In today’s Gospel of Luke (9:51-62) Jesus resolutely heads to Jerusalem—He’s on a pilgrimage to a holy place and a few things are going to happen on this journey that will test the tolerance, the faith and comfort levels of His companions. We too are lucky this weekend that in hearing this gospel we are able to take a spiritual pilgrimage without making the physical journey—and we can make this pilgrimage with Christ and His companions.

The McLean Home Care and Hospice team is seeking compassionate and mature individuals who are able to provide social support for adults who are facing terminal illnesses, and to their families. Hospice volunteers may visit patients and families in their homes, apartments, or in nursing facilities to provide companionship, a listening ear and a caring presence.

“One hundred fifty years ago, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation declaring that slaves held in Confederate territory were free men and women. One hundred fifty years later, children in every part of the country still face the degradation and hopelessness of the practice President Lincoln sought to end.....For the last 40 years and even earlier in some states, many of our judges and lawmakers have treated people like property.

As we prepare to celebrate the fourth annual “Fortnight for Freedom” from June 21 – July 3, 2016, let us remember the words that Pope Francis evoked during his visit to the United States last September: “American Catholics are committed to building a society which is truly tolerant and inclusive, to safeguarding the rights of individuals and communities, and to rejecting every form of unjust discrimination

On this 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time this gospel calls us to make a decision about what is primary—or our Prime Motivator—in the face-off between Love and forgiveness. We hear in Luke’s Gospel the account of the sinful woman who at dinner washes Jesus’ feet. This scandalizes the others at table. How can one so sinful serve the Lord?

I want to convey my thanks to everyone who helped ensure that Fr. Richard Russell’s funeral Mass was a wonderful tribute to a man who did so much to build and grow Saint Catherine of Siena Parish. From the choirs and musicians to the those who helped behind the scenes in the sacristy and to those who welcomed guests and priests here at our parish...

In today’s Gospel of Luke, Jesus shows the power of God and His creative magnificence as he happens upon a funeral procession in the City of Nain, a village in Galilee, and raises a young man from the dead. This story is about God’s love for life and the magnificence of His creative power. From the dead he raises the young man to life again and then gave the young man back to his mother

Religious Education is over. Confirmation is confirmed and finished. Youth Ministry activities are closed for the summer. The 5 O’clock Sunday Mass has ended until September 11th. And soon the school year will come to a close…and everyone will be signing Alice Cooper’s School’s Out! But does that mean that Mass takes a summer hiatus too? No way!

I was recently asked why I invite the parishioners to bless the children who are going off to listen to the Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLW) at the 11 a.m. Mass. The questioner, I believe, was inquiring if it was a "Catholic thing" to have the people/parishioners bless the children rather than the priest. While it might be new to some people—asking parishioners to help bless the children is a Catholic Christian thing to do...Click To Read More!