Fr. Mike's Communication for July 27 2025

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him,
“Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.”
-Luke

July 27, 2025

image of grandparent and child praying the rosary

Brothers and Sisters,

When did you learn to pray? What memories come to mind as you think back to when someone first taught you how to speak with God? Who was it that showed you—not just by their words, but by their example?

Those first lessons often stay with us. And yet, as we grow, so does our prayer. We change. Our relationship with God changes. And prayer changes too.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve followed Jesus as he forms his disciples in Luke’s Gospel. We’ve heard of the sending of the 72, the encounter with the scholar of the law and the parable of the Good Samaritan, and the story of Martha and Mary. In each moment, Jesus calls us to simplify. Let go of excess. Don’t let the pace of life or the accumulation of “stuff” distract you. Stay focused. Trust in the Lord.

As we move into Luke 11, Jesus continues teaching his disciples how to remain attentive to God through prayer. Not a one-time spiritual high (though those moments may come), but daily prayer. A regular habit that deepens our relationship with the Lord and reminds us that God will provide.

At the same time, the Church celebrates the World Day of Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly. Strong families lead to strong communities, and honoring our elders is a vital part of that. If we value the family, we must prioritize our grandparents and older generations. I continue to be inspired by how many of our seniors make a lasting impact—many through organizations like the Ignatian Volunteer Corps. To learn more about how they serve weekly in discipleship and community, visit ivcusa.org.

We also welcome Fr. Tesfaye Fesuh this weekend. He ministers to Ethiopian Catholics across the United States and Canada. Let us support our missionaries—those who leave behind comfort and familiarity to bring Christ to others. Each of us has a missionary calling, which begins in our homes and neighborhoods. But to those heroic men and women serving far from home, we offer both our prayers and our support.

You can contribute to this mission effort by placing a donation in this weekend’s second collection envelope or by giving online at olphparish.org/giving. Select “Second Collections to support Archdiocesan efforts” and choose “Missionary Co-op – July.”

In the Lord,
Rev. Michael S. Triplett

YOUNG MEN’S RETREAT – You are invited to the “Worth Defending” Catholic retreat for young men on Saturday, August 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. This event is for incoming 9th graders through exiting 12th graders and features speaker Alex Gotay. It will be held at St. Mary of the Mills Catholic Church, Keesler Center Gym. The cost is $50, which includes lunch, and scholarships are available. For more details and to register by July 30, visit https://www.stmaryslaurel.org/worthdefending.

MARRIAGE RETREAT – Jesus calls us to love the Lord and to love one another. Deepen your communication, rekindle your romance, and renew your sacrament by attending the next upcoming Worldwide Marriage Encounter Experience on October 24-26, 2025, in Jessup, MD, and August 29-31, 2025, in Wheaton, MD. Early sign-up is recommended. For more information, visit our website at https://moments4marriage.org, email applications@moments4marriage.org, or call 301-500-0871.

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM – Catholic Social Teaching Program – This week-long graduate-level program on the Church’s social teaching is open to diocesan administrators, department directors, and their staff in various ministries, as well as clergy, religious, seminarians, and lay leaders from diverse fields. It offers an in-depth understanding of Catholic Social Teaching from esteemed scholars and professionals. The certificate program emphasizes the comprehension and application of these teachings, as developed by the magisterium over the past 125 years. Please see more details here: Catholic Social Teaching Certificate Course | CAPP-USA.