Congregation of the Resurrection

St. Rose of Lima
2026-08-23
FOCAL POINT:
“Every call of Christ is first of all a call to personal holiness. Religious profession contributes to an intimate, personal union with the Triune God.” (Con. 150)

Ordination:
Fr. Antoni da Costa Filho, 2009, Brazil
Deceased:
Fr. Alexander Reitzel, 1951, Kitchener, Canada
Fr. William Graf, 1983, Waterloo, Canada

For the Church, our Holy Father, and our local ordinary.
For blessings upon our country and its peoples.
For the example of care for the poor, which St. Rose of Lima offered to the people of Peru; may we imitate her example in our care for the poor.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“Saint John Paul II asked us to recognize that ‘there must be no lessening of the impetus to preach the Gospel’ to those who are far from Christ, ‘because this is the first task of the Church.’” (The Joy of the Gospel, 15)

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
2026-08-24
FOCAL POINT:
“Religious profession, rooted in the Sacrament of Baptism, enables the religious to share in Christ’s emptying of Himself and His life in the Spirit.” (Con. 150)

Deceased:
Br. Joseph Slomski, 1959, Chicago, USA
Fr. John Mysliwiec, 1974, Des Plaines, USA

Birthdays:
Fr. Jerzy Rolka, 1966, Poland

For our Congregation, our superiors and for vocations to our Congregation.
For our benefactors who continue to bless and enrich our Congregation with their generosity.
For the Apostle St. Bartholomew; through his example may we too respond fully to the call of Christ in our life.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“Evangelization takes place in obedience to the missionary mandate of Jesus: ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.’” (The Joy of the Gospel, 19)

St. Joseph Calasanz & St. Louis
2026-08-25
FOCAL POINT:
“Formation aims primarily at fostering the participation of the religious in the Paschal Mystery whereby, guided by the Holy Spirit, he dies to self in order to live with Christ in God.” (Con. 150)

Deceased:
Fr. Stanislaus Rogalski, 1933, Chicago, USA
Fr. George Jendrach, 1990, Chicago, USA
Fr. Czeslaw Szalamacha, 2001, Krakow, Poland
Fr. Francis Majewicz, 2006, Chicago, USA
Fr. Eugeniusz Pietrasik, 2012, Kitchener, Canada

Birthday:
Fr. Tomasz Baniak, 1984, Poland

For our parents, relatives, friends, benefactors, both living and deceased.
For the Anglican community of the Resurrection.
For all deceased Resurrectionists and members of their families
For the people of St. Louis Parish who celebrate the feast of St. Louis.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“The word of God constantly shows us how God challenges those who believe in him ‘to go forth’.” (The Joy of the Gospel, 20)

August 26
2026-08-26
FOCAL POINT:
“Religious profession is effected in and through the Church. The religious binds himself in a special way to undertake the mission of the Church and to spend his life in its service.” (Con. 151)

Deceased:
Cl. Wilhelm Renner, 1889, Granheim, Germany
Bp. Robert Dehler, 1966, Kitchener, Canada
Fr. Jan Wojnar, 1981, Radziszowska, Poland

First Vows:
Fr. Josef Laniak, 1964, Poland
Fr. Pedro Loll, 1965, Poland
Fr. Lucjan Krzywonos, 1966, Poland
Br. Tadeusz Kuras, 1966, Poland
Fr. Ryszard Pacholec, 1966, Poland
Fr. Roman Palma, 1966, Poland
Fr. Henryk Rojek, 1966, Poland
Fr. Adao Swatek, 1966, Poland
Fr. Christopher Buda, 1966, Poland
Fr. Anthony Dziorek, 1967, Poland
Fr. Andrzej Jagielka, 1967, Poland
Fr. George Nowak, 1967, Poland
Fr. Zygmunt Waz, 1967, Poland
Fr. Jozef Domoradski, 1968, Poland
Fr. Zygmunt Frackowiak, 1968, Poland
Fr. Wlodzimierz Sobolewski, 1968, Poland
Fr. Andrzej Gieniusz, 1978, Poland

