From the desk of the pastor for August 9, 2026

The Lord be with you! A little over a year ago, we began reviewing the Church’s history in these articles. I hope that everyone has learned a few fun facts and gained a better appreciation of all that has happened to the People of God. Today we are going to look at a few overarching themes to understand more clearly how God is working in our own times. Far from being the end of history, the 21st Century appears to be merely the end of one cycle and the start of another.

The Church began its life within the peace and stability of the Roman Empire. Even after the Fall of Rome in AD 476, the papacy and the patriarchs had to contend with multiple emperors. In Constantinople the Eastern Roman Empire continued till AD 1453 - a thousand more years of Roman rule. For a brief few decades, the West seemed to be on the verge of a single ruler with the rise of the Carolingian dynasty and its control of what would become France, Belgium, and Germany. Of course, the Holy Roman Empire would play a pivotal role guaranteeing the Church’s safety while attempting to gain influence over individual bishops and even the papacy. In reviewing all these particular nations, we see that the Church has often experienced tremendous changes in politics and favor that she could only endure.

Remarkably, the Church has changed little in some areas but experienced great developments in others. From the late Roman Empire till today, bishops have wielded authority within the Church and influence without. Pastors have had parishes even when those communities were not much more than a few hundred people in a simple wooden structure. Whereas parochial life has not changed considerably except for the inclusion of schools, religious life has undergone immense growth. From hermits who lived in the wilderness to orders that could shape world events, religious life became a defining aspect of Catholicism. The impact of the Society of Jesus on European politics alone should show how much of an effect a single “yes” to God can have. In much smaller but more intimate ways, religious sisters and brothers have reshaped what the laity could expect from the Church and what the Church could do for the most needy in the world.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, over the last few centuries the Roman Catholic Church has brought the Gospel to every nationality and region of the world. Not only do we have missionaries preaching Christ Crucified in every major city, we have home grown priests and religious from every people. The United States is a great example of such a transition from foreign born priests and religious to young American men and women dedicating their lives to ministering to their own people.

We study history to see the patterns of human life as well as our human family’s development. Invasions, foolish wars, and political intrigue have been and will be facets of our existence. So will be peaceful nights, baptisms, and the coming of age of the young. As God’s family we are called to take all that is good about humanity and make it divine. May we be inspired by the Holy Spirit to make each day such a gift of God.

In His Sacred Heart,

Fr. John