Know - Grow - Go

If we have the presence of God within us, if we bring the presence of God to every situation we encounter, if we're filled with the presence of God so much so that we don't think of ourselves — that's humility. Humility is not thinking less of myself; it's thinking of myself less. It's being filled with the presence of God, so that that presence of God might overflow into every situation that I en...

When we allow God to work on us — when we shift the focus from "what do I want God to do in my life/this person's life" to "what does God want to do in my life" — there’s a whole different energy that comes. Less fear, nagging, and anxiety; more trust, joy, acceptance, and a deep sense of peace. And for our loved ones who have no use for the Church in their lives — that’s how we ourselves become c...

Ordinary Time teaches us that holiness is not built on excitement, but on fidelity. God is not just waiting for extraordinary moments to meet us — He meets us in the quiet faithfulness of daily life. And when our restless hearts finally rest in Him, we discover something surprising: the ordinary is no longer boring. It is sacred. It is where joy takes root.   Readings at this Mass: Is 49:3, 5–6 |...

When we look at the challenges around us, do we feel anger, anxiety, frustration, or depression? Those are natural responses, but we are invited to activate the grace of our baptism to change that. We can choose to limit the negativity we absorb. We can gather in community to support, witness to, and lift one another up. We can actively choose positive alternatives to the world's negativity. This...

To live fully and freely is not to circle the wagons against every potential threat to our safe and comfortable little worlds. Some of the freest people ever were the martyrs, who laid down their lives  — their actual, physical lives — freely, entrusting their well-being to God. That’s how we want to live, too: in the immense freedom of the Divine Will. God knows our needs, even better than we do....

As we move into 2026, let's make a resolution to increase our prayer life. Say 'yes' to having Mary in your "bucket of saints" that you go to for prayer and intercession, the closest and first disciple of Jesus.   Readings at this Mass: Nm 6:22–27 | Gal 4:4–7 | Lk 2:16–21 

There is no such thing as a perfect family. But holy families do exist. It's not because there are no issues, but because they remain faithful to God through their imperfections and suffering. They have a joy that goes beyond their circumstances. Holiness is a function of faithfulness, not freedom from frustration, fragility, or failure.   Readings at this Mass: Sir 3:2–6, 12–14 | Col 3:12–21 | Mt...

Whatever darkness we carry, Christ wants to meet us there. He wants to transform our darkness into light, our despair into hope. He wants to enter our lives again and drive out that darkness with his grace and mercy. So how do we make room for him? That's your homework this Christmas season: give of yourselves. Not just material gifts. Give you. Offer small acts of forgiveness, generosity, patienc...

Christmas is supposed to be a season of hope — a season of joy and gladness, when everyone seems to be celebrating — and yet, sometimes in our own hearts, there is darkness. The Lord wants to give each one of us hope, especially at Christmas, but it requires openness and trust. We must be open to Him entering our lives. We must listen to His word in Scripture. We must spend time in His presence. W...

John and his disciples in today's gospel are confused because Jesus comes bringing not retribution, but restoration. Thankfully, God doesn’t think like we do. The world’s retribution may still come for those who reject Jesus, but for those who trust him, there is healing; hope; restoration. God’s intention is that we not walk alone; that we not wander, lost in the darkness. He comes to meet us, ma...

With God, grace is eternal; it's not linear. And we, too, can become "full of grace" when we receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.   Readings at this Mass: Gn 3:9–15, 20 | Eph 1:3–6, 11–12 | Lk 1:26–38

Advent is not merely a countdown to Christmas, but also an invitation to let Christ’s light break into those dark places in our souls. If we’re honest, our lives aren’t where they should be. We are sinners; we’ve fallen short. Catholics sometimes get criticized for “guilt trips,” but the opposite is worse: pretending everything is fine and nothing is considered sinful. What we need is a reality ch...

Advent is a time to prepare ourselves for Christmas, to remember that Christ coming into the world is meant to drive out darkness. During these four weeks of preparation, we can join in His work by pushing back the darkness in our own lives. What can you do this Advent to drive out the darkness, even a little? Think of where it is coming from: your screens, your phone, relationships with patterns...

