Sometimes we doubt and wonder why we even bother, especially after repeated disappointments and let downs. So what's the point? The point is our transformation, and it's not a waste of our time.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

We often don't believe in Divine Providence because we are too afraid to give him the chance to be provident. When we make space for God to act, he provides in ways beyond our imagination.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

Sometimes we overcomplicate growing in faith. We feel like our emotional experience is the measure of whether or not we are growing. However, here are three failsafe ways to always be growing in faith, regardless of how you feel.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

There’s no sin too great for God’s mercy… except for one. The sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit can be understood as un-repentance or hardness of heart. This is the only “unforgivable sin” because it is a refusal to accept the mercy that God offers to us.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

We tend to develop a “spiritual amnesia” as the days go on. Hence, it’s incredibly important for us to be continually reminded (”anamnesis”) of who God is and what he has done for us, which happens every time we go to Mass.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

The health and vitality of a family is measured by the love and service each member gives to another. If we get this wrong, we will get evangelization wrong.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

Holiness is measured not by extraordinary miracles, but by the fruits of the Holy Spirit. If these fruits are lacking in our daily lives, the solution is not to “try harder” or “do better”, but to rely more heavily on the Holy Spirit.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

We often overcomplicate evangelization. Often times, people are only an invite away from encountering the Lord more personally.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

Christian joy is a fruit of charity, which is made possible by remaining in Jesus.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

There's something about sacred beauty that inspires us to do God's work. Please prayerfully consider supporting our church renovation project. To see our renderings, go to stleolafayette.com/revivalPar St. Leo - Lafayette

Most parents naturally protect their children from physical danger, but how many parents are concerned about their spiritual protection? Parents are the spiritual leaders of their families, which comes with a great spiritual responsibility.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

The Risen Jesus has a glorified, human body. This points to our destiny, when our bodies will reunite with our souls on the last day. It also points to the profound dignity of every human person.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

Sin causes real damage. Even though our eternal punishment may be forgiven through confession, the need for reparation remains. On Divine Mercy Sunday, Jesus offers us a unique opportunity to make spiritual reparation for the damage due to sin.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

Imagine if you knew ahead of time that someone was going to hurt you. Would you treat that person any different? Jesus was free enough to give himself totally to those that he knew would betray, deny, and abandon him.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

If you knew ahead of time how much something was going to hurt, would you do it anyway? Jesus was free enough to lay down his life for us.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

If you could change anything about your life in order to make it more fulfilling, what would it be? Jesus is the Resurrection & the Life. He sets us free to live life to the fullest.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

It’s not easy being Christian, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. Even though Jesus was troubled, he was not doubting, nor was he trying to avoid the cross. Instead, he freely chose the Father’s will.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

Unless & until we experience the real damage of sin in our lives, God’s mercy doesn’t mean much. But when we take an honest look at the darkness within us, we find hope only in the light of Jesus.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

Jesus transforms our experience of worship. Our worship is no longer limited to a particular time & place, but a lifestyle that we embrace at every moment.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

In the details of scripture & the particular events of your life, God has a plan. Just because we can’t see it doesn’t mean he doesn’t have it. And yet, in his goodness, God gives us glimpses of hope to encourage us to persevere when times get tough.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

Our mind is often the battleground for temptation. Pope St. Gregory the Great and St. Ignatius of Loyola share wise insight into conquering temptation like Jesus.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

We may not have too many lepers these days, but we have plenty who feel alone, rejected, or outcasted. If that’s you, come to the One who won’t look away.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

Jesus touches the misery of human suffering and transforms it into something beautiful.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

Spiritual warfare is real. It's something to take seriously, but not something to fear. Here are 4 practical things that any baptized Christian can do to be set free from spiritual attack.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

Following Jesus is dangerous, but it’s worth the risk.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

Following Jesus is hard. Sometimes we focus so much on all the things that separate us from Him that we get discouraged, but Jesus gives you a personal invitation today to lift up your eyes & to take one step forward.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

The magi were led by the star, while King Herod was led by fear. The star was a sign from God that pointed toward Christ. In a certain sense, you are the star, called to point toward Christ so that others can encounter Him.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

Parents have a nature authority given to them by God, but authority is not about power and control. Even though God has supreme authority, he chose to veil it by becoming obedient to human parents. If he can honor his parents, we can, too.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

Even though our human experience tells us that people often make promises they can’t keep, God is a Father who always keeps his promises.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

Fear can sometimes paralyze us from following God’s will. Mary & Joseph show great courage in the Christmas story. Their courage is not found in the absence of fear, but in the presence of Christ.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

If we want to always be joyful, we must always be praying. But is that really possible? Here are 5 practical ways to pray without ceasing.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

What is your measure of success? St Mark turns expectations upside down with a bold statement at the beginning of his gospel.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

What if Advent was less about doing more and more about doing less? Ideally, prayer, family, and charity wouldn’t be a burden added to our to do list, but the fruit of a heart that is settled and at peace.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

If we want peace in our world, nation, and family, it must begin in our hearts. There is peace when Christ is King, and Christ reigns with charity.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

Sometimes Catholics are the ones who need to be evangelized. Every moment of our lives should be an act of evangelization. If not, we quickly turn in on ourselves and forget what it means to be a disciple.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

Has the fire within you dwindled? It may be because you are lacking in works of mercy. Concrete acts of charity are what distinguishes the prepared from the unprepared.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

Jesus seems to say that we shouldn’t call anyone “father” except for our Father in heaven. If that’s the case, then why do we call priests “Father”?Par St. Leo - Lafayette

Many of us struggle to love God and neighbor because we haven't seen it modeled well by others. Ideally, the family should be the primary place where we learn how to love, but more and more families are at risk of forgetting their main task.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

What is the relationship between the Church and the State? Here is an overview of my role as a priest and your role as lay persons in matters regarding politics.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

What distracts you from staying with the Lord? The Holy Trinity dwells inside of us, but we too often neglect to notice. St. Paul teaches us that the secret to contentment in good times and bad is our ability to remain with the Lord.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

God exalts the lowly. That’s the pattern of Christ, the pattern of scripture, and the pattern of the saints. If we want to become great, we must first become little.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

Justice without mercy is cruel. Sometimes, for the sake of restoring a relationship, it’s better not to keep score. The good news is that God is not a scorekeeper, he’s a good Father.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

How do we know if we've actually forgiven someone? Sometimes it's helpful to first identify what forgiveness is not. Here are 4 things it isn't.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

Jesus gives practical advice for conflict resolution, but the first step is the hardest. Here are 5 tips for navigating tough conversations with family members.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

What should we do when our kids suffer? Is there a wrong way to help? Here are a few practical suggestions based on the gospel.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

Our identity and our purpose come from God. They are gifts to receive, not something to achieve. Who we are and what we are supposed to do make no sense without Christ.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

Have you ever felt like God ignored you? It seems that Jesus ignores the Canaanite woman in today’s gospel, but something deeper is going on here.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

The apostles feared for their lives while they were caught in the storm, then they feared what they thought was a ghost. Yet, after Jesus walked on water, their anxious fears turned into a holy reverence.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

God reveals his glory through the face of Christ. In his face, we find mercy, hope, & healing.Par St. Leo - Lafayette

Some say everything happens for a reason, but St Paul seems to say something different. Although subtle, there is a difference between an optimistic belief in a cliche and a deep conviction of Christian hope.Par St. Leo - Lafayette