News - Home RSS Feed

Prayer – Our Conversations With God Our God is a personal God who walks with us on our journey in our celebrations or in our sorrows. Our joy is His joy as we experience consolation and the calm and good times. The Lord is especially with us in our most difficult days. In the pain and the hurt, God shows us how great His strength and presence can be. He is Our Hope, He is Our Peace. Know that He is close to you no matter the situation or experience. Through prayer, you can invite Him in a variety of ways. The most precious prayer that we offer, we do so communally in the Holy Mass, the Eucharist. However, when you cannot attend a daily Mass or Liturgy of the Hours, or you cannot participate in a devotion like the Rosary or Divine Mercy Novena or Chaplet, or you cannot muster up the words to pray a formal prayer of thanksgiving or petition, follow the way of St. Therese, the Little Flower whose feast day we have celebrated this weekend. “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. It is a simple glance directed to heaven, it is something great, supernatural, which expands my soul and unites me to Jesus.” Jesus is ready to be invited in, to listen, and to comfort you, regardless of how bright the day is or how dark the night gets (Psalm 18:28). The Lord will give you Hope. Fr. John

Remember that earlier this year our Diocese participated in the worldwide Synod called for by Pope Francis. Well, now the results from ALL of the Dioceses in the US have been consolidated and are available at the USCCB website at the link below. We encourage you to read this extraordinary document - and notice how so many of the same comments throughout the country match the results of our own Diocesan Listening Session. 

Updates – Two Phases Basilica, St. John’s and St. Bonaventure are presently in Phase I As we continue the Road to Renewal, the remaining Families will be designated to be formed within two Phases. Each Phase will consist of the following stages: Activation Stage - Parishes begin developing a Family Council and Family Action Plan. This phase lasts six months. Phase 1 FoPs will commence this stage November 1, 2022. Phase 2 FoPs will commence this stage May 1, 2023. Inauguration Stage - The date on which a Family of Parishes begins functioning as a Family. Phase 1 FoPs are estimated to be inaugurated May 1, 2023. Phase 2 FoPs are estimated to be inaugurated Nov. 1, 2023. As we continue down the Road to Renewal, please don’t forget to visit our website at www.RoadToRenewal.org and pray the Prayer for Renewal regularly. See you on the Road to Renewal!

A Magnificat for Renewal My heart shudders in God's close breath, and I stand silent before majesty and mercy. . . God shines in the eyes of those who love me, startles me with unending surprises. God's mercy rains on me. I lift my face to drink its cleansing power. God's humor overturns my selfish plans, shakes out my stifling impatience. God favors me with family and friends; graces me with poetry for beauty of expression and intuition for understanding. And I praise God with these, with the gift of myself. God upholds the promise lived through Jesus present in the world, and in my heart. Amen

As St. Paul reminds us, today, not just our leaders are called to live virtuous lives of service to others. We all are called to love and minister to one another.

Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser is October 30th Please donate theme baskets! Create & drop off by October 12th to the Parish Office!

A Prayer of Love, Comfort and Reconciliation . . . A Magnificat for Renewal My heart shudders in God's close breath, and I stand silent before majesty and mercy. God shines in the eyes of those who love me, startles me with unending surprises. God's mercy rains on me. I lift my face to drink its cleansing power God's humor overturns my selfish plans, shakes out my stifling impatience. God favors me with family, friends and the strangers that are brought into my life; graces me with the poetry of goodness in heart, mind and soul and the intuition to do what is right. And I praise God with these, with the gift of myself. God upholds the promise lived through Jesus present in the world, and my heart rejoices!

WASHINGTON (2021) – Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued the following statement on the eve of the twentieth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. "As we remember the twentieth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, our hearts are with all those who lost loved ones on that day. We pray for the innocent lives that were lost, and we pray for those who grieve, and for the many who still bear the wounds from these attacks, physical, emotional and spiritual. "It was a dark day of destruction and death, but we remember also the heroes — first-responders, firefighters, police, emergency medical and rescue teams. Many gave their lives in the service of their neighbors. This violence, borne of the worst evil in the human heart, also brought out the best in our humanity. We think today of the courage and generosity of countless ordinary people and the spirit of unity and authentic patriotism we saw in the days after these attacks. "We honor the dead by the way we live. And today we pray for a new spirit of national pride and unity. May God inspire in all of us to seek fellowship, reconciliation, and common purpose. "We ask God to bring comfort to those who mourn and peace to every heart that is consumed by hatred, and may he bring peace to our troubled world. "We entrust our prayers and our nation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God and the mother of each one of us."

