"Casting the Nets of our Lives" by Fr. Chris House
February 7, 2025
Casting the Nets of our Lives
Today’s Gospel brings a change in scenery from last Sunday’s Gospel; it may be a small detail but it is an important one. Last Sunday Jesus was in the synagogue in Nazareth. The “home town boy” was at first received well by those in the synagogue but the mood turned as the assembly found themselves challenged by Jesus. Luke records for us that the scene culminates with the crowd being so angry that they are preparing to throw Jesus off the edge of a cliff but he manages to get away. From Nazareth, Jesus returns to Capernaum.
Capernaum was one of nine towns on the Sea of Galilee; the “Sea” of Galilee is actually not a sea as we understand the word today, being that it was thirteen miles, north to south, and about eight miles wide; the Scriptures also refer to it as the Sea of Tiberias or the Lake of Gennesaret. Today, the area around the Sea of Galilee is mostly buzzing with pilgrims, but in Jesus’s time those nine towns around it would have had a total population of tens of thousands of people. While this is the first time that Luke records Jesus actually being in Capernaum, we know he has been there before because of the previous Sunday’s Gospel where the synagogue crowd mentions Jesus performing miracles in Capernaum.
This Gospel continues in the on-going theme of Epiphany that has been presented to us for the past several Sundays because of the astounding catch of fish that Simon and the others bring it. Experienced fishermen, they have worked all night, but at Jesus’s insistence they cast their nets one last time, against their own judgement, and their willingness is rewarded. In response to this manifestation of God’s grace and power, Luke tells us that Simon falls to his knees saying “depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” Jesus does not go away but instead formally calls Simon, as well as James and John, to follow him. They leave everything behind and accept the Lord’s invitation.
Like Peter, James, and John, the Lord is also calling us to follow him and become “fishers of men.” Jesus’s preaching and teaching was primarily done on the sea shore, in towns, and on the road, not in the synagogue or Temple. Our bringing souls to Christ must be done wherever we are, and while we witness to the Lord at Sunday Mass, being at church is not where this call is primarily lived out. Jesus is calling us to cast the nets of our lives; those living nets are to be constructed of our love, charity, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, and faith and they are to be cast at home, work, school, everywhere our daily living takes us. These “nets” are what bring other souls to the Lord. We need to examine our lives to be sure that sin, bad attitudes, a lack of hospitality, and so on, have not made holes in these nets. If we find holes are present, God’s grace is there to help us mend these nets of our lives.
As with Peter and the others, we may find ourselves tired, frustrated, unsure, maybe even lacking in faith, but Jesus is still asking us to put out the nets of our lives for a catch. Hopefully we will each say yes.
The Musings of Father Alex….
….will be gracing this page soon as I am now at Saint Meinrad, getting re-acquainted with the library. When these eight weeks are over I will probably have spent more time in the library at Saint Meinrad now than when I was…..never mind. Below is an older aerial photograph of Saint Meinrad Archabbey and Seminary.
Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!
