Pastoral Messages on Pastoral Readings

Homilies

Pentecost Sunday 6.8.25

Sunday’s Readings: Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13 OR Romans 8:8-17; John 20:19-23 OR John 14:15-16, 23b-26

…from your Pastor’s Desk – HAPPY BIRTHDAY! – A few years back, we had a very cool conflation of celebrations. Mother’s Day and Pentecost were on the same day. And, as was brought to my attention just before mass that day, a mother and her daughter were both celebrating their birthdays on that same day! A mother’s birthday has a special appeal. …

The Ascension of the Lord 6.1.25

Sunday’s Readings: Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9; Ephesians 1:17-23 OR Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23; Luke 24:46-53

…from your Pastor’s Desk – Ascension Day – Parting messages have their own impact. The last words said by someone moving away or even going away for a long time hold special places in our hearts. I remember the many deployments I went on in my years of military service and how touching were those words between husband and wife and parent and child. …

6th Sunday of Easter 5.25.25

Sunday’s Readings: Acts 15:1-2, 22-29; Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23; John 14:23-29

…from your Pastor’s Desk – MEMORIAL DAY – Thank You for those who have guarded not only our cities, but our country, allies, and many other communities from unjust and unprincipled aggressors. On this Memorial Day, with a solemn and sacred spirit, we pause to remember and honor the brave men and women in our Armed Forces who gave up their lives for their fellow Americans at home and abroad. …

3rd Sunday of Easter 5.4.25

Sunday’s Readings: Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41; Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19 OR 21:1-14

…A View – from the Pew… From 2015, but could have been written today. – Many of you have told me of spiritual quickenings or illuminations that came to you either at Mass or other times during the week from something you experienced at Mass or other parish activities. Times when you knew God was speaking directly to you. I thought how edifying it would be to share these with other parishioners. …

Easter Sunday 4.20.25

Sunday’s Readings: Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23; Colossians 3:1-4 OR 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8; John 20:1-9

…from your Pastor’s Desk – HAPPY EASTER! A Happy Thought on a Happy Feast. – Have you ever considered that this is the only time when people, even strangers, give a spiritually based greeting? Merry Christmas is often replaced by ‘Happy Holidays’ and ‘Happy Thanksgiving’ has become a secular salutation; but so far ‘Happy Easter’ stands firm in its acknowledgement of what we commemorate. …

5th Sunday of Lent 4.6.25

Sunday’s Readings: Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6; Philippians 3:8-14; John 8:1-11

…from your Pastor’s Desk – One in Great Misery and the One with Great Mercy – Holy Week is drawing nigh. In fact, a week from today is Palm Sunday and the following Sunday is Easter. For many or most of us the season of Lent has sped by very quickly, since, at least for me, it seems we just began, and are now moving toward the conclusion of this season of renewal. …