Category: Feasts

Following the Star / I Saw the Sign

On By AdminIn Christmas Season, Feasts

This Epiphany homily reflects on the journey of the Three Wise Men, who were led by a simple but powerful sign—a star—to the newborn Christ. Though the sign was visible to all, only a few chose to follow it. Ancient prophecies foretold their arrival, and after months of searching, the Magi finally reached Bethlehem, offering gifts and homage to Jesus.

The homily highlights a striking contrast: while the religious leaders knew the scriptures and could name the birthplace of the Messiah, they did not act on that knowledge. True wisdom, as described by Matthew Kelly, is not just seeing or knowing the truth, but living it. The Magi were wise because they followed the sign God gave them and allowed it to change their lives.

As the New Year begins, listeners are invited to reflect on two simple but challenging questions:
What signs is God placing in my life?
And when I see them, do I follow?

The message encourages openness, courage, and action—reminding us that faith grows when we not only recognize God’s signs, but respond to them.

About Father David
Father David is the Vocations Director for the Diocese of Superior and the lead pastor of the Lac Courte Oreilles & Hayward Area Catholic Churches in northern Wisconsin, serving multiple parishes across the Northwoods. Rooted in the sacraments and the teachings of the Church, his ministry focuses on preaching, pastoral care, and helping individuals and families welcome Christ into daily life.

Learn more at www.haywardcatholic.org.

Hear the previous podcast about O Little Town of Bethlehem at:   www.anchoredinthelord.com

Feast of the Holy Family: Holy & Ordinary

On By AdminIn Christmas Season, Feasts

Feast of the Holy Family – Holy and Ordinary
(December 28, 2025)

On the Feast of the Holy Family, we reflect on a powerful truth: holiness is found not in extraordinary places, but in ordinary family life. Jesus chose to grow within a real human family—one marked by love, sacrifice, misunderstanding, and daily tension—showing us that God’s primary path to holiness is lived through relationships.

This reflection explores how everyday moments of friction, sacrifice, and care within families become opportunities for growth in love, patience, and mercy. Drawing from Scripture, it reminds us that putting the needs of others before our own—spouses, children, parents, coworkers, and neighbors—creates a ripple effect of grace that extends far beyond the home.

The Holy Family teaches us that real holiness is not perfection, but faithfulness: choosing love in the midst of ordinary life. As we look to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, we ask for the strength to recognize the opportunities God places before us each day to grow in authentic, lived holiness.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—pray for us.

About Father David
Father David is the lead pastor of the Lac Courte Oreilles & Hayward Area Catholic Churches in northern Wisconsin, serving multiple parishes across the Northwoods. Rooted in the sacraments and the teachings of the Church, his ministry focuses on preaching, pastoral care, and helping individuals and families welcome Christ into daily life.

Father David also serves as the Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Superior. www.callednorth.org

Learn more at www.haywardcatholic.org.

Hear more reflections at www.anchoredinthelord.com.

O Little Town of Bethlehem | Christmas 2025

On By AdminIn Christmas Season, Feasts, Special Celebrations

This reflection weaves the beloved hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem” into a quiet, hope-filled meditation on how God chooses small, hidden places to do His greatest work. From the stillness of Bethlehem to the silence of our own hearts, it invites listeners to notice how Christ meets the hopes and fears of every age—not from a distance, but by stepping directly into our lives.

The episode explores how Christmas can be easily missed amid busyness and distraction, even as heaven remains wide awake with wonder and love. It reminds us that God comes gently, waiting to be welcomed, asking only for openness rather than perfection.

###

About Father David
Father David is the lead pastor of the Lac Courte Oreilles &  Hayward Area Catholic Churches in Hayward, Wisconsin, serving the faith communities of St. Ann in Cable, St. Francis Solanus Mission & School in Reserve, St. Ignatius in New Post, St. Joseph in Hayward, and St. Philip in Stone Lake. With a heart for pastoral care, preaching, and community life, Father David walks closely with parishioners through the joys and challenges of daily faith. His ministry is rooted in the sacraments, the teachings of the Church, and a deep commitment to welcoming Christ into the lives of individuals and families across the Northwoods.
Learn more about Father David and the Hayward Area Catholic Churches at www.haywardcatholic.org

See more podcasts at:  www.anchordinthelord.com

Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran — The Last Rites

On By AdminIn Feasts

Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran — The Last Rites (Summary)

This weekend in our series Arise: On Death and Dying, we reflect on one of the most consoling and misunderstood gifts of the Church at the end of life: the Last Rites. And right away—what I say at the end I’ll say at the beginning: Call early, and when the priest comes, ask for everything. Priests love offering the Last Rites. This is what we’re ordained to do—don’t worry about “bothering” us!

