St Bavo's Church

08/15/2026

AUGUST 15/16 2026
20TH SUNDAY YEAR A

Readings

Isaiah 56:1,6-7
Romans 11:13-15.29-32
Matthew 15:21-28

I welcome you all, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, to this Eucharistic Celebration.

This Sunday reminds us of the UNIVERSAL CHARACTER of the CATHOLIC CHURCH; the word CATHOLIC comes from the Greek word _Katholikos_ , which means UNIVERSAL/ALL.

The Catholic Church is for all people. Sinners and saints. All races, all tribes, all nations. From Uganda like me, to Mishawaka like you. Different backgrounds, but one family in the Eucharist. We are United in the EUCHARIST, the SOURCE AND SUMMIT of our faith.

From the readings:
In the first reading of prophet Isaiah - the LORD says it beautifully today: "I will bring them to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer."

My dear friends, when you are in church — be joyful, be happy. I know life has some challenges, but before the Lord, smile. Surrender your burdens - feel free and happy before HIM.

When I was a little boy, every Saturday I would lay out my clothes for Sunday. I woke up early, dressed fast, and moved so fast to the church with my parents and siblings. We were always the first to enter. And sit in the front pew. We had a Sunday joy as a family. That joy influenced me to become a priest. That is why I am a joyful priest in my heart.

The Lord continues saying, "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples."

So I tell you: find time in the week to stop by this house and pray. This is your house.

And this house is for everyone. That is what Jesus shows us in the Gospel according to St. Matthew;

A Canaanite woman — a foreigner, a pagan, not a Jew — comes shouting for her daughter. The disciples say, "Send her away." But she kneels and says, "Lord, help me."

Jesus heals her daughter to show us: HE IS LORD FOR ALL. His mercy has no borders. No boundaries. No barriers.

So my challenge for us at St. Bavo this week is simple:

If God's house is for all peoples, is my heart for all peoples?....as your pastor, I already told you, MY WHOLE HEART is for you ALL.

Do we welcome the new family? The person who sits alone? Do we welcome with a true smile? The person is always lonely? Do we extend ourselves to them?

Let us be joyful in God's house, prayerful in God's house, and welcoming in God's house, being compassionate with one another, and accepting each other as a gift from God. Because we all belong to one God.

May Mother Mary and St. Bavo, pray for us, in fulfilling the oneness of the Catholic Church.

08/09/2026

This week's homily! Thank you Father Francis!

19TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR A
August 8/9, 2026

1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a
Romans 9:1-5 Matthew 14:22-33

Theme: "LORD, SAVE ME"

INTRODUCTION

I welcome you all, my dear brothers and sisters, to this Eucharistic Celebration.

Today we are celebrating the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A.

The focus of the Liturgy of the Word today, especially in our Gospel text of Matthew 14:22-33, is about the theological virtue of FAITH.

And so our theme of reflection for today is: "LORD, SAVE ME."

This theme is drawn from what happened in the Gospel. Jesus was seen walking on water while the disciples were in the boat. Of course, upon seeing Him walking on the water, they were afraid. Then Peter stepped out to walk towards Him. But because his faith was little, he began to sink and drown in the water. And he shouted, "LORD, SAVE ME!"

MY TRUE STORY

Back in 2015, as a seminarian, I did my pastoral work experience in a parish called Sts. Peter and Paul, Katwe Parish, along the shores of Lake Edward. Every morning I would go to the lake to collect fish for the rectory. I would arrive early and wait for the fishermen.

One time, one of the fishermen told me that one night there was a heavy storm on the lake. He was alone in a small boat. The wind was very strong. He held on to his small boat until it was about to capsize. He had to make a decision: either die holding the boat, or let go of the boat and try to swim and shout for help.

He let go, swam, and shouted until another fisherman heard him and saved him.

My dear friends, the world we are living in is like that big lake.

OUR SITUATIONS ARE LIKE THE BOAT

Many times, our situations may look comfortable. Like the eleven disciples who remained in the boat – they were more comfortable. They were safe. But they never walked on water.

Sometimes our life looks comfortable, but it lacks Jesus Christ.

And so today the Gospel invites us:

1. WE NEED TO STEP OUT WITH COURAGE – LIKE PETER

We need to step out of that situation that looks comfortable but lacks Jesus Christ.

I may not describe all kinds of situations we are in... but inside our hearts, we all know better our own situations that lack Jesus Christ.

What is that comfortable boat we are holding?
Maybe it is anger we don't want to forgive.
Maybe it is gossip.
Maybe it is a procrastination.

That boat looks comfortable, but it is sinking.

