July 12, 2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters, We have had some wonderful moments together as a community in these past months. The journey of Lent, the joy of Easter, the many people who received sacraments and came closer to God during these special seasons. There have been high feast days and wonderful community gatherings. Just in recent weeks, we have had both Vacation Bible School and the parish picnic for the Feast of St Thomas, and this weekend many of our youth and young adults are participating in the annual Steubenville conference in Atlanta. And now we come to a moment of transition: where we have to take the graces we have been given and live them out in our daily life. We are now in the “long, green season” of the Church’s annual celebrations: ordinary time. Not because any Sunday is merely “ordinary,” though, because every Sunday is a commemoration of Jesus’ Resurrection. Rather, “ordinary” here is used in the sense of “ordinal numbers:” the Sundays are simply numbered one after the other (first, second, third, etc.) rather than being intrinsically connected with a particular portion of Christ’s Paschal Mystery. This is the season of growth and mission, when by the power of the Holy Spirit what has been given to us is shared with others. Here is my challenge in prayer and my encouragement in faith to everyone this week: let’s ask God to help us share the gifts we have received in the past months with everyone. Whether that means inviting someone in your life to join you at Mass, or becoming involved in a new form of service, or re-committing to the daily rhythm of prayer, this is the time to make those new resolutions regarding our mission and purpose. In the coming weeks, we will hear together many of Jesus’ key teachings found in the Gospel according to St Matthew—let’s make sure that those stories are reflected in our own lives. Through the intercession of Mary, the Mother of God, and our patron St. Thomas, we pray for our parish. Together, let’s bless God for his many gifts and continue to seek his will for our lives and our parish community. God bless,

Father Jantz