What are you thankful for? That’s the question Fr. Bill asks of our Thanksgiving Day Mass attendees, reminding us that we are called to be people of thanksgiving — the word eucharist itself comes from the Greek word for 'thanksgiving'. Consider what you are thankful for as you listen to their responses!   Readings at this Mass: Sir 50:22-24 | 1 Cor 1:3-9 | Lk 17:11-19

More and more, it’s becoming impossible for us to talk about our challenges as a country. It doesn’t matter if the issue is cultural, moral, economic, political, whatever — the conversation quickly gravitates towards the extremes. So our problems remain, our divisions deepen, and we don’t go anywhere as a people. Politics is not king. Tribalism is not king. Anger and fear, hatred and shame, cruelt...

There is no resurrection without the cross. The trials and losses we experience – our own mini "end-times" – can become the very means by which our lives are transformed, take on deeper meaning, and prepare us to meet Christ in heaven. Consider a loss or painful trial, past or present, and bring it to Jesus in prayer, asking, "Lord, how have you used/how are you using this trial in my life to deep...

Each of us is a temple of God, a dwelling place for the Spirit. So perhaps the Gospel is inviting us to something deeper: maybe Jesus wants to help us clean out our own temple. We can’t do it alone. We need Jesus to help drive out the money changers: those fears, distractions, and habits that fill our lives with noise and confusion. If we let Him, He’ll cleanse our hearts so that what flows out of...

Purgatory is the purification, the liberation, the healing that we still need — even after death — to prepare us for the immense, tremendous life that God has in store for us in Heaven. Purgatory is very different than Hell; it’s not “Hell Lite.” It’s got nothing to do with condemnation, fear, or punishment. It’s about a Father who loves us so much that even after death, He refuses to give up on u...

Jesus' parable of the self-righteous Pharisee and the humble tax collector illustrated well the destiny of those who are truly humble and those who are truly arrogant. Humility is not a weakness, despite what our culture says; it is a great strength. It takes a strong person to not let one's ego take over.   Readings at this Mass: Sir 35:12–14, 16–18 | 2 Tm 4:6–8, 16–18 | Lk 18:9–14

God wants to answer our prayers for ourselves not necessarily by removing the suffering, but by giving us His presence — relationship. He doesn’t always take away pain or magically fix our lives. He comes to be with us in those sufferings. And when we invite Him into those hard places, they’re transformed from within. They become something beautiful; something that can make us better, that can bec...

We will never understand our faith in a deep way unless we’re willing to grapple with the inseparable relationship between Jesus and the poor. A familiar, comfortable, “me and Jesus” faith is never enough. If we really want to walk with the Lord – if we really want to know him – then we have to walk with the poor, on the margins. In a country as large and as affluent as ours, it takes special care...

Even a tiny mustard seed of faith, when lived out, can transform lives in ways we may never fully see. But rest assured that God works through our small acts to shape lives for eternity, often in ways hidden from us until the fullness of time. Be mindful of those who have inspired you in your walk with God, and go out and make a difference. Share your giftedness with the world and trust that God w...

Our hearts are meant to be wide and deep and powerful. They're meant to beat with the life and love of God himself. When God’s Spirit rules our hearts and when being God’s instrument is our compass, if you will, miracles can happen. It’s when we shrink our hearts by letting our possessions possess us that our vision narrows and God’s peace diminishes.   Readings at this Mass: Am 6:1a, 4–7 | 1 Tm 6...

We are not called to be dishonest or gamify religion as if we get points for manipulating others. No, we are called to love people and use things, not use people and love things. When we live this way, others glimpse Christ alive in us. And that glimpse may be enough to spark faith in them, too. That is the kind of investment that pays eternal dividends.   Readings at this Mass: Am 8:4–7 | 1 Tm 2:...

Christ showed us that suffering and death, hatred and violence, do not have the last word. He did so not by eliminating or fighting or destroying them, but by accepting and transforming them. That’s why we celebrate the cross: not because it is good, but because through the cross we have also received the power to transform suffering and death. When we respond to hatred with love and violence with...