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. …

Sunday’s Readings: Acts of the Apostles 9:26-31; Psalms 22:26-27, 28, 30, 31-32; 1 John 3:18-24; John 15:1-8

…From Your Pastor’s Desk – In last Sunday’s gospel reading Jesus was the good shepherd and we the sheep. Today’s image expresses an even closer relationship: a vine and its branches. This is so close a relationship that you could say it is beyond relationship; it expresses identification. “I am the vine…you the branches.” …

Sunday’s Readings: Acts of the Apostles 4:8-12; Psalms 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29; 1 John 3:1-2; John 10:11-18

…A Reflection by Sr. Candice Tucci, O.S.F.– The stone rejected by the builders, becomes the cornerstone. – Cornerstones are crucial to the integrity of the building. It is laid first to make sure of the building’s stability and is the rock upon which the weight of the whole stands strong. This one stone is crucial to the whole. Jesus the Christ is the Cornerstone of our faith communities. He who was once rejected, rose from the dead and we can rejoice with this gift of everlasting life. …

Sunday’s Readings: Acts of the Apostles 3:13-15, 17-19; Psalms 4:2, 4, 7-8, 9; 1 John 2:1-5a; Luke 24:35-48

And Now….The Rest… of… the Story – Folks of a certain age will remember the Paul Harvey radio show called “The Rest of the Story.” Harvey always reserved until the last thing in his show a surprise ending to the story he had been reporting that week. Well, Sunday’s Gospel contains the surprise ending to a tale we all know well, the Emmaus story. …

Sunday’s Readings: Acts of the Apostles 4:32-35; Psalms 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24; 1 John 5:1-6; John 20:19-31

…from your Pastor’s Desk – “Thinking Thomas” – No Doubt. – There is something to be said for doubt at times. It is a good thing to be able to doubt oneself, provided it doesn’t become an addiction that cripples us; to doubt one’s ideas, one’s principles, one’s work and to doubt much of what we hear. …

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

…from the 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. Even though there is more wide-spread celebration at Christmas, we are truly an Easter people. …