Following our Lenten Parish Mission, we offered a seven-week series published in our parish bulletin. These reflections, along with added discussion questions, are now available to you for prayerful consideration.
1. – Be in Love with Jesus (04/12/2026) In the Broadway and movie musical West Side Story, there is a romantic duet between Tony and Maria, the Romeo and Juliet-like leads of the show. In a song known as Somewhere, they sing of their conviction that There’s Place for Us.
During Lent, we conducted a parish Mission presented by Tony Melendez. Tony’s message considered Bishop Robert Barron’s Seven qualities of a New Evangelist. As we move through this Easter Season towards Pentecost, we will consider again our previous Lenten themes.
The first quality calls for us to Be in Love with Jesus Christ…. All of which brings us around to the disciple known as Thomas. Poor guy has the unfortunate reputation of being “a Doubting Thomas”. The Apostles had been locked away and in fear of the risks of being in public. They
have, likewise, initially mis-trusted the reports of the women who went to the empty Easter grave.
Just as some disciples raced to the grave on Easter morning, Thomas was just asking for the ability to see the things that they were reporting for himself. Are we not in the midst of this world-view right now, our selves? What is real? What is true? What will our future bring?
Thomas’ world-view had been shattered. In a week’s time, he had experience a triumphant entry into Jerusalem with his rabbi, only to see him arrested, tortured, convicted, and punished by death in days? And now, this miracles of all miracles has occurred and Thomas wants to see things for himself. When he does, he declares his love and allegiance to Jesus as “My Lord and my God.”
In times of great uncertainty, Thomas had found confidence with his relationship with Jesus. Thomas recognizes that in faith, “there’s a place for us, somewhere a place for us (where) peace and quiet and open air wait for us, somewhere.” In our loving relationship with our risen Lord, “somewhere, we’ll find a new way of living, we’ll find a way of forgiving.”
Somewhere.
DISCUSS – How does Thomas’s desire to “see for himself” mirror our own struggle to trust in a world filled with uncertainty, conflicting information, and doubt—and how might a loving relationship with Jesus offer the “somewhere” our hearts long for?
– In West Side Story, “Somewhere” expresses a longing for a place of peace, forgiveness, and new life. How does the Resurrection—and Thomas’s ultimate declaration, “My Lord and my God”—reveal that this “place for us” is not distant or imaginary, but found in our lived relationship with the risen Christ?
2. – Filled with Ardor (04/19/2026) The Gospel today tells the story of two disciples that had all the symptoms of heart problems. Now, we are not
discussing cardiovascular conditions here, but something more on the spiritual spectrum, but, nonetheless, just as significantly life-changing.
During Lent, we conducted a parish Mission presented by Tony Melendez. Tony’s message considered Bishop Robert Barron”s Seven Qualities of a New Evangelist. As we move through this Ester Season to Pentecost, in this second note, we will consider the new evangelist as Filled with Ardor.
Our Gospel tells of Cleopas and an other disciple who are leaving Jerusalem behind on their way to Emmaus. It is not a matter of going to
Emmaus as much as leaving Jerusalem behind dis-heartened by the recent events leading towards Easter. A stranger (It was the Lord) comes along and from a heart broken attitude they shared their confusion. After listening to their tale, the stranger calls them foolish and slow-of-heart to believe. This
most likely caused a case of spiritual heartsickness that even Pepto Bismol cannot cure.
The stranger retells their experiences back to them but from the perspective of the Old Testament scriptures. From this as well as sharing a meal, they come to recognize the stranger as Jesus. They described their experience as having their hearts burning within. And they turned around to share the Good News with the very same disciples that they had just left behind.
The dictionary will define ardor as “intense passion, enthusiasm, or emotional warmth, often with a sense of heat or energetic devotion.” That heart-burning passion for these two Emmaus–bound disciples explains the change in the direction of their lives.
My wife, if asked when she knew that I was “in love” will probably tell you the “Steubenville Story.” We had been dating for a short while when her birthday came. A party was planned, but my calendar was already booked with a trip to Franciscan University in Ohio to substitute teach a class for a friend. I woke early in the morning, drove through Maryland and Pennsylvania to make it to class. After class, I changed my planned stay-over with a friend. I turned around to be with the birthday girl, who, according to my calendar, I had left behind.
That is the way it is when you find yourself with hearts burning with affection for another, when you change the direction of your life. It is not a trial, but a choice made with enthusiasm, filled with ardor, and the desire to be connected to another.
DISCUSS -The Emmaus disciples moved from being “slow of heart” to having their hearts “burning within.” Where do you see this same movement in your own life—moments when discouragement or confusion gave way to renewed passion, clarity, or spiritual ardor through an encounter with Christ?
– Like the Emmaus disciples—and like i the “Steubenville Story”—love often changes our direction. How has love for Christ (or for someone God placed in your life) prompted you to “turn around,” change course, or act with enthusiasm and devotion rather than obligation?
