From Father George's Desk 8/2/2026

As we reflect on today’s very familiar gospel story of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, we are reminded of God’s great generosity.  The gifts and blessings that are bestowed upon us in superabundance are not to be horded as private treasure but shared for the good of all as we carry on the mission of the Church.  In this passage from To Be a Steward: A Summary of the U.S. Bishops’ Pastoral Letter on Stewardship, our bishops remind us of the common task to which all disciples, fed and nourished by the Lord, are called: “Stewards of God’s gifts are not passive beneficiaries.  We cooperate with God in our own redemption and in the redemption of others.  We are also obliged to be stewards of the Church—collaborators and cooperators in continuing the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, which is the Church’s essential mission.  This mission—proclaiming and teaching, serving and sanctifying—is our task.  It is the personal responsibility of each one of us as stewards of the Church.  All members of the Church have their own roles to play in carrying out its mission: parents, who nurture their children in the light of faith; parishioners, who work in concrete ways to make their parishes true communities of faith and vibrant sources of service to the larger community; all Catholics, who give generous support—time, money, prayers, and personal service according to their circumstances—to parish and diocesan programs, and to the universal Church.”

On Tuesday the Church celebrates the feast of St. John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests.  Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney was born near Lyons, France in 1786.  There were many obstacles to young John’s pursuit of a priestly vocation; he had only a very limited education as a child and was not particularly adept at “book     learning”, as we might call it today.  He was conscripted into the French army, as many young men were, during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte.  By 1812 John Vianney finally was admitted to seminary studies, but continued to struggle as a student, largely because of his lack of grasp of Latin.  He was ordained to the priesthood three years later and in 1818 was assigned to a parish in the small village of Ars, where he would serve until his death on August 4, 1859.  John Vianney, who would become known as the Cure of Ars, soon became renowned for his deep personal spirituality and charity and for spiritual direction.  He was known to spend up to 16 hours a day hearing confessions in the summertime as pilgrims flocked to his tiny village church from throughout France and around Europe.  Bishops, other priests, and young men and women discerning priestly and religious vocations sought out his spiritual advice and guidance, which was noted for its common sense and deep insight.

As we celebrate the feast day of this remarkable man it is an appropriate time to be reminded of the need to pray for your priests, seminarians, and those young men considering a priestly vocation.  I know I can speak for my brother priests, throughout the diocese and beyond, when I say how humbled and grateful we are for the generosity and support of so many.  This is especially important in the difficult times the Church, and the priesthood in particular, have been facing in recent years.  Please also pray for seminarians, as they discern God’s call and are actively preparing for priestly service in the Church.  At present there are only eight men—including our own Holy Family parishioner, Thomas Oldenburg—in various stages of priestly formation for the Diocese of Greensburg.  They are preparing for the beginning of the new academic year later this month.  Finally, continue to pray for the men who are considering and discerning a priestly vocation; they need our prayers and support.  If you know of someone who you think might make a good priest, let him know.  Encouraging and fostering the vocations of tomorrow’s priests is not just the job of today’s priests and bishops, but it the job of everyone in today’s Church!

Our next Anointing Mass will celebrated Saturday, August 22 at 10:00AM at Holy Family.  These Masses not only provide more chances to celebrate the Sacrament of Anointing of Sick but also present a wonderful opportunity raise the awareness and understanding of the sacrament.  All too often we think this sacrament is only for those at the point of death, however, “This sacrament gives the grace of the Holy Spirit to those who are sick: by this grace the whole person is helped and saved, sustained by trust in God, and strengthened against the temptations of the Evil One and against anxiety over death.  Thus the sick person is able not only to bear suffering bravely, but also to fight against it. [Pastoral Care of the Sick #6]