For those who have recommended themselves to our prayers and for those for whom we have promised to pray.
For the Apostles of the Resurrection.
For all the deceased members of the Congregation of the Resurrection.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“The Church which ‘goes forth’ is a community of missionary disciples who take the first step, who are involved and supportive, who bear fruit and rejoice.” (The Joy of the Gospel, 24)

Saint Monica
2026-08-27
FOCAL POINT:
“Formation, therefore, is ecclesial: it seeks to make the religious conscious of his participation in the mission of the Church and to develop his talents so that he is able to carry on the apostolate and spread the kingdom of God.” (Con. 151)

Birthday:
Fr. Gregory Helminski, 1949, USA

For the grace to imitate our Founders, and for fidelity to our charism and mission.
For all mothers, like Saint Monica, who pass on faith to their children.
For parents, relatives, friends and benefactors, and for all those who have recommended themselves to our prayers.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“The parish is not an outdated institution; precisely because it possesses great flexibility, it can assume quite different contours depending on the openness and missionary creativity of the pastor and the community.” (The Joy of the Gospel, 28)

St. Augustine
2026-08-28
FOCAL POINT:
“Religious understand that apostolic activity, rooted in and joined with contemplation, belongs to the very nature of consecrated life; for it is a holy service and work of love entrusted to them by the Church to be carried out in its name.” (Con. 151)

Deceased:
Br. Jozef Kazimierz Misiak, 1956, Radziwillow, Poland
Fr. Joseph Zaborowski, 1969, Chicago, USA
Fr. Stanislaw Cyganik, 2019, Warsaw, Poland

Birthdays:
Fr. Roman Krekora, 1966, Poland
Fr. Krzysztof Mietki, 1969, Poland

For all those who share in parish ministry with members of the Congregation.
In thanksgiving for Bishop and Doctor of the Church, St. Augustine.
For peace in the world.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“Pastoral ministry in a missionary style is not obsessed with the disjointed transmission of a multitude of doctrines to be insistently imposed.” (The Joy of the Gospel, 35)

The Passion of St. John the Baptist
2026-08-29
FOCAL POINT:
“In the formation of the religious, as is the tradition of the Congregation, Mary will be presented as a model. She is the perfect disciple of Jesus and is the model of all who are called to discipleship.” (Con. 152)

Deceased:
Fr. Antoni Miechonski, 1971, Wejherowo, Poland
Fr. Roman Hinschberger, 1975, Kitchener, Canada

For the conversion of sinners, and for all in affliction, temptation and agony.
John the Baptist with great courage called us to a change of heart and to embrace the ways of God, may we continue to respond to this call.
For vocations to the Congregation of the Resurrection.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“A Church which ‘goes forth’ is a Church whose doors are open. Going out to others in order to reach the fringes of humanity does not mean rushing out aimlessly into the world. Often it is better simply to slow down, to put aside our eagerness in order to see and listen to others, to stop rushing from one thing to another, and to remain with someone who has faltered along the way.” (The Joy of the Gospel, 46)

August 30
2026-08-30
FOCAL POINT:
[Mary’s], “faith enabled Her to accept to gift of God’s love and to trust that all the promises made to Her would be fulfilled. Her hope enabled Her to rely upon the power of the Spirit to form Jesus within Her. Her love enabled Her to live a life of self-denial and joyful service.” (Con. 152)

Deceased:
Fr. Francis Freiburger, 1965, Waterloo, Canada
Fr. John Wojcik, 1980, Chicago, USA
Fr. Louis Gracz, 1988, Chicago, USA
Fr. Chester Norkiewicz, 1999, Des Plaines, USA

For our deceased members and benefactors, and for the one who will die first among us.
For students, teachers and support staff as they prepare for a new school year.
For the newly married, and for those preparing for marriage.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“Today we are seeing in many pastoral workers, including consecrated men and women, an inordinate concern for their personal freedom and relaxation, which leads them to see their work as a mere appendage to their life, as if it were not part of their very identity.” (The Joy of the Gospel, 78)

