Saint Michael Catholic Church

06/23/2026

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Learn more about St. Francis' Jubilee Year: https://www.archmil.org/s/26-133

06/23/2026

The number of permanent deacons in the United States has reached an all-time high of 21,562 in 2025, according to the latest "A Portrait of the Permanent Diaconate in 2025" report from the USCCB and CARA at Georgetown University.

This dedicated group of men—mostly married (91% of active deacons), with strong education levels and deep commitment—continues to serve the Church in vital ways: assisting at Masses, baptisms, weddings, funerals, preaching, and caring for the poor and marginalized in parishes and communities across the country.

Key highlights:

• Record total: 21,562 permanent deacons (active and inactive), up from previous years.
• Active in ministry: Approximately 14,879 (about 69%).
• New ordinations: An estimated 570 men ordained in 2025.
• Yet, retirements (494) and deaths (390) are nearly balancing the new ordinations, highlighting the need for continued vocations.

Permanent deacons embody the servant heart of the Church, bridging the clergy and laity as restored by the Second Vatican Council. Their ministry is a powerful sign of the Church’s ongoing mission in the modern world!

Let us pray for all permanent deacons, their wives and families, and for many more men to answer this beautiful call to service.

What’s one way a deacon has blessed your parish or life? Share in the comments! 👇

06/20/2026

Father's Day is Coming this June 21

As Father’s Day gets closer, take a moment to thank God for your father. We do not have to wait until one day each year to honor the men who have loved, protected, and sacrificed for their families.

Many fathers carry burdens that few people see. They work, provide, worry, and make sacrifices quietly. Their love is often shown through responsibility, hard work, and being there for their families.

In a culture that often overlooks fathers, the Church reminds us that fatherhood matters. Fathers need our gratitude, but they also need our prayers.

Look to St. Joseph. Although Scripture records no spoken words from him, his life showed obedience, humility, and trust in God. The Church honors him as the patron of fathers and a model for family life.

One of the greatest gifts we can give our fathers is a sincere prayer.

St. Joseph, Patron of Fathers, pray for us.

💬 What is one sacrifice your father made that you understand more now as an adult?

06/19/2026

Every Friday, the Church especially honors the Sacred Heart of Jesus — the burning furnace of love that was pierced on the Cross for our redemption. This is the Heart that loves humanity without limit, overflowing with mercy, compassion, and tenderness.

Jesus Himself revealed to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque:

“Behold this Heart which has loved men so much that it has spared nothing, even to exhausting and consuming Itself, in order to testify Its love.”

On Fridays, we are invited to console the Sacred Heart, make reparation for sins committed against Him, and entrust our lives completely to His merciful love.

Simple Ways to Honor the Sacred Heart on Friday:
⬩ Pray the Act of Consecration or the Litany of the Sacred Heart
⬩ Offer a small sacrifice or extra prayer
⬩ Spend time in Adoration
⬩ Enthrone an image of the Sacred Heart in your home

Let us draw near to this Divine Heart that never stops loving us, even in our weakness.

“Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!” ❤️
Jesus, meek and humble of Heart, make our hearts like unto Thine.

06/19/2026

✝️ 𝗧𝗘𝗡 𝗕𝗘𝗔𝗨𝗧𝗜𝗙𝗨𝗟 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗦 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗦𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗧 𝗝𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗣𝗛

Saint Joseph is one of the most beloved saints in Christianity. Though little is recorded about him in Scripture, his life reveals extraordinary faith, humility, and devotion to God.

✝️ 𝗔 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗬 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗘

Joseph worked as a carpenter, providing for the Holy Family through honest labor.

His work reminds us of the dignity and value of everyday labor.

✝️ 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗨𝗦𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗙 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗬

God chose Joseph to be the chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

He loved and protected her with faithful devotion throughout his life.

✝️ 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗝𝗘𝗦𝗨𝗦

Though not the biological father of Christ, Joseph was entrusted with the care and upbringing of the Son of God.

He fulfilled this sacred mission with great love and responsibility.

