Why Pray?
Why Pray for All Souls
Bishop Barron spends some time reflecting on this wonderful feast, which means so much to Catholic people. Why do we pray for the souls in purgatory? Bishop Barron reflects on why we speak of the “soul”—this higher principle breathed into us by God that survives the death of the body.
The Mass is the
Highest Form of Prayer...
Why Attend Daily Mass
From a comment: "It is literally helping me live the life I was meant to live, deepening my knowledge and closeness to God, sinning less, leaning into my suffering and offering it to the Cross. I have been blessed with suffering throughout my life and especially a recent occurrence, but the blessing I feel from experiencing the Eucharist every single day is beyond my ability to describe."
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Faith and Culture
How Did We Get Meaner?
Fr Mark Bernhard addresses this important issue. He tells us that St Josemaría Escrivá warned about people who attract from afar but repel up close. Do the people who know you best experience the most love from your the least? When was the last time you simply allowed yourself to be loved by God? What makes it difficult for you to receive his love, especially in the parts of your life where you feel most unworthy?
Prayer is the most important aspect of discerning marriage! And a lot of people don't know where to start when it comes to cultivating a personal prayer life. In this video, Elizabeth Busby gives you SUPER practical advice for beginning your life of prayer.
Please Pray for Vocations!
Below we list the latest seminarian roster (as of 10-26) and the diaconate formation rosters, as well as a full parish directories (with church locations) of both Vicariates in the Diocese.
From a comment by a fellow deacon: "My pastor knows the details but most people know very little about the position and my ministry. The most important part to me is having one foot in the world and the other in the Church, able to relate to people in both faith and real world problems is a huge asset to the faith and congregation and never be afraid to talk to your deacon about anything."
Nov 2025: Mary Frances Lerch, Shirley Dickson, Richard Nolan
Dec 2025: Janice Steinhauser, Frank Lowe
Jan 2026: Allen Schomaker
Feb 2026: Virginia Briski, Laura DiCola
March 2026: Sister Celeste Hupert, Michael Van Leer, Barbara Davis
April 2026: Sr Carol Troesch, Marie Adams, Barbara Fuerst, Judith Scott, Jane Welka, Paul Walsh
May 2026: John Staudacher, Dennis McLean, Pauline Zelina, Joseph Kaib, Martha Foster
July 2026: Frank LoPresti, Theresa Henderson
Aug 2026: Vivian Castiglioni, Sr Therese Martin Blehar, Lorene Bauer
Sept 2026: Shirley Kohler, Fr Peter Murphy, John Eichenlaub
Oct 2026: Elmer Haberman, Mary Botta, Francis Foley, Ed Bober
This weekend's First Reading is from the Book of Wisdom.
What do the following have in common in the Old Testament: weavers, embroiderers, craftsmen, a shrewd man, a caster of spells, ants, idol makers, and ship captains? They were all said to possess wisdom—actually skill, since the word for wisdom meant skill. We could call biblical wisdom “skill for living.”
Who doesn’t need skill for living? When it comes to raising children, managing money, solving health emergencies, planning for the future—there is no end to our need for skill or wisdom. There is also no end of sources to which we can turn. But we must be careful, for the Bible says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom [or skill]” (Proverbs 9:10). That suggests God should be the first Person we turn to for advice and wisdom in life. The apostle James wrote the same thing: Whenever we are in need of wisdom, “ask of God, who gives to all liberally.”
Think about where you need wisdom and skill in your life today, and turn to God first with your request. He promises to give wisdom liberally.
-Dr David Jeremiah
Step Back and Reflect - An Essay
Memory Lane!
Beth Polen posted on Facebook last week that their (Beth and Scott's) son James had become engaged. We can definitely put this in the "How time flies" category! We're taking a moment now to enjoy some pictures from James' early life at St Athanasius. In a blink of an eye, James went from a little guy, one of our youngest altar servers, to this fine young man with a great life ahead of him! Congrats to James and Alexa!
Deacon Bill Homily Archive
Here are four recent homilies. Hover over the icons below to see the dates and topics.
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Deacon Bill Palamara 412-596-3370