FROM THE DESK OF THE PASTOR                  Nov. 14, 2025

POPE LEO ON THE CHURCH

Dear Friends in Christ,

This week, I offer to you some excerpts from Pope Leo’s homily on the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica. In it he offers some important reflections on the Church of which we are all a part:

This Basilica (St John Lateran), in fact, the “Mother of all Churches,” is much more than a monument or a historical memorial. It is “a sign of the living Church, built with chosen and precious stones in Christ Jesus, the cornerstone (cf. 1 Pet 2:4-5)”…It is the ecclesial community, “the Church, the society of believers, [which] gives Saint John Lateran its most solid and striking external structure” (ibid.). Therefore, as we gaze upon this building, let us reflect on what it means to be Church in light of today’s readings.

Firstly, let us consider its foundations. Their importance is obvious and, even somewhat unsettling. If the builders had not dug deep enough to find a solid base on which to construct the rest, the entire building would have collapsed long ago or would be at risk of doing so at any moment, which would put us in grave danger. Fortunately, however, those who came before us laid solid foundations for our Cathedral, digging deep with great effort before raising the walls that welcome us, and this makes us feel much more at ease.

This is a cause for reflection. As laborers in the living Church, we too must first dig deep within ourselves and around ourselves before we can build impressive structures. We must remove any unstable material that would prevent us from reaching the solid rock of Christ (cf. Mt 7:24-27). This is precisely what Saint Paul speaks about in the second reading when he says that “no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ” (1Cor 3:11). This means constantly returning to Jesus and his Gospel and being docile to the action of the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, we risk overloading a building with heavy structures whose foundations are too weak to support.

Dear brothers and sisters, as we diligently labor in the service of God’s Kingdom, let us be neither hasty nor superficial. Let us dig deep, unhindered by worldly criteria, which too often demand immediate results and disregard the wisdom of waiting. The millennial history of the Church teaches us that with God’s help, a true community of faith can only be built with humility and patience. Such a community is capable of spreading charity, promoting mission, proclaiming, celebrating and serving the Apostolic Magisterium of which this temple is the first seat (cf. Angelus, 9 November 1969).

The scene presented to us in today’s Gospel (Lk 19:1-10) is particularly enlightening in this regard: Zacchaeus, a wealthy and powerful man, feels moved to meet Jesus. However, he realizes that he is too short to see him and so decides to climb a tree. This is an unusual and inappropriate gesture for someone of his rank who is accustomed to getting whatever he wants at the tax office as though it were his due. This time, however, the road is longer and climbing the branches means that Zacchaeus recognizes his own limitations and overcomes the inhibitions of his pride. In doing so, he is able to meet Jesus, who tells him, “I must stay at your house today” (v. 5). That encounter marks the beginning of a new life for Zacchaeus (cf. v. 8).

When Jesus calls us to take part in God’s great project, he transforms us by skillfully shaping us according to his plans for salvation. In recent years, the image of a “construction site” has often been used to describe our ecclesial journey. It is a beautiful image that speaks of activity, creativity and dedication, as well as hard work and sometimes complex problems to be solved. It captures the concrete, tangible efforts of our communities as they grow every day, sharing their charisms under the guidance of their pastors…

The construction of the majestic building in which we find ourselves has had its share of critical moments, delays and changes to the original plans. Yet thanks to the tenacity of those who came before us, we can now gather in this wonderful place. In Rome, a great good is growing thanks to the efforts of many. After all, it is through charity in action that the face of our Church is shaped, making it ever clearer to all that she is a “mother,” the “mother of all Churches,” or even a “mom,” as Saint John Paul II said when speaking to children on this very feast day (cf. Address for the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, 9 November 1986).

POPE LEO XIV

PLEASE MAKE YOUR STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE TODAY!

Thank you to all who have made your stewardship pledge for the coming year! Your gifts will really make a difference. If have not made your pledge to stewardship this year, please do so today. How has God blessed you this year? What return shall we make to the Lord for all the good he has done? 

Please return the commitment cards ASAP to the parish by placing them in the collection basket, mailing them or dropping them by the parish office or by making your pledge on-line at  Pledge to 096 - Stewardship of Treasure 2026 and  Pledge to 096 – Living Stones. We need every family’s help to do the work of the Lord here in our parish. Thank you for your support!   It keeps the heat and lights on, enables us to pass on the faith, reach out to those in need and support the many ministries of our parishes.  Finally, let us ask the Blessed Mother to watch over us all and help us to bring Jesus to all those who need his hope and salvation!

Fr. James Johnson

Pastor