Tuna Fish, Chocolate and Pennies: The Meaning of Lent
I have few memories of Lent as a child, but there are a couple things I will always associate with this particular season: tuna fish hot dish, no chocolate and digging through my piggy bank. I know I didn’t understand what tuna fish, chocolate and pennies had to do with [...]
“Rend your hearts, not your garments”
This week, of course, we embark on the arduous journey of Lent. It is truly the most difficult discipline that is still widely and popularly exercised among the Church. As a point of clarity, Lenten moderations of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving are not meant to be exclusive to the liturgical [...]
Beauty in Our Church
We should be so proud of our parish! For the first time in a long time, our parish budget is in the black. Our parishioners have supported their parish community with financial gifts, giving us the ability to put more back into our many events and ministries. But regardless of [...]
The Beauty of the Eucharist
My dear friends, If we step back and take a ‘birds-eye-view’ of the Gospels, we see that all is centered around Jesus Christ and his encounters with various individuals and groups of people. And in each of these encounters is a noticeable pattern: every time someone approaches Jesus with a [...]
When Human Leadership Fails Us
In February of 1798, French troops marched into Rome under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte. Pope Pius VI was imprisoned by Napoleon, where he died in 1799. Later that year, a new pope was elected by 34 cardinals from across Europe who gathered in secret, since Napoleon had made their [...]
What’s In A Name?
Names are important. As human persons we seem to know this intrinsically. Expectant parents spend a great deal of effort choosing names for their children. Throughout our lives, our friends, family, and our own personalities, often change those names. What we are called- and what we call one another- is [...]
Celebrating Baptism
This weekend we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, the recognition of the day upon which John baptized Jesus Christ. It is also the end of the Christmas season. By now most of us have taken down the Christmas tree, packed away the decorations and unfortunately it is likely a [...]
Celebrating Epiphany
My dear friends, This time of year we celebrate the Feast of Epiphany, a Greek word that means “manifestation.” In and through the whole mystery of the Incarnation, by taking on our humanity, God is “manifesting” Himself to the world, making Himself visible in Jesus Christ, and thereby revealing His [...]
Faithfulness In Our Relationship With God
Honestly, when I think about the concept of “faithfulness” in the relationship I have with God, I generally focus on how I am being faithful (or not) to God. I do not often reflect on God’s faithfulness to me and to all His people. And yet, today’s first reading and [...]
A Sunday For Rejoicing
The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally known as “Gaudete Sunday”, or, phrasing it another way, “a Sunday for Rejoicing”. It is so called because it marks the approaching end of our Advent task of preparing for the celebration of Christmas. Incidentally, I’ve been finding Fr. Steven’s homilies particularly helpful [...]
Click here to read more about our parish school, Faithful Shepherd Catholic School.