✝️ 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗬 𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗬

Joseph faithfully guarded Jesus and Mary from danger and hardship.

His courage helped preserve the Holy Family during times of uncertainty.

✝️ 𝗦𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗕𝗨𝗧 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗚

Not a single word of Joseph is recorded in Scripture.

Yet his actions speak loudly, revealing strength, obedience, and unwavering faith.

✝️ 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗔𝗟 𝗣𝗔𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗛

The Church honors Saint Joseph as her universal patron.

His fatherly care continues to inspire and protect the faithful throughout the world.

✝️ 𝗣𝗔𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗘𝗥𝗦

Because of his life of labor and service, Saint Joseph is honored as the patron saint of workers.

His example teaches that work can be a path to holiness.

✝️ 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗟𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗦

The lily is a traditional symbol associated with Saint Joseph.

It represents his purity, righteousness, and faithful love for God and Mary.

✝️ 𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗧 𝗝𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗣𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗘𝗥

The Church celebrates Saint Joseph the Worker on May 1.

This feast highlights the holiness of labor and the dignity of workers.

✝️ 𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗗 𝗔𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗

Saint Joseph is honored by millions of Christians across the globe.

His humility, obedience, and quiet greatness continue to inspire countless souls.

✝️ 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗪𝗘 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡?

✝️ Holiness is often found in ordinary duties faithfully performed.

✝️ True strength is rooted in humility and obedience to God.

✝️ Saint Joseph shows us how to protect and serve those entrusted to our care.

✝️ Honest work has great dignity in God's eyes.

✝️ Quiet faithfulness can change the world.

✝️ 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥

Saint Joseph never preached a sermon, wrote a book, or performed a recorded miracle.

Yet his life of humble obedience made him one of the greatest saints in the history of the Church.

May we imitate his faith, purity, and steadfast trust in God.

✝️ “Go to Joseph.” — Genesis 41:55

Ignatius Catholicum ✍️✝️

06/17/2026

06/16/2026

"Pain without Christ is suffering; pain with Christ is sacrifice."
— Fulton Sheen

No one escapes pain. We all experience heartbreak, disappointment, sickness, betrayal, loss, and unanswered prayers. The question is not whether we will suffer, but what we will do with that suffering.

Fulton Sheen reminds us that pain can have purpose when it is united to Jesus. Without Christ, suffering can feel meaningless and crushing. But with Christ, it becomes an offering of love. Jesus did not remove suffering from the world; He entered into it, carried it, and redeemed it through the Cross. When we bring our own struggles to Him, they are no longer wasted.

This is what St. Paul meant when he wrote, "Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship" (Romans 12:1). Even our hardships can become an act of worship when we offer them to God with trust. The saints understood this well. They did not seek pain, but when it came, they placed it in Christ's hands for the salvation of souls and the glory of God.

Your suffering may not make sense right now. But in Christ, it never has to be meaningless.

💬 What pain in your life have you struggled to surrender to God, and do you believe He can bring purpose out of it?

Someone you know may need the reminder that their suffering is seen, their tears matter, and their crosses are not carried alone.

06/16/2026

“Mary is the most influential woman in the history of the world.” — Pope Saint John Paul II

No woman has shaped human history more than the one who said “yes” to God.

Through her fiat, the Savior entered the world. Through her faith, humility, and obedience, she became the Mother of God and a model for every Christian disciple.

Mary never points to herself. She always points to her Son: “Do whatever He tells you.”

In a culture obsessed with power, status, and self-promotion, Mary’s greatness reminds us that true influence begins with surrender to God’s will.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.

06/15/2026

“True holiness does not mean a flight from the world, rather it lies in the effort to incarnate the Gospel in everyday life.” — St. John Paul II

Holiness isn’t reserved for monasteries, priests, or missionaries. It’s found in the ordinary moments of daily life: changing diapers, going to work, serving your family, helping a neighbor, praying before meals, and choosing love when it’s difficult.

God is calling each of us to become saints right where we are. The path to holiness is not escaping the world, but bringing Christ into it.

How is God inviting you to live the Gospel today?