Fr. Paul's Musings
A Couple of Messages from Fr. Pawel
A couple of weeks ago at 10:00 am Mass at St. Thomas, something unexpected happened. For the first time, we didn’t have enough consecrated hosts to distribute
during Holy Communion. That is why the role of a Sacristan is so important. It reminds us of two people we all know from Scripture — the prophet Simeon, a
righteous and devout man who was waiting for the consolation of Israel. When he saw Jesus, he recognized Him as the promised Savior. And we also think of the prophetess Anna, who spent her time in the Temple serving God night and day. In a similar way, the sacristan prepares everything for the Masses so that we are ready to welcome Christ in the celebration of the Mass.
A sacristan plays an important role in the life of the parish. Their main responsibility is to prepare the church and everything needed for the celebration of Mass, as well as to assist the priest before and after the liturgy. It is a ministry that requires responsibility, commitment, and care for the beauty and order of the liturgy.
Our parish is currently looking for someone who would be interested in taking on this ministry. If you believe that you would like to give your time and help prepare
for Mass, I warmly invite you to speak with me or contact the St. Thomas Parish office.
Every helping hand is valuable, and serving in this way is a beautiful opportunity to become more involved in the life of our parish community.
The Rosary - October Devotion
The month of October is especially dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. During this month, the Church encourages everyone to pray the Rosary daily. The Rosary was developed during the Middle Ages. Early Christians used prayer beads to help count repeated prayers, and by the 15th century, the Rosary had taken a form closer to what we know today. The Rosary is Christ-centered, presenting the entire life of Jesus
Christ — from His Incarnation and earthly ministry to His Passion, Death, Resurrection, and glory. By meditating on the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and
Luminous Mysteries, the Rosary becomes a summary of the Gospel and a reflection of the Christian life. Everyone is encouraged to take up this prayer for all 31 days of October, trusting in the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who brings our prayers before her Son and pleads for the graces we need. May this October become a spiritual challenge that we joyfully embrace, especially together with our families. Let us make the Rosary a daily prayer and a source of grace, peace, and strength in our homes.
Fr. Pawel Luczak
October 2, 2026
A couple of weeks ago at 10:00 am Mass at St. Thomas, something unexpected happened. For the first time, we didn’t have enough consecrated hosts to distribute
during Holy Communion. That is why the role of a Sacristan is so important. It reminds us of two people we all know from Scripture — the prophet Simeon, a
righteous and devout man who was waiting for the consolation of Israel. When he saw Jesus, he recognized Him as the promised Savior. And we also think of the prophetess Anna, who spent her time in the Temple serving God night and day. In a similar way, the sacristan prepares everything for the Masses so that we are ready to welcome Christ in the celebration of the Mass.
A sacristan plays an important role in the life of the parish. Their main responsibility is to prepare the church and everything needed for the celebration of Mass, as well as to assist the priest before and after the liturgy. It is a ministry that requires responsibility, commitment, and care for the beauty and order of the liturgy.
Our parish is currently looking for someone who would be interested in taking on this ministry. If you believe that you would like to give your time and help prepare
for Mass, I warmly invite you to speak with me or contact the St. Thomas Parish office.
Every helping hand is valuable, and serving in this way is a beautiful opportunity to become more involved in the life of our parish community.
The Rosary - October Devotion
The month of October is especially dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. During this month, the Church encourages everyone to pray the Rosary daily. The Rosary was developed during the Middle Ages. Early Christians used prayer beads to help count repeated prayers, and by the 15th century, the Rosary had taken a form closer to what we know today. The Rosary is Christ-centered, presenting the entire life of Jesus
Christ — from His Incarnation and earthly ministry to His Passion, Death, Resurrection, and glory. By meditating on the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and
Luminous Mysteries, the Rosary becomes a summary of the Gospel and a reflection of the Christian life. Everyone is encouraged to take up this prayer for all 31 days of October, trusting in the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who brings our prayers before her Son and pleads for the graces we need. May this October become a spiritual challenge that we joyfully embrace, especially together with our families. Let us make the Rosary a daily prayer and a source of grace, peace, and strength in our homes.
