Farewell To A Friend

For the Indiana readership, here is the homily from today’s funeral for Charlie Simon. Mass of Resurrection; Homily for Charles Simon; Death, November 25, 2010; Burial, November 29  We gather today to commend to God a beloved son, father, brother, cousin, uncle, nephew and friend to many.  On behalf of Read more…

Thy Kingdom Come…

As we prepare to usher in a new liturgical year, we pray that old familiar phrase…thy Kingdom come!  For those of us who live in the northern part of the country, nature itself in this transition from fall to winter is a great teacher.  Everything around us goes into a Read more…

Thanksgiving!

As this American holiday sees people traversing the country, and families gathering in many settings, just wanted to express my prayerful gratitude for all of you.  Family and friends are among the choicest of gifts in this life.  May you enjoy these relationships in the days ahead.  May our gatherings Read more…

Christ & His Church

As I travel once again around the diocese this week, and listen to many people regarding our hopes and dreams for our future, I hear many challenges, and many good things which give me great hope!  As the readership of this blog knows, one “theme” very much on my mind Read more…

Christ The King!

Today we celebrate the final weekend of Ordinary Time; Christ the King.  As the scriptures today tell us, Christ has already won the battle, and His victory is secure.  To celebrate this Feast at the end of Ordinary Time is an inspiring reminder of the end goal, where His victory Read more…

Marriage and Family

After “missing a step” on the stairs, and falling down the rest this morning, I’m now “wide awake”!  (I’ll be a little sore, but I’m fine.)  Such missteps do have consequences.  One such “misstep” of present day society is the topic of a newly released Pew survey regarding marriage.  According Read more…

Gifts Received, Grown & Shared

Today’s Gospel gives another image of the Kingdom of God; its presence now, and its eventual fulfillment.  (Luke 19:11-28)  Each of us are given “gifts” (ten gold coins) by a nobleman (God/Jesus), and are told to engage in trade until I return.  Clearly, these gifts are given to be actively Read more…

Complacency

I must admit, this topic was greatly influenced this morning by our presider and homilist, Archbishop O’Brien (Baltimore).  As when he was my rector at the North American College, he still has quite the ability to inspire!  The latter reflection was the fruit of praying the rosary this morning. Today’s Read more…

Co-Workers in the Truth

This morning’s reading for Mass comes from the Third Letter of St. John, verses 5-8. The final line of encouragement asks us to support each other so that we may be co-workers in truth.  This is a good image of how each of our lives are to interact according to Read more…