From The Pastor's Desk

Sunday, September 14, 2025                                                                        Open This Week's Bulletin

HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV  [Part I]

Holy Mass with canonizations of the Blessed:  Saints Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis

Dear brothers and sisters,

In the first reading, we heard a question: [Lord,] “who has learned your counsel, unless you have given wisdom and sent your holy spirit from on high?” (Wis 9:17). This question comes after two young Blesseds, Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis, were proclaimed saints, and this is providential because in the Book of Wisdom, this question is attributed to a young man like them: King Solomon. Upon the death of his father David, he realized that he had many things: power, wealth, health, youth, beauty, and the entire kingdom. It was precisely this great abundance of resources that raised a question in his heart: “What must I do so that nothing is lost?” Solomon understood that the only way to find an answer was to ask God for an even greater gift, that of his wisdom, so that he might know God’s plans and follow them faithfully. He realized, in fact, that only in this way would everything find its place in the Lord’s great plan. Yes, because the greatest risk in life is to waste it outside of God’s plan.

Jesus, too, in the Gospel, speaks to us of a plan to which we must commit wholeheartedly. He says: “Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” (Lk 14:27); and again: “none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions” (v. 33). He calls us to abandon ourselves without hesitation to the adventure that he offers us, with the intelligence and strength that comes from his Spirit, that we can receive to the extent that we empty ourselves of the things and ideas to which we are attached, in order to listen to his word.

Many young people, over the centuries, have had to face this crossroad in their lives. Think of Saint Francis of Assisi, like Solomon, he too was young and rich, thirsty for glory and fame. That is why he went to war, hoping to be knighted and adorned with honors. But Jesus appeared to him along the way and asked him to reflect on what he was doing. Coming to his senses, he asked God a simple question: “Lord, what do you want me to do?” (Legend of the Three Companions, cap. II: Fonti Francescane, 1401). From there, he changed his life and began to write a different story: the wonderful story of holiness that we all know, stripping himself of everything to follow the Lord (cf. Lk 14:33), living in poverty and preferring the love of his brothers and sisters, especially the weakest and smallest, to his father’s gold, silver and precious fabrics.

How many similar saints we could recall! Sometimes we portray them as great figures, forgetting that for them it all began when, while still young, they said “yes” to God and gave themselves to him completely, keeping nothing for themselves. Saint Augustine recounts that, in the “tortuous and tangled knot” of his life, a voice deep within him said: “I want you” (Confessions, II, 10,18). God gave him a new direction, a new path, a new reason, in which nothing of his life was lost.

In this setting, today we look to Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati and Saint Carlo Acutis: a young man from the early 20th century and a teenager from our own day, both in love with Jesus and ready to give everything for him.  (continued next weekend)

Blessings and shalom of God,

Fr. Skip - Pastor

Annual Collection for the Missionaries of La Salette
Province of Mary, Mother of the Americas

Dear Parish Family and Friends,

Since 1991, the La Salette Missionaries — priests and brothers — have had the joy and privilege of serving the faith community of Blessed Trinity Catholic Parish. Our first La Salette pastor, Fr. Hector La Chapelle, M.S., arrived that year, beginning a legacy of pastoral care and missionary presence that continues to this day. Along with their ministry, the La Salette Missionaries have shared with us the precious message and devotions of Our Lady of La Salette, the Reconciler of Sinners, and have enriched our parish with the communal spirit of their religious charism.

Once again, I invite you to participate generously in our Annual Second Collection for the Missionaries of La Salette. This collection is taken near the Feast of Our Lady of La Salette (September 19) and supports the vital needs of our Province of Mary, Mother of the Americas — caring for our aging and infirm members, providing retirement support, health insurance, and the ongoing education and formation of future missionaries.

Thanks to your faithful generosity, the La Salette Missionaries have been able to continue their pastoral and reconciling ministry — not only here at Blessed Trinity, but in many other parishes and missions across North America. Your offering helps sustain the spirit of Mary’s merciful message and ensures that our missionary presence will remain strong for years to come.

We will take up this Second Collection at all Masses the weekend of September 20–21. Please prayerfully consider how you can support this important appeal. Be assured of our heartfelt gratitude, our prayers for you and your loved ones, and our continuing commitment to serve God and His people with a missionary spirit and with the intercession and love of Our Lady of La Salette. 

With every good blessing,

Opportunities Available - Join Our Team!

If you are looking for a comfortable and productive way to contribute with your experience, why not join our team?

Bookkeeper Position (part-time) with Blessed Trinity Parish is Open for Application!

Apply to Bookkeeper Position

Offertory Ministry (Money-Counters) Needs Your Servant Discipleship

We have two teams of Offertory Ministry (Money Counters) that need a few fresh faces and dedicated discipleship.  These positions require Safe Environment and Back-Ground Verification with the Diocese of Orlando.  This is an excellent ministry on a rotating monthly schedule for those seeking some light parish commitment but faithful stewardship in Blessed Trinity parish.  Please contact the Parish Office for details and qualifications.