Today’s feast gives a fitting backdrop: the readings show us God’s life flowing like living water, Jesus as the true Temple, and St. Paul reminding us that we are God’s temple. Yet parts of our “temple” can fall into disrepair—sin, fear, neglect, or suffering. As life draws toward its end, those places can feel heavier. This is why Christ gave us the Last Rites.

First is Confession, the cleansing of the temple—restoring friendship with God, clearing away anything unresolved, and filling the soul with peace.

Second is the Anointing of the Sick, which brings Christ’s strength, healing, and courage into physical or spiritual weakness. It’s not only for the final moments—it’s for anyone seriously ill or preparing for major surgery.

Third is Holy Communion, Viaticum—food for the final journey, Christ Himself accompanying the soul home. And if death is near, ask for the Apostolic Pardon, a beautiful prayer granting full remission of temporal punishment.

So again: Call early. Call when your loved one can still confess, receive Communion, and take in every grace Christ offers. And when the priest arrives, ask for everything: Confession, Anointing, Holy Communion, and the Apostolic Pardon.

The Church does not fear death—Christ has conquered it. The Last Rites prepare the temple of our body and soul for rising with Him. They are Christ’s final embrace, His last strengthening for the journey home.

Call early—and ask for everything.

 

Check out www.haywardcatholic.org !

Listen to Father David’s Previous homily HERE.

 

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross: How Should Christians Respond?

On By AdminIn Feasts, Ordinary Time

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross  — How Should Christians Respond?

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Sept. 14, 2025) This weekend, we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The Cross, once a sign of suffering and death, has become for us the ultimate sign of hope: the place where God’s love conquered sin and death.

In light of recent tragedies, including the heartbreaking shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, how are we as Christians called to respond?

  • With prayer — not as a last resort, but as a powerful act that lifts the suffering to God.

  • Through the sacraments — especially the Eucharist and confession, where Christ’s grace enters our broken world.

  • By intentional relationships — reaching out, befriending, and witnessing God’s love to those who may feel unseen.

  • With courage as disciples — stepping out of our comfort zones to share the Gospel, even if it feels uncomfortable or seems to make only a small difference.

The Cross reminds us that love is stronger than death, and Christ is stronger than violence. Even if it feels like there’s just a 1% chance that our words or actions could help someone turn back to God, that 1% is worth it — because eternity is at stake.

So we lift high the Cross: proclaiming the love of Christ, living as disciples with conviction, and trusting that God can transform even tragedy into hope.

Pray for Us

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Feasts

Solemnity of Saints Peters and Paul

We are not on this journey of faith alone.  We turn to each other so naturally when we need help, especially to our friends and family.  The saints are our friends in heaven, our family in heaven; they are alive in Christ!  So ask for their help, their prayers, their support as fellow members of the Body of Christ.

St. Peter…pray for us.
St. Paul…pray for us.
All you holy men and women…pray for us.

Baptized: Children of the Father

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Feasts

Baptism of the Lord

When we are baptized in the waters, we are adopted into God’s family and actually become, in Jesus, children of the Father.  Baptism happens once and is the doorway to the other sacraments.  Receiving the Eucharist (which we do again and again and again) is becoming who we are: the Body of Christ.  So ask yourselves a few questions: “How do I come to Mass?  What do I see as my role at Mass?  How am I engaged at Mass?”

“Priest of God,
Celebrate this Mass as if it is your first Mass,
Your last Mass and your only Mass.”

“People of God,
Celebrate this Mass as if it is your first Mass,
Your last Mass and your only Mass.”

A Peace This World Cannot Give

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Advent, Feasts

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

3 Levels of the Heart

God wants to give us peace at the deepest level, a peace which endures all things.

Making Triangles

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Feasts

Holy Trinity

Each time we make the sign of the cross we are proclaiming that our God is a Trinity – God IS a relationship, so united that the Three are actually One, and yet the One remains Three.  And we, caught up in this relationship of God through baptism, are called by Jesus today to, “Go and make disciples.”

Luckily, it’s not as complicated or scary as it might sound – it’s all about relationship!  God is a relationship.  We are connected to God through our relationship with Him.  We are connected with others through our relationships with them, and the goal is that through us they would also come to experience God and a life of faith and hope and fulfillment and that they would be inspired to enter into relationship with God themselves!

So making disciples is like MAKING TRIANGLES!

The Holy Spirit Prayer

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Feasts

Pentecost

The Holy Spirit comes on this Pentecost day to strengthen us in 3 ways:

  1. In our relationship with Jesus Christ
  2. In defending the faith
  3. In spreading the faith

Every day this week, pray, “Come, Holy Spirit.  Come, Holy Spirit.  Come, Holy Spirit.”  When you feel your relationship with the Lord is not what it could be, when the Church is being looked down on, when someone needs to hear the encouragement of a life lived in faith, it is the Holy Spirit who will give you His strength and His words to speak into that situation!  Come, Holy Spirit!