Father Chris House
Happy 1ˢᵗ Sunday of Advent! Advent is a beautiful season of hope and expectation. We recall the promises that God made to Israel throughout the Old Testament especially Isaiah and see how God fulfilled these promises in Jesus. As we recall these promises and their fulfillment, we are renewed in our confidence and hope God will fulfill the promises of the New Testament. I encourage you not to jump straight into Christmas. I invite you to enter the great season of Advent. Be renewed by Advent to root your life more deeply in Christ’s promises, His promises are a sure and steadfast anchor. During my State of the Parish Homily back in October, I mentioned several places on our Campus are in need of attention, below is a list of projects coming in future years. This is not an exhaustive list, just gives a glimpse of major projects coming up in the next few years. Based on cash flow, summer of 2026 projects are listed in the right-hand column. Projects School Tuckpointing School Windows Gym Roof Parish Center Roof Rectory and St Joseph Roof Parking Lot HVAC Pre-K and K-8 Playgrounds School Security Cameras - Interior Summer of 2026 Projects Pre-K Tuckpointing Pre-K HVAC Pre-K and K-8 Playgrounds School Security Cameras - Interior Advent Resources Devotions Word on Fire Hallow App Exodus 90 App Magnificat Behold! By Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT Marian Candlelight Mass - Dec 3, 10, and 17 at 5:30pm Confessions Monday through Friday: 6:30am-6:50am Every Saturday: 3:00pm-4pm Every Sunday: 4-45pm Wednesday 4pm-4:45pm Advent Penance Service: Blessed Sacrament, Christ the King, and St. Anges Hosted byBlessed Sacrament - December 14 at 2pm. 6 priests will be available for confessions. Christmas Mass Schedule Christmas Eve: 4pm, 6:30pm, and 11pm Christmas Day: 9:30am New Years Mass Schedule Dec 31: 5:30pm Jan 1: 9:30am Military Weekends Dec 5-7 and Jan 10-11
Happy Christ the King Sunday! I am excited to celebrate our Parish Feast Day for the first time as Pastor. I have always loved this Solemnity! It emphasizes that Jesus’s Kingdom is bigger than any nation. Indeed as the Solemnity suggests He is King of Universe. His Kingdom is bigger than the entire universe. Christ the King Solemnity also acknowledges the universality of the Catholic Faith, every race, ethnicity, language, etc. is invited into Christ’s Kingdom. More information on the history of the Feast visit - https://www.usccb.org/committees/religious-liberty/solemnity- christ-king-background or https://ewtn.co.uk/ca-why-was-the-feast-of-christ-the-king-instituted/ During my State of the Parish Homily back in October, I mentioned several places on our Campus are in need of attention, especially at our school. In next week’s bulletin, I will lay out some upcoming projects for summer of 2026. Advent Resources Devotions Word on Fire Hallow App Exodus 90 App Magnificat Behold! By Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT Marian Candlelight Mass - Dec 3, 10, and 17 at 5:30pm Confessions Monday through Friday: 6:30am-6:50am Every Saturday: 3:00pm-4pm Every Sunday: 4-45pm Wednesday 4pm-4:45pm Advent Penance Service: Blessed Sacrament, Christ the King, and St. Anges Hosted byBlessed Sacrament - December 14 at 2pm. 6 priests will be available for confessions. Christmas Mass Schedule Christmas Eve: 4pm, 6:30pm, and 11pm Christmas Day: 9:30am New Years Mass Schedule Dec 31: 5:30pm Jan 1: 9:30am Military Weekends Dec 5-7 and Jan 10-11
Happy 33 Sunday of Ordinary Time! Our Gospel today is part of what we call the eschatological teachings of Jesus. Eschatological teachings have to do with final things; Our Doctrines about 2nd coming, judgment, heaven, hell, purgatory, etc. coming from Jesus’s teaching in the Scripture about final things. Eschatological teachings can sometimes be unnerving, but they point towards the Divinity of Christ Jesus. That He is above all of creation and reigns over death and life. Reminder that next weekend is our Parish Feast of Christ the King Sunday, Nov. 22-23. We will have a Parish Breakfast after 8am and 10am Masses. There will also be Incense at both 4:30pm and 10am Mass that weekend. Thank you to all you came out for the Pre-Advent Mission. Both evenings were great times of formation, prayer, and fellowship. Dennis did a brilliant job on inviting us to journey with Mary this Advent followed by some beautiful Candlelight Adoration of Jesus. Thank you to all as well who made the Social possible Monday Night. It was a great time of fellowship. Advent Resources Marian Candlelight Mass Dec 3, 10, and 17 at 5:30pm Confessions Monday through Friday: 6:30am-6:50am Every Saturday: 3:00pm-4pm Every Sunday: 4-45pm Wednesday 4pm-4:45pm Advent Penance Service: Blessed Sacrament, Christ the King, and St. Agnes Hosted by Blessed Sacrament December 14 at 2pm 6 priests will be available for confessions. Christmas Schedule Christmas Eve: 4pm, 6:30pm, and 11pm Christmas Day: 9:30am New Years Mass Schedule Dec 31: 5:30pm Jan 1: 9:30am Military Weekends Dec 5-7 and Jan 10-11
