New Series on Discipleship

I am happy to say I will be beginning a new series of presentations in October exploring what it means to be a disciple of Christ.  The series is called Made for Discipleship.   Honestly, I am a little behind on my preparation, having just finished the gender article I posted about yesterday. With that done, I …

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22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – Homily

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year AJeremiah 20:7-9Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 (2b)Romans 12:1-2Matthew 16:21-27September 3, 2023 Last week we heard Peter proclaim to Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Peter got that right.  Jesus knows Peter’s proclamation is based on revelation from God to Peter.  Jesus then makes Peter …

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We Need Bridge Builders

Pope Francis recently encouraged a group of young Russians to be “bridge builders.” I think this is something we all need to think about. Before I entered seminary, I literally helped build bridges. I worked for the New York State Department of Transportation as an engineer on projects designing, building, and reconstructing bridges. The bridges …

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Appreciating the Depth of Mass

Two weeks ago I wrote my first article, “What Does It Mean to be a Eucharistic People,” on Timothy P. O’Malley’s book, Becoming Eucharistic People: The Hope and Promise of Parish Life (Notre Dame, IN: Ave Maria Press. 2022, part of the Engaging Catholicism series.) followed last week by “Understanding Eucharistic Culture.” Today I will complete my articles reflecting on …

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Understanding Eucharistic Culture

Last week I wrote my first article, “What Does It Mean to be a Eucharistic People,” on Timothy P. O’Malley’s book, Becoming Eucharistic People: The Hope and Promise of Parish Life (Notre Dame, IN: Ave Maria Press. 2022, part of the Engaging Catholicism series. Now, I would like to continue my reflection on O’Malley’s book and …

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What Does It Mean to be a Eucharistic People?

Almost three and a half years ago, our churches were shutdown by the arrival of the Coronavirus pandemic. In his new book, Becoming Eucharistic People: The Hope and Promise of Parish Life (Notre Dame, IN: Ave Maria Press. 2022), part of the Engaging Catholicism series, Timothy P. O’Malley writes, “In the history of the Catholic …

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Looking Ahead to a New Series in the Fall

I am presently planning to do a fall series of presentations of discipleship. The question at hand is what does it mean to be a Christian disciple. With that in mind, I thought I would share some initial thoughts with you and invite your input for what should be included in the series. (Please note …

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15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – Homily

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year AIsaiah 55:10-11Psalm 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14 (Luke 8:8)Romans 8:18-23Matthew 13:1-23 July 16, 2023 The crowds that came to Jesus were large.  They all had heard something about Jesus that drew them there.  Perhaps they heard of miracles He had done.  Others may have about his teaching.  They came because …

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14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

In the time of our first reading today the Israelites were under foreign rule. Israel had been a great nation but had been defeated by their enemies. They were saddened in this situation. Through the prophet Zechariah the Lord tells them, “Rejoice heartily…shout for joy.” What reason do they have to rejoice? Why should they …

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12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – Homily

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year AJeremiah 20:10-13Psalm 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35 (14c)Romans 5:12-15Matthew 10:26-33June 25, 2023 Jeremiah faced danger.  He heard “the whisperings of many” who sought to “denounce him.”  Why did they want to denounce him?  Because he was pointing out their sins.  He was telling them that they needed to change but …

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