Why We Veil Crosses During Lent?

It is unusual to have a feast of saints celebrated on Sunday. Sunday, the Lord’s Day, is more important than any feast of saints in the Liturgical Calendar. This year the feast of Saints Peter and Paul falls on Sunday and takes precedence over Sunday liturgy. It is another proof for the fact both Saints, Peter and Paul, were extremely important in the history of the Church. Indeed, there were like two pillars of the first Christian community and the Church grew up on the foundation of these two great Apostles. Although they were both great sinners, Peter traitor and Paul murder, both converted to Christ. Although they had completely different visions of the Church and different missions entrusted to them by the Risen Lord, they preached the same Gospel. Peter preached the Gospel to the Jews and Paul to the Pagans. Finally, they both died for Christ. Today’s feast of Peter and Paul, two very different saints who are celebrated together on the same day, encourages us to believe that everyone has a place in the Church. Despite our differences, diversity of cultures, worldviews, talents and charisms, we are all invited to take part in the mission of the Lord. Today’s readings have one common characteristic, which is kind of haste and rush. In the first reading, an angel wakes up Peter in a prison with rush, saying “get up fast” (Acts 12:7). In the second reading, Paul writes to his friend Timothy and compares his life to one big run and race. Then, he invites Timothy to visit him quickly (2 Timothy 4:9). Both Apostles, Peter and Paul, did not have many common things, and they never worked together but it seems that haste and rush were common to them. Both were in constant haste to continue their mission entrusted to them by the Risen Lord. Today’s feast reminds us to admire and honor these two saints who always rushed to preach the Gospel and never compromised their zeal for the mission of Christ. This feast encourages us to have a personal reflection and perhaps ask ourselves a few essential questions. In which aspect of my life am I too slow regarding God’s work and will? Where and when am I too lazy to answer God’s call and invitation to his mission? Do I need another call to wake up like Peter from a prison of my comfort zone to make an effort for God and people in need? Hopefully one day we can repeat after the Apostle Peter, “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day… and to all who have longed for his appearance” (2 Timothy 4:7-8). Saints Peter and Paul pray for us. Fr. Andrzej

Today we honor and worship the Body and Blood of Christ. The Eucharist was instituted and given to us by Jesus Christ. It was on Holy Thursday, during the Last Supper, when Jesus celebrated his first Holy Mass and asked the Apostles to continue to do it in memory of him. The Eucharist is one of the most beautiful gifts we received from our Lord, Jesus Christ. Every time we celebrate Holy Mass we receive Eucharistic Jesus. “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him” (John 6:54-56). The Eucharist nourishes and strengthens our spiritual life every time we receive it with true faith. Today’s gospel does not speak about the Eucharist directly but underlines one essential element which includes the Eucharist. We read in the gospel about the miracle of multiplication of bread and fish (Luke 9:11b-17). The story tells us about Jesus feeding a large crowd of people with only a few loaves of bread and a small number of fish. Jesus miraculously multiplied the food, providing enough to feed everyone and leaving leftovers. According to Luke, “they all ate and were satisfied.” At the end, there were twelve wicker baskets full of leftovers. We must notice the fact in the story Jesus was very generous. Jesus was always helping and giving to people in need more than enough. If we take just one thing from today’s feast of Corpus Christi, let’s remember that God is loving and very generous to us. Thus, God gave us the Eucharist to nourish and save us. Hungry people could take as much as they wanted in today’s gospel. “They all ate and were satisfied.” When we come to Holy Mass, God gives us grace in abundance. And it is up to us to take as much as we want and be satisfied. And there is more grace than we could ever take. Let be grateful to God for his generosity and the gift of the Eucharist for us. Fr. Andrzej

Feast of the Most Holy Trinity is celebrated in honor of one God in three persons. The word “Trinity” come from “Trinitas,” a Latin abstract noun that literally means “three-ness” or simply put, “three are one.” Trinity refers to three persons in one God, the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Trinity was revealed to us by Jesus Christ. Jesus often prayed to the Father and spoke about his love and kindness. The Father reveled his Son during Jesus’ baptism upon the river Jordan and during the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. Jesus introduced the Holy Spirit and together with the Father sent the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and other disciples on Pentecost. This mystery of the divine Trinity, as a perfect harmony and unity, is a frequent topic during catechetical classes and homilies in parishes and schools. It is one of the most difficult articles of faith to understand and explain pastorally. Pastors and catechists are very creative in describing the mystery in a practical way. For example, there is a simple story about St. Augustine and a boy on the beach, who tried to pour the entire ocean into a little hole. Similar to the boy who could not complete his job, St. Augustine could not understand the mystery of the Holy Trinity. This story is frequently utilized to explain the mystery of the Holy Trinity. Another example of this holy harmony and unity could be seen in the three leaves but one stem of a shamrock, as St. Patrick proposed, as a good visual image of the Holy Trinity.  During my ministry in India, I learned the Holy Trinity as the harmony of three persons but one God, is often compared to the trinity of Hinduism in Indian mythology and other religions. In Hinduism there is Brahma, who is the creator of the universe; Vishnu, the preserver; and Shiva, who is the god of war and distraction. There is also Krishna, the good god, who came to the earth like Jesus Christ to save people. Initially, it seems that this comparison is correct. But in fact, it must be noticed, there is one significant difference in the relationship within the two trinities. While the Hindu gods are in constant competition and war, the three persons in the Holy Trinity are in harmony and perfect love. Thus, the Christian understanding of the Holy Trinity, as a community of perfect harmony, unity and love, is an excellent model for families and communities. The Trinity is dynamic, not static. It is perfect communion and communication. It is a reality in which unity and diversity exist together and at the same time. The Trinity is a great model and encouragement for us, but in terms of human relationship, we will never reach such perfection. We are called for openness and readiness to listen, understand and minister to each other after the example of the triune God. It is a long-life commitment. When we are hospitable and become kind to each we are at the beginning of the journey with the Holy Trinity. Let’s remember that even the “Sign of the Cross,” which we make with awareness at the beginning of a day, meal, travel or important decision, becomes a beautiful prayer of praise of the Holy Trinity. In this simple but powerful sign of our faith, we renew our commitment to follow the example given to us by the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, community of three persons but one God. Fr. Andrzej

