March 1, 2026

Dear Friends, I pray each of you survived the extreme heat and humidity of last week. Looking around our nation and world, many suffered from the heat and flooding. May we keep all those who lost their lives in our prayers, as well as their families and friends. Those who lost homes are in our thoughts and prayers as they seek recovery. The holiday week brought two funerals before me. Betsy Brent and Bill Bertram were celebrated well last Thursday and Friday respectively. Both Betsy and Bill had strong faith and loved their church. I have no doubt they are eternally rejoicing in the kingdom of our Lord! July Fourth began with pouring rain (I was up at 5 AM) but the day brought a joy because I had the opportunity to celebrate Mackenzie Lill and Jack Rumble’s wedding! Both are delightful individuals. Jack was fully initiated at this past year’s Easter Vigil. What a gift for both of them to know embrace another sacrament, Marriage! God bless them both. This weekend’s Gospel is Matthew 13:1-9. Jesus shares the parable of the Sower and the seed. These hot days where we need to be attentive to our gardens and plantings may keep us particularly attentive to the parable and apply to ourselves applicably. I can across a reflection that I would like to share with you addressing this parable. “There are so many obstacles that can prevent the word from taking root in us: the enemy, tribulation, persecution, our anxieties, and desires. Where do we recognize ourselves in this parable? Our answer may be different every day. How can we be more receptive of the Word of God? Every gardener knows the answer: by preparing the soil, watching the growth, nurturing the plant. By opening our ears, preparing our hearts, and keeping the Word alive through reflection and prayer, we can bear fruit in love.” Lord God, may the good seed you have sown in us take root and grow, that we may bring forth an abundant harvest in works of justice, love, and peace. Keep us close to your Word and cleanse our hearts so that your fruit may take root within us. Blessings to all, Father Rob

Dear Friends, This is the Fourth of July weekend but let me begin by acknowledging this is the Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time. Our Gospel this weekend I am sure is very familiar to most of us. It is from Matthew, Chapter 11. “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Many of us can identify with this proclamation from Jesus. There is so much going on in our personal lives, our nation, and our world. It may be summer, a time to “relax”, “slow down”, and “enjoy” a new season. But, for many it isn’t all sunshine. A friend shared the following prayer with me, and I would like to pass it along to those of you who might benefit from it. An Anxious Person’s Prayer O Holy Spirit, give me stillness of soul in you. Calm the turmoil within, with the gentleness of your peace. Quiet the anxiety within, with deep trust in you. Heal the wounds of sin within, with the joy of your forgiveness. Strengthen the faith within, with the awareness of your presence. Confirm the hope within, with the knowledge of your strength. Give fullness to the love within, with an outpouring of your love. O Holy Spirit, be to me a source of light, strength, and courage so that I may hear your call ever more clearly and follow you more generously. William Browning, CP This Fourth of July, acknowledging 250 years of our nation, I thought these following prayers are appropriate. This a prayer from the Roman Missal: Father of all nations and ages, We recall the day when our country claimed its place among the family of nations; for what has been achieved we give you thanks, for the work that still remains we ask your help, and as you have called us from many peoples to be one nation, grant that, under your providence, our country may share your blessings with all the peoples of the earth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN. A prayer from the Notre Dame Sisters of Omaha, Nebraska: Loving God, We greet this Fourth of July with grateful hearts as we call to mind the vision of freedom and justice for all upon which our country was built. We give thanks for those who imagined this vision. We are grateful to those who continue advocating for and pursuing a land of peace, liberty, and equity for all. We realize it is still being created, however, as we witness the divisions, prejudices and injustices that plague us. May we hold fast to the dream and vision of unity within our country. May we dedicate ourselves to living as brothers and sisters, respectful of one another’s dignity and need for equity. May we also realize the importance of reverencing our earth which provides for and sustains much of our lives. We give glory and praise to our God and pray that we may always live in harmony as one family. AMEN. And, one more from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: God, source of all freedom, this day is bright with memory of those who declared that life and liberty are your gift to every human being. Help us to continue a good work begun long ago. Make our vision clear and our will strong: that only in human solidarity will we find liberty, and justice only in the honor that belongs to every life on earth. Turn our hearts toward the family of nations: to understand the ways of others, to offer friendship, and to find safety only in the common good of all. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN. Prayer is powerful. May you know that your prayer is always heard by our Lord. May our prayers this Fourteenth Weekend of Ordinary Time, this holiday weekend, and all we offer each day of our lives, bless us and draw us closer and closer to our brother, Jesus Christ! Blessings to all, Father Rob