Happy Feast of Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome! Often when we think of Mother Church for us as Catholics, we might think of St Peter’s in Rome. The Mother Church for us as Catholics is actually St. John Lateran, which is the Cathedral of the Pope since the 3rd century. The feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran is celebrated by the entire Church. It marks the dedication of the cathedral church of Rome by Pope Sylvester I in 324. This church is the cathedra (or chair) of the bishop of Rome, who is the Pope. A Latin inscription in the Church reads: “omnium ecclesiarum Urbis et Orbis mater et caput.” Translated, this means, “The mother and head of all churches of the city and of the world.” The basilica was originally named the Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior. However, it is called St. John Lateran because it was built on property donated to the Church by the Laterani family, and because the monks from the monastery of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Divine served it. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/dedication-of-st-johnlateran-650 The 1st Reading for this Feast emphasizes the prophecy of new springs of grace pouring out from the Temple to the nations. We see this prophecy fulfilled through Jesus’ Death and Resurrection. The waters of grace spring forth from the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. Water and Blood flowing from the cross are the wellspring of the Church Sacraments. Reminder that our Pre-Advent Mission is coming up on Nov. 9 and 10 at 6:30pm. You can find details in the bulletin. Dennis will present on Mary, our Blessed Mother, and I will present on St. Joseph. Candlelight Masses for Advent will be offered on December 3, 10, and 17 at 5:30pm. We will have a few lights in the Church to provide light to get to the pews and Holy Communion. In the sanctuary, there will only be Candlelight as we await the light of Christ at Christmas.  Military Weekends Dec 5-7 and Jan 10-11
Happy All Souls Day! All Souls Day falls on November 2 each year and we have the great privilege of celebrating this commemoration on Sunday this year. Each All Souls Day, we are invited to honor and pray for our beloved dead - our friends and family. A common practice in most parishes is to have a Book of the Dead, where we write down names of people that we want to pray for during November. Our Book of the Dead is located by the Baptismal Font. Feel free to add names of those you want to honor and pray for in a special way. Also as a Parish Family, we will honor and pray for our beloved parishioners who passed away this past year at a special Mass of Remembrance on November 5. Another great practice for the first days of November is the following Novena prayed during the first 9 days of November in a cemetery. https://www.praymorenovenas.com/souls-daynovena. Traditional Prayer when visiting a grave: Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord, and let Your perpetual light shine upon him/her. May his/her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be. Below, you can see another change to my military schedule. The on-going changes are due to the federal government shut down. Reminder that our Pre-Advent Mission is coming up on Nov. 9 and 10 at 6:30pm . You can find details in the bulletin. Dennis will present on Mary, our Blessed Mother, and I will present on St. Joseph. Candlelight Mass for Advent will be offered on December 3, 10, and 17 at 5:30pm. We will have a few lights in the Church to provide light to get to the pews and Holy Communion. In the sanctuary, there will only be Candlelight as we await the light of Christ at Christmas. Military Weekends Dec 5-7 and Jan 10-11
