22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

08-30-2026Weekly ReflectionFr. Abraham Orapankal, Pastor

Dear OLP Family,

Every month has its own particular feasts, events, anniversaries etc. I am fascinated by the variety of celebrations that the month of September has in store for us:

• The World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation: September 1 marks the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and the start of the Season of Creation when Christians around the world unite to pray and reflect on the responsibility to protect the Earth. Established by the Orthodox Church in 1989 and later embraced by Pope Francis in 2015, this day marks the beginning of the Season of Creation (Sept 1 – Oct 4). It’s a time to thank God for the gift of creation, seek forgiveness for harm done to the environment, and renew commitment to caring for our common home.
• Feast of St. Teresa of Calcutta (September 5): Better known as Mother Teresa, she was a Catholic nun and missionary known for her deep compassion and service to the poorest of the poor in India. Born in 1910 in Albania, she founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950, dedicating her life to caring for the sick, dying, and abandoned. Her work gained worldwide recognition, earning her the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Despite facing spiritual struggles, she remained devoted to her mission of love and service. She was canonized as a saint in 2016.
• Labor Day (September 7, 2026): marks the traditional end of summer and highlights the importance of work and the labor movement.
• September 11: This year is the 25 anniversary of 9/11, bringing heart-renting memories of that horrible tragedy inflicted on our nation.
• Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14): Early in the fourth century, Saint Helena, mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine, went to Jerusalem in search of the holy places of Christ’s life. She razed the second-century Temple of Aphrodite, which tradition held was built over the Savior’s tomb, and her son built the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher on that spot. During the excavation, workers found three crosses. Legend has it that the one on which Jesus died was identified when its touch healed a dying woman. This feast honors the cross as the instrument of our salvation.
• Hispanic Heritage Month (starting on September 15): celebrates the Hispanic contributions and the cultures of Latino communities enriching our country.
• Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15): Reflects on Mary's deep compassion and suffering during the Passion of Christ.
• Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael (September 29): Celebrates the three archangels named in Sacred Scripture, recognizing their roles as God's messengers, protectors, and healers.
• It is good for us to know that the Holy Father's Intentions for the Month of September 2026 is for the care of water: “Let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it.”

May each of these celebrations/anniversaries help us to be more conscious of our unity and solidarity with the human family - both secular and Christian.

Your brother in Christ.