Cara Blake

Interactive Stations of the Cross

Posted on by Cara Blake

Join Us for a Deeply Moving Experience

We invite you to our 4th annual Interactive Stations of the Cross, on Saturday, March 8th. This cherished event has provided countless individuals with profound emotional and spiritual nourishment over the years.

Each visitor will embark on a personal journey through the Stations, engaging in meaningful tasks, reflections, life connections, and prayers. Seating is available at each Station, allowing participants to pause and reflect as they choose, making this a truly self-paced experience.

The event will be held in the Religious Education building. Doors will be open from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM. While most participants complete their journey through all 14 Stations in 15 to 30 minutes, the self-guided nature of the event allows you to take as much time as you need.

We hope you will join us for this intimate and intentional walk with Jesus and experience the deeply emotional and spiritual connection that this event offers.

For more information, please contact Lisa Reed: derrick.n.lisa@gmail.com

Fr. Dale’s Homily

Posted on by Cara Blake


The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

February 1-2, 2025

Gospel:  Luke 1:22-40

It is difficult when an actor or actress is typecast to get jobs which allow them to develop other characters.  One example is Jean Stapleton whose portrayal of the character Edith Bunker in the All in the Family series was so popular.  Before her death 11 years ago, she mentioned how difficult if was to go to auditions for other kinds of roles.  Her performance was once so iconic (and so convincing) that she was always “Edith” to them – and they could not see beyond that… 

Jesus is not only iconic – he’s often pictured in icons as something quite other than the Gospels portray Him.  Icons of Jesus can make Him unapproachable.  We’ve seen the icon of the Last Judgment as the Son of God calls sinners to justice.  We’ve seen Jesus portrayed as The King whose decisions about eternal destinies are sealed by His final and unchanging word.  We’ve seen Jesus as a baby held by his loving mother so often that we can forget that He ever grew up!

Let us look at the icon of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple….

Mary and Joseph come to the temple to present, to consecrate Jesus, their firstborn to God.  Simeon and Anna perceive the mystery that Jesus, through suffering and dying, will become the firstborn of many sisters and brothers into eternal life. 

Simeon comes, in the Spirit, into the temple and recognizes Jesus.  Recognizing the Messiah, seeing in this infant the image of God and that image will become more clear as time goes on.   Simeon knows that God’s promise to Israel and the personal promise to him are being fulfilled and he tells God he is ready to die. “Now, Lord, you may dismiss your servant in peace.”  It is with the same trust in God’s faithfulness that the Church prays the words of Simeon every night in the night prayer of the Divine Office.  Simeon, a layperson, recognizes the mystery of God at work in Jesus. 

Anna, an old widow woman, described as a prophetess, also recognizes the mystery of God at work in Jesus.  She acts as an evangelist for all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. Would this happen to be the kind of evangelizing that Pope Francis is calling you and me to do? 

Simeon and Anna are described as waiting people.  After I pray the Lord’s Prayer with you in a few moments, I will once again proclaim that “we are a people who wait in joyful hope for the eternal communion with Jesus. 

WE ARE A WAITING PEOPLE…

“The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom.”  The growth process from birth to adulthood is a refining and purifying process for parents AND children.  Jesus learns to keep God in focus. Experiencing human life with all its ups and downs, Jesus becomes a compassionate priest.  He knows where we are coming from.

Mary, model of the Church, knows what it means to hurt.  Her heart is filled with pain as she faithfully loves her son. She participates in His ministry, in His suffering, His death, His resurrection.  Unlike most, she will stay at the foot of the cross.  She will be with the apostles as they wait for the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

God holds up each of us in life with its ups and downs.  We follow the WAY of Jesus each time we participate in the Eucharistic liturgy. We renew our baptism; a commitment that is physical, emotional, relational or spiritual.  As bread and wine are presented, it is our lives we place upon the altar to be changed, refined purified. By what goes on here, we are in communion with the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. 

WE WAIT IN JOYFUL HOPE… 

This is the heart of the mystery of our faith… Christ died, Christ rose, Christ will come again… to take us where we belong…

Adult Book Study on the Eucharist

Posted on by Cara Blake

Join us for a three-session adult book study to deepen your understanding on the real presence of Jesus within the Eucharist. Get your free “This is My Body” book by Bishop Robert Barron in the gathering space of church, limited quantities available. Click HERE to register.

The Eucharist as “Sacred Meal”
Led by Paula Silliman
Tuesday, March 5th 7PM-8PM

The Eucharist as “Sacrifice”
Led by Billy Blake
Tuesday, March 12th 7PM-8PM

The Eucharist as “Real Presence” 
Led by Deacon Earl Baker
Tuesday, March 19th 7PM-8PM followed by Benediction and Adoration in the Church from 8PM-10PM. 

Classes will be held in the Upper Parish Hall and are open to adults of all ages. Join us to rediscover the depth and beauty of the Holy Eucharist. 

For further information or questions contact Paula Silliman at 502-515-9361 or email Paula.Silliman@sfxmw.com.