Our Holy Father, Pope Leo, spoke recently about forgiveness, taking the Gospel account of Jesus at the Last Supper as his springboard.  His reflection tells the truth about forgiving, both for the one forgiven, and the one forgiving.

            “Consider with me one of the most striking and luminous gestures in the Gospel: the moment when Jesus, during the last supper, offers a morsel of bread to the one who is about to betray him. It is not only a gesture of sharing. It is much more; it is love’s last attempt not to give up. A love that does not cease in the face of rejection, disappointment, even ingratitude.

            “It is here that forgiveness reveals all its power and manifests the true face of hope. It is not forgetfulness; it is not weakness. It is the ability to set the other free, while loving him to the end. Jesus’ love does not deny the truth of pain, but it does not allow evil to have the last word. This is the mystery Jesus accomplishes for us, in which we too, at times, are called to participate.

            “How many relationships are broken, how many stories become complicated, how many unspoken words remain suspended. And yet the Gospel shows us that there is always a way to continue to love, even when everything seems irredeemably compromised. To forgive does not mean to deny evil, but to prevent it from generating further evil. It is not to say that nothing has happened, but to do everything possible to ensure that resentment does not determine the future.

            “We all experience painful and difficult moments. They are moments of disappointment, moments in which someone has hurt or betrayed us. In those moments, the temptation is to close ourselves up, to protect ourselves, to return the blow. But the Lord shows us the hope that that another way exists, always exists. He teaches us that one can offer a morsel even to someone who turns their back on us. That one can respond with the silence of trust. And that it is possible to move forward with dignity, without renouncing love.

            “When the light of forgiveness succeeds in filtering through the deepest crevices of the heart, we understand that it is never futile. Even if the other does not accept it, even if it seems to be in vain, forgiveness frees those who give it: it dispels resentment, it restores peace, it returns us to ourselves.”

            As we observe the Labor Day Holiday, on September 1st, this reflection by the Paulist Fathers is food for thought:

            “God invites us to work as co-creators. When the work of our hands and minds advance our sense of wonder and curiosity, when our skills and training engage our intelligence, when we truly partner with God to share in the ongoing work of creation-we can celebrate work, our accomplishments, the advances in technology and the increasing production of the fruits of the earth. We can see how work is indeed dignified, humanizing, and how it is a major factor in our sense of satisfaction with our lives.

            “As we celebrate the Labor Day holiday, let us celebrate the labors of our human family.  Let us take the time to recharge our batteries and to renew our hope and faith in humanity.  May we see the blessed humanity and inherent dignity in each other and in all others.

            Each year the Archdiocesan Annual Catholic Appeal funds people programs that serve over one half million children, women and men in our metropolitan community.  People of all faiths, and of no faith, benefit. 

            Our challenge goal this year, set by the Appeal leadership, was $29,220.00.  As I write this, to date, our gifts total $32,147.00.  Our new donor goal was two. We have three new donors this year!  Our participation rate was 55 percent of our 40 households!  In my twenty-three years among you we have never not reached goal.  That is so again this year!  You are, consistently, as generous to God and the things of God, as God has been generous to you!

            I am grateful.  Archbishop Rozanski is grateful.  All those who benefit from your generosity are most grateful!

            Frequently our visitors inquire about the photographic image on the north side of the Pro Cathedral sanctuary just inside the altar rail.  The image captures several young men, in orange jump suits, kneeling in the sand of the south Mediterranean Sea coast of Libya.  Behind them, in black, with knives in hand, are Islamic militants.  There were, in all, twenty-one young men kneeling on that beach.  All were martyred, decapitated, for their faith.  They refused to renounce their belief in Jesus Christ.  All together they could be heard, before their deaths, repeatedly murmuring together, “O Lord Jesus.”  The twenty-first young man was not a baptized Christian but chose to die with his twenty companions in a kind of wordless profession of faith and so a baptism of desire. 

            The twenty-one died on 15 February 2015.  Because they were martyred, in odium fideii – out of hatred for the faith – seven days later they were declared to be saints. The Church celebrates the feast day of the Modern Martyrs of Libya on February 15th. Hopefully their witness is a catalyst for all of us to be steadfast in faith and intentional in making Jesus Christ present, each in our own way, in the world.

            Our St. John’s Faith Enrichment Group, regularly meets on the first Sunday of the month, in the church hall, following the 10:00 o’clock Mass.  The group that gathers reflects the diversity of our members.

            The video series The Mass by Bishop Robert Barron is the springboard for conversation on faith matters.  Jeff McGee will be facilitating this next discussion.  The sessions spark engaging reflections by participants.  The next Faith Enrichment Group meeting is Sunday, September 7th following the 10:00 Mass and last about one hour.  Light refreshments are served.  All are welcome.

            We share the joy of Kenny and Rebecca Brandl, and big sister, Teresa, on the birth of Trinity May on 7 August 2025, and her Baptism in the Pro-Cathedral on 31 August 2025. Thanks be to God for the proof-positive, in flesh and blood, that Trinity Mae is, that “love creates life.”

            We share the joy, too, of John Morris and Stevie Gleason on their engagement.  God give them best blessings as they prepare to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage here on 16 May 2026.

            On July 1st of this year, St. Louis Auxiliary Bishop Mark Rivituso was named, by Pope Leo XIV, to be tenth Bishop/Third Archbishop of Mobile in Alabama. He was installed as Pastor of that local Church on 3 September 2025.  Archbishop Rivituso’s faithful and generous service to the Church of St. Louis, as priest and as bishop, has endeared him to many here.  May God prosper the new beginning Archbishop Rivituso begins in Mobile.

            We keep in prayer Margaret Czapla and all our sick and homebound. God keep a careful eye on them all!  We are happy to bring Holy Communion to those unable to attend Mass. Simply contact the rectory.