Fr. Pawel Luczak
October 2, 2026
A Message from Fr. Pawel
The Holy Eucharist holds a unique place in Christian theology, particularly within the Catholic tradition, where it is described as the “source and summit” of the
Christian life. It is not merely a symbol, but the Real Presence of Jesus Christ—His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Because of this belief, any deliberate act of
contempt, mockery, or disrespect toward the consecrated Host is considered a grave offense against God. This offense is known as sacrilege.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2120: “Sacrilege consists in profaning or treating unworthily the sacraments and other liturgical
actions, as well as persons, things, or places consecrated to God. Sacrilege is a grave sin especially when committed against the Eucharist, for in this sacrament the true Body of Christ is made substantially present for us.”
From the earliest centuries, Christians understood how serious it was to offend against the Body of Christ. St. Cyprian of Carthage, in the third century, strongly
condemned receiving Holy Communion while in mortal sin, thereby profaning the Eucharist. St. Paul was even more direct, warning that whoever receives the Body
and Blood of the Lord unworthily brings judgment upon himself (cf. 1 Cor 11:27–29).
This is one way in which the Blessed Sacrament can be profaned. However, Eucharistic sacrilege can take other forms as well. These include deliberately throwing or scattering the consecrated Host into the trash, pouring the Precious Blood onto the ground or into an inappropriate place, or intentionally spitting out the consecrated Host after receiving Holy Communion. Such actions constitute a grave offense against Jesus Christ Himself, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. For us as Catholics, such an act is deeply heartbreaking and painful because an offense has been committed
against the sacred Eucharistic species. When the Blessed Sacrament has been desecrated, it is fitting that we respond with prayer, reparation, and atonement.
For this reason, we will have Eucharistic Adoration on Friday, September 25, at 6:00 p.m. at St. Thomas Church. This will be a time of prayer, worship, and love for Jesus, truly present in the Eucharist. We will ask for God’s mercy, offer reparation for the offense committed, and pray for the conversion and salvation of those involved.
I invite all parishioners to join us in prayer and to spend this time with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament as an act of atonement and restoration for the harm done to Christ.
Fr. Pawel Luczak
September 18, 2026
The Holy Eucharist holds a unique place in Christian theology, particularly within the Catholic tradition, where it is described as the “source and summit” of the
Christian life. It is not merely a symbol, but the Real Presence of Jesus Christ—His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Because of this belief, any deliberate act of
contempt, mockery, or disrespect toward the consecrated Host is considered a grave offense against God. This offense is known as sacrilege.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2120: “Sacrilege consists in profaning or treating unworthily the sacraments and other liturgical
actions, as well as persons, things, or places consecrated to God. Sacrilege is a grave sin especially when committed against the Eucharist, for in this sacrament the true Body of Christ is made substantially present for us.”
From the earliest centuries, Christians understood how serious it was to offend against the Body of Christ. St. Cyprian of Carthage, in the third century, strongly
condemned receiving Holy Communion while in mortal sin, thereby profaning the Eucharist. St. Paul was even more direct, warning that whoever receives the Body
and Blood of the Lord unworthily brings judgment upon himself (cf. 1 Cor 11:27–29).
This is one way in which the Blessed Sacrament can be profaned. However, Eucharistic sacrilege can take other forms as well. These include deliberately throwing or scattering the consecrated Host into the trash, pouring the Precious Blood onto the ground or into an inappropriate place, or intentionally spitting out the consecrated Host after receiving Holy Communion. Such actions constitute a grave offense against Jesus Christ Himself, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. For us as Catholics, such an act is deeply heartbreaking and painful because an offense has been committed
against the sacred Eucharistic species. When the Blessed Sacrament has been desecrated, it is fitting that we respond with prayer, reparation, and atonement.
