Pastoral Messages

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2.9.25

Sunday’s Readings: Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8; Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 OR 15:3-8, 11; Luke 5:1-11

…from your Pastor’s Desk – To Raise the World – The First Reading is about the call of Isaiah: “Whom shall I send?” The next two readings are about the apostles, those who were sent by Jesus to carry his message and carry on his work. Who are Jesus’ apostles in our world? Whom will God send today? …

The Presentation of the Lord 2.2.25

Sunday’s Readings: Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40 OR 2:22-32

…from your Pastor’s Desk – The Story of ‘Children’s Bread’ – If you’ve been to the 10:30 mass here before, you’ve noticed that we do something special right after it. It is ‘Children’s Bread’. A few of you know the origins of this custom, and a few more have asked me to tell ‘the story’. So, here it goes. …

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 1.26.25

Sunday’s Readings: Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10; Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15; 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 OR 12:12-14, 27; Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

…from your Pastor’s Desk – Here is The Golden Rule as it is written in eight religions: – Baha’i: Blessed are those who prefer others before themselves. Buddhism: Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. Christianity: In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. Islam: No one is a believer until you desire for another that which you desire for yourself. …

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 1.19.25

Sunday’s Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 9-10; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2:1-11

…from your Pastor’s Desk – John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Dorothy Day, Martin Luther King Junior. To some of us reading this, these names bring back memories of personal experiences during the turbulent times of the sixties and seventies; the start of the Civil Rights Movement, the Catholic Worker Houses and the beginning of the changes that are still in process today to make this country one of equality for all people. Note: Still in Process. …

The Baptism of the Lord 1.12.25

Sunday’s Readings: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 OR 40:1-5, 9-11; Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10 OR 104:1b-2, 3-4, 24-25, 27-28, 29-30; Acts 10:34-38 OR Titus 2:11-14, 3:4-7; Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

…from your Pastor’s Desk – The Baptism of the Lord – Jesus has just been baptized by John. There’s a crowd. Many of them have also just been baptized. Jesus feels the enormity of the occasion and kneels to pray. Then, suddenly, something happens to change everything. The heavens open and the Holy Spirit descends in the form of a dove and God speaks to His Son. …

The Epiphany of the Lord 1.5.25

Sunday’s Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13; Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12

…from your Pastor’s Desk – Three Magi, Three Gifts for the Child-King – If I asked you to think of the three worst things you ever did in your life, even if you didn‘t want to admit them, you could come up with them pretty quickly, certainly one of them, instantly. Now, if I asked you to think of the three best things you have ever done in your life (other than marriage and children) it would take a great deal more time. … The Feast we celebrate today speaks of ‘Magi’ who made a great journey to find the new born King. …

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph 12.29.24

Sunday’s Readings: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; OR 1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28; Psalms 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 OR 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10; Colossians (3:12-21 or 3:12-17) OR 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24; Luke 2:41-52

…from your Pastor’s Desk – We are on the verge of another year. Hard to believe that Wednesday will be 2025! It also means that we have another Holy Day to celebrate! A very special feast day. Wednesday was Christmas, today is the feast of The Holy Family. …