St. Hubert

Dear Parishioners,

Throughout the Christian world, thousands of individuals will be brought into the Catholic faith through baptism at the Easter vigil.  Are parish joins in the celebration with Mother Church as this year we have John Cantrall joining the Church.  John, his wife Joni, and their six children have been a part of our parish community for over 20 years.  It is with great joy that we welcome John into the fulness of Christ's life, death, and resurrection through Baptism, Confirmation, and the Reception of the Eucharist.  In his preparation for being received into the church, John has chosen St. Hubert to be his confirmation saint and what a witness to Faith he is!

St. Hubert, known as the patron saint of hunters, has an inspiring story that highlights conversion, devotion, and the transformative power of encountering God.

St. Hubert was born in the late 7th century into a noble family in what is now Belgium. Despite his privileged background, his life was marked by significant transformation. As a young man, Hubert was passionate about hunting, often prioritizing it over his spiritual life.

The pivotal moment in his story occurred on Good Friday. While most Christians were attending church, Hubert chose to hunt in the Ardennes forests. During his hunt, he experienced a miraculous vision: he saw a magnificent stag with a glowing crucifix between its antlers. This profound encounter shocked Hubert. From the crucifix he then clearly heard a voice urging him to turn to the Lord and live a devout life.  While the exact words can vary slightly depending on the source, the essence of the message is consistent:

"Hubert, unless you turn to the Lord and lead a holy life, you shall quickly go down to hell."

Deeply moved by this divine encounter, Hubert underwent a profound conversion. He renounced his noble status, dedicated his life to God, and eventually became a priest. Later, he became the Bishop of Liège, where he was known for his humility, evangelization efforts, and pastoral care. St. Hubert spent his life spreading the Gospel and ministering to the people.

His story reminds us of the transformative power of God’s grace. How redemption can even be offered amid our hobbies.  May we reflect upon St Hubert's conversion and seeing it an opportunity and how we too can turn toward God more fully.

I personally invite each member of our community to join in the Holy Pashal mysteries this week beginning with Palm Sunday followed by the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Thursday, the Passion of our Lord on Friday, and the Easter Vigil on Saturday night. May this holy week be one of transformative grace for you!

In Christ,

Fr. Luke Fleck