Fr. Douglas Hunter

When the Servant of God Marco Gallo died at the age of 17, he carried in his wallet a small image of the Virgin of Medjugorje, a childhood photo of himself eating a Nutella sandwich, five euros, and a handwritten note containing a “promise”: “Today, I promise that—with immense desire and unwavering strength, as if this were the last day of my life and I were choosing to whom to dedicate my day and my life—I will open myself to the search for the Mystery, with discernment and respect for everything that reality places before me, even if it proves arduous. I depend only on the Mystery.” An “ordinary” teenager who lived a short yet deeply meaningful life, Marco was passionate about sports and the mountains. He read the Bible daily, frequently received the sacraments, and was always ready to help those in need—especially those who were alone. Read the full story: churchpop.com/another-millen…

Gospel of the Day (John 8,51-59) Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, 'He is our God.' You do not know him, but I know him. And if I should say that I do not know him, I would be like you a liar. But I do know him and I keep his word. Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad." vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the…

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, the pivotal moment when the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary to announce the Incarnation of Christ. 🕊️ This "announcement" marks the moment God entered the world anew, seeking human freedom to begin the work of redemption. Here are 3 things to know about this mystery: Discover more 👉 bit.ly/3PuZ3SL

Gospel of the Day (Luke 1,26-38) In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you." vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the…

Happy Feast Day of St. Oscar Romero!

Gospel of the Day (John 8,21-30) So Jesus said (to them), "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM, and that I do nothing on my own, but I say only what the Father taught me. The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to him." Because he spoke this way, many came to believe in him. vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the…

If you've ever been distracted or confused at Sunday Mass, this video is for you. Over the course of an entire staged Mass, @frmikeschmitz breaks down what is going on at each moment. He shares not only what is happening, but why it's happening & what you in the pew should be doing, thinking, & praying about. 🎥 Watch: AscensionPress.com/Mass

On the Fifth Sunday of Lent, an extraordinary moment unfolds inside St. Peter’s Basilica: the unveiling of Veronica’s Veil. Read more ➡️ bit.ly/47QOxLV

Gospel of the Day (John 11,1-45) [...] Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that he was ill, he remained for two days in the place where he was. Then after this he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea." The disciples said to him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just trying to stone you, and you want to go back there?" Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in a day? If one walks during the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if one walks at night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." He said this, and then told them, "Our friend Lazarus is asleep, but I am going to awaken him." So the disciples said to him, "Master, if he is asleep, he will be saved." But Jesus was talking about his death, while they thought that he meant ordinary sleep. So then Jesus said to them clearly, "Lazarus has died. And I am glad for you that I was not there, that you may believe. Let us go to him." So Thomas, called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go to die with him." When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, only about two miles away. And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise." Martha said to him, "I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" She said to him, "Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world." [...] vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the…

All time is God's time. May we use this time well - to grow in our love of Him! St. Turibius, pray for us! ow.ly/re1g50YlWIq

Gospel of the Day (John 8,1-11) But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the…

"Fix your eyes on the crucified Christ, and everything becomes small for you." - St. Teresa of Avila

Remember THIS the next time you approach a Catholic priest ⤵ A priest is not married and will not have a family of his own. No wife. No children. His family is the people he serves. He is a spiritual father, called to give his life to the Eucharist, the confessional, the sick, the dying, and all who come seeking God’s help. And that calling does not turn off at the end of the day. It follows him everywhere. Most priests serve a parish only for a limited time, often five to seven years, before being reassigned. Just as they begin to feel at home, they are asked to go again. They depend heavily on volunteers, staff, and the lay faithful. They cannot always be available, even when they deeply wish to be. Many carry responsibilities that few people ever see. When you give to the Church, that money is not a personal salary for the priest. Priests receive modest stipends to cover basic needs like food, clothing, and travel. They do not receive paid leave. Time away is often rare and must be saved slowly or supported by the generosity of others. While many of us have set hours and days off, priests are expected to be available day and night. A call can come at any moment. Please remember they are human too, with limits, fatigue, and frailty. If you hear someone speaking badly about a priest, do not join in gossip. Correct it if you can, or step away from it. Most priests carry their burdens quietly. Many walk through struggles they never speak about. They need friendship, encouragement, and care for their emotional, physical, and mental well being just like anyone else. Imagine being called out at two or three in the morning to bring the sacraments in a dangerous area… and then still being expected to celebrate Mass just hours later. When priests are sick or face emergencies of their own, there is often no one to replace them. Yet they continue, because souls have been entrusted to them. Remember their birthdays and ordination anniversaries. A small gesture can mean more than you realize. Pray for them. Speak kindly to them. Be a support. If they stumble, do not rush to judge. Lift them up. No priest is perfect, but many are giving everything they have. Take care of your priests. Remember those who baptized you, absolved you, married you, anointed you, and offered Mass for your intentions. May God bless and protect His priests through Jesus Christ, our Eternal High Priest. Amen. 💬 Do you think Catholics today take priests for granted?? Let me know in the comment section. -The Flame of Love.

“My soul is longing and yearning for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh cry out to the living God” (Ps 84). Our Loving Father knows our hearts. He hears our cries.

March 21 marks World Down Syndrome Day — a global awareness day recognized by the United Nations to advocate for the legal rights of people with Down syndrome and promote greater inclusion and less stigmatization of people with the genetic condition. Here is a powerful prayer for people with profound disabilities: ow.ly/iWha50YlWht

Gospel of the Day (John 7,40-53) Some in the crowd who heard these words of Jesus said, "This is truly the Prophet." Others said, "This is the Messiah." But others said, "The Messiah will not come from Galilee, will he? Does not scripture say that the Messiah will be of David's family and come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?" So a division occurred in the crowd because of him. Some of them even wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why did you not bring him?" The guards answered, "Never before has anyone spoken like this one." So the Pharisees answered them, "Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed." Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them, Does our law condemn a person before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing? They answered and said to him, "You are not from Galilee also, are you? Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee." Then each went to his own house. vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the…