FROM THE DESK OF THE PASTOR
From the Desk of the Pastor Nov. 11, 2026
POPE LEO IN SOUTH AMERICA
Dear friends in Christ,
For the past week, Pope Leo has been on an Apostolic journey to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, to strengthen and encourage the faith of the people there. While he was speaking directly to their circumstances, much of what he had to say, can lift us up as well. This week, I would like to highlight his homily at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lujan in Argentina. Here is an excerpt:
….On this occasion I would like to propose to you a journey that is the same as the one we experience in the celebration of every Eucharist. It consists of four steps: reconciliation, enlightenment through the word of God, communion, and being sent forth on mission. Mary, standing at the foot of the Cross, unites herself to the Eucharistic Sacrifice and accompanies us on this journey.
Many of our brothers and sisters — or even we ourselves and our families — may currently be living through moments of Calvary, suffering from illness, poverty, unemployment, discrimination or family breakdown, among other problems. In those dark moments, we understand Mary’s experience at the foot of the Cross, with her mother’s heart torn with grief. In that most terrible moment of her life, Mary received a new mission from her Son, embracing all humanity in her mother’s heart. We are likewise called to receive God’s grace and to undergo processes of forgiveness and reconciliation that renew peace, hope and charity within us. Let us be sincere, acknowledge our faults and ask the Lord for forgiveness; forgiveness for that beggar, for that tear I caused to fall; forgiveness for those eyes that, when they met mine, I refused to look at (cf. Zamba del perdón). We also need to reconcile ourselves with our past and present, in order to build a new future where love has the final word.
Let us also recall the experience of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. They were walking along with sad faces, and were discouraged and weighed down by the harsh reality of the Lord’s death. At that moment, the risen Jesus appeared and explained the Scriptures to them. When they shared a meal together, they recognized his presence, which had set their hearts on fire (cf. Lk 24:13-35). Dear brothers and sisters, that is often our experience too, for we also can feel tired, disappointed or disoriented. We need a compass, a guide, and indeed we already have it in Sacred Scripture! Let us allow ourselves to be enlightened by it, for the word of God is a lamp for our steps and a light to our path (cf. Ps 119:105).
As a third step, after reconciliation and enlightenment through the word, we are called to communion. Christ himself invites us to his table, and at that table we are all welcome (cf. Mt 22:9-10). There is a place for everyone, especially for those who are most in need: the poor and the hungry, migrants, the sick and prisoners, with whom the Lord identifies (cf. Mt 25:35-40). Indeed, “the Eucharist, which is the sacrament of unity, nurtures our belonging to the Body of Christ and teaches us how to share. The diverse sensibilities present in the Church and the strong convictions that animate each person are a source of richness if they remain anchored in the certainty that unity is a gift received and a responsibility to be fulfilled” (Magnifica Humanitas, 88). Communion with Christ does not cause us to withdraw into our personal affairs, nor does it lead us to take advantage of others’ needs or allow us to shirk our responsibilities. Rather it impels us to be an active part of a community, to share the gifts we have received freely, and to offer what little we have for the good of many.
We are invited to demonstrate charity in the manner of Christ. Mary also teaches us that way at the foot of the Cross, for there on Calvary, both she and her Son loved to the end (cf. Jn 13:1). Loving like Christ is not a matter of doing great things, but of remaining faithful at the Lord’s side, just as his mother did, both in times of suffering and in times of joy, glory and light. It is a matter of looking at life through heavenly eyes and painting each of our days with the color of hope. We know that there are many difficulties, but the Lord also inspires heroic acts of charity in our people. These include the father who rises early every day to bring bread home, the mother who stays by her sick child’s side during long nights in the hospital and the good friend who shares his time with those in need.
Dear brothers and sisters, the final step is the sending forth on mission, just as we are encouraged at the end of Holy Mass. Go and proclaim (cf. Mk 16:15), because “we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). Go and evangelize; proclaim the joy of the Gospel through words and good deeds…. rise up and walk! As Saint Augustine tells us: “Love and do whatever you please: if you are silent, be silent out of love; if you cry out, do so out of love; if you correct, correct out of love; if you forgive, forgive out of love. May the root of charity dwell within you; from that root, nothing but good can spring forth” (cf. Saint Augustine, Homily on the First Letter of Saint John to the Parthians, 7:8). POPE LEO
STEWARDSHIP- MAKE YOUR PLEDGE TODAY
Thank you to all who have made their pledge to stewardship! Your generosity is amazing!
If have not made your pledge to stewardship this year, I invite you do so today! Your Sunday giving is critical to the ministry we do together here. Thank you!
PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE FINAL “WHO IS GOD CALLING US TO BECOME?” LISTENING SESSIONS- This week at St. Jude November 15 after the 11 AM Mass and Wednesday November 18 at 7PM. Both in the St. Jude Parish Hall. See you there! Thanks for all the good insights at St Anthony and Holy Innocent the previous weeks!
With gratitude and prayers,
Fr. Johnson