2. BE LIKE PETER AND WALK TOWARDS JESUS

When you face a challenge, just call upon Him to save you, and He will hold your hand and save you. Just ask Jesus Christ to walk with you!

Do not die with problems. Be like Peter, when he cried "LORD, SAVE ME," immediately Jesus stretched out His hand.

Your prayer does not need to be too long. It needs to be honest. When you are overwhelmed, just say: "Lord, save me. Lord, save my family. Lord, save our parish."

MY FIRST FOCUS AS YOUR NEW PASTOR

My dear friends, as your new pastor, my first focus is to look at our LITURGY – to make a Liturgical Committee, so that we may all worship God with joy and with great reverence, and all of us participating actively.

Faith that stays in the boat never grows. Faith grows when we step out and serve.

So I invite you: Come out and say, "Father, I want to serve."

Come to my office or send an email to my administrative assistant and say:
- I know how to sing – I will join the choir.
- I can be an usher and welcome God's people.
- I can be a lector and start proclaiming the Word of God.
- I can be a sacristan.
- I can be an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.

I am ready to put you on the committee.

My goal is that, your children may keep the continuity of your good works in the Church and for the Parish to continue growing in Faith.

And when things become a bit hard, as they always do, we shall all cry to Jesus Christ together, by saying "LORD, SAVE US," and He will save us.

CONCLUSION

Let us step out of our comfortable boats today. Let us walk towards Jesus.

May Mother Mary, our Mother, and St. Bavo, our patron saint, pray for us.

God bless you all

08/02/2026

HOMILY - 18TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - YEAR A. 1st/2nd August, 2026

Isaiah 55:2-3
Romans 8:35, 37-39
Matthew 14:13-21

Greetings to you all people of God.
Today we are celebrating the 18th Sunday in ordinary time year A.

In the liturgy of the word, our focus theme is: CHRIST GIVES US FOOD THAT SATISFIES OUR HUNGER.

In the Gospel text, according to Matthew, Jesus Christ performs the miracle of the multiplication of FIVE LOAVES AND TWO FISH - He fed about five thousand men, besides counting the women plus children.

Before the miracle had happened, the disciples had come to the Lord and told him: "Lord it is evening, allow the crowds to go to the villages and buy food for themselves". Jesus said, "No, you give them something to eat". Jesus, already knew how he would perform a miracle for them.

Personal story

This miracle reminds me of a situation at home, when I was still a seminarian, some of our relatives promised to visit us, and they did so, but in our planning we planned for little food, because we did not have enough - and my late mummy, a woman of great faith, told us, "DO NOT WORRY, this food will be enough".

I tell you what - a good surprise! When the visitors arrived, they came carrying a lot of food stuffs, rice, sugar, bread and so on. And the smallest home prepared meal changed into a very big meal for even our neighbors.

This indicates that, with GOD EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

Theological reflections.

1. GOD BLESSES WHAT WE HAVE
In our Christian journey, we are highly encouraged that God will bless what we have. Grace builds on nature. The crowd presented five loaves of bread and two fish, and Christ blessed them. And they multiplied.
In our prayers, let us pray with a positive mind, be active and creative.

2. CHRIST SHOWS US THE VALUE OF THE EUCHARIST

In this miracle, Christ prefigures the Eucharistic meal, his true body and true blood - our everlasting food.

We need to love the Eucharist. And receive the Eucharist with worthy hearts.

3. REMAIN CHRISTO - CENTRIC ; SECOND READING.

St. Paul tells the Romans to remain centred on Christ. Nothing should separate us from the love of Christ; tribulations, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword, or diseases, or new responsibility...
Rather, in every situation, we should run to be near Jesus Christ.
Let run to be near the tabernacle - speak to Jesus. He listens.

Conclusion

As Christ was generous to the crowd, let us endeavour to feed others spiritually and physically.

Let us feed others with kindness.
Let us offer others good advice.
Let us encourage others.

May Mother Mary, our Mother, and St. Bavo - pray for us as we put our TRUST IN THE LORD, LOVING THE EUCHARIST and REMAINING CHRISTO - CENTRIC.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL

Fr. Francis Mwanje

07/28/2026

This Wednesday, July 29th at 7:00 pm in Room AB in the Parish Center, Gus Zuehlke will present an introduction to Pope Leo XIV encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, which addresses AI (Artificial Intelligence) and its impact on humanity promotion of the truth, dignity of work, social justice and peace.
The church offers us help and wisdom from her social doctrine about our relationship to technology. We need to be informed so that we may form ourselves, our children and our grandchildren to encounter the emergence of new forms of technology. Pope Leo in this encyclical offers us a framework and real wisdom so that we can make the best of our lives in these challenging times.
Please come to this introductory session tomorrow and bring your friends and family. AI is not something in the future, it is real and right in our midst now, affecting every age. Let us learn together to discover the benefits and dangers.
The actual study will begin in September with groups meeting Monday mornings, Tuesday afternoons and Thursday evenings. Books will be available at this introductory session and you can sign up for a session at the parish Office.

