Reflections with Fr. Mark
Dear Parishioners,

Yesterday, during the communion line, a few people brought their dogs.  I have always enjoyed the blessing of the animals each year at St. Luke on this day and celebrating the inspiration of St. Francis of Assisi.  I would imagine our pets are even a little stressed during this time of pandemic.

Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, a priest. It is very appropriate to learn a bit about this priest since he lived and worked during the outbreak of disease.  

Blessed Seelos was a Redemptorist priest known as the “Cheerful Ascetic” while he ministered to the sick during a disease outbreak.  His missionary zeal and kindness were well noted, keeping his sermons simple so that everyone could understand.  His “parish” was in the Eastern and Midwestern parts of the United States.  Later, he would be missioned to New Orleans where he died of yellow fever.

We hear proclaimed in our scriptures, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart….and, your neighbor as yourself.” Certainly, we know that Christ has called us to a radical love; and, perhaps in these days of strife and stress to love our neighbor is indeed radical.  Continuing our journey let us commit to renewing our commitment to loving God and one another, difficult as it may be at times.

The journey continues…in love.

Blessings,

Fr. Mark

"Burning Hut" story I read at the end of my homily on Sunday. Enjoy!