Be merciful to me, a sinner

Posted by Diane Roden on 10/19/16

     As the Jubilee Year of Mercy enters its final month, we gather to celebrate our loving and merciful God by hearing the prayer of the tax collector in the Gospel: “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.” As hard to believe as it may be that ... Read More »

Fr. Ross Led Trip to New Mexico

Posted by Diane Roden on 10/14/16

     Recently, a group of St Xavier parishioners took a mission trip to the Navajo reservation in northwest New Mexico.  Gathering nine St X parishioners with them, Father Bob Ross and Mary Sue Schwab returned after three years to a place where they dedicated so many years of ... Read More »

Father Gamber Visits World Youth Day

Posted by Diane Roden on 10/04/16

     "Blessed are the merciful, they shall be shown mercy" was the theme of July’s World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland which I was blessed to attend with a group of pilgrims from our Archdiocese.  Our group included students, young adults, and an assortment of priests and lay ... Read More »

FAITH FORMATION AT ST. XAVIER

Posted by Diane Roden on 9/28/16

     As they say, “it takes a village to educate a child”.  Proper education and formation need collaboration in between all stakeholders. St. Xavier Parish Community has just kicked-off a number of faith formation programs for 2016-17. Key programs include Religious Education (preparing the youth for initiation sacraments) ... Read More »

OUR SISTER PARISH IN PERU

Posted by Diane Roden on 9/23/16

    As many of you know, St. Francis Xavier Parish has a long tradition of twinning with La Parroquia de la Virgen de Nazaret (the parish of the Virgin of Nazareth) in Lima, Peru.  Since 1999, we have supported each other with prayer, personal pilgrimage visits, and resources. 

    ... Read More »

Give Glory to God

Posted by Diane Roden on 9/15/16

     When we think about what a Christian is supposed to do in this life, all sorts of positive actions come to mind. We seem to know what it means to be Christian, but then we are faced with various admonishments to give glory to God. And we ... Read More »

GOING OUT

Posted by Diane Roden on 9/07/16

     As you read this, a group of St. X parishioners will be in the “Land of Enchantment”, New Mexico, on an eight day mission trip to the Navajo reservation. Specifically, we will be at St. Mary’s Mission, Tohatchi, NM where I lived for five and a half ... Read More »

Mother Teresa of Kolkota

Posted by Diane Roden on 9/01/16

Today in Rome, the whole Church, and the whole world really, rejoice with gladness at the canonization of

Mother Teresa of Kolkota!

     I had the great pleasure and privilege to meet Mother Teresa on two different occasions. Before those meetings, however, I had spent a great ... Read More »

Towards Christian Unity – Some Rays of Hope?

Posted by Diane Roden on 8/24/16

“We pray for Christian unity … Let us pray…!”

This invocation has become regular and common in our Roman Catholic churches worldwide! For any Christian the history of schisms, divisions and breaking away of the church remain thorny issues. To quote the Second Vatican Council, “… it scandalizes the ... Read More »

"STRIVE TO ENTER THROUGH THE NARROW GATE”

Posted by Diane Roden on 8/18/16

     What does Jesus mean by “gate”? Jesus himself is the Gate. His way is the only way.  Todays’ Gospel teaches that we are saved by identifying ourselves with Christ even if that means we must die to ourselves.  Die to the world’s way.

     In Krakow last week, ... Read More »