Pastor's Message - February 1, 2026
Dear Friends in Christ,
It is truly good to be home after a short break following a very busy and blessed Christmas season!
I am especially excited to share that Tony Melendez—the gifted musician who sang for Pope Saint John Paul II during his pastoral visit to the United States more than 30 years ago—will be coming to our community to lead our Parish Lenten Mission. What a tremendous gift for our parish! I am deeply grateful to Olga Villeda, Chair of the Pastoral Council, Myrtle Dawana, and all the members of the Pastoral Council for helping make this possible. I invite you to share in this excitement and to bring your friends and loved ones to these days of prayer, reflection, and renewal—especially during a time when so many are living with fear and uncertainty.
In these days, as we witness pain, unrest, and deep wounds in our communities and throughout the world—particularly here in Minneapolis—the Word of God speaks to us with both honesty and hope.
The prophet urges us: “Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth… seek justice, seek humility.” This is not a passive invitation. It calls us to turn our hearts toward God precisely when fear, anger, and confusion press in on us. Scripture never denies the reality of suffering; it names it honestly and then shows us a path forward.
God promises to preserve a remnant—a humble and lowly people—who take refuge not in power, violence, or deceit, but in the name of the Lord. These are people who strive to do no wrong, speak no lies, and live in a way that allows others to rest without fear. This is the quiet strength of holiness in a wounded world.
In the Gospel, Jesus looks upon the crowds and proclaims a kingdom that seems upside down by worldly standards. He blesses the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, the merciful, the peacemakers, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. He does not glorify cruelty or domination. Instead, He assures us that God draws closest to those who grieve, those who long for justice, and those who work for peace—even at great personal cost.
Today, many are mourning—lives lost, trust broken, communities divided. Jesus tells us plainly: they will be comforted.Many hunger and thirst for righteousness—for fairness, dignity, and healing. Jesus promises: they will be satisfied. And to those who choose the difficult and courageous work of mercy and peacemaking, He gives a powerful name: children of God.
As a parish, we are called to respond not with indifference or despair, but with humility, humanity, prayer, and courageous love. Let us examine our hearts, listen deeply to the suffering of others, reject falsehood and hatred, and recommit ourselves to justice rooted in mercy. May we be a people who seek refuge in the Lord—and who help make that refuge visible to others.
May the Holy Spirit guide our words, our actions, and our witness in these challenging times. And may Christ, the Prince of Peace, make us instruments of His healing in a world that longs for hope.
As always, thank you for being a CHEERFUL GIVER!
In Christ,
Fr. Geoffrey
