June 28, 2025 - ChiRhoRob Newsletter - Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul
Jun 28, 2025 9:31 am
ChiRhoRob Newsletter
June 28, 2025 - Volume I, Issue 4
“If I can succeed in saving only a single soul, I can be sure that my own will be saved.”
Editor’s Note
Although this quote may seem irrelevant for this type of newsletter, stick with me, and I’ll bring it back.
The Risk Management Association had a quote in a recent newsletter: “The question for all banks, especially the regional players who may still be mapping where exactly they fit, is how to better align the products and services that worked well for the last hundred years with the next-generation banking customer who’s never heard a dial tone.” - Karen Webster, Founder and CEO, PYMNTS.com
As a Church, we are facing a similar difficulty. With the next generation coming of age in a digital world where smartphones and social media have been a way of life since birth, the Church needs to identify a way to counter the pressures and influences of growing up in the 21st century.
Finding a new way to tell the same message has been part of the Church for generations. In 'The Dumb Ox,' G.K. Chesterton comments on the Church at the turn of the 20th century as drifting into mystical vagueness and as one that had relinquished its philosophical heritage. He goes on to describe the reemergence of Thomism, or an Aristotelian-influenced view on Christian theology that sees a harmony of faith and reason, as a reaction to the current state of the Church. “It is the paradox of history that each generation is converted by the saint who contradicts it most.”
We, the generation defined by rotary phones, dial tones, and hanging up so someone in the house could use the dial-up internet, are called to be the saints of today and to inspire the generations to come to be the contradictions and saints of tomorrow.
We are now all old enough to have baggage, that lingering sin that you just can’t shake, living with that mistake you made when you were young and foolish, or the guilt that’s tough to shake even after you went to confession. We can look at who we celebrate this weekend, Simon Bar-Jonah and Saul of Tarsus, the “coward and a jerk [who are counted as the Church’s] greatest apostles” as commented on by Ed Condon of the Pillar this week, as figures we should emulate. Called by Jesus through Andrew, his brother, Simon went through a transformation after living and learning from Jesus. This is signified by his name change to Peter. Saul of Tarsus was known as one of the earliest persecutors of Christians after Jesus’ resurrection. Because of his disposition at the time, his first encounter with Christ was after he was struck with a bright light from heaven, essentially getting blasted off his horse. He eventually came around and joined the crew he had previously been persecuting, denoted by his name change to Paul.
This is proof that nobody, no matter their situation or past decisions, is ever far from Christ and His love. This message has been repackaged by each of our last three popes, the occupants of the chair of St. Peter, in some way. For Saint John Paul II, it was his New Evangelization bringing new ardor, a new method, and a new expression. For Pope Benedict XVI, it was calling out society’s “dictatorship of relativism” and an encouragement of the faithful to take on a renewed commitment to truth rooted in faith and reason. Pope Francis encouraged the Church to continue to reach out to those on the outskirts of society and to those outside the Church and to bring Christ’s love to them, so they would be open to a name change worthy transformation.
Pope Leo XIV has identified the technology of our age as something that impacts our relationship with God, seeing the emergence of AI as something that could lead to another industrial revolution. He’s hoping to use his pontificate to help define what the Christian ethic should be around this emerging risk to our ability to obtain the Beatific Vision.
With all of that, let us pray for Bob from Chicago, I mean, Pope Leo XIV, and all the leaders of our Church, lay and ordained, as they help us call our friends and our families to this name-changing faith.
+God Bless
Sunday Readings - Link to Readings
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul
First Reading – Acts 12:1-11
Second Reading – 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18
Gospel – Matthew 16:13-19
Headlines
A few headlines that caught my eye this week:
Suicide bomber kills more than 20 Christians in attack on Syrian church - Catholic Herald
Canonical case to begin for Candy Crush priest - Pillar
Pope Leo and Libero Milone: Will anything change in the ‘other’ Vatican financial trial? - Pillar
Spiritual starvation in the age of AI - Catholic Herald
Cardinal Pizzaballa in the Holy Land: ‘The Church must be a point of connection for everyone’ - CNA
CNA explains: How the Catholic view of human rights developed - CNA
Vatican backs report calling for financial reforms to alleviate global debt crisis - CNA
Euthanasia facility quietly opens at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver - CNA
How to offer your gifts back to God in gratitude - OSV
Pope Leo XIV denounces violations of international, humanitarian law in Gaza and Ukraine - CNA
Spiritual abuse and canon law in religious life - Pillar
Pope: Bishops live simply, guiding their flock through life’s joys, trials with hope - OSV
Contemplative Corner
Hope: The Worst of All Virtues?
What if hope, often praised as pure virtue, were also the most dangerous? This reflection explores how true Christian hope can defy despair not by mere optimism, but by surrendering to divine providence.
Apostolate Spotlight
The Angelic Warfare Confraternity
The Angelic Warfare Confraternity is a spiritual fellowship devoted to helping members grow in the virtue of chastity through daily prayer and the intercession of St. Thomas Aquinas and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Founded in the 15th century and guided by the Dominican friars, it continues to offer powerful support for men and women seeking purity of heart. Members wear a blessed cord or medal. To learn more or to enroll, visit the Angelic Warfare Confraternity website.
The Liturgical Week Ahead
*Coloring indicates Liturgical Color
6/30/2025 - Monday - Memorial of the First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church
7/1/2025 - Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
7/2/2025 - Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
7/3/2025 - Thursday - Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle
7/4/2025 - Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time - Independence Day
Gn 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67/Mt 9:9-13
7/5/2025 - Saturday - Optional Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Community Prayer Intentions
For Strength and Comfort
- Sia Krog and the Krog Family
- My friend John
- My friend Russell
- Pope Leo XIV
Eternal Rest
- Emma Niese
- Carrie Mondell
- Pope Benedict XVI
- Pope Francis
Saints in Progress, pray for us!
Thank you!
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Please know of my prayers for you, and please continue to pray for me and my family. I’ll see you next time, but in the meantime, God Bless!