Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

In light of recent public comments made by US officials regarding the Catholic Church’s teaching on Just War, Bishop James Massa, chairman of the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Doctrine, issued the following statement:

“For over a thousand years, the Catholic Church has taught just war theory and it is that long tradition the Holy Father carefully references in his comments on war. A constant tenet of that thousand-year tradition is a nation can only legitimately take up the sword ‘in self-defense, once all peace efforts have failed’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2308). That is, to be a just war it must be a defense against another who actively wages war, which is what the Holy Father actually said: ‘He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.’

“When Pope Leo XIV speaks as supreme pastor of the universal Church, he is not merely offering opinions on theology, he is preaching the Gospel and exercising his ministry as the Vicar of Christ. The consistent teaching of the Church is insistent that all people of good will must pray and work toward lasting peace while avoiding the evils and injustices that accompany all wars.”

Just War Theory has its roots in Saint Augustine's, City of God. And Pope Leo, himself an Augustinian, is deeply rooted in his spirituality. Augustine was horrified by war and considered it a failure of humanity, even if just. The following from Saint Augustine captures the Church's concern about all war and reflect Pope Leo's prayer and comments about the desire for peace.

"Let everyone, therefore, who reflects with pain on such great evils, upon such horror and cruelty, acknowledge that this is misery. And if anyone either endures them or thinks of them without anguish of soul, his condition is still more miserable: for he thinks himself happy only because he has lost all human feeling."

We continue our prayer for peace in our world, our nation, in our homes, and in our hearts.

Peace and blessings,

Father Gil

Each year, the Spirit of Hecker Awards honor exemplary people who accompany the Paulist Fathers in mission and who embody the spirit of the founder, Servant of God Isaac Hecker (1819 – 1888).

The theme of this year’s program was: “Building Bridges Through Charity.”

During the program which premiered last Saturday evening, Paulists at our parishes, centers, and ministries where we serve shared how their awardees build bridges in their local communities, the greater Paulist family, and the Universal Church. Congratulations to our recipients this year, Bob Warren and Anne Lobsinger!

Thank you! Your generosity in the Annual Paulist Appeal sustains the Paulist mission and our community especially in training new Paulists and caring for our senior priests. If you haven't donated, please consider a gift to help our community. A gift of any amount is deeply appreciated by the men in our house and community.

You may donate at online at paulist.org/apa.

Home is where we are known, welcomed, and loved unconditionally. It’s where we can rest without fear and where we are reminded of who we are. Jesus speaks to his disciples with the simple and powerful image of home—a place of belonging, safety, and love. In a world filled with uncertainty, that promise still speaks to our hearts. Christ is the Way that leads us home—to the Father and to one another. And we, as his followers, are called to help others find their place in that same loving home. By supporting the Together in Mission Annual Appeal, we help extend that sense of home to those who feel lost, forgotten, or alone. Your generosity opens doors—both spiritually and physically—to Christ’s presence.

Please make your gift today at Together in Mission Annual Appeal. Thank you.

For peace in every nation: for an end to the war in Iran, Ukraine. For all those wounded and killed and for the safety of service members in harm's way. For peace, may the light of the Holy Spirit transform hearts so that all may seek the way of peace together, let us pray to the Lord:

For our immigrant sisters and brothers living in fear of deportation, may the Lord accompany them through the ministry of the Christian community:

For the healing, comfort, and peace of the sick, Richard Welch, Catherine Peacock, Dan Bianco, Nancy Campbell, Gary Orfield, Manolo Velez, Anne Wadad Shalhub, Madeleine Lord, Victoria T. Picard, Amparo Haber, Shirley Ruess, Sister Irene Wright, Melinda Nadres, Greg Tinsley, Jack & Vicki Phillips, Tel Ramon, Mary Pat Cooper, Todd Wiench, Bernadette Tee, Estrella and John Monzon, Charles Candel, Marisa Kavanau, Carol King Wolcott, John Wolcott, Angel Appleton, Clark Gassan, Lohriena Lohrie Counts, Nora McCormick Heinen, Weldon Tilley, Paul Lannan, Eileen Gaffney.

For the eternal rest of our beloved departed, Cecile Bianco, Mary Loberg, Mary Claire Arbus, Dolores Diaz, Grace Hiney, Robert Cimiluca, Antonia T. Semar, Gary Bourgeois, Andrew Politz, Pauline Zaloski, James Wilkie, Father Richard Chilson, CSP, Father Daniel McCotter, CSP, Zenaida B. Chua, Antonia T. Semar, Mike Lanning, Jaroslan Witkoski, Susan Burkhard, Connie Pobre, John A. Woodward IV, Terry Casey, Darrel Bengry, Joan Doyle, Cristina Mirendolf, Elaine Vucelich, Marietta Lavin, Jeffrey Graham, Renee Good, Alex Pretti, Robert J. Burns, John 'JJ' Goldrick, Dellie Abad, James Kennedy, José Fernandez, Terry O'Malley Seidler, Rich Puppione, Christie Farmer, Alfred Ruess, Christohper Hudlin, Alan Culver, Laura James, Anne Marie Hannick, Father Greg Goethals, SJ, Ron Schuster, Bobby Burks, Father Jack Lynch, CSP, Arlene Havel, Phil Duncan, Michele Kearin, Father Brad Schoeberle, CSP, Mary Tokuza, Haruko Hiromura, Donny Kie, Cesar Robeniol, Nellie Scholar, may they rest in peace.