Author Archives: kmwanek

Last Friday, the Church celebrated the memorial of St. Maximilian Kolbe.  One famous quote that is attributed to him is, “the most deadly poison of our time is indifference.”  This is prevalent in our world today.  It is seen in hearts that are lukewarm in faith and for love of God.  Indifference is also seenContinue reading “The Deadliest Poison”

Today’s Gospel reading is a reminder to us that to serve and follow Jesus, we must die to ourselves in small ways and offer our lives to others, serving with love.  To die to ourselves means to let go of our own desires and to live a life that puts others first.  If we areContinue reading “Like the Grain of Wheat”

One evening on the Biking for Babies National Ride, we were at mass in Ames, IA.  We were sitting on the right side up in the front.  Directly across from us, on the left side, was a mom with a few kids.  One of the kids did not want to sit still and was movingContinue reading “Right There!”

Over the weekend, I was up north at my aunt and uncle’s cottage.  We went out to eat for dinner.  At a table next to us, there was a couple with their daughter, who looked to be about 11 or 12 years old.  For about 15 minutes, the father scrolled through reels on his phone. Continue reading “A Strong Connection”

Living our lives as followers of Jesus means that we will be called to do things that are outside of our comfort zone.  We will find ourselves doing what we never thought we would, things that were not in our plans.  I started something new recently and while excited, I am also a bit terrified. Continue reading “Stepping Out of the Boat”

Today’s Gospel seems to be the perfect message at exactly the right time.  Tomorrow morning (Saturday), my teammates on the Minnesota route, as well as missionaries on eight other routes will travel to meet in-person, getting ready to start the National Ride for Biking for Babies.  Sharing the Gospel of Life and our faith withContinue reading “Sheep Among Wolves”

In the Old Testament, things like the Golden Calf and pagan gods were idols.  Today, the idols in our world look a bit different.  A group of fifth and sixth graders were discussing the 1st commandment and listing off different idols that people might have today, and they came up with a pretty solid listContinue reading “God Above All”

Today’s Gospel is Jesus calming the storm while the disciples are in the boat and afraid.  We can all probably relate to having storms in our lives and being afraid.  But we can also probably relate to feeling like Jesus is resting while we need Him.  As the boat is rocked by waves, Jesus isContinue reading “With Us in the Boat”

Throughout our lives, we get glimpses of God in both big ways and small ways.  From large events to ordinary moments, He reveals Himself to us.  Do we notice when He does? My grandma Mart (Martha) had a prayer card with Pope John Paul II on her refrigerator for as long as I could remember. Continue reading “Something Unexpected”

In the Gospel from this past weekend, we were reminded that we are all sent on a mission, tasked with the responsibility of helping to build up God’s kingdom.  When we are called to something, how do we respond? The Gospel passage speaks of the needs of the people and how the apostles are calledContinue reading “An Abundant Harvest”