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
2026-08-31
FOCAL POINT:
[Mary’s] “obedience enabled Her to cooperate with all of God’s plans for Her. Her humility led Her to accept Her own lowliness even while She acknowledged and proclaimed the great things God was doing in Her and through Her. Our religious will become more perfect disciples of Jesus if they follow Mary, rely on Mary and tend to Christ through Mary.” (Con. 152)

Deceased:
Fr. Feliks Zwiardowski, 1895, Texas, USA
Fr. Felix Miliszkiewicz, 1995, Chicago, USA

Ordination:
Fr. Jose Flavio Sotero Barbosa, 2019, Brazil

For fidelity to our vows, and for the spirit of the resurrection.
For those preparing to receive the sacraments of the Church.
For vocations to the Congregation of the Resurrection.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“The joy of the Gospel is such that it cannot be taken away from us by anyone or anything.” (The Joy of the Gospel, 84)

World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation - Labour Day
2026-09-01
FOCAL POINT:
“Prayer is at the very heart of religious formation. Religious need to be versed in the various forms of prayer and, through time spent in prayer each day, need to experience a deep awareness of God in their lives.” (Con. 153)

Deceased:
Br. Stanislaw Golonka, 1941, Rome, Italy
Fr. Walter Wilczek, 2010, Chicago, USA

First Vows:
Fr. Andrzej Lewandowski, 1982, USA

For the Church, our Holy Father and for our local ordinary.
That our Constitutions may be for us a statement of our commitment, a book of meditation and a way of life.
That we may work tirelessly in our care for all God’s creation.
For all those who labour, especially those who labour for the good of others.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“Although God’s love for us is the basis of an authentic Christian spirituality, it is not a truth we easily arrive at and personally experience.” (Eight Principles of Resurrectionist Spirituality, 4)

Blessed Andre Grasset
2026-09-02
FOCAL POINT:
“Prayer is to be constant and preserving so that their studies, apostolate and indeed all their activities will flow from a prayerful heart, united at all times with God, our heavenly Father.” (Con 153)

Birthday:
Fr. Daniel Hinc, 1982, Poland

For our Congregation, our superior and for vocations to our Congregation.
For the intercession of Blessed Andre, first Canadian born person to be beatified and martyred for the faith during the French Revolution.
For all students, staff and support staff as the begin a new school year.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“The possibility exists for our experience of God’s love to surpass our experience of all other loves extended to us. “(Eight Principles of Resurrectionist Spirituality, 4)

Saint Gregory the Great
2026-09-03
FOCAL POINT:
“Since prayer and spiritual growth in general take place primarily in the privy of one’s heart, it is essential that each person in formation seek and receive proper and competent spiritual direction.” (Con. 154)

Deceased:
Fr. William Benninger, 1946, Rome, Italy
Fr. Leszek Czyz, 1994, Sulislawice, Poland

Birthday:
Fr. James Gibson, 1952, USA

Ordination:
Fr. Timothy Keppel, 1977, USA

For our country, for civil rulers on the local and national levels.
For our directors of formation, and for our novices and seminarians.
In thanksgiving for the steadfast service to the Church which Saint Gregory the Great modeled.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“One’s vocation takes on a new perspective and dynamism when one has come to see life primarily as a response to God’s love.” (Eight Principles of Resurrectionist Spirituality, 11)

Blessed Dina Belanger
2026-09-04
FOCAL POINT:
“In the formation of an integrated and mature religious, it is important that all aspects and talents of the religious be developed simultaneously: the physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual and social.” (Con. 155)

Deceased:
Br. Jan Lalewicz, 1954, Radziwillow, Poland
Fr. Bernard Bak, 1973, Chicago, USA
Fr. Joseph Schaeffer, 1975, Rome, Italy
Fr. Marek Kabsz, 2019, Warsaw, Poland

