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July 4th reflection
Reflections After Independence Day: What Our Parishes May Never See Again
As the last fireworks fade and the Independence Day celebrations settle into memory, I find myself reflecting not only on our nation’s milestones, but on the milestones many of our parishes and churches may never reach. America has grown into a beacon for countless people seeking freedom, stability, and hope. For generations, our churches have been parallel beacons—guiding, sheltering, and nurturing the spiritual lives of communities across the country.
A Sense of Losing Our Spiritual Home
I imagine how the first American settlers must have felt when they believed they had little control over their homes or futures. Today, many of us feel something similar—not about our physical homes, but about our spiritual ones. Before anyone mistakes this for a call to revolt, let me be clear: it is not. What I am calling for is a renewed promise to Christ. A return to asking ourselves, earnestly and daily: How can we better serve Him? How can we remain faithful stewards of what we have inherited?
Honoring the Past, Confronting the Present: A Reflection on Our Catholic Heritage
I put myself in my ancestors’ shoes and think about how much they endured—how profoundly their faith was tested, and how boldly they “risked” everything to give the next generation a better life. Their sacrifices were not abstract; they were lived, painful, and courageous. And when I look around today, I can still see that same dedication in our current generation. Despite what we are often told about demographic shifts or a supposed decline in faith, the love of Christ is very much alive in the people I meet across our diocese, even in places far removed from one another.
Yet it is difficult to accept that the Catholic Church in America has, at times, slipped into the same cheap consumerism that has weakened so much of our culture. We are told that renewal requires tearing down what came before—that the old must be discarded so the new can flourish. But history tells a different story. For centuries, the Church has preserved what is beautiful, meaningful, and sacred. One of the greatest examples is the Pantheon in Rome. Once a temple of the Roman Empire, it was converted into a church in the seventh century, not destroyed, so that its beauty could be safeguarded. Today, it remains a place of worship and the resting place of the painter Raphael—a testament to the Church’s commitment to preservation, not demolition.
I also think of parishes around the world that are celebrating not their 100th anniversary, but their 1,000th. Their walls have witnessed wars, plagues, reformations, and rebirths. They stand as living proof that faith can endure across centuries. As a nation, we are young. And sadly, some of our own parishes will never reach their 250th year in the Catholic faith. Communities that once hoped to pass their spiritual home to future generations now face uncertainty, loss, or closure.
In this moment, all we can do is pray—pray for those affected, pray for softened hearts, pray for renewed courage, and pray that Christ continues to guide us through every trial. Our ancestors carried the faith forward with determination and hope. Now it is our turn to do the same.
God bless.
The Visiting Neighbor
Sorrowful mysteries
Recently, I spoke with someone dedicated to giving our community a voice during this challenging time. Our conversation deeply moved me, specifically the comparison of our current journey to the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.
The Agony in the Garden
Just as Jesus felt overwhelmed before His passion, many of us feel overwhelmed by this process and the weight of many unanswered questions.
The Scourging at the Pillar
Jesus felt every blow He received. Similarly, as we hear stories of the potential impact on our parish, we feel that pain deeply as a community of faith.
The Crowning with Thorns
As Jesus was mocked, we may also face ridicule. We must remain strong, remembering Matthew 5:11: "Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake."
The Carrying of the Cross
We may fall many times during this process, but we must look to Jesus as our strength. We are called to pick up our cross and follow Him.
The Crucifixion
This is the heart of our struggle. Christ died for us, and we are called to defend His Church.
We are in a spiritual battle. I encourage everyone to pray the Rosary daily. Additionally, there is an invitation for all of us to join in prayer every night at 9:00 PM. Please consider reciting the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and the St. Michael Prayer, concluding with "St. Joseph, pray for us."
