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As it happens, the Scripture readings for today shed light on your ministry as educators of your children, not only in regular academic subjects but above all in the Catholic faith.

It is a pleasure to return to St. Bartholomew’s Parish for Sunday Mass, and on this occasion, to celebrate your patronal feast – happy feast day! I’m also happy to bless your new parish cemetery and columbarium.

Anticipating the year ahead with hearts full of hope, what can we learn from this humble and holy pontiff, a pope who lived, as do we, in tumultuous times for both Church and society?

The visible beauty of this church sets the stage, so to speak, for us to participate in the unseen beauty of God. While we employ the precious materials of this earth in our craft, the glory of God exceeds anything we could ever ask or imagine.

No doubt, Blessed Michael abounded in natural virtues, yet his priestly heart drew from a deeper source than natural virtue. It’s fair to say that his priestly heart was rooted in the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The Son of God who emptied himself of glory teaches us that a life lived only for oneself is indeed futile and absurd. Only a life generously lived for God and for others is a life truly worth living.

Unlike Jesus who met with skepticism, even ridicule, in his hometown, Alphonsus was warmly received at home as a teacher of the faith, but he did not allow himself to bask in the fleeting sunlight of popularity. He was drawn rather more deeply to serve the poor and abandoned, and he was concerned about the apathy of many people towards the faith.