Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 16, 2026
Dear friends,
It is so good to see our children returning to the rhythm of life, with academics and extracurricular activities well underway. Faith formation classes will begin soon, and I’d like to thank all of our parents for prioritizing the spiritual growth of their children. Remember that you are their primary catechists. They learn from you. They watch you. They see your faith in the way you live, pray, forgive, serve, and come to worship the Lord. Your children may not remember every lesson they learn in a classroom, but they will remember the faith they saw lived in their home. Please continue to keep Christ at the center of your family life. May our children grow in faith by seeing your commitment to the Lord. Thank you for all the sacrifices you make to pass on the faith to the next generation.
On Monday, August 17, Fr. Pinto Paul, C.S.C., International Director of Family Ministries, will offer a presentation to our men. I invite you to come and experience the great work the Lord is doing in our own lives and in those of our families. My thanks to Jonathan Ross and his team for their dedication in organizing this wonderful event.
Our SJE4Seniors ministry will officially begin on August 21 at 2 p.m. in the Parish Hall. I invite you to come and discover how your presence, friendship, faith, and even your smile can continue be a great blessing to our parish community.
This Sunday, the Church invites us to reflect on the nature of God’s house — the church — as a house of prayer. In the first reading, the Prophet Isaiah gives us this beautiful promise from God: “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”
Last Sunday, I invited us to be especially mindful of reverence in our church because we believe that Jesus is truly present among us in the Blessed Sacrament. The church is not simply a building or gathering space. It is a place of prayer, a place where we come to encounter Christ.
I have noticed that many people stop by our church throughout the day and spend a few quiet moments in prayer. It is deeply edifying to see people taking time from their busy lives to visit the Lord and find a little peace in His presence. Why do they come? Because they know that Jesus is here. I renew my request that we continue to keep our church a true house of prayer and not just another place for socializing or casual conversation. People who come here longing for a quiet and intimate conversation with Jesus. Let us respect their prayers and help one another preserve the sacred silence of this holy place. Thank you for responding so favorably to this request and for helping make our church a place where people can truly encounter the Lord!
This Sunday’s gospel reading gives us another beautiful example of faith and prayer in the Canaanite woman. She comes to Jesus with a desperate request for her daughter: “Lord, help me.” At first, Jesus does not answer her, yet she refuses to walk away. She continues to ask. She continues to trust. She continues to believe that Jesus can help her daughter. Her persistence is not a lack of faith. Her persistence is faith.
Last weekend, we reflected on Peter's emergency prayer when he was sinking: “Lord, save me!” Today, we hear another simple but powerful prayer: “Lord, help me.”
There is something beautiful about these prayers because they do not need many words. They come from hearts that know where to turn.
Perhaps there are moments when we do not know what to say. Perhaps we are frightened, overwhelmed, discouraged, or worried about someone we love. At these moments, we can simply say, “Lord, save me,” or “Lord, help me,” and then keep praying. The Canaanite woman teaches us that faith does not always mean receiving an immediate answer. Sometimes faith means staying with Jesus when the answer seems delayed. She keeps knocking. She keeps trusting. She keeps believing. And Jesus finally says to her: “O woman, great is your faith.” May we have that same faith — not a faith that disappears when life becomes difficult, but a faith that keeps knocking, keeps praying, and keeps trusting.
May our church always be a house of prayer. May our families always be schools of faith. And may our hearts always know where to turn when we need help: “Lord, save me.” “Lord, help me.”
We will continue our journey through the first encyclical written by Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity). I invite you to continue to reflect on this monumentally important topic for today.
Have a blessed week!
With love,
Fr. John














