Sunday’s Readings: Ezekiel 2:2-5; Psalms 123:1-2, 2, 3-4; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Mark 6:1-6a

…from your Pastor’s Desk – My first day here [this time around] was July 11, 2014. From my perspective, standing in front of you, I get to see all your faces every week [now that we are un-masked!]. In the ten years since my arrival the faces have changed. Some are brand new baby faces, some have matured a bit; some now gaze on the face of God. Children have graduated from Grade School to High School, High School to college. College students to whatever lies next for them. …

Sunday’s Readings: Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24; Psalms 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13; 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15; Mark 5:21-43 OR 5:21-24, 35b-43

…from your Pastor’s Desk – It often happens that we want to do something, and we proceed accordingly. But then, someone comes along that we were not expecting and holds us up and we do not get to do what we set out to do at the time we intended to do it. …

Sunday’s Readings: Job 38:1, 8-11; Psalms 107:23-24, 25-26, 28-29, 30-31; 2 Corinthians 5:14-17; Mark 4:35-41

…from your Pastor’s Desk – “Be not Afraid. I go before you always. Come follow me, and I will give you rest”. Great words from a song written by Bob Dufford, S.J. The beginning of the second verse is very poignant for today’s Gospel: “If you pass through raging waters in the sea, you shall not drown…” The disciples in today’s gospel were on the Sea of Galilee when a violent storm occurred – yet Jesus slept soundly. They were terrified, so, they awakened Him asking for help. …

Sunday’s Readings: Ezekiel 17:22-24; Psalms 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10; Mark 4:26-34

…from your Pastor’s Desk – HAPPY FATHERS DAY – The word Father brings up many different emotions and feelings for people. Hopefully for most it is positive, but not everyone has had a good father. Some have never had a father at all. So what does it mean to be a father? Let us look at one of the most famous fathers. Saint Joseph. I love the image of Saint Joseph as portrayed in the movie ‘Jesus of Nazareth ‘by Franco Zeffirelli. Rent this or buy it if you can. He is joyful, gentle, and kind. …

Sunday’s Readings: Genesis 3:9-15; Psalms 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8; 2 Corinthians 4:13—5:1; Mark 3:20-35

…from your Pastor’s Desk – No-Body Sunday? – For the last 16 Weekends every Sunday has had a title from ‘The First Sunday of Lent’ on February 18th up until last week’s feast of ‘The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ’. So, when I first looked at the readings for today – I saw it was just ‘The 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time’. I jokingly said to myself – aha – ‘No-Body Sunday’. My next thought was – let’s make it ‘Every-Body Sunday!’ – And rightfully so. …

Sunday’s Readings: Exodus 24:3-8; Psalms 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18; Hebrews 9:11-15; Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

…from your Pastor’s Desk – The Eucharist and SCUBA – People have commented that when I raise the Host after Consecration, I hold it up longer than most priests. Well, if I do, I am not doing it for dramatic effect! When I hold up the Eucharist after Consecration, you and I spend a moment in adoration. At that moment I know that you and I are exactly on the same page. The “Disciple Makers Index Survey” showed that 82% of Catholics “Strongly agree” that the “Eucharist really is the Body and Blood of Jesus.” (As Mother Church teaches) …

Sunday’s Readings: Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40; Psalms 33:4-5, 6, 9, 18-19, 20, 22; Romans 8:14-17; Matthew 28:16-20

…from your Pastor’s Desk – Memorial Day: Monday, May 27 – Dear God our Father, Your word tells us, “Unless the LORD build the house, they labor in vain who build. Unless the LORD guard the city, in vain does the guard keep watch” (Psalm 127:1). Thank You for those who have guarded not only our cities, but our country, allies, and many other communities from unjust and unprincipled aggressors. …

Sunday’s Readings: Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11; Psalms 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13 OR Galatians 5:16-25; John 20:19-23 OR 15:26-27; 16:12-15

…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. It usually evokes a significant response in family members, especially in the strays. There is an awareness of the life she has given and nurtured. The blessings she has bestowed are remembered – at least fleetingly. The opportunities she has created are often recalled with joy. …

Sunday’s Readings: Acts of the Apostles 1:1-11; Psalms 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9; Ephesians 1:17-23 OR 4:1-13 OR 4:1-7, 11-13; Mark 16:15-20

…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. I have told you in a previous homily the last few words my mother said just before she died. Many of you have similar experiences with family and friends. …

Sunday’s Readings: Acts of the Apostles 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48; Psalms 98:1, 2-3, 3-4; 1 John 4:7-10; John 15:9-17

…From Your Pastor’s Desk – Have you ever fallen in love? I hope so. To fall in love is essentially an emotional experience. And the word “love” is often used casually as we hear phrases like “I love Pizza” or “I love the Giants” or “I love that person – be they, actor, athlete or even favorite saint”. But back to falling in love, even if it is an infatuation, it is still an emotional experience. Falling in love is an emotion, but staying in love is a decision. And often, it is easier to fall in love… than to stay in love. In the gospel, Jesus tells us that just as the Father loves Him, He too loves us. …