As I prepare to leave southern Indiana behind once again to return to Anchorage, I wish to share some final thoughts about our family’s experience of accompanying Mom through her final days. Please bear with me for one final reflection. At the prayer service the night before Mom’s funeral, each Read more…
After 60 years of marriage and 82 years of life, mom’s journey of faith reached its goal Sunday evening around 7:30pm. I think she must have scripted the ending. By God’s providence, I was already in Southern Indiana rather than Alaska when we put her in the hospital Friday evening. Read more…
One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side. (John 13:23) These words describe the profound relationship that existed between Jesus and the Apostle, John. The same reference is made in the Gospel for today’s Feast, (John 20:2). Does this describe my relationship with Jesus? Read more…
From my years as a student in Rome, I have had a great love for the Communion of Saints. But, St. Nicholas, whose feast we celebrate today, has been a favorite from my youth. Granted, my early memories are of the excitement going to bed the night before, anticipating what Read more…
Yesterday, St. Andrew’s Parish in Eagle River celebrated their 50th Anniversary as a parish. Coincidently, their pastor, Archbishop-Emeritus Schwietz is celebrating next month his 50th anniversary as a priest! To say the least, we had a lovely Mass and celebration! The Gospel for Mass, Matthew 4: 18-22 recalled Jesus walking Read more…
Today is the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, a day which Pope Francis dedicated as the World Day of Prayer for the Poor. Our Gospel today comes from St. Matthew (25:14-30) and is the familiar story of the talents. As is often the case, a clue for understanding this passage Read more…
Our readings this weekend are about humility and gentleness in the manner in which we live our faith. Even though we do not hear from the Prophet Micah this weekend, his words echo in my heart: To act justly, to love tenderly, to walk humbly with your God. It is Read more…
During the month of November, our liturgical celebrations draw our attention to the culmination of our earthly pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Heaven. We do well to ponder regularly the source of our life in God, the reason for our being expressed in God’s will, and our destination as eternity Read more…
During the month of June, we will conclude another Easter Season with the celebration of Pentecost, followed by some major Solemnities: Holy Trinity, Corpus Christi (The Body & Blood of The Lord); the Sacred Heart of Jesus, The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, and Saints Peter & Paul. That Read more…
Today’s Mass offers us the resurrection account from John’s Gospel (20:11-18). This account evokes a persistence on the part of the Magdalene to remain at the tomb. She had visited earlier and found it empty, and ran to tell Simon Peter. She obviously returned, and remained, even after Peter and Read more…