Happy 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time! Jesus speaks in today’s Gospel of the importance of humility. He uses the powerful image of a tax collector to convey the virtue of humility. It is an odd image since tax collectors were not seen as examples of virtue. They were often worldly men who stole and cheated through the tax system of the day. The tax collector’s action in the Gospel today Is what we live out at the beginning of every Mass with the Penitential Act – Lord have mercy on me a sinner! I am away this weekend at Good News Conference in Florida. https://www.goodnewsconference.com/ If you are interested in signing up for a Mass ministry, sign-up sheets available in the back and the Parish Office will reach out for training. Next weekend, Nov 1, All Saints, is not a Holy Day of Obligation this year. We will have a special Daily Mass that day at 8am on Nov. 1. For the regular Sunday Masses, Nov. 1-2, we will celebrate All Souls Day, a special day every year that we pray and remember our beloved dead. We will have a special Mass of Remembrance as a Parish on Nov. 5. Before you know it our Patronal Feast Day and Advent will be here. Christ the King Sunday falls on Nov. 22-23. We will have our Parish Breakfast on Nov. 23 after 8am and 10am Masses to celebrate our Parish Feast Day! This year, we will do new things for Advent. On Nov. 9 and 10 at 6:30pm, we will have a Pre-Advent Mission on Advent Journey with Mary our Blessed Mother and St. Joseph. This Pre-Advent Mission will consist of a talk each night to prepare us for our Advent Journey to Christmas. On Nov. 9, Dennis Trickey will offer a talk on Mary, our Blessed Mother and help us apply lessons from her life that can assist us with Advent. Following his talk, we will have Candlelight Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for an hour with confessions available. One Nov. 10, I will offer a talk on St. Joseph and glean lessons from his life to assist us with Advent. Following this talk, we will have a social fellowship opportunity in the Parish Center with drinks and snacks. Anyone is welcome to attend this Mission as we prepare for our Advent journeys. Also, during Advent this year, we will have special Masses on Wednesday evenings called Rorate Caeli Mass. It is a Mass honoring Mary’s role in salvation done by Candlelight only, since we are awaiting the light of Christ at Christmas. We will offer these special Masses on December 3, 10, and 17 at 5:30pm. We will have a few lights on in the Church to provide light to get to the pews and Holy Communion. In the sanctuary, there will only be Candlelight as we await the light of Christ at Christmas. Military Drill Nov. 14-16, no Dec drill, Jan 10-11
Happy 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time! Jesus speaks in today’s Gospel of the importance of persistence in prayer. Persistence in prayer is not so much about changing God’s mind, but about us persistently seeking communion with God in prayer. As St. John of Damascus said prayer is lifting up of our heart and mind to God. From that encounter and communion with God, prayer changes us. Prayer transforms our thoughts, feelings, desires, and choices over time as we seek communion with God. Due to the federal government shutdown, I will be here this weekend. My military drill was rescheduled for a later date. My next weekend with the Reserves will be in November I will be away next weekend for the Good News Conference in Florida. If you are interested in signing up for a Mass ministry, sign-up sheets are available in the back and the Parish Office will reach out for training. Before you know it our Patron Feast Day and Advent will be here. Our Patron Feast Day, Christ the King Sunday, falls on Nov. 22-23. We will continue the Parish Breakfast on Nov. 23 after the 8am and 10am Masses to celebrate our Parish Feast Day! This year, we will do new things for Advent. On Nov. 9 and 10 at 6:30pm, we will have a Pre-Advent Mission on Advent Journey with Mary our Blessed Mother and St. Joseph. This Pre-Advent Mission will consist of a talk each night to prepare us for our Advent Journey to Christmas. On Nov. 9, Dennis Trickey will offer a talk on Mary, our Blessed Mother and help us apply lessons from her life that can assist us with Advent. Following his talk, we will have Candlelight Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for an hour with confessions available. One Nov. 10, I will offer a talk on St. Joseph and glean lessons from his life to assist us with Advent. Following this talk, we will have a social fellowship opportunity in the Parish Center with drinks and snacks. Anyone is welcome to attend this Mission as we prepare for our Advent journeys. Also, during Advent this year, we will have a special Daily Mass on Wednesdays called Rorate Caeli Mass. It is a Mass honoring Mary’s role in salvation done by Candlelight only, since during we are Advent awaiting the light of Christ at Christmas. We will offer this special Mass on December 3, 10, and 17 at 5:30pm. We will have a few lights in the Church to provide light to get to the pews and Holy Communion. In the sanctuary, there will only be Candlelight as we await the light of Christ at Christmas. Military Drill Nov. 15-16, no Dec drill
