July 12, 2026 • Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Parish Family,
WHEN THE LIGHTS WENT OUT
The powerful storms that swept through our area last week left many of us without electricity for hours—and for some, several days. Trees were uprooted, roads were blocked, homes were damaged, refrigerators warmed, schedules were interrupted, and the familiar routines of daily life suddenly disappeared. While no one would choose such an experience, it reminded us of some important truths.
One of them is that we are far more dependent on others than we often realize. When the power goes out, we discover how much we rely on things we normally take for granted: electricity, air conditioning, refrigeration, internet service, traffic lights, and the ability simply to charge a phone. Yet beyond these conveniences, we also rediscover something even more important—we need one another. Acts of kindness became as common as fallen branches. That is what community looks like.
Saint Paul reminds us that “if one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26). The Church is not simply a collection of individuals who happen to worship in the same building. We are the Body of Christ. We belong to one another. The storm became an opportunity to live what we profess every Sunday.
The outage also exposed how quickly we can lose our sense of control. We often live as though we are self-sufficient. A flip of a switch brings light. A faucet provides water. A phone connects us instantly to almost anyone. Yet in a matter of minutes, much of that can disappear. Faith reminds us that our ultimate security has never rested in power lines, batteries, or technology. Our security rests in the Lord.
The Psalmist writes, “God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress” (Psalm 46:1). Those words take on new meaning when the lights go out, and the only dependable light is the one that comes from Christ.
As our community returns to normal, let us not lose the lessons the storm taught us. Let us continue checking on one another even when there is no emergency. Let us be grateful for those whose unseen work keeps our communities running. Let us pray for those who continue to recover from damage and loss. And let us remember that the strongest communities are built not on power grids but on faith, generosity, and love.
Storms will come again. They always do. But if we remain rooted in Christ and united with one another, we will weather them together.
Grace and peace!
Father Neil Sullivan