Pastor's Column

 

Jesus, Asleep in My Boat

Pastor’s Column

1st Sunday of Lent

February 26, 2012

 

“A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion.”

                                                Mark 44:37-38

 

          In my chapel at home I have an icon...

                         Preparing for Lent

Pastor’s Column

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time

February 19, 2012

 

They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.

                              (from Mark 2:4-12)

 

                    One of the great benefits of going to the sacrament of Reconciliation on a regular basis is that it really does help us to know our weaknesses.  Lent is a time when rigorous honesty is required between the soul and God.  Many of us find that we are fighting the same battles with sin and bad habits throughout our lives.  The reason for this often lies in that we are not at war with our sinful choices!

...

 

Glorifying God Everywhere

Pastor’s Column

6th Sunday Ordinary Time

February 12, 2012

 

Brothers and sisters, whatever you eat or drink,

or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.

                                                                   1 Corinthians 10:31

 

 

          The best use of every minute of our lives is to aim to glorify God in all that we do. That sounds good in theory, but how in the world do you actually do this? Obviously, we all can’t run off to the monastery or convent.  In fact, we usually don’t have to run off anywhere. Instead, the Lord is calling us to change the motive for why we do things, and our attitude towards them.

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Jesus Sneaks Out to Pray

Pastor’s Column

5th Sunday Ordinary Time

February 5, 2012

 

“Rising early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place,   where he prayed.  Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you!"

                                                -- from Mark 1:29-39

...

 

A Confrontation with Demons

Pastor’s Column

4th Sunday Ordinary Time

January 29, 2012

 

“What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?

Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

from Mark 1:21-28

 

This Sunday we hear a most curious exchange taking place. Jesus is confronted with a man who has "an unclean...

 

Silent Prayers of the Priest

 at Mass

Pastor’s Column

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

January 22, 2012

 

 

There are a number of places in the Mass where the priest prays silently. This is because the mass is both a personal and a communal prayer. When we come to Mass, we pray both as individuals and as the body of Christ. For priest as well as lay person, the Mass has elements of both private and public prayer. How we pray the Mass depends on whether or not we pray individually outside of Mass.  Here are the silent prayers proscribed for the priest to pray quietly during various parts of the Mass. They are quite beautiful! You may wish to keep this column so that you can learn them too and make them your own as well.  

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Behold, the Lamb of God

Pastor’s Column

2nd Sunday Ordinary Time

January 15, 2012

 

          If you have ever watched the old Cecile B DeMille film King of Kings, you might notice that this silent movie, which was created in black and white, always has Jesus wearing a garment that is whiter than everyone else has on; in fact, Jesus even seems to have...

 

What Are You Seeking?

Pastor’s Column

Epiphany

January 8, 2012

 

It occurs to me that it is not just the wise men that are on a journey, a mission in search of a goal, a star they see in the east; no, we are all seeking something in life. There is an old expression that comes to mind: be careful what you wish for, because you may get it! Everyone on earth...

Pastor’s Column Solemnity of Mary Mother of God   January 1, 2012

    One of the most powerful Marian Shrines in the world is that of Our Lady of Czestochowa at the Monastery of Jasna Gora.  This shrine was a favorite of John Paul II when he was archbishop...

 God’s Secret Plan

Pastor’s Column

Christmas Day

December 25, 2011

 

          Christmas is a time when we see lots of angels on Christmas cards, trees, stores, nativity sets, and many other places.  God has a secret plan in everything we do in this life, but he generally reveals the truth only to the humble.

 

          I had a very good friend named...