Today the church celebrates the Feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist. St. John was referred to in John’s Gospel as the ‘beloved disciple.’ It seems clear that John knew a great friendship with Christ, one that entailed a beautiful intimacy. For me, this is what today’s feast calls me Read more…
Today’s Gospel from Luke (8: 4-15) is the rather famous account of the sower who generously scattered seed. So often the ‘take away’ from this account is focused on the ‘good soil’ that yields a rich harvest. However, it seems another important aspect of this teaching of Jesus can be Read more…
My focus for this weekend’s homily was inspired by listening to Fr. Robert Barron’s homily. You can find his homily through his Word of Fire Website, here. My own reflection, though similar, takes a different direction than Fr. Barron’s. Our first reading this weekend is from the Book of Nehemiah Read more…
This past weekend I enjoyed time with the people of St. Laurence O’Toole parish in Laramie. Saturday began around 10:00 with a meeting with the pastor, Fr. James Schumacher and continued with various meetings with staff and pastoral leaders through around 2:30 before taking a break before the Saturday evening Read more…
As exciting as it is to be making my first ad limina visit next week, the saddest consequence is this visit falls right in the heart of Confirmation season. I wish to apologize for my absence to all those who will be confirmed in the coming days. I know how important Read more…
Last night, we had our fourth gathering of young adults, known as Thursday Night Life. These gatherings are for anyone in their 20’s and 30’s. Another moderate crowd turned out, as usual, competing with many other calendar events. We as a diocese have a great desire to ‘connect’ with our Read more…
So often as a preacher of God’s Word, I feel a certain responsibility for ‘my message’ to lead to conversion. I’m learning how misguided is such thinking! After Thursday night’s Chrism Mass, I was visiting with someone and ‘heard’ myself in conversation coming to ‘insight’. God’s WORD needs simply to Read more…
Today’s Gospel antiphon quotes the Letter of St. James, (1:21) : ” Humbly welcome the WORD that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.” This reminds me of the recent words of our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI when he spoke last Sunday during the Read more…