Monday Message, October 6, 2025

KNOW

If you have any youth or adults who wish to attend NCYC 2025, please email us today! We have to confirm flights. Even if someone is undecided about attending, please let us know. To register, click here.

Catching up on emails and want to share some important updates to resources you might find helpful.

• This post on the meetings with the bishop and FHC parents has been updated to include Spanish resources.
• This post on consent and release forms has been updated to include Spanish resources as well.

We have a Parish Leader Check-In tomorrow. The link is here.

Todd and Anne were on EWTN during the Jubilee of Catechists. It’s a great little interview.

Matt Maher is coming to the Cathedral in December. Please visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. Chris Otis will also be there.

Catechist 2.0 is now available in Portuguese.

There is a Lunch and Learn on October 16th. Register here.

Has your administrative staff signed up for their day of prayer, reflection, and appreciation? Sign up here.

Ministry Day – Nexus 2025 – is coming together. Have you signed up? Register here.

And finally, we are now in day four of the novena in thanksgiving for St. Carlo Acutis. Are you following along? Listen here. And yes, all catechists in LEAD got the invite to Hallow on Friday or Saturday.

REFLECT

My father was the one who introduced me to Mary. Every day on the way to school, we would pray the Rosary. It is a tradition that I have come to cherish and have sought to maintain as a parent. Even though the children now walk or drive to school, the daily prayers are a practice I try to keep – in part as a nod to my father and in part because of the power prayer has to focus me on the things that matter most.

But praying can be a challenge. It can be hard to hear above the din. The drive to the office is a bit longer since we have moved office space, and it is easy to think about the day ahead. The noise around me – or in my own head – distracts.

Several years ago, after Maureen was diagnosed with Colon Cancer, we were at a meeting for diocesan leaders that was taking place as part of the National Catholic Youth Conference, which Maureen organizes. In a moment of unscripted sharing, she told those in attendance about her diagnosis and pending surgery.

All of a sudden, a woman in the middle of the room interrupted her. “Take it to Our Lady,” she called out, and immediately invited all of us to pray the Hail Mary together for Maureen—and for each other.

It was a decisive moment. It was a powerful experience. Even today, though the cancer is gone and Maureen’s at full power, it gives me chills. I can still hear that clarion call, “Take it to Our Lady,” echoing as though they are instructions for the rest of my life.

This week, I will focus more on prayer. I will go back to the ritual my father taught me and try to stand still before moving forward.

This week, I will take it all – the pain, the ignorance, the cynicism, the joy, the work, the play, the family, the driving, the shopping, and the conversations – all of it – to Our Lady.

And, like my father, I know I will find peace.

LAUGH