3. Knowing the Story of Israel (04/26/2026) There is a story about a fish that lost sight of the big picture. A kingfisher swooped down and snatched a tiny fish out of the ocean. It flew over the shoreline, and then, suddenly, the bird lost its grip, and the small fish fell into a pond. Half dead, it struggled back to life. Meanwhile, a large fish approached and said, “What are you doing in my kingdom?” The large fish boasted that he was king of that pond which was, according to him, the only place where fish live.
Hearing this, the little fish replied, “If only you could see where I’m from.” And the little fish tried to explain about the vastness of the ocean, all the different kinds of fish, the ships and the whales. The larger fish looked at him in disbelief. And the little fish said, “Well, how would you know? You’ve never left this tiny pond.”
This story humorously illustrates how, like the king fish, we become so used to “our” tiny corner of the world that we easily forget the big
picture.
The bigger picture of this article follows our Lenten Parish Mission presented by Tony Melendez. Tony’s message considered Bishop Robert
Barron’s Seven Qualities of a New Evangelist. As we move through this Easter Season towards Pentecost, in this third note, we will consider the whole story of Israel.
Far too often, we use scripture not as something to challenge us as much as to justify our own limited argument regarding God’s role in the world. We read and understand how God is speaking to our times and our conditions. It is difficult to grasp how a parable spoken to a farmer or a fisher twenty centuries ago applies to today. Jesus came to build upon the stories and teachings of the Hebrew Scriptures.
Jesus identifies the context in which we are to understand his story. The sheep of the Gospel can only recognize the voice of the shepherd. They can be identified as having entered through the sheepfold / gateway of the covenant relationship between God and God’s chosen people. To enter into fuller understanding of Jesus’ message is to inform our perspectives beyond the little ponds to which our limited existence has inhabited.
Christ is the “yes” to all of God’s promises. That means you have to know the bigger picture and know what the promises are. To know Jesus is to know the nuances of the story of Israel.
DISCUSS – Like the big fish in the pond, we often assume our small world is the whole world. In what ways might our personal “ponds”—our routines, assumptions, or limited viewpoints—keep us from seeing the vastness of God’s story and the fullness of His promises revealed through Israel and fulfilled in Christ?
– Jesus says His sheep recognize His voice because they enter through the covenant “gateway” of Israel’s story. How might deepening our understanding of the Old Testament—its promises, covenants, and longings—help us hear Christ more clearly and avoid shrinking the Gospel to our own time, culture, or preferences?
4. – Understanding the Culture (05/03/2028) In the middle of a series on the seven qualities of a New Evangelist, there is still space to insert a granddaughter Ramona story. When the kid visits for sleep-over, we have detected a morning behavior pattern. She hums on the way to breakfast or putting away her dishes, or even excusing herself for a bathroom visit.
It is quite a mood changer for Grandma and Grandfather as the child lives up to her middle name, Ramona Joy.
While Ramona has been at the same elementary school for her academic career, sooner or later she will have to experience the transition to middle school, then high school (and, maybe, even more after that!)
The expectations and norms of school life are different from what was experienced in the lower grades. At the same time, parents are revising their stated anticipation of what is acceptable behaviors. Now, mind you, that parents will go through great effort to claim that nothing is different regarding their care and love for the child, but, sometimes that seems difficult to see in the midst of transition.
This article regarding faith and the culture around us follows our Lenten Parish Mission presented by Tony Melendez. Tony’s message considered Bishop Robert Barron’s Seven Qualities of a New Evangelist. As we move through this Easter Season towards Pentecost, in his fourth note, we will consider how a New Evangelist must be culturally aware, learning how to speak the language of the people and engage them in ways that are
relevant and respectful.
The Chrisian message is always ever the same. But understanding the culture where the message is presented is essential. Not unlike our love and expectations for a growing person like Ramona as she adjusts to her maturity and growth, we always must keep in mind about the environment in which Gospel truths are presented.
The Christian message is open to all cultures. More and more, we find ourselves in a culture that no longer values or sustains a religious lifestyle. Does our own culture readily acknowledge a relationship with a higher power that is recognized as the Way, the Truth, and the Life? Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of counter-cultural living. His teachings and actions often challenged the religious and social norms of His time. We who seek to
be New Evangelists /Missionary Disciples recognize our call to be distinct from the world, living in a way that reflects the values of the Kingdom of God rather than those of secular society.
Let your morning song lighten the hearts of those around you. Be aware of the evolving shifts in culture around you without allowing them to shift the evolution of your character as a faith-filled follower of Christ.
All that, AND, it’s OK to hum on the way to breakfast!
DISCUSS – As Ramona grows, her world changes—and so do the expectations placed on her. In what ways does the Church face similar transitions as culture shifts around it, and how can we remain joyful, steady witnesses to Christ while learning to “speak the language” of the people we hope to reach?
– Jesus lived a counter‑cultural life while still engaging people with compassion and clarity. How can we, as New Evangelists, discern which cultural trends to understand and adapt to—and which ones to resist—so that our character remains rooted in Christ even as we communicate His message in relevant ways?
