August 23rd, 2026 – Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Brothers and sisters,
Let me tell you why Lectio Divina, this way of praying the Scriptures whereby we gradually let go of our ideas and thoughts and open ourselves to hear what God says to us. Here, a dialogue takes place between God and us. For us, one of the great temptations in the life of prayer is to monologue. Lord, I want this. Lord, I want that. Why is this happening, Lord? We are done then, right? I’m done talking, so the prayer time is over, right? Let me ask you, do you love to be with people who monologue? Who just talk, and talk, and talk, and never listen to what you might have to say? Isn’t that a wonderful way to spend time together? And the same thing is true in our prayer life as well. We will come to know that Lectio Divina opens the line of communication in prayer and helps us avoid the temptation to just monologue. Let me once again describe with some examples how to do this spiritual practice.
Step 1: Read the Scripture: As you read, pay attention to any word, phrase, or image that speaks to your heart. Take your time, read it again.
Step 2: Meditation: After reading the passage, pause and ponder the words that stood out to you. Consider what God is communicating through this passage. Here are some prompts for reflection:
The image of the vine and branches: What does it mean for you to “abide” in Jesus? What areas of your life need pruning in order to bear more fruit? The call to love: How do you live out Jesus’ command to love others as He loves you? Bearing fruit: Where in your life do you see God’s fruit growing? Are there areas where you need to allow His love to work more deeply? Let these reflections open your heart to God’s message in this moment.
Step 3: Prayer of the Heart: Now, turn your reflections into a personal prayer. Speak to God from your heart in response to what you have meditated on. For example:
Thanksgiving: “Lord, thank you for being the true vine that gives me life. Thank you for your love, which flows into me and helps me to bear fruit for your glory.”
Petition: “Father, prune away the parts of my life that do not bear fruit, sins that pull me away from you. Help me to abide more deeply in your love and to love others as you love me.”
Commitment: “Jesus, I want to follow your command to love others. Give me the grace to love, even when it’s hard, and to bring your joy to those around me.” Be sincere, bringing your hopes, struggles, or desires to God.
Step 4: Contemplation: Finally, enter a time of silent resting in God’s presence. After you’ve prayed, let go of words and simply be with God. Sit in silence and allow the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with His presence. You might want to rest in the phrase “abide in me” or “as the Father has loved me, so I have loved you,” letting it settle deeply into your soul.
During contemplation, there’s no need for active thoughts. Just be open to God, allowing God’s grace helps us become aware of God’s presence, whom we know by faith is within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than choosing, closer than consciousness itself.
We will begin Lectio Divina after Labor Day weekend, meeting every Saturday at 8:30am. at Ss. Peter and Paul Parish. I look forward to praying with you. Stay tuned for more details.
– Fr. Arul
August 16th, 2026 – Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“If I die, survive me with such sheer force that you waken the furies of the pallid and the cold, from south to south lift your indelible eyes, from sun to sun dream through your singing mouth. I don’t want your laughter or your steps to waver, I don’t want my heritage of joy to die.”
~ Pablo Neruda
Dear Friends,
Lately I realized how much grief is present in my life. Losing my 14 year old great niece Maddie, the continual struggle of leading four parishes in a very divided and politically corrosive time, walking with folks who are dealing with such family pain, be it health or relationships or kids or mental health or money worries, folks who are isolated and alone, and relationships that just don’t seem to work…
The list goes on and is as unique as those who read these reflections…
And then I read the brave gospel this week of the Canaanite woman who, despite seemingly insurmountable religious and cultural odds, prevails with Jesus and elicits the response: “Woman, great is your faith,” and I realize that with Jesus, there is always hope and a new way of looking at things. Even in grief, whatever its name, the true “heritage of joy”, Jesus, never dies. I breathe and life goes on!
With love,
Fr. Tim
August 9th, 2026 – Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Mystical Way of Prayer:
The Four Movements of Lectio Divina
As we prepare to launch Lectio Divina at our Family of Four Parishes, I would like to introduce to you the mystical way of praying. For centuries, the mystical tradition has been lived and preserved in monasteries by monks and mystics. This tradition continues today and offers a simple but profound path of prayer that every Christian can practice. One of the most beautiful expressions of this tradition is Lectio Divina, which means “Divine Reading.” Lectio Divina is much more than reading the Bible. It is a prayerful encounter with God through His Word. The goal is not simply to gain knowledge about God but to enter into a living relationship and, ultimately, a deeper union with Him.The mystical tradition follows four movements that gradually lead the soul into communion with God. In simple terms, we read the Scriptures, meditate on them to understand their meaning, allow God’s Word to move our hearts in affective prayer, and finally rest quietly in contemplation before God.
