Religious Education - Children
Catechist BlogListening and Leadership
Today's readings include a first reading from the Letter to the Hebrews. I am writing this on a Sunday afternoon, and it is hard not to think about the events of January 6th at the Capitol when the halls of Congress were invaded by a mob who had been encouraged by the...
Inside the Camp
Today's gospel is one that always needs 1st century context as we read, "Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He [Jesus] approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them."...
Many Thanks and Looking Ahead
Many thanks to all who worked to make possible and successful, our Christmas and New Year’s Liturgical celebrations. Despite the restrictions placed upon us by the pandemic, all went well. My deepest appreciation to all who contributed to the Christmas collection. ...
Reflections on the Events of January 6th 2021
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge and the Provincial Ministers of the Franciscan OFMs of the United States have each issued a statement or reflection on the events of January 6th - events that rocked the Capitol and the soul of a nation. Bishop Burdidge's reflection can be...
What Is This?
“What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him” (Mark 1:27). As we begin “Ordinary Time” this week we also begin to read the Gospel of Mark. We are already a part of this Gospel: we are the people who are...
From Among Us
Today we hear the story of Jesus calling His first disciples to follow Him. What does this story tell us about this moment? First, that Jesus called them common men. They were simple folk; they did not come from schools or colleges. They did not come from...
Parish Weekly Email: A New Direction
A New Format: Hopefully you have noticed that there has been a change in the format of the weekly parish email. If you have not had the chance to review the emails, here are the recent emails since we implemented the format change: December 15th December 22nd December...
Feed them yourself…
When asked how they could possibly feed so many people, Jesus said to disciples “in reply, ‘Give them some food yourselves.’” I often think of this as the scriptural equivalent of "how do you eat an elephant?" One bite at the time. How are we to minister to the...
A Light in the Darkness
“…the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.” Today the Church in the United States celebrates St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first native-born American to be named a saint. Born in 1774...
“The child grew….”
One of the great gifts to the Church are the heretics. I use that one-liner in order to grab people’s attention. It mostly generates the question: “what possible good could come from a heretic,” right? The thing about heretics is that they ask great questions,...