06/08/2026
From Fr. Louis Sklar, “Thoughts Among The Pines,” June 8th, 2026:
It is the Feast of Corpus Christi or The Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. The Sixth Chapter of St. John's Gospel has a portion allotted for our Sunday Gospel but it is also a snippet of one of the most beautiful Chapters in all of the Gospels. We hear, from Jesus Himself, what He is going to give us and what it really means. It is a tough moment because it runs counter to so much the Jewish faithful have been given in their laws, culture and society. All of these, Jesus is far beyond. Many have followed Him, many have come to listen to Him and the Bread Of Life Discourse will divide them. Unevenly. Many will leave and return to their former way of life. A few will stay. Jesus will suffer and leave His Body and Blood for us in each Mass we attend, Tabernacle we pray before and food for the journey or viaticum, when we receive Holy Communion for the last time in this life.
The Eucharist tells us something about Jesus. In a recent discussion of Eucharistic Miracles we spoke of knowing that Jesus has AB Blood Type. Science has shown this as proof, and in one case, the Host that was examined was determined to be cardiac, or heart tissue. In our 21st century science oriented minds the Body and Blood of Jesus is still revealing Him to us. What reports are confirming, Christianity has believed since the original Good Friday.
Along with this Liturgical Feast I am humbled and honored to celebrate my 25th Anniversary of Ordination over this weekend. All are invited to a reception at the Winnfield Civic Center down the street from Our Lady of Lourdes and on Thursday evening I enjoyed a very special meal with many of my brother priests who cannot attend on a Sunday. A tremendous thank you to parishioners of Our Lady of Lourdes, St. William and my family who have helped bring this together. As this has grown from original plans their efforts are appreciated and admired by many as of this writing. Your efforts have brought together an outstanding celebration. Thank you so much!
I am humbled by this attention and fanfare. As I did with the Priest's Supper, I recall the many priests before me, most who have gone to their reward, and their celebrations on anniversaries of their Ordinations. I never thought about this coming my way. In a recent conversation with a seminary classmate, we reflected with each other that this day kind of snuck up on us. In the last couple of weeks I have been given the gift of parishioners from all over who have contacted me to wish me Happy Anniversary. For each of them I remember where I served and what brought us together. It was Christ revealing Himself in some way for a particular need. I am honored to have been in those moments with each of you.
While I wanted to have a quiet and reflective week leading up to this day, it did not turn out that way. Illness, death, funerals and answering the call of Sacramental need took precedence. It always will. I don't know where the time went as I struggle to recall how two and a half decades have passed, until I pray and think of where I have served and all that has happened. Then I see 25 years and know where it went. I know what we have gone through and now I know how the time went by so fast. I have loved every day, even the tough ones. And I have loved each and every one of you. I brought nothing special where I have been assigned. I only showed up and wanted to meet, know and serve each of you. I am not talented or gifted I have only been who I am because of each of you who I served in each assignment. It is you who helped me be who I am. So, in the immortal words of Fr. Sam Polizzi, 'Please keep praying for me, and I will keep praying for you'. FrLS