For this reason, we will have Eucharistic Adoration on Friday, September 25, at 6:00 p.m. at St. Thomas Church. This will be a time of prayer, worship, and love for Jesus, truly present in the Eucharist. We will ask for God’s mercy, offer reparation for the offense committed, and pray for the conversion and salvation of those involved.
I invite all parishioners to join us in prayer and to spend this time with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament as an act of atonement and restoration for the harm done to Christ.
Fr. Pawel Luczak
September 18, 2026
A Message from Fr. Pawel
Last week we began our OCIA class for those who desire to be baptized and enter the Catholic Church. It is important to understand what Baptism really means. Baptism is the first and most important sacrament of Christian life. Through Baptism, we are freed from sin, welcomed into the Church, united with Christ, and given new life. Most importantly, Baptism is the beginning of our journey toward eternal life with God.
Scripture is clear about the importance of Baptism. Jesus commanded His disciples: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19). Jesus also tells Nicodemus, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (Jn 3:5).
Through Baptism, we are united with Jesus in His death and Resurrection. St. Paul writes, “All of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his
death… so that… we too might live in newness of life” (Rom 6:3–4). Through Baptism, we share in the fruits of Christ’s death and Resurrection and become members of His Body, the Church.
We also become children of God by adoption. Why “by adoption”? Jesus is the Son of God by nature: He eternally comes from the Father and shares the same divine nature as the Father. We are creatures, not divine by nature. Yet through Baptism, God adopts us into His family and gives us a share in His divine life.
We can compare this to becoming a member of a royal family. A person does not simply walk in from the street and claim a royal title. Membership comes through birth or marriage. Meghan Markle, for example, was an ordinary person who became a member of the British royal family through her marriage to Prince Harry. With that
membership came privileges such as protection, care, and access to things unavailable to an ordinary person and other benefits (eternal life and salvation)—but it also came
with responsibilities. A royal is expected to represent the King (God), serve the public, encourage others, care for people in need, and maintain a certain standard of conduct.
In a much greater way, Baptism gives us the privilege of becoming children of God, but it also gives us responsibilities. We are called to represent our heavenly
Father, his love, serve others, forgive, avoid sin (be "holy as heavenly father is holy"), and bring God's presence into the world. So why should we be baptized? Because we
want to belong to Christ, become children of God, receive His grace, and ultimately enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Baptism is the beginning of the journey that leads us to
eternal life with God.
Fr. Pawel Luczak
September 11, 2026
Last week we began our OCIA class for those who desire to be baptized and enter the Catholic Church. It is important to understand what Baptism really means. Baptism is the first and most important sacrament of Christian life. Through Baptism, we are freed from sin, welcomed into the Church, united with Christ, and given new life. Most importantly, Baptism is the beginning of our journey toward eternal life with God.
Scripture is clear about the importance of Baptism. Jesus commanded His disciples: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19). Jesus also tells Nicodemus, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (Jn 3:5).
Through Baptism, we are united with Jesus in His death and Resurrection. St. Paul writes, “All of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his
death… so that… we too might live in newness of life” (Rom 6:3–4). Through Baptism, we share in the fruits of Christ’s death and Resurrection and become members of His Body, the Church.
We also become children of God by adoption. Why “by adoption”? Jesus is the Son of God by nature: He eternally comes from the Father and shares the same divine nature as the Father. We are creatures, not divine by nature. Yet through Baptism, God adopts us into His family and gives us a share in His divine life.
We can compare this to becoming a member of a royal family. A person does not simply walk in from the street and claim a royal title. Membership comes through birth or marriage. Meghan Markle, for example, was an ordinary person who became a member of the British royal family through her marriage to Prince Harry. With that
membership came privileges such as protection, care, and access to things unavailable to an ordinary person and other benefits (eternal life and salvation)—but it also came
with responsibilities. A royal is expected to represent the King (God), serve the public, encourage others, care for people in need, and maintain a certain standard of conduct.
