John Paull II

by Rev. Adrian Cisneros  |  10/22/2023  |  From the Clergy

Greetings to my St. Stanislaus family!

Even though this weekend is the 29^th Sunday in ordinary time, October 22^nd is also the day we remember St. John Paul II, pope. He was the pope before I was born and throughout the majority of my life. He was the first non-Italian pope in over 450 years and how he changed the world in how he lived and how he loved the Catholic faith and Jesus. I was fortunate enough to attend world youth day in Rome, Italy in the Jubilee year 2000.

The Great Jubilee of the year 2000 was a key event in John Paul’s ministry and it was marked by special celebrations in Rome and throughout the world for Catholics and other Christians. That was my first time to Italy and Europe and I still remember what a surreal experience it was to see the sights of Rome, to see the basilica of St. Peter, to see so many Catholics gathered in one place and to see and hear this holy man, the pope at the time and future saint, speak to us-something I will never forget.

From today’s Gospel we hear “Then pay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” John Paul II definitely belonged to God. He gave himself totally to the will of God and brought many to the Catholic faith through his life. 

Give yourself to God. Do the will of God. Love God and live for God.

St. John Paul II, pray for us!

Rev. Adrian Cisneros