Posts by Fr. Rich (Page 24)

I would just like to express my thanks to all who help, work and volunteer at Our Lady of Victory and make the job of pastor a lot easier. Fr. Tom Ciba has been a great help to me especially since my surgery. Deacon Len has done an exceptional job in taking on more responsibilities. Our liturgical people, from the choirs and musicians, ministers, lectors, servers, and ushers make our celebration very prayerful and spirit filled. Our decorators and cleaners…

The last few weeks have been like a whirlwind for me. Between lung surgery, a ten day hospital stay recuperation period far longer than I wanted or expect and the isolation, made it all a difficult time. Your prayers, well-wishes, cards and sentiments made everything pass quickly. Thank you for your concerns, your remembrances and especially your prayers. I am still not fully back, but I will be more present as time goes on. God Bless You All!

I want to say Thank You for your generous support in our Christmas Collection. The total amount received was $16,681.00. The Christmas collection may seem like an extra collection beyond the regular Sunday, but it is not an extra but a necessary one that works into our parish budget of expenses. Thank You for you support. Thank you for your continued contributions to the parish that help us to continue to strive in our work. God Bless You!

May I extend to you greetings for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year! May the difficulties of the past be few and the joys for the future be many. Happy New Year!

We have a very welcoming and active parish here at Our Lady of Victory. And that is only possible because of all of you – your concern, care and love of your parish and Church. I wish to say THANK YOU to all who have shared their time and talent throughout the year. There are those who serve through the liturgy; those who serve our children; those who care for the beauty of the Church and its cleanliness; those who…

Merry Christmas!   We celebrate the Birth of the Prince of Peace.  It is a day when it seem like all the world can let go of its hostilities, its problems and troubles and experience the peace of the new born Savior.   My prayer for you is that the peace we celebrate will enliven your hearts to feel the joy of the season;  the hope that we celebrate will lead you into a fulfilling future; and the love we celebrate will…

We complain in the winter, it’s too cold.  we complain in the summer, it’s too hot.  I think we just like to complain.  Jesus hears our complaints.  He hears our requests.  He hears our joys.  And he responds to what he hears.  Maybe a feeling of peace in one’s heart;  maybe an inspirational thought; maybe someone coming up to us and offering some help or a suggestion.  But also He comes to us as a community of believers.  And that…

As I write this, school is about to finish for this year and the CCD (Religious Education) program has completed.  Unfortunately, that also seems to be the time when many of the children seem to disappear from Mass.  Many of those smiling faces, the hand slaps and the little hugs are not there every Sunday.  The Children coming to Mass is not only their obligation, but more so,  it is sometimes the vitality of the Church.  Their presence ensures a…

Starting the first weekend in June (June 3rd), we will implement our new Mass schedule.  The Saturday evening Mass will remain at 5:00 pm.   But the Sunday schedule will now be 8:30am  &  10:30 am.  We have reduced the number of Masses as the attendance had been dropping.   Our Church holds 700 people in the main area of the Church, and, if necessary, an additional 100-150 in the chapel and upper meeting room, both opening into the Church.   So there…

This may has been a little different this year weather wise:  hot – cold – warm – and very rainy. But that’s just the weather and we adapt to whatever happens. But’s its also the month of Mary — Mother of Jesus, our Blessed Mother.  Every Friday in May (and then every First Friday of the month until October) we gather to say the Rosary at the Shrine of the Blessed Mother and Rosary Garden. We come together at 6:00pm…

Hopefully, Spring is here to stay and the days start getting warmer. With that, the flowers begin to bloom.  The trees turn green.  And our thoughts are to the great outdoors.  It’s a time of new life — new beginnings.  It is also a time of spiritual renewal.  As we change to our warm weather activities, make sure that the Lord is part of them.  Mass on Sundays is not complete if you are not there.  That empty seat changes…

We celebrate Palm Sunday this weekend.  It represents the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.  And for us, it’s the beginning of Holy Week.  Holy Week is a vivid reminder of what Jesus has done for us.  He sacrificed himself for weach one of us.  He took on the sufferings of the cross for our sinfulness. Make this week a holy one in your lives also.  Come join your parish family on Holy Thursday and commemorate the  Last Supper as…