As I settled into the Archbishop Brunett Retreat at the Palisades for the archdiocesan ‘Betrothed’ retreat, it hit me that most of the month of October has involved celebrations of and preparations for marriage. On October 11, I was privileged to celebrate the nuptials of Bill Tocco & Heidi Durall. Last Sunday (October 19), I was invited to attend the wedding of Elijah Bufford & Galia Roman at Saint Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church (thanks to the gracious work of Archbishop Etienne and Father Josef Calendario of the Orthodox Church). In addition to being a beautiful celebration of the sacrament of matrimony, it was a welcome reminder of the rich liturgical traditions of our Eastern brethren – all-round a wonderful day. And this weekend, I am blessed to serve as a chaplain of sorts to the Betrothed retreat.

In short, marriage is awesome and I am so grateful for the opportunity to be invited to share in the joyful celebrations of so many couples joining or preparing for sacramental union. In your kindness, please especially pray for the many couples on retreat this weekend and all those preparing to marry.

We were also blessed this week to celebrate the funeral rites for Father Dennis Robb. I am so proud of our communities, from whom so many stepped into the breach to provide for the many (many!) aspects of a priest funeral. I had no. idea. how many extra details are involved – but others did and even more others volunteered to assist such that every aspect was not just covered, but shared so that no one bore too great a load. It was a wonderful day – sad, but so very graced. Special thanks to Father Jim Johnson (who MC’d the Mass), Deacon Tom O’Loughlin (our homilist), Deacon Duane Schireman (who led the graveside service, and our regional bishop, Bishop Schuster.

Sadly, word went out today that another of our senior priests died: Father Jay Defolco died earlier today (October 25, 2025), succumbing to the cancer after many years. Earlier this year, he celebrated his fortieth anniversary of priesthood. Please join me in praying for him, his family, and for all those who love him – especially the parishioners of Holy Cross in Lake Stevens, the parish he helped build and where, until very recently, he served as pastor.

℣. Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord.
     ℟. And let perpetual light shine upon him/her.
℣. May he/she rest in peace.
     ℟. Amen.
℣. May his/her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
     ℟. Amen.

October 19 – Today the Church celebrates the memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues, and their companions – also called the North American Martyrs. The first recognized martyrs of North America, these eight Jesuit missionaries came to North America to share the Gospel to Native American, most notably the Huron, Iroquois, and Mohawk tribes. Even after their confreres had been killed, these men kept coming back – and as a result, thousands received & embraced the Good News of Jesus Christ. Read more about them at Loyola Press.

October 20 – At the age of 26, today’s saint – Saint Paul of the Cross – was inspired by visions from God to found a community rooted in the Passion of Christ. Though it was the work of years – a lifetime, really! – he eventually formed the Passionists. Though much of his early work was ordered towards missionary work to remote areas, their communities were more hermetic, focused on prayer & penance inspired by meditating on Christ’s Passion. Read more about him at the Vatican City State website.

October 22 – For those of my generation (‘elder millenials’, we’re called ¯\_(ツ)_/¯), Saint John Paul II was a major image of Christ & His Church. Perhaps it is a bias of my own heart, but it seems to me that he always has at least a hint of smile – if not an outright mischievous grin. One of my favorite photos is of him making glasses with his fingers, looking through them out at those present – a welcome reminder of the incarnated reality of God’s presence among us. Read more about him at the Catholic Heroes website.

October 23 – Born into a noble family, Saint John of Capistrano found himself richly blessed not only materially but in his own giftedness. He earned a doctorate in civil and canon law and was appointed governor of Perugia, Italy at the age of 26. But when war broke out between Perugia and Malatestas, he was captured and imprisoned – it was during this time that he reevaluated his life and found it wanting. He embraced humility and poverty, joining the Franciscan Order, where he first received the sacraments (such as communion, at the age of 30) and later, ordination to the priesthood. Though he is perhaps particularly famous for his leadership at the Battle of Belgrade, his heart was in the proclamation of Christ and the austerity promoted by the Franciscan life. Read more about him at the Vatican City State website.