Pastoral Messages

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. …

3rd Sunday of Advent 12.15.24

Sunday’s Readings: Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18

…from your Pastor’s Desk – Happy Gaudete Sunday! Gaudete Sunday happens every year on the third Sunday of Advent. Back in the 1900’s, when many of us were born – up until the early 1960’s – the words were in Latin: “Gaudete, iterum dico vobis, Gaudete.” Which means; “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, Rejoice!” And so, this Sunday is still called “Gaudete Sunday”. The whole message is one of hope and joy. …

1st Sunday of Advent 12.1.24

Sunday’s Readings: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalms 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14; 1 Thessalonians 3:12—4:2; Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

…from your Pastor’s Desk – Advent To-Do List – People ask me what they can ‘do’ during Advent to make it more meaningful. Lent has pretty clear-cut things, but Advent – not so much. In that light here is a practical Advent ‘To-Do-List. Try a few each day, even random numbers. Your world and the world of those around you will be a better place. You’ll See. …

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe 11.24.24

Sunday’s Readings: Daniel 7:13-14; Psalms 93:1, 1-2, 5; Revelation 1:5-8; John 18:33b-37

…from your Pastor’s Desk – The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe: – This Feast Day is enhanced by asking and answering a few questions: Who is Jesus? What does He mean in your life? We call Him Messiah or Christ. Do those words mean anything to you personally? We call Him Savior, Redeemer and Lord. What effect does this have in your life? In the Scriptures, He is called Son of David, Son of God and Son of Man. Are those just words, or do they have a meaning for you? …

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 11.17.24

Sunday’s Readings: Daniel 12:1-3; Psalms 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11; Hebrews 10:11-14, 18; Mark 13:24-32

…from your Pastor’s Desk – WHY DOESN’T GOD MAKE THINGS EASIER? – Perhaps the most vexing faith-question of all-time is the problem of God’s silence and his seeming indifference: why does God allow evil? Why do bad things happen to good people? If there is an all-powerful and all-loving God, how do you explain that millions of innocent people suffered and died under Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, in massacres in Rwanda, Algeria, and the recent terrorist killings in the USA? Where is God in all of this? …