FATHER FRANK’S FIRE ARTICLE – AUGUST 23, 2026
Today’s Gospel begins with something that is all too familiar to us – gossip and rumors. Jesus is asking his disciples to tell him what they are hearing about his identity. The rumors included John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah and one of the other prophets. After getting a response, Jesus turns to his disciples and asked them about their opinion. I think this is the most important part of the dialog because the disciples have been with Jesus since the beginning. However, they have never really shown a clear understanding of Jesus’ identity as the Son of God.
“But who do you say that I am?” This is the question Jesus asked of his disciples in today’s Gospel. I suppose it is a question that each of us will have to answer. Peter, “the rock,” boldly proclaimed Jesus as the Christ. How would you respond? A response could be that Jesus is someone who lived in history and his life is chronicled in the Gospels. This description leaves Jesus as just a figure from the pages of book. A response such as, you are the Son of the living God evokes a living Christ, one who is a part of our lives. Is Christ alive in your life? Do you believe that he is here? In the Eucharist, Jesus makes himself present to us. Jesus not only was, He IS, and will forever more be. Let us be open to the living Christ among us. Let us work together to make Jesus known to the ends of the earth.
THE GOOD SISTERS – On our life’s journey, we are often privileged to meet some wonderful people along the way. Sometimes people walk with you for only a short bit, and at other times they continue to journey with you and become a part of your life. Some journeys are rooted in friendship, others spiritual, and still others can be both.
In 1998, as a newly ordained transitory deacon (one who is on the way to priesthood), I was assigned to St. Alexander Parish in Palos Heights, and I met two awesome Sisters of Providence, Sister Diane Mason and Sister Sharon Richards. Sister Diane was the principal, and Sister Sharon was a teacher in the junior high. They helped an insecure 35-year-old baby priest gain confidence and slowly grow into my role. They always were a great support and always encouraged me, especially when times seemed dark and difficult.
Over the past twenty-eight years, we walked together. Laughing and crying at times, celebrating various jubilees of Religious Profession and Ordination, and most importantly, friendship.
Once the Sisters retired from St. Alexander School, they became parishioners here at St. Michael. While we remained friends during the years, our paths once again crossed here at St. Michael. If you attend the Saturday evening 4:30 PM Mass, you can usually spot them in the first couple of pews.
The Sisters have decided it is time to return to the Sisters of Providence Mother House in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. While I am saddened that I will not see their smiling faces at Mass, I am so grateful to God that he has given me these wonderful women to help me along my journey. I share this with you because religious sisters and priests never walk alone. We walk with each other, with other religious, priests, and with our parishioners and those that we serve. We are all on our pilgrim journey to the heavenly Kingdom, and you never know who you may meet along the way. Thank you, Sisters Sharon & Diane, for walking with me. This is not the end of our journey together but just a slight change of paths. Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, pray for us.
In Christ’s Love,
Father Frank A. Kurucz
Pastor of St. Michael Parish
ESPAÑOL – EL FUEGO DEL PADRE FRANK – ARTÍCULO DEL BOLETÍN – 23 DE AGOSTO 2026
El Evangelio de hoy comienza con algo que nos resulta muy familiar: los chismes y los rumores. Jesús pide a sus discípulos que le digan qué se comenta sobre su identidad. Entre los rumores se mencionaba a Juan el Bautista, a Elías, a Jeremías o a alguno de los otros profetas. Tras recibir la respuesta, Jesús se volvió hacia sus discípulos y les preguntó su opinión. Creo que esta es la parte más importante del diálogo, ya que los discípulos han estado con Jesús desde el principio, pero nunca han demostrado realmente una comprensión clara de la identidad de Jesús como Hijo de Dios.
“¿Y vosotros, quién decís que soy yo?”. Esta es la pregunta que Jesús hizo a sus discípulos en el Evangelio de hoy. Supongo que es una pregunta que cada uno de nosotros tendrá que responder. Pedro, “la roca”, proclamó con valentía que Jesús era el Cristo. ¿Cómo responderías tú? Una respuesta podría ser que Jesús es alguien que vivió en la historia y cuya vida se narra en los Evangelios. Esta descripción deja a Jesús simplemente como una figura de las páginas de un libro. Una respuesta como «tú eres el Hijo del Dios vivo» evoca a un Cristo vivo, alguien que forma parte de nuestras vidas. ¿Está Cristo vivo en tu vida? ¿Crees que Él está aquí? En la Eucaristía, Jesús se hace presente ante nosotros. Jesús no solo fue, sino que ES y será por siempre. Estemos abiertos al Cristo vivo que está entre nosotros. Trabajemos juntos para dar a conocer a Jesús hasta los confines de la tierra.
En el Amor de Cristo,
Padre Frank A. Kurucz
Párroco de la Iglesia de St. Michael