07/26/2026

Our dear Fr. Francis's homily for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time!

17TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - YEAR A
JULY 25/26, 2026
WORLD DAY FOR GRANDPARENTS AND THE ELDERLY
1 Kings 3:5,7-12
Romans 8:28-30
Matthew 13:44-52
My dear beloved family of St. Bavo, brothers and sisters in Christ.
I welcome you to this Eucharistic celebration. As we celebrate the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A.
First of all, let me say thank you. Thank you for my Installation celebration on Thursday (July 23rd). You came, you prayed, you sang, and you ate all the food with joy. My brother priests and friends who came told me, "Fr. Francis, St. Bavo knows how to welcome a pastor and visitors."
This is a great report....A plus.
From my heart, "I thank God every time, and I thank you for the good things you are sacrificing for me and for the Parish".
Today is a special Sunday. The Church throughout the world celebrates Grandparents and the Elderly. And our readings are about wisdom. In one of our cultures in Uganda, we have great sayings like, "obukadde magezi"= "old age is wisdom" and "what an old person sees while sitting, a young person can not see while standing, however much is tall like me or some people here". Great meanings are hidden in these sayings.
1. THE ONE THING THAT MAKES EVERYTHING BETTER IS WISDOM
That is Solomon today. God says to him: "Ask what you want." (1 Kings 3:5).
Now, if God said that to us, what would we ask? Let me be honest, if God said that to me as a young priest from Uganda, now in the USA, I might have said, "Lord, give me an aeroplane, so that I may fly home and come back faster - because I miss home".
But Solomon was wiser than me. He did not ask for ten things. He asked for ONE THING: "Give your servant an understanding heart." (1 Kings 3:9)
One thing that makes everything else better. If you have wisdom, you know how to use money. If you have wisdom, you know how to love your husband, your wife, your children. If you have wisdom, you will choose wisely. One thing makes 100 things better.
Our grandparents know this. They no longer pray for many things. They pray for one thing: "Lord, keep my grandchildren close to You, Keep them in the Church." That is wisdom.
2. THE JOY OF THE TREASURE - Matthew 13:44-52
Jesus says: The Kingdom is like a man who found a treasure in a field. He was so happy, "for joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field." (Matthew 13:44)
Notice: FOR JOY. Not for sadness. He did not sell with tears. He sold with joy.
Back home in Kasese - UGANDA, I had my great grandmother, Patricia who died at 100 plus years, in 2016, when I was still a seminarian. I used to visit her, and every time I visited her, she gave me food, and before I went back home, she would tell me, let us first pray the HOLY ROSARY. She lived a very simple African life. And after praying the Rosary, she would touch my head and tell me, "love the Rosary, love Mother Mary, pray the Rosary, you will become a priest".
In Her old age, her greatest treasure was the HOLY ROSARY.
And I copied from her. Any time, I move out of the house, I first check my Rosary on me, even on my bed, I have one there.
Many of us think following Jesus is sad: "Father, if I follow Jesus, I will lose my freedom." No! When you find the real treasure, you are happy to leave the fake ones.
Think of it. We carry many small pearls: worry, gossip, grudges, compliments, fear. They make us tired. Jesus says: My child, drop the hundred small pearls. Take the ONE pearl. Take Me. I will make your life light again. LET US TAKE JESUS AS OUR TREASURE. HE IS PRESENT IN THE EUCHARIST.
That is what Patricia taught me. She had only one pearl - the Holy Rosary, the great love for Mother Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ. May her soul rest in eternal peace. That is why I love Mother Mary so much.
WHAT DO YOU TREASURE MOST IN YOU LIFE?
3. ALL THINGS WORK FOR GOOD - Romans 8:28-30
St. Paul says: "All things work together for good for those who love God." (Romans 8:28)
My dear grandparents, you are the living proof. You have lived through wars, through losses, through raising stubborn children like us, through big waves and small ones, big winters and small winters, and so on. At that time, you cried. But today, you sit here with a Rosary and you say, "God brought good out of it."
You are not forgotten. You are not retired from the Church. You are the treasure of St. Bavo. The Church moves forward because of you. Your hidden prayers at 5 am in the morning are holding this parish. You are our PILLARS.
CONCLUSION
So today, two invitations:
To our beloved grandparents and elderly: Thank you. We love you. Keep giving us the ONE THING - your faith, your stories, your blessing. Please, do not stop praying for us.
To the young people: This week, do one thing. Try to visit a grandparent. Tell your parents to take you. A video call may not be enough. Go. Sit. Ask them, "What is the one thing life has taught you?" You will find a treasure.
And as your new Pastor, let me tell you my ONE THING. From Kasese - Uganda to Mishawaka, God has led me to find a hidden treasure in this field - you. You are my pearl of great price. I promise before this altar, I will be a good shepherd to you. I will listen to you, I will be close to you in joy and in sorrow, and I will lead you to Jesus, the real Treasure.
May Mary, Seat of Wisdom, and Saints Anne and Joachim, grandparents of Jesus, and St. Bavo our Patron, pray for us.
Fr. Francis Mwanje

