Rev. Father Francis Stevenson, Pastor
Ordained: 1992
Assigned Tahoe City: July 1, 2019
September 21, 2025
Twenty- Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Ten days ago we witnessed a national tragedy with the assassination of the prominent young Christian influencer, Charlie Kirk.
In the last several days, I’ve had an opportunity to hear and learn more about Charlie and noticed that two significant things stand out about this young man that are worthy of reflection. Charlie Kirk said that he wanted to be known, after he died, as “a man of courageous faith.”
I must ask myself the hard question: “do I have that same desire?” Additionally, Charlie considered himself to be a “Bible believing Christian” and stressed the importance of attending a “Bible believing church.” It is undoubtedly true that we, as Catholic Christians, are indeed a Bible believing Church. We believe that the Scriptures are divinely inspired by God, that they are inerrant, and are profitable, as Saint Paul says, for teaching, preaching and instruction in the faith.
The foundations of our Catholic Church – the sacraments, sacred traditions, and holy doctrines and teachings are not only Bible based, but they spring from the very heart of the Sacred Scriptures. The faith that we now live and hope we will be remembered for after we die, is a biblical faith. The faith that we profess is defined most clearly by the Holy Scriptures and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It is a faith that reminds us to honor and respect all human life – from the moment of conception to natural death. It is a faith that clearly defines what authentic Christian marriage is – and what it is not. That marriage can only exist between one man and one woman, for the intended purpose of creating a family.
It reminds us that we must love our neighbor as ourselves, and most importantly, we must love God with all our heart, mind, body, soul and strength. The fundamental goal of this life is to discover authentic truth and love – and we find that authentic truth and love in the Person of Jesus Christ, Who defined Himself as “the Truth.”
Charlie Kirk strived to live and proclaim this authentic love and truth to all he met and to all the world.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Father Richard W. Rolfs, SJ, emeritus professor of history at Loyola Marymount University, died March 7, 2022, at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, California, at age 98. He had been a member of the Jesuits for 73 years. He had a long association with Loyola Marymount, first as an undergraduate (1946-48) and later as dean of students (1963-70) and professor of history (1974-2016, emeritus, 2008). He helped with the celebration of masses here at Corpus Christi during the summer months for over 23 years! Our sympathy to his family. He will truly be missed. To read more about Father Rolfs incredible life please go to https://www.jesuitswest.org/memoriam/rolfs-richard-w-father/