In a much greater way, Baptism gives us the privilege of becoming children of God, but it also gives us responsibilities. We are called to represent our heavenly
Father, his love, serve others, forgive, avoid sin (be "holy as heavenly father is holy"), and bring God's presence into the world. So why should we be baptized? Because we
want to belong to Christ, become children of God, receive His grace, and ultimately enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Baptism is the beginning of the journey that leads us to
eternal life with God.
Fr. Pawel Luczak
September 11, 2026
A Message from Fr. Pawel
Last Sunday, I noticed that our altar was beautifully decorated with fresh flowers. I
would like to say thank you, because this is a beautiful and meaningful way to honor the celebration of the Holy Mass.
The beauty of fresh flowers, their colors, and their fragrance all remind us of the beauty of God’s creation and point us to Jesus Christ, who deserves the very best we can offer. Fresh flowers bring life and beauty to the sanctuary in a way that artificial flowers simply cannot. For our farming community, flowers have an even deeper meaning. They remind us that our local farmers provide much more than food for our tables. They also help bring us the beauty of God’s creation — a beauty that is especially visible here in the countryside, where fields, gardens, and flowers are in full bloom during the spring and summer.
A special thank you to Tracy for her time and effort in preparing the beautiful flower arrangements. They make our church even more beautiful and help highlight
the importance and dignity of the Holy Mass.
I hope that throughout the spring and summer, fresh flowers on our altar will
become a regular part of our Sunday celebrations, giving greater glory to God and adding to the beauty of our worship.
Fr. Pawel Luczak
July 31, 2026
Last Sunday, I noticed that our altar was beautifully decorated with fresh flowers. I
would like to say thank you, because this is a beautiful and meaningful way to honor the celebration of the Holy Mass.
The beauty of fresh flowers, their colors, and their fragrance all remind us of the beauty of God’s creation and point us to Jesus Christ, who deserves the very best we can offer. Fresh flowers bring life and beauty to the sanctuary in a way that artificial flowers simply cannot. For our farming community, flowers have an even deeper meaning. They remind us that our local farmers provide much more than food for our tables. They also help bring us the beauty of God’s creation — a beauty that is especially visible here in the countryside, where fields, gardens, and flowers are in full bloom during the spring and summer.
A special thank you to Tracy for her time and effort in preparing the beautiful flower arrangements. They make our church even more beautiful and help highlight
the importance and dignity of the Holy Mass.
I hope that throughout the spring and summer, fresh flowers on our altar will
become a regular part of our Sunday celebrations, giving greater glory to God and adding to the beauty of our worship.
Fr. Pawel Luczak
July 31, 2026
Fr. Pawel’s Journey Continues…
During my trip to Bolivia, I had the opportunity to visit Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat. This amazing place was formed thousands of years ago when ancient lakes dried up, leaving behind a vast white landscape of salt.
Because I visited during the rainy season, a thin layer of water covered the salt flat and turned it into a giant mirror, beautifully reflecting the sky. It was one of the most breathtaking sights I have ever seen.
Many visitors enjoy taking creative and perspective photos while admiring the incredible scenery. I was grateful to experience this unique place and to witness another example of God's wonderful creation.
Fr. Pawel Luczak
July 10, 2026
During my trip to Bolivia, I had the opportunity to visit Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat. This amazing place was formed thousands of years ago when ancient lakes dried up, leaving behind a vast white landscape of salt.
Because I visited during the rainy season, a thin layer of water covered the salt flat and turned it into a giant mirror, beautifully reflecting the sky. It was one of the most breathtaking sights I have ever seen.
Many visitors enjoy taking creative and perspective photos while admiring the incredible scenery. I was grateful to experience this unique place and to witness another example of God's wonderful creation.