Happy 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time! Last Weekend, I gave the State of the Parish Homily to give us a snapshot of parish life at Christ the King. Below are some numbers that I mentioned in my homily. I also mentioned some next steps including recruiting more Mass ministers, discerning our Parish Vision/Mission and goals, discerning more fellowship and formation opportunities and campus map of projects upcoming. Those will all come in due time. If you are interested in signing up for a Mass ministry, sign-up sheets are available in the back and the Parish Office will reach out for training. I will be away Oct. 17-19 for military drill with Army Reserves. I also will be away Oct. 24-25, for the Good News Conference. I scheduled this conference before I received my new military schedule. My apologies for being away two straight weekends. Parish Life Numbers (approximate yearly averages) Offertory: $1.2 Million Parish Subsidy to School from offertory: $500,000 Mass attendance total: 1,100 to 1,200 each weekend Baptisms: 25 Funerals: 25 Sacraments of confirmation/Holy Communion: 50 Sacramental marriages: 3 New Catholics: 5 to 7 people coming into the Church each year PSR: 10 to 15 kids a year Grade School total: 472 (93 Pre-K) Mass Ministry numbers: Lectors: 27 Rosary Leaders: 7 Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: 45 Greeters: 29 Sacristans: 14 Ushers: 15 Servers: 20 Military Drill Oct. 17-19, Nov. 15-16, no Dec drill
Happy 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time! Thank you to everyone for our donations to Guatemala water project. We raised over $6,500! Thank you to all the volunteers who made the St Carlo Eucharistic Display possible. From setting up, opening parish center and locking, plus cleaning up, I am deeply thankful to everyone for helping display the Eucharistic Miracles. As you saw, there have been many Eucharistic miracles through history, and each one has an amazing story with it. This weekend, Oct. 4-5, I will be preaching at all the Masses and giving what I call the State of the Parish Homily. I offer this homily just once a year annually. In the bulletin, you will find our financial report from the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Next week, I will include in the bulletin some key numbers and information outside of the fiscal report. I will be away Oct. 17-19 for military drill with Army Reserves. I also will be away Oct. 24-25 for the Good News Conference. I scheduled this conference before I received my new military schedule. My apologies for being away two straight weekends.
Happy 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time! Thank you to everyone for our donations to Missionary Co-op, KC tootsie roll drive and Guatemala water project. The missionary appeal will help to provide a well of clean water for them. FYI, this is the last weekend, for our collection for Eco-Filters for Guatemala. If you would like to donate, please use the envelopes in back and deposit them in the box. Each filter is $20. I stayed in Guatemala for 3 months back in 2013 and I can attest for the need especially in the small villages for clean water! These Eco-Filters are a great gift to so many. More information in the bulletin as well. This weekend, Sept 27-28, the Parish Center will be displaying the Eucharistic Miracle Display created by St. Carlo Acutis. More info on the website below. I encourage you to stop by after Mass and see them. They are poster boards with pictures and information on each Eucharistic Miracle throughout Church History. It is an impressive and informative display created by St. Carlo himself in 2006. https://www.miracolieucaristici.org/galleria/en/galleria.html Next Weekend, Oct. 4-5, I will be preaching at all the Masses and giving what I call the State of the Parish homily. I offer this homily just once a year annually. In the homily, I review the financial numbers from the previous fiscal year, discuss some future projects, and review parish numbers like baptisms, marriages, funerals, adult faith formation, youth formation, etc. Typically, it is a little longer homily, around 10-12 minutes due to the amount of information. Military Drill Nov. 15-16, no Dec drill
