All Saints Parish Homilies and News

Humble Pope Francis and echo essay published in Harvest Magazine By Father Sahaya Remgius, SAC True greatness in the eyes of God is not found in power, wealth, or status. It is found in service to others. Jesus said, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mk 10:45). This is the heart of Christian leadership — self-sacrifice for the good of others. It is a call to each of us to lay down our own ambitions and desires to serve our neighbors and build up the kingdom of God. The world first met Pope Francis when white smoke curled into the Roman sky on March 13, 2013. “Habemus papam!” “We have a pope!” — the cry rang out. But what startled the world wasn’t only the name he chose: Francis — a name that whispered simplicity, poverty, and Gospel joy. No, what truly stunned the world was what he did next. He stepped onto the famed loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, looked out over the vast crowd of pilgrims, and then, rather than immediately ...

The fascinating family tree of Pope Leo XIV Echo report published in Aleteia  https://aleteia.org/.../the-fascinating-family-tree-of.../ D With European, African, Cuban, Canadian, and American roots, he is a truly global pope -- bridging continents, cultures, and people. Henry Louis Gates Jr., genealogist, with Pope Leo XIV and Mrs. Gates (Dr. Marial Iglesias Utset) When Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost became Pope Leo XIV on May 8, the world was eager to learn more about the new pontiff. What kind of man had just stepped onto the world stage? And what stories lie in his past? Thanks to modern genealogical research — and the tools of digital technology — we now know: quite a few remarkable ones. A journey through the centuries Within hours of his election, genealogists working with The New York Times uncovered a compelling fact: Pope Leo XIV has African American ancestry. His maternal grandparents, residents of New Orleans' historically vibrant Seventh Ward, were described in histor...

Father Phil Tracy: Pastor's Pondering commentary on the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time July 6, 2025. All Saints Parish, Brunswick, Maine. A reflection on how religious, government and cultural changes should not deter us from living in the light of God's love. Americans just celebrated the Fourth of July. Our nation faced tremendous odds to secure our independence from Great Britain. Great leadership, serious sacrifice and suffering and the help of some allies, especially from France, allowed the colonies to become a nation. However, the victory over the English was only the beginning. They were no longer governed by the King of England, but now faced the difficult task of building the nation and safeguarding the freedom that they had won. This is a helpful way to understand the Kingdom of God. In one cross .  ✝️  We share in God's love, justice and presence, living in the light of God's love. 💛💙💗🌈 ☀️ In another sense, the fullness of God's Kingdom lies in th...