Pastor's Corner

There’s a thread running quietly through our readings this weekend — from Paul’s endurance to the tax collector’s humble cry — and it’s the thread of perseverance. The same word Jesus uses in John’s Gospel, “Remain in Me,” can also be translated “Persevere in Me.”

In John 15, Jesus gives us one of His most personal images: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser… Every branch that bears fruit He prunes so that it may bear more fruit. Remain in Me, as I remain in you.” He’s not asking us to hold on in fear but to trust that the pruning is love — that the Gardener knows what each branch can bear and what it can become. On that thought, Pope Benedict wrote that “the fruit Jesus expects from us is love, and fruit and purification go together. Initial enthusiasm is easy. Perseverance — the steady yes along the desert paths of life — is the truest form of love.”

That kind of love doesn’t always look dramatic. It’s not the fireworks of faith but the steady flame that never goes out. It’s the love that keeps showing up — in prayer, in service, in forgiveness — when no one is watching. It’s the quiet work God does beneath the surface, like roots deepening in the dark soil after the harvest. Nothing seems to be happening — yet everything is being prepared. That hidden work is where faith matures.

St. Paul knew that kind of love. Nearing the end of his race, he could look back and say, “I have kept the faith.” The tax collector in the Gospel knew it too — standing at a distance, unable to lift his eyes, whispering, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” Both had learned how to remain in love — not by achievement, but by trust.

That’s where we stand as a parish — between gratitude and promise, farewell and beginning. We give thanks for Fr. Mike Hawken, whose years among us have borne such beautiful fruit, and we prepare to welcome Fr. Jerry Volz, who will help us tend the vine anew. We are co-laborers in this vineyard, each branch a part of something larger — a city set on a hill, meant to shine with Christ’s light.

To remain — to persevere — means believing the Gardener’s hand has not left this hill. He prunes, not to lessen us, but to let more light in. And if we stay rooted in His love, the fruit yet to come will be even sweeter and as God only can, immensely more abundant.

— Deacon Jim Mullin

It’s hard to believe that this is my last Pastor’s Corner at Nativity. In 7 years, I have written this column approximately 300 times. It’s been a good way for me to communicate with you, report on various aspects in the life of the parish, teach the faith as we celebrate different seasons of the liturgical year, give updates on projects and improvements we have undertaken on our campus, etc. I hope my writing has reminded us often of God’s unwavering love for us, affirmed what great people you are as I’ve witnessed your faith in action, and challenged us to Kingdom living and being the Body of Christ as the Nativity Parish community. For me, these 7 volumes of the Pastor’s Corner serve as a bit of history in the story of this community, and a beautiful remembrance of life shared with you these past 7 years.

I want to thank you for all the support and encouragement you have shown me. I am so grateful for the generous response whenever I have asked for your help. I have been surrounded by an army of volunteers, who serve so generously in the many ministries of the parish. I have been privileged to work with many incredibly talented parishioners, who have served on various leadership councils to help guide the parish. I have been so blessed to have a dedicated, professional, and hard-working staff, who carry on the day-to-day operations of the parish, and provide leadership for carrying out the mission of the parish. I have been blessed to work with 3 brother priests and 4 deacons, all of them helping me to carry out the liturgical and sacramental ministry, as well as so many other facets of ministry within the parish. I believe the old saying, “you’re only as good as the people with whom you surround yourself.” I have been surrounded by some of the best!

A pastor is entrusted with a parish for a limited period of time. I’m so grateful for these 7 years to serve as your pastor, to be a member of this parish, and to walk the journey of faith with you. I am proud of my stewardship here. God has helped us accomplish a lot together! 

A priest has the privilege of accompanying people in the walk of life. Thank you for allowing me to celebrate some of your greatest joys at baptisms, first communions, weddings, graduations, anniversaries, birthdays, family gatherings, and so many other wonderful events and celebrations you have invited me to share. And thanks for the times you’ve invited me into some of your greatest trials, sorrows or hardships, when you’ve lost a loved-one, when you or a family member has been sick, when you’ve needed a listening ear in the midst of making a tough decision, and in times when the cross was heavy. I realize the privilege of getting to share your lives the way I do, because of the Lord and the Church, which I am called to serve and represent as your priest.

As I said when I came here, I believe God chose me for you and you for me, when he sent me here. I still believe that! How blessed am I to have been called to serve in this parish two times; 27 years ago, as the associate, and these past 7 years as your pastor. Now, I believe God has chosen Fr. Jerry for you and you for Fr. Jerry. And God has chosen me for ministry to the greater Church of the Archdiocese and to serve Archbishop McKnight as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia and help him promote and implement his vision for the archdiocese.

It has been a great 7 years. Nativity will always hold a special place in my heart because we will always be united in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. You are such good and faith-filled people! Take care of each other. Welcome, support and encourage Fr. Jerry as you have me. 

Love and Gratitude,

Fr. Mike

This October, as we observe Respect Life Month, the Lord invites us to regain and retune our sight — to see the human face of those we pass by or overlook. Life is not an abstract principle; it’s a face, a story, a person made in the image of God. The Gospel of Life calls us to restore our gaze toward those who live in the margins, the hidden corners, and the quiet struggles where we have stopped looking.

This Sunday’s readings (Lectionary 144) bring that vision into focus. Naaman the Syrian is cleansed of leprosy — but even more profoundly, his heart is healed. He discovers a God who sees him, loves him, and meets him in humility. And in the Gospel, only one of the ten lepers returns to give thanks. Both Naaman and this unnamed Samaritan receive a double healing: first, freedom from their outward affliction, and then a deeper restoration of relationship.

They awaken to joy — the joy of realizing that God’s mercy is not merely a physical correction, but a personal embrace. That is the same healing Jesus desires for us: to be freed from the subtle disease of self-focus, so that our eyes may open again to the King who walks among us in the poor, the forgotten, and the unseen. Gratitude is the sign that our deeper healing has begun. The grateful heart becomes the heart that sees.

Celebrate the feast of this remarkable young “digital missionary” with a special screening of his life story. Carlo reminds us that holiness is possible in ordinary life — and that modern technology can become a bridge of love. Details are in the bulletin — bring your family and friends!

Our Gospel of Life Wednesday Series continues with testimonies from parishioners who are walking with moms in need. These stories reveal how Jesus’ holy work unfolds in the marginalized places — through listening, accompaniment, and hope. Come be inspired and see how God is moving in ordinary people who say “yes” to love.

Join us after the 5 p.m. Mass as we thank Fr. Mike for his years of shepherding our parish with faith, humor, and hope. Let’s send him forth with heartfelt gratitude for how he’s strengthened this City on a Hill.

Hop aboard the Hallow Train! As a parish, we’ll unite in prayer through the app’s upcoming Novena for Life, deepening our rhythm of daily intercession for every person — born and unborn, seen and unseen.

Psychologists call it “inattentional blindness” — when something sacred is right in front of us, yet we fail to see it. But here’s the good news: the mind is plastic. It can be reshaped, reawakened, re-trained to notice grace. Respect Life Month is our time to whiten the soul and retune our attentiveness — to activate that God-given part of the brain that recognizes a human face and lets empathy flow.

When that happens, you put yourself into our Gospel reading — bowed in awe at Jesus’ feet — realizing: