Message from Fr. James - July 20, 2025

From the Vicar’s Desk July 20, 2025

The fastest priest in Rome was Fr. Michael Maloney, and he was on our team. We were running a 4x400 relay race at the United States seminary in Rome. After the first two laps, our team was a distant second. I ran the third lap and almost closed the gap. Then it was all up to Fr. Michael Maloney. The lead runner was taller, stronger, and younger, but we knew something about Fr. Michael Maloney: he becomes faster after he turns around the far end of the track. He ran just behind the leader until they turned around to come back toward the finish line, and then he began to move forward with power and grit, his knees and elbows blasting like pistons. It was his finest hour, and we were the fastest priest relay team in Rome! All because Fr. Michael Maloney turned around.

“Turn around” is the meaning of conversion, and conversion is the beautiful power of the gift that Jesus Christ gave to his Church. In a “One Way” world, in which prices only go up, technology only goes faster, and things only get crazier, Jesus Christ made a way to turn things around. He pulled the ultimate “U-Turn” from the grave to the sky in his “blessed Passion, the Resurrection from the dead, and the glorious Ascension into heaven” (Eucharistic Prayer). To the old and the sick (and those who are sick of life) he even said that we can be “born again” and “become like little children” (John 3:3; Matthew 18:3).

Pay attention to Abraham and to Martha from today’s readings (Genesis 18; Luke 10). Read ahead to Genesis 21: there Abraham and Sarah rejoice at the birth of Isaac that fulfilled God’s word. Read ahead to John 11: there Martha - still with her characteristic force of character - professes her belief in Jesus and receives back her brother Lazarus miraculously raised from the dead. Her faith turned him over from death to life! With time, both Abraham and Martha were able to turn things around. Abraham had a change of heir, and Martha had a change of heart.

Conversion takes time, and now is the turning point of the year. Begin your conversion today and see where you will be by Christmas, and by this time next year. Start the “Catechism in a Year” podcast, “Rosary in a Year” podcast, or “Bible in a Year” podcast (I just did!). You may find out that you become faster, stronger, and happier after you turn around!

God bless,

Fr. James Fangmeyer