Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Oridnary Time

October 19, 2025

GOSPEL MEDITATION

woman in my parish has an adult son who has rejected his faith. She prays for him every day. She lights candles, says rosaries, and asks God again and again to bring him back. But nothing changes. Is God listening? Is He delaying? She told me once that she feels like the widow in Jesus’ strange parable — crying out for justice, but hearing only silence. And yet, she said, she is at peace. I asked why. She responded, “God is already answering. I just can’t see it yet.”

She embodies something of the mystery in Jesus’ parable this week in Luke 18. A powerless widow demands justice from a corrupt judge. This isn’t about wearing God down until He gives in. It’s about faith in the justice that is already coming. The widow isn’t just persistent; she believes that justice is inevitable. And when Jesus points to the judge’s words — his fear of being “struck” — He hints at something deeper: God’s justice does not creep in gradually. It strikes. It comes like lightning.

Blessed Mary is, of course, the ultimate widow demanding justice. At the foot of the cross she stands before what looks like the ultimate injustice — the brutal execution of her son. But she did not despair. She did not beg for a last-minute rescue. She knew that justice was not delayed. In fact, it was happening. The power of the cross was already unleashing justice upon the world — suddenly, decisively, like a blow that would topple every corrupt power, making even the most corrupt fear her strike.

This parable asks us: will the Son of Man find faith on earth? Or will we mistake God’s silence for absence? The cross proves that justice is not slow. It is only hidden. The lightning has already struck. In the cross, justice is speedily being done
- Father John Muir

PRO-LIFE CORNER

“I would now like to say a special word to women who have had an abortion. The Church is aware of the many factors which may have influenced your decision, and she does not doubt that in many cases it was a painful and even shattering decision. The wound in your heart may not yet have healed. …But do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope. …The Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.”
-Pope Saint John Paul II

HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

You are invited to the first in a series of active, inspiring, age-appropriate opportunities: A small group tour of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament with Msgr. Stanley Carson on Sunday, October 26, 2025, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. This is a unique opportunity to learn more about our beautiful Cathedral’s history, architecture, rich art and stained-glass that together symbolize the presence of God in a different and transformed world. RSVP interest by October 12, 2025: Reply to your Flock note invitation, or akcutis@verizon.net.

EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP

The four pillars of parish stewardship are hospitality, prayer, formation, and service. They are intentionally presented in this order, with the idea that we cannot expect people to respond to calls to increase their prayer life, their formation, and their service within and outside the parish, if they do not first feel welcomed and valued through the warmth of hospitality. It just makes good sense.

However, those who are already well-versed in the spirituality and practicalities of stewardship, know well that stewardship cannot succeed unless it is steeped in prayer. Today’s readings show us the immense value of prayer and the privileged place it must have in our individual lives and in our parish community.

Our job, as Christian stewards, is simply to remain faithful to our relationship with God through prayer. We should prioritize the Scriptures as a source of prayer, and we must lean on each other in our communities – family and parish – as we support each other in prayer. A strong pillar of prayer will make all our other stewardship efforts fruitful.
- Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS

A FAMILY PERSPECTIVE

The widow in today’s gospel is praised for her PERSEVERANCE. In our homes perseverance is a critical ingredient to resolving differences and teaching lessons and skills to children. Perseverance is always an act of faith in the goodness of the other person.
- Bud Ozar

Prayer Requests

Kathy Ansman, Mark Blackie, Rod Baronner, Dan Bauer, Dave Bauer, Dennis Born, Vince Bumann, Jack Chilcote, Harry Chirdon, Karen Claar, Brandon Conaway, Shirley Conlon, Denise Conrad, James Conrad, Kathy Corl, William Costlow, Bob Decker, Colette DiMemmo, Margaret Dodson, Tim Dodson, Joan Donnelly, Matthew Dorman, Nate Dorman, Amelia Doughurty, Lois Duncan, Thomas Duncan, Paul Dunmire, Ashley Eagen, Corinda Ermin, Roberta Farabaugh, Herman Frederick, Katie Gehl, Pat Harpster, Leighton Hess, Dolly Holzer, Lucy Horton, Raymond Kargo, Carol Keagy, Kenny Anthony Keagy, Russell Keith, John Kleine, Sue Koehle, Ruth Lamca, Cyndi Lansberry, John Leshene, Beth Lloyd, Charles McGrain, Shirley McIntyre, Mason Wayne McManus, Paul Angelo Morelli, Bev Mueller, Bonnie Neal, Jessica Neff, Lee Neff, Kevin O'Rourke, Mark Pacifico, Sarah Rihnovich, Nancy Servello, Laura Snyder, Alex Walter, Margo Wascherl, Joan Weston, Hank Williams, Renee Williams, Mikayla Yanchik.

If you would like to add a sick or hospitalized person to our prayer list or readd a person, please call the rectory office, at 943-8553. Parishioners of Saint Mary are encouraged and welcome to participate. Remember, you must have the permission of the ill person/family to publish their name.

Sacred Heart Church