FROM THE DESK OF THE PASTOR
From the Desk of the Pastor Sept. 25, 2026
Dear Friends in Christ,
This past Thursday a remarkable event happened in St. Louis, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, a pioneer in using modern media for Evangelization was beatified (declared blessed), the final step before Canonization (Sainthood). Born May 8, 1895, in El Paso, Illinois; he grew up in Peoria, Illinois; and was ordained a priest in 1919, for the Diocese of Peoria. He was a preacher, teacher and theologian writing over 60 books. But what he was best known for was his long running, Emmy award winning television program “Life is Worth Living,” which often drew a viewership of nearly 30 million people. Though that program, his Catholic Hour radio show on NBC Radio from 1930-1950 and his syndicated TV program in the 1960, Archbishop Sheen reached countless Catholics and non-Catholic with clear teaching and Christ’s Gospel message. He would later become Bishop of Rochester, and died on December 9, 1979, in New York City. That day will be observed as his liturgical feast day, his birthday into heaven. Blessed Fulton Sheen’s tomb is located in the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Peoria, Illinois.
One of the most moving moments of Archbishop’s Sheen beatification Mass was related to the miracle attributed to him for his beatification. It Involved the inexplicable healing of a newborn infant, James Fulton Engstrom in 2010. The child was stillborn after a prolonged lack of oxygen and had no detectable heartbeat or respiration for over an hour. After prayers asking for the intercession of Archbishop Sheen, the child’s heart began beating again. The child recovered fully with no lasting medical issues. The miracle was thoroughly investigated in 2011 and approved by the Vatican in 2019. It was that child, now 16 years old, who carried the relics of Archbishop Sheen presented during the beatification Mass.
Archbishop Sheen constantly preached the necessity of a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus in the Eucharist. He practiced a daily Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament and encouraged this great devotion. He wrote: “The purpose of the Holy Hour is to encourage deep personal encounter with Christ. The holy and glorious God is constantly inviting us to come to Him, to hold converse with Him, to ask for such things as we need and to experience what a blessing there is in fellowship with Him.”
In his book on the Holy Hour, Archbishop Sheen provides a provides a meditation based on St Peter Julian Eymard which beautifully describes the power of Eucharistic Adoration:
But with the Eucharist! With Jesus in the midst of us...by day and by night, accessible to all, waiting for everyone in his ever-open house, admitting the lowly, calling them with marked predilection-ah! Life is less bitter. He is the good Father in the midst of His children. It is social life with Jesus. And what society! Society that makes us better, that elevates us! And what facilities for social relations with heaven, with Jesus Christ, Himself, in person! It is, indeed, the sweet companionship of simple, loving, familiar, and intimate friendship. Ah! It was necessary!
Love desires community of goods, common possession. It wishes to share happiness and unhappiness. To give is its nature, its instinct, to give all with joy, with pleasure. And so, Jesus Christ and the Most Blessed Sacrament gives with profusion, with prodigality, His merits, His graces, yes, even His glory! Oh, how eager He is to give! He never refuses.
And he gives Himself to all, and always. He covers the world with consecrated Hosts. He wishes all His children to possess Him. There still remain twelve baskets of the five loaves multiplied in the desert. All must have some! Jesus Christ would wish to envelop the world in His sacramental veil, to fertilize all nations in the waters of life that are losing themselves in the ocean of eternity, but only after having slaked the thirst, and strengthened the last of the elect. Ah! It is well for us, for all of us, O Jesus Eucharistic!
I encourage us ask Blessed Fulton Sheen’s intercession that we grow closer to Christ and be more effective evangelizers. Pray too, for the good bishop’s canonization, that he may soon be canonized a Saint.
Listening sessions this weekend!
This weekend at Holy Innocents we will have Partners in the Gospel listening sessions. Please join us downstairs in the Parish Hall there.
At St. Jude, the second listening session will be at 3pm on Sunday afternoon in Lovett Hall. I look forward to seeing you as we reflect upon the gifts and opportunities to grow found in our parishes!
Blessings on your week!
Fr J
