Month: August 2026

Deacon Brian: The Good News

On By Kari SczepanskiIn Ordinary Time

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (8/23/2026)

Fr. David often reminds us that the Sunday readings are connected, and today that connection is especially powerful. Isaiah tells us about the “key of the House of David” being given to Eliakim, while in today’s Gospel, Jesus—the Son of David—gives the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven to Peter, appointing him to proclaim the faith with authority. And what does Peter proclaim? The kerygma, the Greek word for “proclamation”: the heart of the Good News. The kerygma isn’t primarily about what we do for God—loving our neighbor or evangelizing others—but about what God has done for us. Jesus, the Son of God, suffered, died, and rose from the dead so that we could be forgiven, freed from sin, and have eternal life. That is the Good News. As St. John reminds us, “not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son.” So before we talk about how we should live as Christians, let’s remember what Christianity is really about: Jesus died and rose so we could have eternal life. That is the Gospel Peter proclaimed, the faith handed down to us, and the Good News we are called to learn, live, and share.

Prayerful Generosity — CSA Appeal

On By Kari SczepanskiIn Ordinary Time, Uncategorized

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time (08/16/26).

This weekend is our Catholic Services Appeal, which helps our Diocese of Superior serve the people of Northern Wisconsin. Our goals this year are $69,650 for St. Joseph and $17,290 for St. Ann. We made our goals last year, and I’m confident we can do it again. But I want to challenge us to something deeper than simply meeting a number: prayerful generosity. Jesus gives us the perfect example. He was prayerful—continually interceding for us—and He was generous, giving His very life for our salvation. The CSA makes a real difference: it supports our seminarians and future priests, including the formation that led to my own priesthood. It helps provide priests for our parishes, youth and adult faith opportunities, Catholic schools, and the many services that keep our Diocese and parishes going. So please support the CSA. But even more, I challenge you this year to give more than you did last year—and pray as you give. Give to the Church, the CSA, and the charitable causes you care about. Let your generosity become an act of prayer. We made our goal last year; let’s make it again—and let’s see if we can do it in just two months! I’m confident we can. But most importantly, let’s grow in prayerful generosity, because that makes us look more like Jesus.

What Really Fills Us?

On By Kari SczepanskiIn Ordinary Time

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

God doesn’t just want to give us enough—He wants to fill us. Throughout Scripture, food is a sign of something much deeper: God satisfying the hunger of our hearts and souls. Even as Jesus grieved the death of John the Baptist and sought time alone in prayer, His heart was moved with compassion for the crowds. He took five loaves and two fish, blessed them, broke them, and gave them, showing that when we offer our small gifts to God, He multiplies them beyond what we can imagine. That same pattern reaches its fulfillment in the Eucharist, where Christ feeds us with His very Body and Blood. This week, notice what you turn to when you feel empty. Does it truly satisfy, or does it only distract? Jesus still says, “Bring it to me.” He longs to fill you—not with temporary comforts, but with His abundant life, His love, and His presence, so that you, in turn, can help satisfy the hunger of others.