For our parents, relatives, friends and benefactors, and for all who have recommended themselves to our prayers.
For vocations to the Congregation of the Resurrection.
For the Canadian Congregation – Religieuses de Jesu-Marie, as they celebrate Blessed Dina Belanger.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“God loves us and wishes that we experience His love through our personal relationship. Our whole life is His gift to us and expression of His love.” (Eight Principles of Resurrectionist Spirituality, 12)

September 5
2026-09-05
FOCAL POINT:
“In order that the religious may realize his full potential in his vocation, a favorable environment is needed. The Congregation strives to provide an atmosphere of freedom in the context of well-defined personal responsibility.” (Con. 156)

Deceased:
Fr. Stanley Sokulski, 1964, Chicago, USA
Br. Stanislaw Bartyzel, 1991, Poznan, Poland
Fr. Frederick Oberholzer, 1995, Kitchener, Canada
Fr. Edwin Karlowicz, 2002, Maywood, USA

Birthdays:
Fr. Andrzej Jagielka, 1950, Poland
Fr. Bernard Hylla, 1959, Poland

Ordination:
Fr. Alexandre Lopes Alessio, 2009, Brazil

For the grace to imitate our Founders, and for fidelity to our community charism and mission.
For blessings on our Congregation.
For all who have died in the faith of the Risen Lord.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“One experience which may help formation participants to understand true relationships is an apostolic outreach to the aged, the sick, the disabled and the poor.” (Eight Principles of Resurrectionist Spirituality, 31)

September 6
2026-09-06
FOCAL POINT:
“A young religious will be granted the freedom to show initiative and creativity and to develop his talents; moreover, he will be urged to use this freedom for the good of the community in which he lives.” (Con. 156)

Deceased:
Fr. Andrew Gettelfinger, 1936, St. Mary, USA

Birthdays:
Fr. Philip Justinian, 1985, Tanzania

For our members in the missions.
For all the sick and suffering, especially those in hospitals and long-term care facilities.
For our general leadership team.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“The recognition of one’s gifts flows naturally from their use. However, to ensure that one is not using their gifts in a narcissistic way, a person needs to be able to use their talents generously for the benefit of others even when this involved no personal advantage, but rather inconvenience and suffering.” (Eight Principles of Resurrectionist Spirituality, 32)

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
2026-09-07
FOCAL POINT:
“Trust, dialogue and communication are of the utmost importance to exercising this freedom. Freedom exercised in this responsible manner will enhance the quality of obedience as the religious grows from a more external submission to authority to a healthier sense of co-responsibility for the work and well-being of the Congregation.” (Con. 156)

Deceased:
Fr. Henry Jasinski, 1958, De Kalb, USA
Fr. Edward Gira, 1971, Chicago, USA
Fr. Charles Westfall, 2012, Hamilton, Canada

Birthday:
Fr. Andrzej Lewandowski, 1958, USA

For the conversion of sinners, and for all in affliction, temptation and agony.
For all families, especially those families struggling to survive.
For all local superiors and house councils.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“The Founders’ view of the importance and the role of prayer is set down in ‘The Rule of 1850’: ‘The Brothers must realize that the total perfection of religious life consists in tending to a most intimate union with God by love. The necessary means of attaining this end is prayer, for God’s grace depends on prayer, and grace alone leads to this intimate union with God through love.’” (Eight Principles of Resurrectionist Spirituality, 37)

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
2026-09-08
FOCAL POINT:
“Let there be unity of heart and mind between a religious and those in authority. This union implies a common responsibility for the present and future good of the Congregation.” (Con. 157)

Deceased:
Fr. Walter Mikosz, 1965, Montgomery, USA
Fr. Joseph Siemiaszko, 1993, Chicago, USA

