How exciting that we have a man from our parish entering the seminary! Let us support and pray for Andrew Bilgri as he begins his studies at Mundelein Seminary. Also, the Diocese of Springfield accepted NINE new seminarians (including Bilgri) for studies this year! This is huge! This brings us to 21! We ordained no priests this year, but we do ordain a man, Padrick Mulligan, to the transitional diaconate as he prepares for priesthood ordination in 2027! Please pray for all our men in formation for the priesthood, but also please keep praying and encouraging more to be priests!
This last week we put out new votive candle stands! We will be transitioning the red electric candles out of use and using these real candles instead. Please don’t extinguish candles that are lit. These candles are someone’s prayer to remain lit in the presence of the Lord in the tabernacle. The candles are meant for this purpose, the glass globes they are in are meant to be a double precaution, and the metal racks they are in are a triple protection! Please begin using these candles. The larger candle is $3, and the smaller candle is $1. Nothing about these votive candle racks, glass globes, etc. are new. All of this was from the attic that we cleaned up, repainted, and restored ourselves.
This weekend’s readings are a gentle reminder that the Lord’s work unfolds both in the quiet fidelity of service and in the steadfast trust of believing hearts. In Acts, the early Church faces tension not as a failure, but as an invitation, an opportunity to raise up servants who ensure that no one is overlooked, revealing that charity and structure must walk hand in hand. And in the Gospel, Jesus speaks words that have steadied countless souls: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” He does not promise a life without hardship, but He does promise Himself-the way, the truth, and the life. To know Him is to know the Father; to follow Him is to find our path, even when the road is uncertain.
So, we are called, each in our own vocation, to trust deeply, serve generously, and believe that Christ is at work in us, accomplishing more than we could ever imagine.
Father Arisman