1st Movement: Recitation: Read or recite Scripture, either individually or as a community. Monks, for example, pray the Liturgy of the Hours (Breviary) five times a day. These prayers consist mainly of the Psalms, along with canticles and prayers from both the Old and New Testaments. This first movement is simply listening attentively to God’s Word and allowing it to enter our minds and hearts.
2nd Movement: Meditation: After reading the passage, sit quietly and meditate on the Scripture you have just read. Spend time thinking about it and seeking to understand its meaning. Dwell upon the words. Reflect on them slowly. The ancient tradition uses the image of a cow chewing its food over and over again. In the same way, we gently “ruminate” on God’s Word until it begins to nourish our hearts.
3rd Movement: Affective Prayer: The Scripture you have read and meditated upon is meant to connect with your emotions. God’s Word awakens a response of love, trust, repentance, gratitude, hope, or even holy fear. Here you pray not only with your mind but with your heart. Allow the Word of God to stir your affections. Speak to God from your heart. Feel His presence. Let the Word touch your senses and your whole being.
4th Movement: Contemplation: Affective prayer is not the end; it culminates in contemplation. After allowing God’s Word to fill your heart and senses, simply remain quietly in God’s presence. There is nothing more to say. Simply be with Him. Here you become aware of God’s loving presence and experience, in some measure, a sense of union with Him. From this communion, you go forth to live the rest of your day in God’s presence.
The Goal: The goal of the mystic and the monk—and indeed of every Christian—is to enter into a living relationship of union with God.
– Fr. Arul…stay tuned for more!
August 2nd, 2026 – Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Friends,
July 1 was the start of a new fiscal year for our parishes, and I thought it would be a good time to remind us of the structure of a parish and the systems in place that enable us to continue the mission of Jesus Christ in our programs and charitable Outreach.
Every parish is a separate corporation with officers, a Finance Council, a budget, and a system of checks and balances. So, our Family of Four is actually four separate corporations. The Archbishop of Milwaukee is president of each, and I, as pastor, am vice-president. There are two elected trustees for each parish, and I am grateful to the following individuals for their acceptance of these important positions:
Old St. Mary
Joseph Powell – Trustee Secretary
Owen McCormick, Jr. – Trustee Treasurer
Our Lady Of Divine Providence
Annette Lucchesi – Trustee Secretary
Nicholas Wagner – Trustee Treasurer
Ss. Peter and Paul
Michael Reyes – Trustee Secretary
Susan Wustrack – Trustee Treasurer
Three Holy Women
Patricia Suminski – Trustee Secretary
Katherine Trevey – Trustee Treasurer
In addition to their corporate responsibilities of oversight, they offer important leadership and advice on our Finance Councils. Each parish is to have fully-activated a Council which provides advice to me as pastor as to the management and budgeting of our resources and properties. I would like to encourage anyone who might be interested in serving on their parish Finance Council to contact me to discuss requirements and responsibilities. I thank our current members of the Finance Councils for “keeping the ship afloat” and providing guidance as we continue in the work of ministry under the leadership of our wonderful lay staff and our Associate Pastor Fr. Arul.
Finally a few more expressions of gratitude.
– After many faithful and generous years of Trustee leadership for Three Holy Women, Tom Croasdaile has stepped down as trustee, while remaining on the Finance Council. Thanks, Tom, and your wife Ellen!
– Our beloved parishioner Ray Rausch was trustee at Old St. Mary and provided invaluable insight and support, for which we are grateful. Ray passed away this past month, and we offer our prayers and support to his wife Holly and his family.
– We are extremely blessed to have Christine D’Amato as Director of Administrative Services. She coordinates the office and all the financial responsibilities for our four parishes, develops the yearly budget, coordinates payroll, and manages our lay staff with the great leadership of Chad Griesel, our Pastoral Associate and Chief of Staff. She is also assisted by Jim Young, our Finance and Benefits Administrator, who helps ensure the bills get paid on time! Thanks Chris, Chad, and Jim! We are blessed with your efforts!
In conclusion, may I THANK from the bottom of my heart you, our beloved parishioners, for your amazing financial generosity! You have my assurance that your investment in the mission of our Family of Four Parishes is well-founded and will be put to good and responsible use to further the cause of Jesus Christ to a world that needs him more than ever!
If you have any questions about anything relating to the organization and management of our parishes, never hesitate to call me: 414-762-7986.
