St Francis de Sales Church

“Being a synodal Church means recognizing that truth is not possessed, but sought together, allowing ourselves to be guided by a restless heart in love with Love.” — POPE LEO XIV
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Synod 2027 will be particularly useful to Archbishop Casey as he continues to get to know our archdiocese and establishes priorities for the future. Join Archbishop Casey for an evening prayer service for the convocation of Synod 2027 on June 19! Learn more about the Synod at catholicaoc.org/synod-2027

Lord's Day Reflection: 'The Light we resist, the Love we seek’ - Vatican News As the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Fr. Marion Nguyen, OSB, offers his thoughts on the day’s liturgical readings under ...

Feast of the Visitation
May 31
Today’s feast celebrates the visit of the Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. Pregnant herself, Mary hurries to her cousin’s side to help Elizabeth in the months immediately preceding the birth of her son, John the Baptist. It’s a sweet story - one woman helping another toward the end of her pregnancy. Who knew then that Mary would be without help, on an arduous journey to Bethlehem, at the same point in her life?
It’s a stewardship story, too, for Mary had the time and desire to be of service, and she gave those gifts without reservation. She who carried the Father’s greatest gift did not think it beneath her to offer the simple gifts of her presence and love to someone who needed them. Father, keep us open to the prompting of Your Spirit and always ready to use Your gifts to help each other. Amen.

THE WORDS OF THE POPES

Today, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, the Gospel is taken from Jesus’ dialogue with Nicodemus (cf. Jn 3:16-18). Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin, passionate about the mystery of God: he recognizes in Jesus a divine master and goes to speak to him in secret, at night. Jesus listens to him, understands he is a man on a quest, and then first, he surprises him, answering that in order to enter the Kingdom of God, one must be reborn; then, he reveals the heart of the mystery to him, saying that God loved humanity so much that he sent his Son into the world. Jesus, therefore, the Son, speaks to us about his Father and his immense love. Father and Son. It is a familiar image which, if we think about it, disrupts our images of God. Indeed, the very word “God” suggests to us a singular, majestic and distant reality, whereas hearing about a Father and a Son brings us back home. Yes, we can think of God in this way, through the image of a family gathered around the table, where life is shared. After all, the table, which, at the same time is an altar, is a symbol with which certain icons depict the Trinity. It is an image that speaks to us of a God of communion. Father, Son and Holy Spirit: communion. But it is not only an image; it is reality! It is reality because the Holy Spirit, the Spirit that the Father poured into our hearts through Jesus (cf. Gal 4:6), makes us taste, makes us savour God’s presence: a presence that is always close, compassionate and tender. (Pope Francis, Angelus, 4 June 2023)

On the feast of Pope St. Paul VI, we remember the pope who guided the Church through the Second Vatican Council and faithfully proclaimed the dignity of the human person and the call to holiness in everyday life. May his witness continue to inspire us to seek truth, live with courage, and follow Christ faithfully in all things. Pope St. Paul VI, pray for us.