Our parish pastoral council responds to a series of listening sessions with plans to invite parishioners to get more involved in the volunteer life of the parishes. The Diocese requires our parishes—and, in fact, all parishes—to offer transparent financial reports on a regular basis. Our Sunday gospels tell the story of Jesus proclaiming the gospel and recruiting disciples. Are these merely random events? Or can we see a convergence here? I certainly hope we can! Jesus calls us to a mission—proclaiming the kingdom of God to our world. That mission needs pe...

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Since the beginning of Advent the Sunday gospels have come from St. Matthew. That’ll continue to be the pattern—with a rather long interruption from St. John during Lent and Easter—up until the end of November. What should we look for from Matthew’s gospel? What would a one-time tax collector write about Jesus, his unexpected Savior? First, Matthew tells the most Jewish story of all the gospels. Now, all the evangelists write a narrative of the Jewish Messiah and his Jewish disciples. But, Matthew seems to take a particular care to show the continuit...

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I know the print’s small, the numbers might be hard to read, and those financial pages in the bulletin don’t always offer exciting news: but, please take a good look at those financial trend reports. In light of Vision 2030, the Diocese wants us all—priests, parish leadership, the whole community—to be aware of the graces and challenges of being a parish today. Here you see the figures that talk about one piece of parish life—the money we’re given and the money we spend. All in all, for both St. Lawrence and St. Boniface these report...

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Last Sunday, Christmas, was easy to explain: the Nativity of Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of Mary. Today’s a little less easy to explain—mostly because we celebrate several things with this feast. Let’s take a look: New Year’s Day. This is really a secular observance. But, note the blessings from today’s first reading and psalm. Aren’t we calling God’s blessing, his grace and favor, on this particular moment in time? As we wait for those blessings, don’t we commit ourselves to using them well? Christmas Octave. While...

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If you come to Mass with all the magic of childhood in your hearts and minds, come to see the greater wonder of God’s gift in Jesus Christ. If you’ve spent these past Advent weeks, praying and reflecting, come to adore your promised Lord and Messiah. If this year the shadows of grief and loss have fallen upon you, come to seek the true Light, which the darkness cannot overcome. If it’s been a while since you’ve worshipped with us, know that you’re welcome in the name of the Christ Child whose parents sought refuge on that first Christmas night....

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This weekend I’ve been here four months. As a new pastor, I’m often asked—and I often ask myself—if there’s anything I’d like to change. And, I’ll admit it: I’ve changed some things. I’ve added a Mass. I’ve moved confessions times. I’ve encouraged new ventures. I’ve asked why we’ve done some things the way we’ve done them. But, there’s one thing I’d never want to change in these two parishes. The one thing I’d never want to change is your willingness to step forward and do ...

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First, some congratulations to a few of our neighbors. The Saturday after Thanksgiving, Bishop Bambera ordained several men as permanent deacons, among them Deacon John Bubb from St. Joseph the Worker Parish, and Deacon Matthew Eisley from Immaculate Conception and St. Luke’s Parishes. We thank them for their willingness to say “yes” to God’s call to serve his people in our area. Also, congratulations later this week to the Sisters of Christian Charity (SCCS). Thursday, December 8 is the holyday, the Immaculate Conception of Mary— patro...

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