Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We live in a society that is largely driven by science and facts. We are considered to be living in the Information Age, and with the rise and progress of such technologies as radio, television, and the Internet, it’s hard to argue against it. That said, there remains both a certain skepticism around life as well as conspiracy theories that make it hard to know what is absolute fact and what is open to a certain amount of debate. And when it comes to matters of faith, such issues seemingly are further compounded in our modern times.

This is especially true of the more mysterious tenets of our faith as well as the phenomenon of miracles. The Bible is full of fantastic stories of God’s power, miraculous healings, and all manner of things that go beyond our normal human experience. And the skeptic and the conspiracy theorist alike are quick to minimize or reject such things. Did God really flood the Earth with all that rain? Could Jonah have survived being swallowed by a behemoth? Was Lazarus really brought back to life? Without scientific study and with being so far removed in time from these events, for some, it’s easy to scoff. But that renders a real disservice to the point to these stories and miracles associated with them.

I write all of this, because this Sunday, October 13 th , is the anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun, which took place in 1917. Even though it is over a century ago at this point, it stands as a testament in modern times to the power of God in the world around us. If you’re unfamiliar, this miracle is part of the apparitions of the Blessed Mother to three children in Fatima, Portugal. After appearing several times, one of the children asked the Blessed Virgin Mary for a sign, because there were many who did not believe such things were really occurring; that the children were making it all up. And so, on October 13 th , as the Blessed Mother promised, a sign and miracle did occur. For the 30,000-100,000 people gathered and in the general area (estimates vary), after a period of rain, the Sun appeared in an unusual way, much dimmer than usual, and in various accounts, shone light in a variety of colors, danced and zig-zagged in the sky, and generally did not behave in a typical manner.

Whether you want to be skeptical or not, the point of this miracle and of all miracles is to reassure us of the truth of God’s existence. God is real! And His loving presence in our lives is real too! Now, if you’re taking the time to read a bulletin letter, I’m guessing you already know and believe that. But when something miraculous breaks through into our lives, it’s a strong reminder of how truly great God is and how He helps us in our daily lives.

Peace and Goodness,
Fr. Dan