In a recent period of prayer, I was mindful of a question of Pope Francis: “Is the Church still capable of warming hearts?” I turned this question in prayer towards God, asking: “Are You still capable of warming our hearts?” In pretty quick fashion, the Lord revealed that indeed He Read more
This morning I had the privilege of celebrating Mass at Holy Trinity on the occasion of rededicating their Eucharistic Adoration Chapel. Earlier this winter, drain pipes froze in the roof above the chapel. With a heavy snow pack still on the roof, when the pipe thawed, it led to a Read more
In some ways, today’s readings give a strong response to one of the great questions of life: How can a God Who is love allow so many bad things to happen in life? Listen to God’s desire for us: “I [God] am about to create new heavens and a new Read more
Today’s Gospel continues one of the primary themes of the Bible, the surprising and unrelenting mercy of God. Perhaps the Gospel of Luke best portrays this loving trait of mercy, most especially in Chapter 15 where Jesus speaks of the lost coin, the lost sheep, and the prodigal son, each Read more
The first stage of the New Evangelization is for each person to have that ‘life-giving’ encounter with the person of Jesus Christ. Many of us have met Jesus, and many others long to know Him. Lent is a perfect time to renew our relationship with Jesus, and to gain greater Read more
With the Parish Mission at Holy Family parish in St. Petersburg now complete, I would like to share some of the insights I gained. First, I’m reminded once again of Jesus’ teaching that every time we take the opportunity to give of ourselves, whether in ministry or in relationships, we always receive Read more
I am presently on the road for one final tour before returning to the Diocese of Cheyenne for the remainder of Lent. Last Thursday, I flew to Kansas City, Missouri, where one of our seminarians picked me up and drove me to Conception Seminary, about an hour and a half Read more
This Second Sunday of Lent we listen once again to the Gospel account of Jesus’ transfiguration. As the Gospel acclamation was sung, and the deacon lifted the Book of the Gospels, I thought to myself: “We are fulfilling the command of God from the Gospel today. This Gospel is Jesus, Read more
On this first Sunday of Lent, we once again hear the Gospel story of Jesus being led by the Spirit into the desert where he is tested by Satan for 40 days. The struggle of Jesus at the beginning of his public ministry is the fundamental conflict of the human Read more
Now that the Lenten Season is begun, are you out of the starting gate? Yesterday believers gathered around the globe for Ash Wednesday services. Ash Wednesday is one of those poignant moments when we allow God to ‘take off the gloves’ and remind us, indeed reveal to us, our sins. Read more