In Confession, we free ourselves of the chains of sin and those struggles with our relationships in order that we can love more freely. Living in this love, we can now give more readily to the Lord, to others and also very importantly, to ourselves.

How great and how loving and forgiving is our God! Let’s strive to be like Him… to become less judgmental and begrudging and more generous, understanding and forgiving. Consider that we’ve all been like the prodigal son, at times, as we’ve all sinned. If we want God to be forgiving and merciful toward us, then we must be merciful toward others. Dear God, make us merciful and forgiving of others, as well as repentant for our own sins.

Congratulations and God’s blessings and His graces on Sr. Frances Marie of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus (Nora Wenke) as she made her perpetual vows with the Passionate Nuns. May the spirit be upon you and your ministry. Your parents Mary and Deacon Matt Wenke are touched by your gifts and your life as is your parish family. In Christ, Fr. John I’m Gonna Die! During today’s ceremony, I will lie face down on the ground and be covered with a black cloth, an action that symbolizes death. A few weeks ago, anticipating this day, it began to hit me with greater intensity: I’m gonna die! What feelings does such a realization stir up? Fear, trepideation? Panic? Solicitude for proper preparation? A bit of all of that. However, amongst Nuns, a note of joy and eagerness tends to be the prevailing sentiment in the face of death. I will always remember being with our Sr. Marie Michael in the hospital room when Mother John Mary broke the news from the doctor that she did not have long to live. Sister’s whole face lit up and she spontaneously exclaimed, “Great news!” As, with inexpressible joy, I make my Perpetual Profession of Vows today, following the Lord’s call, I let go of earthly goods in a permanent way that resembles death; even deeper than that, I let go of myself: my pride, self-centeredness, self-reliance. The Great News? Radical surrender into the Hands of my Heavenly Father; a deeper envelopment in the embrace of my Bridegroom Jesus, and a fuller entry into the Divine Spirit-life which was infused into me (as into each one of us) at Baptism. A new Life of Love, impelled by the love of Christ Who loved me and gave Himself for me. As our Communion hymn puts it, to love Jesus is the greatest joy! I am so grateful to all of you who are joining the celebrations today, those present in person and those spiritually present from afar. Just as our Faith teaches that the bonds uniting us with our loved ones are not severed but strengthened beyond the grave, so in entering into this covenant with Our Creator, I am all the more one with each of you in the Heart of Christ. You and your intentions are in my heart as I make my vows. And for the rest of my days, as my offering is renewed in the Mass and in the mini dyings and risings each day brings, you will always be lifted up in this praying heart. Don’t forget that I’m here for you! Don’t forget to let me know when you need extra prayers! And please pray for me! Soon, please God, we’ll be celebrating together at the Eternal Wedding Banquet of Heaven. That will be Great News indeed! —Sr. Frances Marie of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, CP ST. JOSEPH MONASTERY 8564 CRISP ROAD WHITESVILLE, KY 42378 (270)233-4571 NUNSP@PASSIONISTNUNS.ORG

Thank you to our Basilica and St. John parish families who hosted the wonderful celebration and all present who helped make the 2nd Annual Renewal Mass so special as we renew as Church and in the Spirit. Fr. John and Fr. Peter “There’s something happening here!” It’s nice to see our Basilica in the southern region of the diocese filled with people from all over the diocese. … In a year so much has happened and continues to happen. I think the Holy Spirit is alive and well in our Renewal. Certainly we’ve had our challenges and continue to but I think the Lord is providing us with guidance and a pathway forward. Bishop Mike Fr. Bryan Zielenieski, Vicar of Renewal and Development, shared these words with us: "Be advocates for the Renewal! Tell your friends, your relatives, your neighbors, those that left the church, those that you may not have seen for awhile, that this is a new day and there is new hope! Reach out to those that still have not returned from the pandemic. Let them know that they are missed. Reach out to our young people and encourage them in their faith journey! And by all means get involved! As you know, this renewal is not possible without the work of many people.”

