June 29, 2025

Saints Peter and Paul

by Fr. Boniface Endorf, OP

Dear St. Joseph Parish Family,

This Sunday we celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, instead of our regularly scheduled Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time. Saints Peter and Paul both helped found and build the Church in Rome and both endured martyrdom there, and so the Bishop of Rome, the pope, is their successor and shares in their apostolic authority. That is why the Bishop of Rome is the vicar of Christ, the highest office within the institutional Church, because Peter was first among the apostles. We celebrate almost 2,000 years of the Church Peter and Paul helped found, with Christ, of course, as the primary founder and Head of the Church. Let us give thanks for what God has given us and what the work of generations before us have helped hand on to us: Scripture, Tradition, liturgy, devotion, art, history, and culture of our Church. These gifts are the fruits of God’s grace that enables us to make our pilgrimage to our true homeland in heaven.

This Friday we celebrate the 4th of July and the founding of our earthly nation. A theme of founding is emerging! We celebrate what the founders of our nation have handed on to us: the traditions and culture of America. It is right to give thanks for what has been handed on to us and to seek to grow those gifts for the generations that come after us. That starts with gratitude because we cannot grow and hand on what we are not thankful for. Let us take our place in the great chain of generations so that we may both hand on the saving Faith that is of eternal importance, and also the natural goods such as our nation and culture that see us through our lives here on earth. All ultimately is a gift from God to both cherish and nourish.

Have a blessed Sunday!
Fr. Boniface