The visiting neighbor
City Upon a Hill
As I drove across Stearns County to find my way to Spring Hill, Minnesota, I turned onto State Highway 4 heading south. I was awestruck. Off in the distance, I could see an amazing steeple with a white cross towering over everything around it. I weaved my way across the rolling terrain to get to Saint Michael’s Church, finally turning onto Church Avenue. There, I was greeted by a magnificent structure: Saint Michael’s Catholic Church. I immediately thought of the passage from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 5, verses 14 through 16:
14 “You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house. 16 So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
— Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
As a nation, we are turning 250 years old this year, and we should all be proud of that. Yet, many of our local parishes that are 100-plus years old will never see that milestone the way things are going. Parishes were originally created to support the Catholic community—local people who are neighbors and friends. These churches were not formed for the convenience of the pastor, the priest, or the diocese, but for the convenience of the Catholic faithful to grow their community. It hurts me to see that building capacity is now being held against these rural communities. Spring Hill has a population of only 68, yet Saint Michael’s Catholic Church is large enough to fit 400 or more people. It is not the only church in rural Central Minnesota built that way; they all are. They weren’t built to just fit registered parishioners, but to ensure there was always enough room to welcome the stranger, or families and friends visiting for celebrations.
Just because an older church is currently difficult for people with disabilities to access does not mean it should be stripped of its sacred purpose—especially if the parish has the desire and ability to make accommodations in the future. If we deny them that chance and simply tear down Christ’s church, how many souls are we pushing away? We understand the hardship put on our priests, and we understand that sacrifices must be made. But our ancestors made immense sacrifices to build these so-called "buildings." These “buildings” are not just structures to us. These are our spiritual homes where we bring babies to be baptized, and where we grieve our loved ones as we send them home to God. It is where we come together in times of need, sorrow, and mourning, as well as times of great happiness and sacramental celebration. If we continue to surrender to the secular world, when do we lose our Catholic identity? Where does that line start, and where does it end?
I recently sat taking notes for the final financial council meeting for the parish of Saint Michael’s. Hearing the pain and suffering of the parishioners who are deeply concerned about their beloved church was devastating. The pain in Father Mitchell’s voice was clear as he stated he has no options left, delivering a harsh reality that we have to face as parishioners. The room was filled with questions of uncertainty and doubt about what the future holds, with very few answers given. May God bless Father Mitchell for all of the hard work he puts into every parish he shepherds, and may God bless all the parishioners of Saint Michael’s.
After the meeting, I took a short tour of the inside of the church. I was entirely taken away by the magnificent beauty of God‘s creation and how we are called to worship Him in this sacred spot. It completely breaks my heart to hear that this church no longer “qualifies” to be used for sacred worship. This rural community always finds a way to make things come together, yet now, the past sacrifices that built their church are being pushed aside as inconvenient. Consider the sacrifices rural communities across the diocese have put forth for years: losing Masses, losing parishes, and losing priests. I have a question for the big-city parishes that have only had to sacrifice a Mass or two: what are they willing to sacrifice to keep these rural churches open? After all, they are our brothers and sisters in Christ. As disciples, we are called to plant the seeds of faith in every town we reach. How can we call this evangelization when we are stripping the church out of communities where it has been the pillar for over a century?
As I left Saint Michael’s, I was in utter disbelief that this is our reality. I am not a writer by any means, but something has been calling on my heart to put pen to paper—well, fingers to keyboard. We never know when a soul will desperately need to meet Jesus, or what time of day someone will need access to a church to pray before the Tabernacle.
So, I encourage you: if you have never visited Saint Michael’s Catholic Church in Spring Hill, do so before it is gone. This amazing church, just like so many others, will unfortunately meet its end because of governance.
St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Saint Joseph pray for us
God bless you all, and God bless Saint Michael’s Parish.
-- The Visiting Neighbor
Daivd and Goliath
We must have perseverance for the Lord. It’s hard not to feel like David and Goliath. But David defeated Goliath, not because of his own but because of God’s will.
1 Samuel chapter 17
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But Saul answered David, “You cannot go up against this Philistine and fight with him, for you are only a youth, while he has been a warrior from his youth.”
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i Then David told Saul: “Your servant used to tend his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or bear came to carry off a sheep from the flock,
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I would chase after it, attack it, and snatch the prey from its mouth. If it attacked me, I would seize it by the throat, strike it, and kill it.
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Your servant has killed both a lion and a bear. This uncircumcised Philistine will be as one of them, because he has insulted the armies of the living God.”
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David continued: “The same LORDwho delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul answered David, “Go! the LORD will be with you.”j