Explore the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross with Father Scott Steinkerchner! Discover the history behind this important day, tracing it back to St. Helena and the discovery of the True Cross relics. Learn about the significance of the cross, not as an object of miraculous power, but as a symbol of Jesus's ultimate sacrifice and the path to eternal life. Understand the connection between the serpent in the desert, Nicodemus, and the call to pour ourselves out in service to others.

For 10 September 2025, Wednesday of week 23 in Ordinary Time, based on Luke 6:20-26

Join Fr. Scott in Jamaica for a reflection on the Feast of the Birthday of Mary and the readings from Micah and Matthew's Gospel. Discover how God's plans unfold even when life takes unexpected turns ("zigs and zags"). Learn to stay attentive to the present moment and trust that God will bring a greater good, even when things don't go as planned. Perfect for those seeking spiritual guidance, biblical insights, and a deeper understanding of faith in everyday life.

Speaking from a beautiful garden in Madison, Wisconsin, Fr. Scott connects his friend's retirement passion for gardening with the spiritual call to passionate prophetic action. Using Jesus' words about lighting fires and Jeremiah's willingness to face persecution, he challenges viewers to identify what they're passionate enough about to risk everything for. Addressing current world crises like Gaza and Ukraine, he calls for moving beyond comfortable inaction to light the fires of change our broken world desperately needs.

The video powerfully connects ancient biblical themes of prophetic courage with contemporary challenges. The informal garage setting and family context make the message very relatable while addressing serious themes about standing up for justice, trusting God when facing consequences, and the call for all Christians to be prophetic voices in today's world. Karen's story provides a concrete example of what prophetic action looks like in professional healthcare settings.

In today's first reading, Moses tells us that what God wants from his people: to "befriend" the immigrant, because we were once ourselves all immigrants. What was true of the Jewish people, is true of most Americans—98% of us were once aliens. As we deal with our broken immigration system, we need to recognize that God requires us to befriend immigrants, to feed and clothe them. Do we live up to that minimum standard?

For 4 August 2025, Monday of week 18 in Ordinary Time, based on Numbers 11:4b-15, Matthew 14:13-21

In the Letter to the Ephesians, we see Paul's vision that the Church is called to proclaim Christ to the entire universe, even the "principalities and authorities in the heavens." As we ponder our own role in God's plan, know that it includes even one day preaching to extraterrestrials, and let that broaden out your vision.

For 21 July 2025, Monday of week 16 in Ordinary Time, based on Exodus 14:5-18 (Photo by Bjørn Bulthuis)

When the Israelites left Egypt, they also left with "people of various ancestry" who joined them in the desert. This diversity became problematic in the desert, but by God's plan, it is an essential part of the story of God's "chosen people." The parishes of St. Patrick and St. Hedwig were separated int eh 19th Century to accommodate diversity and now have to work to manage that diversity as they once again become one parish. Managing diversity is always difficult, but it is essential if we are going to all be God's children.