Fr. Pawel Luczak
July 10, 2026
An Inspirational Message from Fr. Pawel
On Sunday, during the presentation I mentioned visiting Helena Kmieć’s place of death. Here I have shared more information and a short story about her. Helena Agnieszka Kmiec (1991 – 2017) was a young Polish lay missionary whose life continues to inspire people through her joyful faith, generous service, and love for Christ. Raised in a Catholic family after the death of her mother shortly after her birth,
Helena grew up in a home filled with love, warmth, and deep faith. She attended Catholic schools, later studied engineering, and remained committed to her faith
throughout her university years, making daily Mass a central part of her life.
As a member of the Salvatorian Missionary Volunteer Service, Helena served on missions in Hungary, Zambia, Romania, and finally Bolivia, working with children, young people, and families. She often spoke about what she called "DDDDD – Dar
Darmo Dany Do Dawania" ("A Gift Freely Given to Give"). She believed that every gift, talent, and ability she had received from God was meant to be shared with others. In one of her mission reflections she wrote: "All the skills I have, the abilities I acquire, the talents I develop, are not meant to serve me, but so that I can use them to help others." She also wrote that the greatest gift she had received was knowing God, and that she could not keep that gift to herself but wanted to bring hope, joy, and faith to others.
Those who knew Helena remember her as a joyful, authentic, and approachable young woman. She enjoyed music, friendships, travel, and ordinary life, yet always
placed God first. She did not hide her own struggles or difficulties but continually returned to prayer and trusted in God's guidance. Her missionary spirit was rooted not in adventure but in a desire to share Christ's love through concrete acts of service.
Helena arrived in Bolivia in January 2017 to volunteer at a children's home run by religious sisters. Just sixteen days later, she was tragically killed during a robbery. She was twenty-six years old. Although her earthly life was brief, her witness continues to inspire countless people, especially young adults, to live their faith with courage, generosity, and joy. She is a great inspiration for everyone who wants to offer their lives truly to God.
Fr. Pawel Luczak
July 2, 2026
On Sunday, during the presentation I mentioned visiting Helena Kmieć’s place of death. Here I have shared more information and a short story about her. Helena Agnieszka Kmiec (1991 – 2017) was a young Polish lay missionary whose life continues to inspire people through her joyful faith, generous service, and love for Christ. Raised in a Catholic family after the death of her mother shortly after her birth,
Helena grew up in a home filled with love, warmth, and deep faith. She attended Catholic schools, later studied engineering, and remained committed to her faith
throughout her university years, making daily Mass a central part of her life.
As a member of the Salvatorian Missionary Volunteer Service, Helena served on missions in Hungary, Zambia, Romania, and finally Bolivia, working with children, young people, and families. She often spoke about what she called "DDDDD – Dar
Darmo Dany Do Dawania" ("A Gift Freely Given to Give"). She believed that every gift, talent, and ability she had received from God was meant to be shared with others. In one of her mission reflections she wrote: "All the skills I have, the abilities I acquire, the talents I develop, are not meant to serve me, but so that I can use them to help others." She also wrote that the greatest gift she had received was knowing God, and that she could not keep that gift to herself but wanted to bring hope, joy, and faith to others.
Those who knew Helena remember her as a joyful, authentic, and approachable young woman. She enjoyed music, friendships, travel, and ordinary life, yet always
placed God first. She did not hide her own struggles or difficulties but continually returned to prayer and trusted in God's guidance. Her missionary spirit was rooted not in adventure but in a desire to share Christ's love through concrete acts of service.
Helena arrived in Bolivia in January 2017 to volunteer at a children's home run by religious sisters. Just sixteen days later, she was tragically killed during a robbery. She was twenty-six years old. Although her earthly life was brief, her witness continues to inspire countless people, especially young adults, to live their faith with courage, generosity, and joy. She is a great inspiration for everyone who wants to offer their lives truly to God.
Fr. Pawel Luczak
July 2, 2026
Brewed and Blessed
The richness of the Catholic Church brings us something new almost every day. It offers many prayers that resonate with our spirituality and countless saints whose lives, vocations, and love for Christ inspire and guide us in our daily walk with God. The month of June is especially dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, beginning with Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque.
