July 19th, 2026 – Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.”
(Albert Camus)
Dear Friends,
Praying your summer goes well, and that in the midst of anything that feels like the depth of winter in life, be it with health or relationships or worry or divisions or stress or overwork or isolation or mental health or anything in the long list of struggles we all face personally or communally, that this summer gives you invincible HOPE!
Our readings this Sunday speak so powerfully of the resiliency of faith in the mix of this all. From the Book of Wisdom (ch. 12): “And you taught your people, by these deeds, that those who are just must be kind; and you gave your people good ground for hope that you would permit repentance for their sins.” From St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans (ch. 8): “The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness.” And in the Gospel of Matthew (ch. 13): “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants.”
In a time of history that seems somewhat cold, we Christians need to live the Kingdom of Heaven in the small seeds we plant. To accept the warmth of God’s summer love in order to be that warmth to a divided and isolating culture: that is our call!
So everyone, start small! Even in that which seems cold and inadequate in our weaknesses, God will accomplish great things! Jesus Christ is Lord of Heaven and earth, and from the winters in life will always bring the love and hope of invincible summer!
With love,
Fr. Tim
July 12th, 2026 – Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I’m thrilled to invite our Family of Four Parishes to something truly beautiful and transformative—an experience that can deepen your relationship with God through His living Word, Sacred Scripture. God speaks to each of us through Scripture. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12).” Indeed it has power to change our hearts and transform our lives. Many saints, monks, nuns, holy men and women have discovered this intimate connection with God through a time-honored spiritual practice called Lectio Divina, which means “divine reading.”
This beautiful method helps us move from words to silence, from understanding in the head to union in the heart. I would like to teach you this method of prayer and invite you to experience the peace and divine presence our souls long for.
What is Lectio Divina? It is a four-step way of praying with Scripture. Each step draws us deeper into God’s presence. Here is a brief preview:
Lectio (Reading): We read the Word of God slowly and attentively, allowing it to sink into our hearts. (I suggest beginning with the daily Mass readings!)
Meditatio (Reflection): After reading, we ponder the Word, allowing it to take root within us. We reflect on how it speaks to our lives, and a particular word/phrase or image will begin to stand out.
Oratio (Response): From our reflection, we respond to God from the heart. This becomes a personal conversation with Him. As the fruit of our meditation, our hearts and senses are awakened, and we speak to Him with love, trust, and gratitude.
Contemplatio (Rest): Finally, we rest in God’s presence. No words, no thoughts—just a deep, peaceful silence as we allow God to speak to the depths of our being, drawing us into divine union.
This practice is not only powerful when done individually but can also be life-changing when shared with others. It opens our hearts to God and, over time, transforms the way we live and love each day. Join us on this journey! Stay tuned for more details about upcoming opportunities to explore this sacred practice together. I would love for you to come, learn, and grow in this beautiful way of praying—to experience divine union with God and to live each day out of that union.
With great joy and anticipation,Fr. Arul
July 5th, 2026 – Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”
(The Gospel of St. Matthew, ch. 11)
Dear Friends,
So does Jesus set the pace for our summer in this Sunday’s Gospel.
My prayer for our beloved parishes is that we take time this summer to truly rest. In his profound book, Leisure, the Basis of Culture, the philosopher Josef Pieper reminds us that at the root of truly human and profound activity is leisure and the ability to step back and breathe. When we are less full of self-importance and constant worries and preoccupations and diversions, we discover that we become more God-like. Rest not only restores, but gives us the creative energy to recreate the weary world in which we live.
So a simple message this week—Rest a bit, breathe a bit, waste a bit of time! As John Lennon famously said: “Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.”
