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Pastor's Corner - Feb 1, 2026

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 17:57:11 GMT

The Beatitudes - a portrait of Jesus

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Peace and all good things to you! For these next three Sundays before Lent begins, we will be hearing at Mass from the Sermon on the Mount, which covers chapters five through seven of St. Matthew’s Gospel. Today the Sermon begins with the famous passage that we know as “the Beatitudes.” Jesus calls blessed those who manifest a series of qualities, most of which fly in the face of worldly, secular standards. The decision to embody these characteristics proclaims a kingdom which does not belong to this world, even though it is present when and to the degree that humanity responds to the grace of God.

The late Pope Benedict XVI pointed out that the qualities in these opening verses of the Sermon on the Mount are a portrait of Jesus himself. When Christians allow them to shine forth in their lives, they too begin to resemble the Beloved Son in thought, word, and deed.

As we leave Mass this weekend and begin our week’s work, may the Beatitudes serve as a kind of daily examen of our Christian lives and inspire us to be more fully the members of the Body of Christ that we are by baptism. St. Paul reminds us today that the depth of our Christian witness and relationship with God does not depend on noble birth or social status but on God’s having chosen us to live in Christ Jesus.

Blessings,

Fr. Brad

Pastor's Corner - Jan 25, 2026

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 22:53:41 GMT

He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him...

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Peace and all good things to you! This Sunday we have a kind of epiphany once again as we hear the word of God proclaimed in the liturgy. Isaiah’s eloquent prophecy, which is read at the Midnight Mass of Christmas, is repeated in the first reading and echoed in the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus appears as a great light that shines in our darkness. With his command to repent, the Light reveals the sin in our wandering hearts, takes it away with his healing touch, and then calls us to follow him. Simon, Andrew, James, and John--they heard the Lord Jesus call them by name and invite them into his light so that they would become all that God had created them to be. What are the areas of our life where we still resist this Light shining in our darkness? Have we heard Jesus call us by name to follow him each day? Will we leave the nets that ensnare us and walk freely with Jesus and join in proclaiming the kingdom of heaven?

This week begins Catholic Schools Week, and we celebrate the Light as he shines in the lives of our faculty, staff, and students here at St. Stan’s School. In my few years so far as pastor, I have been privileged to witness the impact that our dedicated faculty and staff have on the lives of our students and alumni. Our deepest thanks to all of you—our faculty and staff--who continue to believe in forming disciples through Catholic education, as well as to all our generous parishioners who continue to support our school through your financial sacrifices and prayers!

Blessings,

Fr. Brad

Pastor's Corner - Jan 18, 2026

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 15:52:09 GMT

Jubilee Year of St Francis!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Peace and all good things to you! As you know this is a very special year for the Franciscan family throughout the world because we mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) . It is a joy to share the following news with you, and I have taken the announcement largely from our Franciscan Order’s website:

At the behest of Pope Leo XIV, the Vatican has decreed a special Year of St. Francis, from January 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027, on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the passing of St. Francis of Assisi into heaven. This decree grants, throughout the entire period, the possibility of obtaining a plenary indulgence. The Pope presents this time as a gift for the entire Church, not just for the Franciscan Family, so that the 800th anniversary may become an occasion for authentic spiritual renewal. The decree mentions how St. Francis remains extraordinarily relevant even in our own era and invites everyone to “become saints in the contemporary world, following the example of the Seraphic Patriarch,” turning hope into real charity and a real commitment to peace.

The plenary indulgence is granted under the usual conditions: sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion, and prayer according to the intentions of the Holy Father, with a heart detached from sin. It may also be applied in suffrage for the souls in Purgatory. It may be obtained by members of the Franciscan Family, ecclesial communities inspired by the charism of St. Francis, and all the faithful. During the Year of St. Francis, they need only make a pilgrimage to a Franciscan church or a place of worship dedicated to St. Francis, take part in the Jubilee rites or pause in prayer and meditation, and conclude with the Our Father, the Creed, and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Francis, St. Clare, and the Saints of the Franciscan Family.

Special consideration is given to the elderly, the sick, and those who are unable to leave their homes. They may gain the indulgence by spiritually joining in the celebrations and offering their sufferings and prayers to God.... Thus, this Year of St. Francis presents itself as a time of favor, a grace offered to all, so that—as the Pope hopes—"feelings of Christian charity toward one’s neighbor and authentic desire for harmony and peace among peoples may be reborn in hearts.”

As part of the Franciscan family, the Basilica of St. Stanislaus is grateful once again to open its doors to this time of grace and spiritual renewal. May St. Francis continue to inspire us on our spiritual journey and intercede for all of us during this special anniversary year.

Blessings,

Fr. Brad