Birthday:
Fr. Tadeusz Nosal, 1944, Poland

Ordination:
Fr. James Gibson, 1979, USA
Fr. Evandro Miranda Rosa, 2001, Brazil

First Vows:
Fr. Patrick Aiello, 1949, Canada
Fr. Edward Jaskula, 1950, USA
Fr. Raymond Reitzel, 1955, Canada
Fr. David Mowat, 1956, Canada
Fr. Harry Reitzel, 1957, Canada
Br. David Ernst, 1958, Final 1963, Canada
Fr. Richard Grek, 1959, USA
Fr. Dennis Sanders, 1959, USA
Fr. Eugene Szarek, 1959, USA
Fr. Gerald Watt, 1959, USA
Fr. Sutherland MacDonald, 1961, Canada
Fr. Martin Bratek, 1962, USA
Fr. Thomas Kubik, 1963, USA
Br. John Cline, 1964, Final 1969, Canada
Fr. Joseph Glab, 1964, USA
Fr. Norbert Raszeja, 1964, USA
Fr. Gary Young, 1972, USA
Br. Edward Hohenadel, 1974, Canada
Fr. Paul Voisin,1974, Canada

Final Vows:
Br. John Cline, 1969, Canada
Br. David Ernst, 1963, Canada

For our deceased members and benefactors, and for he who will die first among us.
For those in our Congregation struggling with their faith.
For the Virgin Mary to continue to watch over us and guide us.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“Prayer is essential in all its expressions: private, communal, verbal, interior. All types will be practiced throughout formation and life, but with different emphases.” (Eight Principles of Resurrectionist Spirituality, 38)

St. Peter Claver
2026-09-09
FOCAL POINT:
“Let there be unity of heart and mind between a religious and those in authority. This union implies a common responsibility for the present and future good of the Congregation. Unity promotes the exercise of fraternal correction and prevents fear and human respect from deterring a religious from sharing with his brother and, if necessary, with the proper authorities his certain knowledge of serious defects in one of his confreres.” (Con. 157)

First Vows:
Br. Nucinaldo Bezerra de Arruda, 2011, Brazil

For fidelity to our charism and religious vows, and for the spirit of the resurrection.
For couples and families who face difficulties in their relationship.
That the missionary zeal of St. Peter Claver may inspire us to ever greater service in the name of the Risen Lord.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“Let us underscore again how important it is that candidates build a personal relationship between themselves and God. It needs to be a relationship based on an experience of God’s love for them.” (Eight Principles of Resurrectionist Spirituality, 42)

September 10
2026-09-10
FOCAL POINT:
“A religious will make the greatest progress in personal growth where there is trust and respect among all the members. This trust and respect is strengthened by encouragement and acceptance and is motivated by truth and charity. Love flowing from truth will be the predominant force of the entire formation process.” (Con. 158)

Deceased:
Fr. Adolf Roznicki, 1932, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

Birthday:
Fr. Jan Kanty Kaczmarek, 1976, Poland

For the Church, for our Holy Father and for our local ordinary.
For students, teachers and support staff as they begin a new school year.
For our members in long-term care.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“We need to remind ourselves frequently of God’s pleasure in creating and, in particular, His pleasure in creating us.” (Eight Principles of Resurrectionist Spirituality, 43)

September 11
2026-09-11
FOCAL POINT:
“The goal of the post-Novitiate formation is the personal development of the whole man: to help him grow in Christian maturity by becoming more aware of his sinfulness and Gods’ manifest love, to help him deepen his vowed commitment to the Risen Christ, to help him adapt his personal life in order to strengthen common life and to help him develop his gifts and talents so that he may use them in the apostolic work of the Congregation.” (Con. 162)

Deceased:
Fr. Pawel Smolikowski, 1926, Krakow, Poland

Birthday:
Br. Piotr Baran, 1979, Poland

For our Congregation and our superiors and for vocations to our Congregation.
For the gift of healing for those who are sick: Resurrectionists, family, friends and benefactors.
For an end to violence and acts of terror.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“A person comes into existence apart from any decisions or power on his part. His existence is a deliberative wish of God.” (Eight Principles of Resurrectionist Spirituality, 45)

