Pastor’s Corner — July 12th, 2026
Sips and Salvation Event Friday July 17: “What’s the Deal with Purgatory?”
Join me for a relaxed evening of conversation, questions and parish fellowship on Friday July 17th at 7pm in O’Kelly Hall. No pressure. No lectures. Just real talk about faith and life. While I’ll be starting off with a few points on the starter topic of purgatory (5-10 mins max), the rest is Q and A style on that topic or others. If you have any burning questions, come join us for some good Catholic answers! Bring your own beverages (spiked and unspiked) and an appetizer to share.
Parade and the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America
Because confessions ran long last Saturday, I wasn’t able to make the 4th of July parade in downtown Brighton this year. But I heard it was great. I just want to thank everyone who helped with the parade: those who decorated the float, those who walked with the parish, and those who organized the celebration afterwards.
I won’t offer a long reflection on this, but we have a LOT to be thankful for in our country. No one thinks our country is perfect; I know very well that it is not. Nevertheless, patriotism is a Catholic virtue and as such we owe to almighty God much thanksgiving and praise for our country.
Many probably don’t know that Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, wrote a short reflection on the occasion of the 250th Anniversary of our Country: Letter of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on the 250th Anniversary of the Founding of the United States of America. He also gave a speech on the acceptance of the liberty medal on July 3rd: Address Of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV Acceptance Of The Liberty Medal Of The National Constitution Center. Here is a video of our Pope delivering this in English here. If you want to get a sense of how the Pope understands the United States of America, please read these texts and be edified.
Goodbye Reception for Steve Royal: Sunday July 12th in O’Kelly Hall
Next Weekend (July 18/19) is Steve Royal’s last weekend at the parish. Steve, our Director of Music, has been a huge gift to the parish. Of course, his musical ability has been simply outstanding. But that’s not been his biggest gift that he has brought to parish. That gift is him being a man of the gospel. Steve loves Jesus and people know it. He’s not ashamed of his faith and wants everyone he serves to know the Lord better. From day one it’s been abundantly clear that he didn’t accept this position merely because he wanted a job playing music. As long as I’ve known him, he’s been a man on mission to help people sing to the living God and come to know his Son Jesus. You can hear this in his music and his worship. And those who have come to know him, have come to know a man of deep prayer and concern for the salvation of others and spreading Jesus’ justice and mercy in the world. This also means he’s had to challenge some people to grow, which is what good Christian leaders do.
As you might know: musically Steve is a kind of unicorn, that is, he’s very unique in a good way. He loves the contemporary music and has an appreciation of how it can lift our hearts to the Lord. And he’s also a man of deep Catholic tradition and appreciates other forms of traditional organ and choral music. When he came here, he and I developed a unique vision for parish music, one that highlights various styles of music at different Masses, ensuring that each one fits in the Church’s vision of sacred music. This was born out of the recognition that different styles of music help different people pray the Mass.
Steve did a wonderful job in his role here and he will be deeply missed. This weekend, we thank him for his eight years at our parish and wish him the best as he moves to St Louis, MO to be with his daughter’s young family (yes, she’s expecting!). Please join us for a farewell celebration in O’Kelly Hall this Sunday, July 12 from 12:30-2:30pm and share your thanks and best wishes for Steve and his family.
Here is a note from him.
When I arrived here at St Patrick, I was pleased to discover a firm musical foundation developed by the previous Music Director Dr. Robert Wolf; a community of loving musicians, a commitment to parish worship and song and a desire to develop both adults and children musically. Over the last 7 years we have built upon that foundation, and with the vision and support of Fr. Mathias expanded many aspects of sound and music.
Now, at this time, I want to take a moment to especially thank all the musicians and sound technicians for their hours of work, prayers, practice, creative vision, teamwork, humor, and camaraderie in the pursuit of beauty and worship in the liturgy. We have built many great relationships, and we have learned much from each other. I also want to thank Father Mathias, our parish staff, councils and the entire parish of Saint Patrick for their support. Going forward, our new Director of Sacred Music, Regina Scime, has my full personal and professional support. As I have gotten to know her, I am convinced she will set a high musical standard while also communicating her deep Christ-centered Catholic spirituality and theology.
As my family moves to Saint Louis, Missouri to be with our daughter and family, I look forward to what God has next for us in ministry but my time here will not be forgotten. I am eternally grateful for the loving relationships I have found here and for the depth of zeal and spirituality in this parish. You will always be in my heart with tears and prayers.
The Schism of the Society of St Pius X (SSPX)
As you may have seen in the news, the SSPX consecrated four bishops without permission of Rome, which is rightly considered a schismatic act and the Vatican declared the bishops to be excommunicated. What happened is very serious.
To quote EWTN News, “Briefly, excommunication can be defined as the most serious penalty a baptized person can incur, which consists of being placed outside the communion of the faithful of the Catholic Church and denied access to the sacraments.” I share Archbishop McKnight’s sentiments in his announcement on the SSPX here.
Please pray for all the members of the SSPX, that those excommunicated will choose a path of reconciliation with the Church.
Your servant in the Lord,
Fr. Mathias