Join Us for Our 2026 Lenten Parish Mission Called “Why Be Catholic? from March 15-18, 2026
Join us for a powerful four-night Lenten parish mission at the Basilica — called “Why Be Catholic?” — with Fr. Ken Geraci, from the Fathers of Mercy, as he leads us to a deeper understanding of our Catholic faith and our relationship with Christ, starting on Sunday, March 15, and ending on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Tuesday evening, March 17, will include a healing service. Wednesday evening, March 18, will include a Mass. Come and be renewed in faith, hope, and love. Everyone is welcome; please bring a friend!
Times: At 7 p.m. from Sunday through Wednesday evenings, March 15-18. Also, after the 12:10 p.m. daily Masses on Monday through Wednesday, March 16-18
Topics:
Sunday, March 15 – What Did Jesus Do: Church or Spirituality?
Monday, March 16 – Why Do We Do That as Catholics?
Tuesday, March 17 – Two Obstacles to Healing, including a healing service
Wednesday, March 18 – “How to Pray the Mass” talk as Homily during closing Mass
Confession times:
Sunday, March 15:
+ 8:15 p.m. until the last person goes
Monday, March 16, and Tuesday, March 17:
+ 11 a.m. – 12 (noon)
+ 12:45 p.m. until the last person goes
+ 6-6:50 p.m.
+ 8:15 p.m. until the last person goes
Wednesday, March 18
+ 11 a.m. – 12 (noon)
+ 12:45 p.m. until the last person goes
+ 6-6:50 p.m.
+ No confessions after Mission Mass
Fr. Ken’s bio:
Fr. Ken Geraci, CPM, lived the life of the prodigal son for most of his young adult life. Raised in a nominally Catholic family, who only lived the externals of the faith, Fr. Ken left the Catholic Church for many years. During that time he earned a business degree and worked as a business profession in Advanced R&D and software testing; a few years into his career he joined a few of his co-workers in establishing a $4.5 million Internet software company. Focused on money, fitness, and success, he made little room for God; but God did not give up on him. During this journey, God presented him with challenges that forced him to question his personal beliefs and the question “What is Truth?” Through a series of conversions, years of struggle, study and questioning, Fr. Ken found his way from agnosticism, to non-denominational Christianity, and ultimately back to the Catholic Church.
Fr. Ken joined the Fathers of Mercy in 2006 and was ordained in 2012. For two years, he served as an associate pastor of a medium sized parish and currently serves as a Missionary, webmaster and vocation director for the Fathers of Mercy. Fr. Ken has a great understanding of the personal and societal pressures that individuals face and knows what it is like to “hate coming to church.” His mission talks are for people of all levels of faith; from those who are madly in love with Jesus to those who struggle with church and religion.
Fr. Geraci is the author of two books, “Why Be Catholic” published 2021 by TAN Books and “Spiritual Warfare & Divine Mercy” publishing in late 2023.