2022 commemorates the 175th anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese of Buffalo. The diocese was officially established on April 23, 1847 with Bishop John Timon as the first bishop. Throughout this year various activities and events will be taking place. One such event is a regional vicariate Mass. Bishop Michael Fisher is going to each Vicariate to celebrate a Mass during this year. The Mass for our Vicariate (Southern Cattaraugus) was Thursday, August 11 at St. Philomena Church, Franklinville. This was a wonderful opportunity for our parishes to come together and meet Bishop Fisher. Diocese of Buffalo Click on orange title for link to the article in WNY Catholic

Living out the Gospel message ... My child, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts. Humble yourself the more, ... and you will find favor with God. - Sirach 3:17-18 For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." - Luke 14:11 Humility is the recognition of the gifts given to you at Baptism but using them at the service of others ... - author unknown August 29th is the Memorial of the Passion of St. John the Baptist. He was an instrument in announcing the Lord, True Humility and Love, to the World! Let us do the same. Use the gifts given to you at Baptism to serve others. Image adapted from the tapestry hanging above the Baptistry at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles, California.

(Psalm 68: “God, in Your goodness, You have made a home for the poor.”): At first glance, this psalm can be seen as celebrating our God’s care for the poor and the disadvantaged. Note that God is referred to as “the Father of orphans and the defender of widows,” two of the biblical world’s most disempowered groups. Even the psalm response suggests God’s concern for the lowly, in making a home for them; both on earth and in Heaven! Click on orange title for complete reflection.

The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels will be hosting a special diocesan-wide Mass on August 28th at 3:00 p.m. The faithful of the Diocese are invited to the second Renewal Mass. All representative are asked to bring their knotted ropes from the first Renewal Mass at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine last year as we will untie one knot. The undoing of a knot symbolizes the renewed life and hope of our diocesan renewal. Please support this event with prayers and participation. https://roadtorenewal.org/

Southern Cattaraugus Vicariate Mass celebrating the 175th Anniversary of the Diocese 2022 commemorates the 175th anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese of Buffalo. The diocese was officially established on April 23, 1847 with Bishop John Timon as the first bishop. Throughout this year various activities and events will be taking place. One such event is a regional vicariate Mass. Bishop Michael Fisher is going to each Vicariate to celebrate a Mass during this year. The Mass for our Vicariate (Southern Cattaraugus) was Thursday, August 11 (Feast of St. Philomena) at St. Philomena Church, Franklinville. This was a wonderful opportunity for our parishes to come together and meet Bishop Fisher.

The Spirit comes with the tenderness of a true friend and protector to save, to heal, to teach, to counsel, to strengthen, to console. Holy Spirit guide me and enlighten me to live a good life. Amen. -adapted from Cyril of Jerusalem, 360 AD  

Luke 12:49-53:  This passage can so easily be misinterpreted. A reader might be convinced that Jesus wants to spread conflict, for conflict’s sake. When Jesus says He wants to “set the earth on fire,” He doesn’t mean a destroying fire, but a “fire” of zeal for living the faith with integrity, like Paul described in today’s second reading. The “fire” Jesus describes is the fire that will consume and destroy the “chaff,” (unrepentant sinners), who will be separated from the “wheat;” (faithful people who repent of their sins; and who are sincerely trying to live the faith). Jesus sees how choosing to accept or reject the faith will, inevitably, separate people from one another; both in the intimate confines of the family and in society. Choices always have consequences and the choice for or against the faith is no exception. Which will we choose? God’s Will be done!

Come and register Monday thru Thursday and enjoy Catholic Vacation Bible Camp for children ages Pre-K thru 10 years old! Special Family Day Thursday with bounce house, spaghetti dinner and magic show!