St. Mary-Torun

"Admit that God deserves to be loved very much, because He loved us first. He is infinite, and we are nothing; He loved us, miserable sinners, with a love so great and so free. This is why I said at the beginning that the measure of our love to God is to love immeasurably. For since our love is toward God, who is infinite and immeasurable, how can we bound or limit the love we owe Him?" - Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

Few passages of Scripture have brought as much comfort to God's people as today's responsorial psalm. Psalm 23.
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No matter what we face, Christ, the Good Shepherd, walks beside us, guides us and never abandons His flock.
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If you're carrying a heavy burden today, take a few moments to slowly pray through Psalm 23. May it fill your heart with the peace and hope that come from knowing the Lord is always with you.

In today's Gospel, Jesus asks us, "What am I holding onto that keeps me from fully trusting Him?
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Whether it's wealth, success, comfort or our own plans, anything can become an obstacle if it comes before God in our hearts.
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August is devoted to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Have you ever stopped to look at the significance of art pieces depicting this?
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The Heart: Represents Mary's sinless, pure love and complete dedication to God.
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Flames: Show the intense, burning charity and warmth of her love.
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Swords (or a single sword): Symbolize her deep sorrows, specifically the seven dolors or Simeon's prophecy at Christ's presentation.
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Roses: Stand for her purity and grace.

Have you ever felt like your prayers were going unanswered?
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In this Sunday's Gospel, a Canaanite woman refuses to give up. Even when the road seems difficult, she continues to trust Jesus, and He responds by praising her: "O woman, great is your faith!"
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Her persistence reminds us to bring our needs to the Lord with confidence, even when we don't immediately see the answer we're hoping for. God hears every prayer, and He is always at work, even when we cannot yet see it.

Almighty ever-living God, who assumed the Immaculate Virgin Mary, the Mother of your Son, body and soul into heavenly glory, grant, we pray, that, always attentive to the things that are above, we may merit to be sharers of her glory.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

"No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends."
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Today we celebrate the Memorial of St. Maximilian Kolbe.
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While imprisoned at Auschwitz during World War II, St. Maximilian voluntarily took the place of a fellow prisoner who had been condemned to die, offering his own life so another husband and father could live.
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As we honor St. Maximilian Kolbe today, may his example inspire us to love with greater courage, serve with greater generosity and trust completely in God's mercy.
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St. Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us.

A simple invitation to someone who has been away from the parish can remind them that they are remembered, loved, and always welcome. A personal invitation can become the first step toward someone coming home. Start praying about who that might be for you!

You're invited to a Mass of Hope and Healing with Most Reverend Gerard W. Battersby on Tuesday, September 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman in La Crosse. This special Mass is for anyone grieving the loss of a child through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, abortion, stillbirth, accident or infant death.
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The evening will begin with a candle remembrance ceremony, followed by Mass, refreshments and an opportunity for prayer, support and fellowship. All who mourn, and those wishing to accompany them in prayer, are warmly welcome.

Today, on the Memorial of St. Clare, we celebrate the 16th anniversary of Most Reverend William Patrick Callahan's installation of Bishop of "God's Country," the Diocese of La Crosse. St. Clare is very near and dear to Bishop Callahan, so on her feast day, let us ask her to join us in praying for our bishop emeritus!