5. – The Great Tradition (05/120/2028) When Anne and I were married over ten years ago, we brought more than just kids and grandkids into the merged family. We also brought furniture, wall hangings and our own sense of “taste” into our shared home as well.
Fortunately, we had similar preferences in furniture and nearly everything mixed and matched pretty well… with the exception of a keepsake stadium seat from Memorial Stadium. Anne had a collection of crosses while I had compiled images of angels portrayed in a variety of mediums.
Upon entering our home, you can quickly understand the preferences of the Millers.
During Lent, we conducted a Parish Mission presented by Tony Melendez. Tony’s message considered Bishop Robert Barron’s Seven Qualities of a New Evangelist. As we move through this Easter Season towards Pentecost, in this fifth note, we will consider the new evangelist loves the great tradition, actually reverences it.
In today’s Gospel, we find Jesus promising an Advocate for us. I like to imagine the Spirit as a curator of the finer things that the Creator is offering us. We find in our world, as well as very much so in the Church, great beauty to appreciate and behold.
The revelation of scripture unfolds across space and time, the way a seed unfolds into a plant, the way a river deepens and broadens over time. We are blessed with guides along the way—from Augustine and Ignatius, to Archbishop Oscar Romero and Sister Theao Bowman (to just name a few) as we contemplate the grand interpretive tradition of theology. We look at the arts– from “Canterbury Tales” to the Sistine Chapel ceiling — as well as the stories of Flannery O’Connor and the films of Martin Scorsese.
You can see a Catholic sensibility that provides a prism through which Christ is more fully seen. They all serve as a spark to our Catholic imagination. These have the New Evangelist / Missionary Disciple viewing the world differently while considering God the Spirit’s contribution to all that surrounds us.
Interior designer Lorinda Mamo is credited with the quote: Every great design begins with an even better story. Even nine-year-old granddaughter Ramona can, and has, lead a tour through our home repeating the stories associated with each piece of furniture or artwork.
Look around at all with which you have decorated your world. What do they tell about you as well as what you value? How is the Spirit of the Lord echoed within the stories that are being told about you and your relationship with the Lord?
DISCUSS – My home tells a story through crosses, angels, keepsakes, and memories—just as the Church tells a story through Scripture, saints, art, and tradition. How does the “design” of one’s own life— habits, symbols, relationships, and choices—reflect the great Catholic tradition you’ve inherited and the Spirit who curates it?
– Just as Ramona can walk through your home and tell the story behind each piece, what stories would others tell if they “walked through” the spiritual décor of your life? How do your practices, values, and visible expressions of faith reveal what—and whom—you truly love and revere?
6. – Missionary Heart (05/17/2028) Our family used to have an annual feast. It was scheduled around whenever the youngest daughter was able to return east from her home in Denver. We called it as “Miller-mas.”
We had Thanksgiving turkey for the “Miller-mas” meal and there were some, if not all, of the Christmas decorations. Again, the date was dependent on the out-of-towner so we had this event as early as Labor Day weekend in September and as late as President’s Day in February. But, as adult children grew into adults with spouses, and children, and jobs, and responsibilities… It became more and more difficult to schedule. We had our first ever family-wide summer vacation this past year and it took two years of advance planning to gather one and all together.
Even still, due to schedules and travel, there was a late-comer and an early departer. Weeks later that summer, I was both the late-comer and early departer for another family event.
It is in these bitter-sweet moments that we joyfully gather together while still embracing the loss of the missing non-attendees. In our experience of church, I’ve often understood this sentiment in the billboard that asks C-H-–-C-H” What’s Missing?” With the answer “U-R” (You Are)
During Lent, we conducted a Parish Mission presented by Tony Melendez. Tony’s message considered Bishop Robert Barron’s Seven Qualities of a New Evangelist. As we move through this Easter Season towards Pentecost, in this sixth note, we will consider the new evangelist must have a missionary heart.
We recognize that it has been suggested that 75% of our fellow Catholics don’t go to Mass on Sunday on a regular, consistent basis. We may
have heard it implied that the number two religion in the country, if you counted it as a denomination, would be ex-Catholics. It is hard not to imagine that many of the Protestant megachurches may have former Catholics in their number.
The New Evangelist has a hunger and passion for those who are missing. It’s not just an attendance sheet of the missing, but a loss we perceive that they are not there. This loss is not only for us but for souls, to save souls. Tony Melendez is a living example of a New Evangelist. His hunger and passion to share the Good News with others could not be stopped by what some might perceive as a handicap. The rhythm of his faith seeps out through his feet and toes. May the Spirit overflow from us as we respond to the Ascension’s call to make disciples of all nations.
DISCUSS – Family gatherings carry both joy and a bittersweet awareness of who isn’t there. How does this mirror our experience of Church, and how might a missionary heart deepen our desire—not to count absences—but to lovingly seek, invite, and welcome those who have drifted away from the faith community?
– Tony Melendez’s witness shows that passion for the Gospel overcomes obstacles. What would it look like for the Spirit to “overflow from us” in our own circumstances—busy schedules, family complexities, cultural pressures—so that we become people whose lives naturally draw others back to Christ and His Church?