St Cecilias Warrensburg

08/27/2026

08/27/2026

Today is the feast of St. Monica: the mother of St. Augustine, one of the most influential saints in Church history.

Before he became the Saint we know, he spent most of his time breaking his Catholic mother's heart. Maybe you're a parent who can relate.

My sister painted this image of her. In traditional iconography, Mary is often shown at the foot of the cross as if cradling a baby, but with empty arms. My sister depicted Monica the same way: arms empty, praying for the conversion of her son.

For years, Monica followed him, worked behind the scenes to connect him with holy people, and above all, prayed for him.

The fact that her feast day falls the day before Augustine's is no accident. The reason we have a St. Augustine is BECAUSE we had a St. Monica. She gave birth to him a second time, through her prayers and tears.

She died a happy woman. In his Confessions, Augustine describes the two of them standing at a window, looking out over a garden, talking about what heaven would be like. His mother turned to him:

"Son… I do not know why I am still here. I did have one reason for wanting to live a little longer: to see you become a Catholic Christian before I died. God has lavished his gifts on me in that respect… So what am I doing here?"

Within days she was gone. Her last request:

"One thing only I ask you, that you remember me at the altar of the Lord wherever you may be."

Monica's persistence is a reminder of a few things:

1.) Nothing matters more than the holiness of our children. Nothing. How we raise them needs to actually reflect that.
2.) The prayers of a holy mom (and dad) WORK.
3.) If you're a praying parent, never give up hope. Ever. Even if you don't die with the consolation Monica had, your prayers for your children don't stop in this life.

As a bishop told her while she wept for Augustine: "it is not possible that the son of these tears should perish."

God can't ignore a mother's tears.

St. Monica, pray for us!

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08/25/2026

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, BISHOP MARK!
Bishop Mark O’Connell celebrated the the 10th anniversary of his ordination as a bishop with a Mass on Aug. 24 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany. Bishop Mark was consecrated on August 24, 2016, at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston by Cardinal Seán O'Malley, with Bishops Walter Edyvean and Peter Uglietto serving as co-consecrators.

08/24/2026

Tucked away in Santa Fe, New Mexico, stands the stunning Loretto Chapel (Our Lady of Light Chapel), a Gothic gem completed in 1878 by the Sisters of Loretto.

The chapel is beautiful, but what draws thousands is the Miraculous Staircase to the choir loft. After construction, the sisters realized there was no way to reach the loft 20 feet up. A normal staircase would take too much space, and builders said it couldn’t be done.

They prayed a novena to St. Joseph, patron of carpenters. On the ninth day, a mysterious stranger arrived with a donkey and simple tools. He asked only for permission to work.

For months he labored quietly. When finished, he left behind an extraordinary spiral staircase:

• 33 steps (symbolizing Christ’s years on Earth)
• Two full 360-degree turns
• No central support pole
• Held only by wooden pegs — no nails or glue
• Built from spruce not native to New Mexico

It stands purely by precise joinery — still puzzling modern experts. (The handrail was added later for safety.)

The builder vanished without payment or name. The sisters believed it was St. Joseph himself. Today the staircase remains a powerful symbol of faith and the impossible made possible.

Have you ever visited Loretto Chapel or experienced something truly miraculous?

St. Joseph, pray for us! 🙏

08/23/2026

05/18/2026

Images of the final projects from yesterday, May 17, 2026.
Job well done, disciples! Thank you to everyone who shared their time, talents, and fellowship in service to God and our parish community. Your hard work and dedication are truly appreciated.

05/18/2026

Yesterday, May 17th, was simply amazing. We concluded Mass with a beautiful Prayer for Volunteers read by Richelene. Following Mass, the volunteers gathered in the Hall to enjoy lunch together. So many people shared delicious salads and desserts, adding to the spirit of generosity and fellowship. The Hernandez family served outstanding tamales, and the subs from Jacob’s and Toney were wonderful.
The fellowship throughout the day was exceptional. After lunch, we moved outside to various work areas, enjoying the sunshine as we worked together in service to our parish community. It was truly a blessing to share a meal, work side by side, and spend the day together in God’s presence.
Finished project to come!

04/05/2026

I wonder if she remembered his first steps
while she stood beneath his last

If the sound of the hammer
echoed like the rhythm
of his little feet running toward her

Mama, look

I wonder
if she thought about the first time
he said her name
soft and small
before the world ever called Him Savior

Before crowds
Before miracles
Before the weight of the cross

He was just her boy

The one she carried
The one she held
The one she kissed goodnight

And now—

Now she stands
with empty hands
watching the same hands
that once reached for hers
stretched out on wood

Pierced

I wonder if her heart whispered
This wasn’t how it was supposed to go

Or if somewhere deep within her
she knew…

This was exactly
why He came

Because He was never only her son

He was her Savior too

The same voice that once said
Mama
now speaks forgiveness over the world

The same hands she once wrapped
in cloth
are now bearing the weight
of every sin

And still—

He looks at her

Not just as a King
Not just as a sacrifice

But as her son

And I wonder
if in that moment
her heart broke in two directions

Grieving the boy she raised
and worshiping the God He is

Because what kind of mother
watches her child die
and still calls it holy

What kind of love
stands at the foot of suffering
and doesn’t turn away

Mary did

She stayed

Through the pain
Through the questions
Through the silence of heaven

She stayed

And maybe that’s what love is

Not understanding
Not fixing
Not rescuing

But staying

Even when your heart
is being nailed to the cross
right alongside Him

And I wonder
through tear blurred eyes
if she whispered

That’s my son

and at the very same time

That’s my Savior