The Most Holy Name of Mary
2026-09-12
FOCAL POINT:
“Spiritual formation continues along the lines laid out in the Novitiate program: a deepening awareness of the life and works of the Founders, a growing union with the Risen Christ through prayer and the exercise of fraternal charity in living the common life in simplicity, and an increasingly self-disciplined life based on the Gospel which witnesses to the death and resurrection of Christ.” (Con. 163)

Deceased:
Deacon Bartlomiej Morawiec, 1903, Adrianople, Bulgaria
Fr. Teodor Dembinski, 1928, Siemianowice, Poland

For our country, for civil rulers and for peace in the world.
For our Jewish and Muslim brothers and sisters.
That the Holy Name of Mary may offer us protection.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“Worship is not only the truest prayer; it is also the basis of all prayer. … Worship prepares us for the whole range of prayer, it also leads us to spiritual freedom in general.” (Eight Principles of Resurrectionist Spirituality, 45)

St. John Chrysostom
2026-09-13
FOCAL POINT:
“Doctrinal formation continues through growth in the personal assimilation of the mysteries of faith and in the ability to communicate these mysteries in terms understandable to the culture and the times.” (Con. 164)

Deceased:
Fr. Aloysius Orzechowski, 1998, Chicago, USA

For our parents, relatives, friends and benefactors, and for those who have recommended themselves to our prayers.
For couples preparing for marriage.
John Chrysostom was known for his great preaching and teaching, may we be graced to follow his example in our proclamation of faith.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“A person begins life with nothing of their own making, and what they later possess is not something they have totally earned or deserved. He has it primarily because God wished them to have it.” (Eight Principles of Resurrectionist Spirituality, 46)

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
2026-09-14
FOCAL POINT:
“The ministry of a brother embraces all the areas of the apostolic work of the Congregation except those which require Holy Orders.” (Con. 167)

Deceased:
Fr. Henry Gryczman, 1935, Chicago, USA

For the grace to imitate our Founders, and for fidelity to our charism and mission.
For the courage and hope to address the sorrows of our people.
For the strength to take up the cross and follow Christ.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“A false appropriation of God’s gifts dooms a person to a limited and restricted existence because it closes the door to the full action of the Lord’s Spirit within him.” (Eight Principles of Resurrectionist Spirituality, 46)

Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian
2026-09-16
FOCAL POINT:
“Those responsible for formation will be careful to respect the human dignity and the special divine vocation of persons entrusted to their care. In guiding the growth and development of the individual, Formators will take into account his natural and supernatural endowments, as well as, interests and inclinations, so as to enable the individual with these God-given talents to make the greatest possible contribution to the work and progress of the Congregation.” (Con. 169)

Birthdays:
Fr. Pawel Marek Szymanowski, 1982, Poland
Fr. Lukasz Wasikiewicz, 1989, Poland

For the conversion of sinners, and for all in affliction, temptation and agony.
For the grace of perseverance for those who are in initial formation.
For the continued intercession of St. Cornelius and St. Cyprian upon the Church.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“A formation program in which the person is recognized and treated as having dignity flowing from God’s creation will have the characteristics of compassion, encouragement, forgiveness, unity and especially gratitude.” (Eight Principles of Resurrectionist Spirituality, 53)

Sts. Hildegard of Bingen and Robert Bellarmine
2026-09-17
FOCAL POINT:
“In order to meet these demands [of continuing formation], the religious have an obligation to foster their own spiritual and professional growth by spiritual direction, personal reading, private study and attendance at seminars, workshops and other study programs.” (Con. 172)

Deceased:
Fr. Peter Graf, 1960, Sudbury, Canada
Fr. Jerome Kroetsch, 2012, Kitchener, Canada