07/24/2026

In case you missed Fr. Francis's installation Mass!

Licenses: OneLicense.Net -719429, CCLI #2748106 Make Me a Chann...

07/24/2026

The social committee outdid itself once again with this wonderful reception after Fr. Francis’s beautiful installation mass! Please add your pictures below, or use the hashtag

07/18/2026

07/18/2026

From Father Francis!

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR A
July 18/19, 2026

Wisdom 12:13, 16-19
Psalm 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16
Romans 8:26-27
Matthew 13:24-43

Theme: God’s Patience, Our Growth

Introduction.

My dear brothers and sisters, I welcome with joy to this Eucharistic celebration.

Today Jesus tells us many parables in the gospel text, allow me to preach on one we can all feel - almost similar to that of last Sunday. A farmer sows good wheat grains. At night, an enemy sows w**ds in the same field. Soon both are growing together, and they look alike.

His servants panic, and approach him, “Master, do you want us to pull the w**ds now?”

The farmer says something wise: _“No. If you pull the w**ds, you might uproot the wheat too. Let them grow together until harvest. Then I will separate them.”_

Meaning of key aspects.
Farmer = The Lord.
Wheat grains = the word of God
Garden = our hearts
Enemy= the devil
Weeds = evil deeds like Jealousy, Corruption, gossip, Impatience, Anger, Pride and so on.

In this parable we learn of the following:

A. God’s Patience with Us

The first message today is simple: God is patient.

Psalm 86_ sings, “You, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in kindness.”

By Baptism, you and I are God’s wheat. But things happen in life. The enemy sows w**ds in our hearts — jealousy, anger, gossip, pride. And if we are honest, none of us is pure wheat. Even me, your priest. I am just an earthen vessel holding the treasure of the priesthood. I am human like you. I can also be broken down too.

We get impatient. We want God to act _now_. “Lord, punish that person. Fix this and that today and now”

But God says, _“I am patient. I do not want anyone to perish. I give time to grow, to change, to come back to Me.”_

Let me share a story from my childhood in Kyabolokya village, Uganda.

A man saw a rat run into his grass-thatched house. He was furious - very angry. “This rat cannot live in my house!” So he took fire and burned the whole house down.

Now, where did the man sleep that night? And the rat? It probably jumped out and survived.

Brothers and sisters, sometimes we do the same. We see one “rat” — one sin, one challenging situation — and we want to burn the whole house down.

Jesus says: *Don’t burn your house to kill a rat. Don’t burn your soul trying to pull a w**d.* Let the Farmer do the harvesting. Your job is to keep growing.

B . Our Focus: Become Good Wheat

So if we are not supposed to pull w**ds, what do we do?

We focus on becoming good wheat.

Our Christian life is not about being w**d inspectors. It’s about growing toward the light of God.

So, my dear friends, let’s focus on at least four things:

1. Prayer – Talk to the Farmer daily.
2. Sacraments – Let Him feed and heal you - e.g., the Eucharist.
3. Love one another – Even when it’s hard.
4. Forgive one another – In our families, at work, in our Small Christian Communities, and right here in our parish.

St. Paul tells us in _Romans 8_: when we don’t know how to handle the w**ds in our lives, “the Spirit intercedes for us.” We are not alone in this field. The Holy Spirit is always present, till the end of time. Till the harvest time.

At the harvest — at the end of our physical journey — we will jubilate. We will see each other in His presence. The Farmer will gather His wheat into His presence. God will gather us together, as one, as saints.

As we continue this Mass, let us ask the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Bavo, to pray for us. And most especially the Mother of Patience, to pray for us. May she help us to grow, to forgive, and to become good wheat that gives joy to Jesus at the harvest.

The Lord be with you.

Fr. Francis Mwanje