The stained-glass windows project was recommended when we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the new church last year. There were many suggestions to enhance our church with a slightly new vision as we continue to grow both with the traditional look as well as a new fresh look. The suggestions some of our parishioners brought up was a proposal of stained-glass windows. The Pastoral Team and several groups of our parish community suggested that this project would very worthy addition to our beautiful church. A committee was created to find two artists who could design the stained-glass windows in harmony with the style and architecture of our church. After a few months of work and consultations with priests and volunteers who built the church, Pastoral and Finance Council, Staff and you, dear parishioners, the committee chose the theme, style and artist of the stained-glass windows. The theme “Corporal Works of Mercy,” honors St. Martin of Tours, the patron saint of our parish. We believe, St. Martin was an apostle of Works of Mercy and practiced the Works of Mercy in his life. As followers of St. Martin, we wanted to learn and witness his example. We must welcome people who are in need, especially homeless, hungry and thirsty. We are encouraged to cloth the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned. Finally, we are obliged to bury the dead with faith in resurrection. The Corporal Works of Mercy is a clear invitation to practice our faith and become true Christians. Each window of the project will have a symbol of the Works of Mercy included in its design. The chosen style of stained-glass windows relates well to the modern architecture of our church and will bring up a sacred atmosphere for our prayer and worship. The shape of the windows as well as the small circled symbols on the top of the windows link us to the old church (narthex). The artist, Slovic Miskow, who designed the windows, in collaboration with Kim Kostuch, placed meaningful elements of our faith in the pattern and layout of the windows. There are stars and rays of light, vines with branches, and landscaped creation as background. I believe everyone will see different elements in each stained-glass window and will relate to them. The stained-glass windows will help us to pray and encounter God’s living presence in our church. Each stained-glass window costs us $10,000 and the total cost of the first phase of the project is $60,000. The second phase will include the Rose window which is located above the baptismal font. The second phase has not yet been designed nor the cost estimated. I am grateful to those who brought up the idea of the stained-glass windows project, the committee, artists, those who shared their suggestions and criticism to us, and above all, to those who will sponsor portions of it. Thank you very much. On behalf of the project committee,  Fr. Andrzej

Robert Francis Prevost, the new Bishop of Rome was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, to Louis Marius Prevost, of French and Italian descent, and Mildred Martínez, of Spanish descent. He has two brothers, Louis Martín and John Joseph. He entered the Minor Seminary of the Augustinian Fathers and then at Villanova University in Pennsylvania, where in 1977 he earned a Degree in Mathematics and also studied Philosophy. On August 29, 1981, he made his solemn vows. The future Pontiff received his theological education at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. At the age of 27, he was sent by his superiors to Rome to study Canon Law at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum). In Rome, he was ordained a priest on June 19, 1982, at the Augustinian College of Saint Monica. Prevost obtained his licentiate in 1984 and the following year, while preparing his doctoral thesis, was sent to the Augustinian mission in Chulucanas, Piura, Peru (1985–1986). In 1987, he defended his doctoral thesis on "The Role of the Local Prior in the Order of Saint Augustine." Then, he returned to Peru and was assigned in various ministries, formation director and professor of Canon Law, Patristics, and Moral Theology at the Major Seminary “San Carlos y San Marcelo.” At the same time, he was also entrusted with the pastoral care in a local parish. In 1999, Prevost returned to his Augustinian Province in Chicago where he was elected Provincial Prior and then Prior General. Pope Francis appointed him on November 3, 2014, as Apostolic Administrator of the Peruvian Diocese of Chiclayo, elevating him to the episcopal dignity as Titular Bishop of Sufar. On September 26, 2015, he was appointed Bishop of Chiclayo. In March 2018, he was elected second vice-president of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference, where he also served as a member of the Economic Council and president of the Commission for Culture and Education. In 2019, Pope Francis appointed him a member of the Congregation for the Clergy (July 13, 2019), and in 2020, a member of the Congregation for Bishops (November 21). Meanwhile, on April 15, 2020, he was also appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Peruvian Diocese of Callao. On January 30, 2023, the Pope called him to Rome as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, promoting him to the rank of Archbishop. Pope Francis created him a Cardinal and assigned him the Diaconate of Saint Monica. He officially took possession of this role on January 28, 2024. On February 6 of this year, Pope Francis promoted him to the Order of Bishops, granting him the title of the Suburbicarian Church of Albano. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected Pope on May 8, 2025 in Rome. He received name Leo XIV following the great Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903) who was well known for publishing the encyclical "Rerum Novarum" on worker's rights and is remembered for his social teaching.  Leo XIV is the 267th Bishop of Rome. He is the first Augustinian and U.S. American Pope. We will pray he will become a great and holy Pope who leads God’s people through this difficult and challenging time of the Church and World. Fr. Andrzej