St. Stephen Catholic Church Ona WV

09/03/2026

"The Great" isn't used often in the Catholic Church, but as an effective reformer, humble servant, and virtuous leader, Pope St. Gregory is worthy of the title.

https://ow.ly/uNsq50YVR0T

09/03/2026

Pope St. Gregory the Great stands among the most influential figures in Church history. A pope, theologian, missionary leader, and Doctor of the Church, he helped guide both the Church and society through the challenges of the late sixth century. His leadership, writings, and example continue to shape Catholic life more than 14 centuries after his death.

Born in Rome around 540 into a wealthy and respected Christian family, he received a comprehensive education and entered public service. He served as prefect of Rome, one of the city’s highest civil offices. Yet worldly success did not satisfy him. After his father’s death, Gregory distributed much of his wealth, transformed his family home into a monastery, and became a monk.

Gregory’s wisdom and talents soon led the Church to call him to greater responsibilities. He served as a papal ambassador to Constantinople before being elected pope in 590. Although he preferred the quiet life of a monk, he accepted the office out of obedience and reverence for God’s Will.

As pope, Gregory cared deeply for the poor and worked to ensure that Church resources were used to assist those suffering from disease, famine, and war. He organized a structure to produce and deliver food to the people. It is said he would not eat until the people were fed.

He reformed Church administration, strengthened pastoral care, and encouraged bishops to be faithful shepherds of their people. His missionary vision led him to send St. Augustine of Canterbury and his companions to evangelize the Anglo-Saxons in England, a mission that would have a lasting impact on Christianity in the British Isles and beyond.

Gregory was also a prolific writer. His works on pastoral leadership, prayer, Scripture, and the spiritual life became classics of Christian literature. He is credited with giving the Church the Gregorian Chant, and many of his liturgical reforms are used in today’s liturgies. His humility was evident in the title he preferred for himself: “Servant of the Servants of God.”

St. Gregory died in 604 and was later declared a Doctor of the Church. Known as “Gregory the Great,” he remains a model of wise leadership, pastoral charity, and faithful service to Christ.

https://www.aciafrica.org/news/4196/today-september-3-we-celebrate-saint-gregory-the-great

09/03/2026

Do Not Be Afraid: A Call to Evangelize
September 3, 2026
Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Luke 5:1–4

At that moment, Simon could not have grasped the full significance of Jesus’ actions. Our Lord chose to preach to the crowds from the boat “belonging to Simon.” When He had finished speaking, He turned to Simon and said, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”

Traditionally, the boat has been understood as a symbol of the Church. It is particularly meaningful that this first use of a boat in Jesus’ public ministry involved Simon’s vessel. Later in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus says: “Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31–32).

In this powerful passage, Jesus entrusts Simon with the unique mission of leadership and fraternal support. Though Simon would stumble during the Passion, his faith would be restored, and his role confirmed, not merely as a disciple, but as one called to fortify the faith of others. This divine commission echoes the symbolic act at the Lake of Gennesaret, where Simon’s boat becomes the pulpit from which the Word is proclaimed. And, as is recorded in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus later changed Simon’s name to Peter, making him the rock foundation upon which He would build His Church, promising the gates of hell would not prevail against it (cf. Matthew 16:17–19).

By choosing Simon’s boat, Jesus foreshadowed that the Gospel would go forth from the Church, built upon Simon Peter’s faith and leadership. Christ remains the cornerstone, yet Simon would serve as the rock: a foundational witness whose confession and fidelity would uphold the apostolic Church.

This moment by the lake is far more than a simple teaching setting. It is a prophetic image of the Church: anchored by Peter, guided by Christ, and commissioned to cast its nets into the deep waters of the world, drawing souls into the Kingdom of God. Christ alone has the power to draw all people to Himself, yet He chooses to do so through Peter, his successors, and all faithful collaborators who serve as fishers of men.

As the passage continues, Simon obeys Jesus’ command and puts out into deep water. The result is an astonishing catch that is so abundant that the nets begin to tear. Others must come to help, a clear symbol of the necessary collaboration among all members of the Church, working together in Christ’s divinely guided mission.

We, too, are called to share in that same mission and to imitate Simon’s humility upon witnessing the miraculous catch. He fell at Jesus’ feet and cried out, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man” (Luke 5:8). He was deeply humbled and recognized his unworthiness before the divine presence.

Jesus, however, looked upon Simon and those with him, including Andrew, James, and John, and said, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men” (Luke 5:10). These words are meant for each of us. Fear is often the greatest obstacle to fully embracing God’s call. But when we respond with humility and courage, trusting in His grace, we will find ourselves part of the great mission to draw others into the safety of the Church.

Reflect today on the sacred image of Simon’s boat. See in it a foreshadowing of the Church, and consider how you are called to serve within her. Christ continues to preach from this vessel, to call others into its safety, and to call you to cast your net into the deep where many souls await the Gospel and God’s mercy.

All-powerful Lord, You first preached from a humble fishing boat owned by Simon. Today, You continue to preach and reach out to those caught in the deep and turbulent waters of this world. Please send me, as You later sent Simon Peter, to bring Your Gospel to those who need it most. Purify me of every fear, so that I may answer Your call with courage and zeal. Jesus, I trust in You.

Image via Adobe Stock

Read entire reflection: https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/2026/09/02/do-not-be-afraid-a-call-to-evangelize/

09/03/2026

September 3, 2026
Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 434

Reading 1
1 Corinthians 3:18-23
Brothers and sisters:
Let no one deceive himself.
If anyone among you considers himself wise in this age,
let him become a fool, so as to become wise.
Read more...
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090326.cfm

09/03/2026

🙏. The Angelus

This wonderful prayer evolved from a recitation of three Hail Mary’s following an evening bell around the 12th century to its present form (with morning and midday recitations) in the 16th century.

