ,
Father Luke