Dear Parishioners,

In the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, a landowner hired workers throughout the day, and at the end of the day, all of the workers are paid the same wage, regardless of how long they worked.

We are all called to work in God’s vineyard, but the reward is not in the amount of work we do or how long we have been doing it. The reward is found in the relationship we have with God and the joy of doing His will.

Let us remember that God’s ways are not our ways, and His sense of justice may not always align with ours. Let us strive to work in His vineyard with joy and humility, knowing that our reward is found in the relationship we have with Him.

Peace be with you!
God Bless,
Fr. Cyrus

Dear Parishioners,

The Gospel this weekend speaks of the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation. Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother who sins against him, and Jesus responds by telling him to forgive not just seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Jesus then tells the parable of the unmerciful servant, who was forgiven a huge debt by his master, but refused to forgive a much smaller debt owed to him by a fellow servant. This parable teaches us that we must always be willing to forgive others, just as God has forgiven us. We must let go of anger, resentment, and bitterness towards others, and instead show them the same mercy and love that God has shown us.

Peace be with you!
God Bless,
Fr. Cyrus

Dear Parishioners,

In this Sunday, the Gospel Jesus is teaching his disciples how to settle disputes in the Church. Jesus talks about forgiveness, reconciliation, and the importance of unity within the community of believers,instructing his followers to approach those who have wronged them directly and to seek resolution.

Jesus also emphasizes the power of prayer and community, declaring that where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them Matthew 18:20.

Let us remember the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation in our own lives and in our communities and let us strive to follow Jesus’ example in settling disputes with love and compassion.

Peace be with you!
God Bless,
Fr. Cyrus

Dear Parishioners,

In this weekend’s Gospel Peter respondes as a human and does not understand that Jesus speaks of a divine perspective. Jesus calls for self-denial and taking up crosses and following Him with complete dedication.

Peter is one of Jesus’ close followers, and he did not like the idea that Jesus said he had to suffer and die. Peter tried to stop Jesus from this.  Jesus tells Peter he is not seeing the big picture. He is focused on earthly things, not God’s divine purpose.  Jesus says following Him means accepting challenges so we can move towards the kingdom of God.

The readings remind us that true fulfillment comes from aligning our lives with God’s will and trusting in His promises, even in the face of challenges and adversity.  As we gather for Mass, let us pray for the grace to be humble and generous, following the example of Christ.

We look forward to seeing you for Mass as we come together as a community to worship and give thanks to God.

Peace be with you!
God Bless,
Fr. Cyrus

“Today, we hear Jesus’s question directed to each one of us: “And you, who do you say I am?”. To each one of us. And every one of us must give not a theoretical answer, but one that involves faith, that is, life, because faith is life! “For me you are …” and then to confess Jesus. An answer that demands that we too, like the first disciples, inwardly listen to the voice of the Father and its consonance with what the Church, gathered around Peter, continues to proclaim. It is a matter of understanding who Christ is for us: if He is the center of our life, if He is the goal of our commitment in the Church, our commitment in society. Who is Jesus Christ for me? Who is Jesus Christ for you, for you, for you …? An answer that we should give every day.

But beware: it is indispensable and praiseworthy that the pastoral care of our communities be open to many forms of poverty and crises, which are everywhere. Charity is always the high road of the journey of faith, of the perfection of faith. But it is necessary that works of solidarity, the works of charity that we carry out, not divert us from contact with the Lord Jesus. Christian charity is not simple philanthropy but, on the one hand, it is looking at others through the eyes of Jesus Himself and, on the other hand, seeing Jesus in the face of the poor. This is the true path of Christian charity, with Jesus at the center, always. May Mary Most Holy, blessed because she believed, be our guide and model on the path of faith in Christ, and make us aware that trust in Him gives full meaning to our charity and to all our existence”. Taken from Pope Francis’ reflection on the Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time year A

If Jesus were to ask you – who do you say that I am – what would your answer be?

Peace be with you!
God Bless,
Fr. Cyrus