The encounter between Jesus and the Canaanite woman in the Gospel of Matthew (Mt. 15:21-28) is one of the most challenging and beautiful moments in the Gospel.
On Oct. 18, the Church celebrates World Mission Sunday. This year’s theme is “One in Christ, united in mission.” Selected by Pope Leo XIV, the theme celebrates the communion of believers and the centennial of this global observance. It calls every member of the Church to grow closer to Christ and share more fully in his mission of love. Inspired by Christ’s prayer for unity before his passion, it also urges the Church toward renewed missionary zeal and continuing conversion.
What gives us motivation and energy? Our energy does not come simply from sleeping, eating, and exercising well. While such habits are important, Jesus reminds us of what we all know deep down: “Man does not live on bread alone” (cf. Mt 4:4; Dt 8:3). For we all know that even physically healthy people can sometimes struggle just to get out of bed if they lack awareness of the meaning of their lives.
It is said that soldiers spilling their lifeblood on the battlefield often call for their mothers with their dying breath. In their violent exit from the world, they find comfort in remembering the maternal love that brought them into the world.
On Aug. 17-18, 45 ministry leaders from the dioceses of Dallas, Fort Worth, and Tyler gathered for the Listen, Teach, Send workshop, a two-day opportunity to explore the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ national pastoral framework for ministry with youth and young adults. The workshop was a collaborative effort of the USCCB’s Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth, chaired by Bishop Edward J. Burns; the Diocese of Dallas office of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministries; and the University of Dallas.
As religious leaders, pastors, and ministers throughout the country gathered their people in prayer during those difficult days, the words of St. John Paul II offered a powerful message of faith and hope: “Sin, evil, terror, and death will not have the last word!”
The summer heatwave signals that it is time to return to school again. With school supplies on display everywhere and families shopping for all of the supplies on the list, even in the grocery store, to prepare for the first day of school, there is an exciting energy for this new school year. The Catholic Schools Office has been in-servicing new administrators and new teachers, while schools have been preparing classrooms for the return of their students. At Mass this weekend, the petitions included prayers for teachers, students, and parents: that this school year would be blessed with growth.
Every year at the end of July, our parish staff sets aside a week for staff development. This is a time to pause, reflect, and prepare our hearts and our ministries for the coming school and faith formation year. It’s a week of spiritual renewal, shared learning, and, yes, even a bit of office cleaning as we reset for the months ahead. We invite speakers, share stories, and encourage one another in the mission we carry together.
This past week, I had the privilege of making a pilgrimage to the shrine of Bl. Stanley Rother in Oklahoma City. I was accompanied by a lay leader within the diocese as well as two of our priests. It was especially meaningful, because we arrived on July 28, his feast day.
There are few things human beings can do that imitate God. One is to observe the Sabbath (see Gn 2:1-3; Ex 20:8-11); another is to rely on Mary.
Life is a journey that unfolds one day at a time. This summer, I found myself reflecting deeply on what it means to trust that journey. My thoughts were not centered on where I stand today, but on where God is leading me. I had a quiet conversation with him within my heart, a conversation about my spiritual life, my relationship with him, and the mission he continues to shape in me as his priest and servant. I asked myself how God wants to use me to proclaim his Gospel, not only to others but also to my own soul.