The message of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque focuses on the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, revealed to her in the 17th century. She emphasized that Christ’s Heart
burns with love for humanity and desires to give grace and lead people to salvation, yet many respond with indifference and ingratitude.
According to her writings, Jesus asked for a special devotion to His Sacred Heart as an act of love and reparation for the sins of the world. He promised that in His Heart people would find everything necessary for the healing of the soul and strengthening of faith. From these revelations came the practice of the First Fridays of the month, a time of prayer, Holy Communion, and reparation for offenses against Jesus. This devotion became an important part of Catholic spirituality, reminding the faithful of God’s love and the call to respond with love and gratitude.
In this context, it is worth remembering that in ancient thought the heart symbolizes the whole person, especially their inner life, spirit, and character — a meaning that remains relevant today. We still often speak of a “heart of stone” or a “heart of gold,” and Scripture likewise uses the heart as a symbol of the human moral and spiritual center.
A central expression of devotion to the Sacred Heart is the Litany of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, a traditional prayer in which the faithful invoke Christ’s Heart under many titles — celebrating His mercy, patience, love, and kingship. The litany is widely prayed in June, especially during devotions and Eucharistic adoration, deepening reflection on Christ’s compassionate love.
Through Saint Margaret Mary, Jesus also gave twelve promises to those devoted to His Sacred Heart, including: all graces needed in life, peace in families, comfort in suffering, protection in life and death, blessings in all undertakings, mercy for sinners, spiritual growth from lukewarmness to fervor and holiness, blessings on places where His Heart is honored, the gift of touching hardened hearts for priests, the assurance
that promoters of this devotion will have their names in His Heart, and the promise of final perseverance for those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays for nine consecutive months.
Let us open our hearts fully and allow Christ to transform them into His Heart.
Fr. Pawel Luczak
June 12, 2026
The richness of the Catholic Church brings us something new almost every day. It offers many prayers that resonate with our spirituality and countless saints whose lives, vocations, and love for Christ inspire and guide us in our daily walk with God. The month of June is especially dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, beginning with Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque.
The message of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque focuses on the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, revealed to her in the 17th century. She emphasized that Christ’s Heart
burns with love for humanity and desires to give grace and lead people to salvation, yet many respond with indifference and ingratitude.
According to her writings, Jesus asked for a special devotion to His Sacred Heart as an act of love and reparation for the sins of the world. He promised that in His Heart people would find everything necessary for the healing of the soul and strengthening of faith. From these revelations came the practice of the First Fridays of the month, a time of prayer, Holy Communion, and reparation for offenses against Jesus. This devotion became an important part of Catholic spirituality, reminding the faithful of God’s love and the call to respond with love and gratitude.
In this context, it is worth remembering that in ancient thought the heart symbolizes the whole person, especially their inner life, spirit, and character — a meaning that remains relevant today. We still often speak of a “heart of stone” or a “heart of gold,” and Scripture likewise uses the heart as a symbol of the human moral and spiritual center.
A central expression of devotion to the Sacred Heart is the Litany of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, a traditional prayer in which the faithful invoke Christ’s Heart under many titles — celebrating His mercy, patience, love, and kingship. The litany is widely prayed in June, especially during devotions and Eucharistic adoration, deepening reflection on Christ’s compassionate love.
Through Saint Margaret Mary, Jesus also gave twelve promises to those devoted to His Sacred Heart, including: all graces needed in life, peace in families, comfort in suffering, protection in life and death, blessings in all undertakings, mercy for sinners, spiritual growth from lukewarmness to fervor and holiness, blessings on places where His Heart is honored, the gift of touching hardened hearts for priests, the assurance
that promoters of this devotion will have their names in His Heart, and the promise of final perseverance for those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays for nine consecutive months.
Let us open our hearts fully and allow Christ to transform them into His Heart.
Fr. Pawel Luczak
June 12, 2026