When prayed in a group setting a leader recites the verses and everyone recites both the responses and the Hail Mary’s in between each verse, as shown above.

Although the Angelus has been traditionally said three times daily, at 6 am, noon and 6 pm, you can pray it at anytime! It is still accompanied by the ringing of a bell (the Angelus bell) in some places such as Vatican City and parts of Germany and Ireland. The Regina Coeli prayer (which may also be sung as a hymn) replaces the Angelus during the Easter season.

The Angelus reminds us of the Annunciation (shown in this famous rendition at left by Fra Angelico), when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary with great, (if somewff shat startling), news! As we read in Chapter One of Luke’s Gospel, (Luke 1:26-38) God wished Mary, truly a model of humility, to be the mother of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ!

The Angelus pays tribute to a crucial aspect of Mary’s role in the Incarnation, when it quotes from Luke’s Gospel “be it done to me according to thy word” (Lk 1:38). This wonderful event could not have happened without her consent, without what is known as her fiat. By saying “yes” to God in allowing herself to become His mother, she showed us the ultimate example of trust in our Creator!

Speaking of God’s word, the Angelus completes its short summary of the Incarnation with the moving reference to our Lord from John’s Gospel: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). As we read in the letter to the Hebrews, Christ was like us in all things but without sin (Heb 4:15). St. Bernard noted that our Lord came to show us His love so that He might then experience ours.

The lines that follow about being made worthy of the promises of Christ are also found in the Rosary and tie in well with what follows: an appeal for God’s grace to help us in our pilgrimage of faith.

Jesus loved us enough to die for us so that we might live with Him eternally! When we pray the Angelus with humility and love, we are emulating Mary’s faith in His goodness. We are blessed in that we can ask both God and His Blessed Mother for their assistance on our journey towards Eternal Life!
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09/03/2026

🙏. Prayer to Saint Michael

St. Michael makes a great general in this fight between Christ and Satan for our souls! After all, we read in Revelation (12:7-9) that “there was a great battle in heaven; Michael and his angels fought with the dragon...and that great dragon...who is called the devil and Satan, who seduces the whole world...was cast unto the earth, and his angels [the demons] were thrown down with him.”

St. Michael’s very name (in Hebrew, Micha’el meaning “Who is like unto God?”) denotes the war cry uttered in that battle. Note that when we talk about Satan or the devil here we are also referring to his “army” of fallen angels, the evil spirits referred to in the Saint Michael prayer.

As a special patron and protector of the Church, St. Michael has been assigned to fight against Satan; to protect faithful souls from him, especially at their death; to champion God’s people; and, further along this line, to es**rt them to their judgment.

On the subject of resistance, keep in mind that we can and should say the Saint Michael prayer at church or just on our own during the day for spiritual protection for ourselves and for others as well!

Satan was unable to destroy the Catholic Church in the 20th century, but certainly our faith withstood terrible onslaughts just from Hi**er and Stalin alone. We are still engaged in that war that has gone for all of human history, in one form or another, between God and the devil.

Each of us has had our own battles against the dark side trying to turn us away from eternal life with our Creator. Satan’s idea for our eternal life is one spent with him in hatred and misery and he’s after as many souls as he can get! (ourcatholicpayers.org)

09/03/2026

09/03/2026

Grant us sleep, Lord, but if not sleep then peaceful rest.
Amen. 🙏

09/03/2026

MY EVENING LESSON
TOPIC: LIVE SO THAT YOUR LIFE BECOMES A LEGACY

Life is not merely the distance between birth and death; it is the sacred opportunity between the two to become, to grow, to give, and to matter. We arrive with empty hands, spend years accumulating possessions, titles, recognition and influence, and eventually leave with empty hands again. This is the great equaliser of human existence: the mansion cannot follow you into the grave, the bank account cannot negotiate with eternity, the title cannot extend your final breath, and applause cannot accompany you beyond the curtain. What remains is the person you became and the lives you touched. Therefore, do not spend your entire life chasing things that will one day become somebody else's inheritance while neglecting the soul that must one day give an account of how you lived. Learn while you can. Love while you can. Forgive while you can. Apologise while you can. Travel, laugh, serve, create, encourage, teach, build and give. Do not postpone living until everything becomes perfect, because perfection is often the excuse we use to delay the only life we actually have. There will always be another bill, another ambition, another problem, another appointment and another reason to say, "Someday." But someday is not promised. The wisdom of life is learning to distinguish between what is important and what merely appears urgent.

So live deliberately. Do not measure the greatness of your life by what you managed to possess, but by what became better because you were here. Let somebody remember your kindness when they were hurting, your courage when they were afraid, your generosity when they were in need, your wisdom when they were confused, and your presence when they felt forgotten. Build relationships that are deeper than convenience; choose character over reputation, purpose over popularity, and meaning over materialism. If you have knowledge, pass it on. If you have resources, share them. If you have influence, use it to lift someone. If you have been wounded, refuse to spend your remaining years becoming a prisoner of yesterday. And if you have dreams, stop waiting for the perfect moment, begin with what you have, where you are, and while you still have the strength to begin. One day, the journey will end; make sure the road behind you is decorated not merely with things you acquired, but with lives you enriched, hearts you healed, wisdom you transmitted, and love you freely gave. The ultimate question will not be, "How much did you accumulate?" but rather, "What did your existence mean?" Live in such a way that when your chapter closes, your absence will be felt, but your legacy will continue speaking.

Humbly yours,
@ Fr. Albert Nwosu (Nwachinemere)
(My evening lesson)

09/02/2026