For our deceased members and benefactors, and for the one who will die first among us.
For the international formation commission.
In thanksgiving for the communion of Saints and their place in our journey of faith.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“Sacred Scripture teaches that while the human person has dignity by the very fact that they are a part of God’s creation, that dignity is dependent on a proper relationship to God and the rest of creation.” (Eight Principles of Resurrectionist Spirituality, 52)

September 18
2026-09-18
FOCAL POINT:
“Each member is charged with the serious obligation and responsibility of fostering and developing vocations for the Congregation.” (Con. 171)

Deceased:
Fr. Piotr Athanasov, 1894, Adrianople, Bulgaria

For fidelity to our religious vows and for the spirit of the resurrection.
For those who have left the Congregation.
For deceased benefactors, in thanks for their generosity.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“Living out our status as part of God’s wonderful creation affects the goals we set for ourselves and others, as well as the means we employ to attain those goals.” (Eight Principles of Resurrectionist Spirituality, 54)

St. Januarius
2026-09-19
FOCAL POINT:
“The Congregation has the right to make itself known in order to foster vocations and seek candidates.” (Con. 171)

Deceased:
Br. Michael Oleksiewicz, 1942, Chicago, USA

Birthdays:
Fr. Michael Yohana Henrico Kachwele, 1990, Tanzania

For the Church, our Holy Father, and for our local ordinary.
For vocations to the Congregation of the Resurrection.
May St. Januarius, martyr and patron saint for blood banks, continue to encourage us to live our faith with boldness.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“Religious vows are intended primarily to express a bond between the individual and God, and to specify this relationship.” (Eight Principles of Resurrectionist Spirituality, 56)

St. Andrew Kim Tae-Gon, Paul Chong Ha-Sang, and Companions
2026-09-20
FOCAL POINT:
“The Community shall offer Mass once a month in each house for the following intentions: for the Holy Father; for blessings for our Congregation; for living and deceased benefactors and parents of members of the Congregation; for the deceased members of the Congregation; and for vocations to the consecrated life and priesthood.” (Con. 73)

Deceased:
Fr. Denis Oross, 1991, Chicago, USA

For our Congregation, our superior and for vocations.
For the people of Korea as they honour and celebrate their many martyrs who gave their lives in order to advance the faith.
For those who are actively dying, for the grace to embrace the Risen Lord.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“Notwithstanding the fact that vowed life and formation to it are a mutual discernment process involving both the candidate and the community, through the vows the religious commit themselves personally.” (Eight Principles of Resurrectionist Spirituality, 57)

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
2026-09-21
FOCAL POINT:
“One hundred Masses will be celebrated for each deceased member or novice of the Congregation.” (Con. 74)

Deceased:
Cl. Kazimierz Szyberna, 1905, Mentorella, Italy

Birthday:
Fr. Wladyslaw Tarnowski, 1934, Poland

For our country, for civil rulers on the local and national levels.
The second reading for today’s Mass encourages that prayer be offered to God for all, and so we offer prayer today for all friends, family and benefactors, and for those we serve.
For peace in the world.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“It is obvious that the vows are defined in strong and bold concepts which can be accepted only by a person who has recognized the inherent limits of their power and autonomy, and the dignity that is theirs when they share in the omnipotence and sovereignty of God.” (Eight Principles of Resurrectionist Spirituality, 58)

September 22
2026-09-22
FOCAL POINT:
“Mass shall be offered in each House for the Ordinary of the diocese on the anniversary of his ordination as Bishop.” (Con. 75)

Birthdays:
Fr. Andre Malta Martins, 1979, Brazil
Fr. Tomasz Koperek, 1984, Poland

Ordination:
Fr. Patrick Aiello, 1956, Canada

For our parents, relatives, friends and benefactors, and for all those who have commended themselves to our prayers.
For a recommitment to our consecrated life as religious in and for the Church.
For blessings upon all families.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“Our status as part of God’s creation has implications for the manner in which we view ideals and goals, and, specifically, our Constitutions.” (Eight Principles of Resurrectionist Spirituality, 59)
