Fr. Peter EkeSt. Francis Xavier

Pastoral Message

As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, the Church invites us to reflect upon the deepest mystery of our faith: that God is one God in three Divine Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Trinity is not simply a theological concept to be studied, but the very mystery of God's love revealed to humanity. From all eternity, the Father pours Himself out in love to the Son, the Son receives and returns that love completely to the Father, and the Holy Spirit is the bond of that eternal love. We were created in the image of this communion of love, and our hearts will never find lasting peace until they rest in God. In today's world, many people experience loneliness, division, confusion, and spiritual emptiness. We are surrounded by noise, distractions, and constant busyness, yet many souls continue to thirst for meaning, peace, and authentic love. The mystery of the Trinity reminds us that we were not made to live isolated lives centered only on ourselves. We were created for relationship—with God and with one another. Every human heart longs to belong, to be known, and to be loved. That longing finds its fulfillment in God Himself. Jesus revealed the love of the Trinity most perfectly through His sacrifice on the Cross.

A heartfelt thank you to all who registered as "Guardians" of the Blessed Sacrament during our 24-hour Adoration initiative. In today's noisy and busy world, many people are yearning for quiet time with the Lord. Beginning June 18, 2026, St. Francis Xavier Church will begin 24-hour Eucharistic Adoration on the third Thursday of each month. Adoration will also take place on the remaining Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., with Confessions available during those same hours. Two guardians are assigned to each hour during the 24-hour Adoration to ensure that our Eucharistic Lord is never left unattended. Others are welcome to come and pray for as little or as long as they desire. Please prayerfully consider joining this sacred ministry; you will not regret spending time in the presence of our Lord.

Next Sunday, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). This beautiful celebration is a public witness of our faith in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist—His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Following the conclusion of the 10:00 a.m. Mass on June 7, the Blessed Sacrament will be carried in procession from the church through the streets to Pennsylvania Park and back to the church. The faithful will follow in prayer, song, and devotion to our Eucharistic Lord. The procession will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in the church. All parishioners and visitors are encouraged to participate in this beautiful expression of our Catholic faith. The Corpus Christi procession reminds us of the Church's mission to bring Christ into the world.

We also remind all New Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion about the diocesan certification sessions taking place on June 3 here at St. Francis Xavier Parish and on June 4 at Cross in the Woods National Shrine. Your ministry and faithful service are a blessing to our parish community. In addition, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are invited to a summer training session sponsored by the parish on Wednesday, June 10, at 6:00 p.m. in the church. This training is required for all new and current Extraordinary Ministers. The Ushers and Greeters training will take place on Thursday, June 11, at 6:00 p.m. in the church.

Catholic education remains such a blessing and an important mission of the Church. There are still openings for new students at St. Francis Xavier School, and we encourage families to prayerfully consider this opportunity. The sacrifices parents make for the education and formation of their children are not in vain. Academic success is important, but even more important is forming children who know Christ, love their faith, and understand the purpose for which they were created. A Catholic education seeks not only to prepare children for a career, but to prepare them for life, holiness, and ultimately eternal life.

Finally, we continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood, religious life, and the Permanent Diaconate. The Diocese of Gaylord is currently accepting applications for candidates to the Permanent Diaconate Program. The Church needs faithful men willing to serve Christ and His people with humility, charity, and devotion. If you sense the Lord calling you to deeper service, do not be afraid to respond generously. The application deadline is June 30, 2026. Please contact Fr. Peter Eke at the parish office or by email at [email protected] for more information.

May this celebration of the Holy Trinity renew our hearts and deepen our faith. May we grow in love for the Eucharist, in commitment to prayer, and in devotion to Christ present among us. And may the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit guide our families, strengthen our parish, and lead us ever closer to eternal life.

Know that you are loved

Fr. Peter