Today, one of our churches at Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, St. Januarius’, celebrated the dedication of its newly renovated sanctuary. The present church was built in the 1960’s. Another one of our churches is having some roof work done. Yet another is dealing with loose plaster. Just like we have to deal with …
Archive of entries posted by Fr. Jeff
Who Are We More Like in Faith?
Today’s readings (August 3, 2011) show two different responses of faith. In the first reading, the Israelites are preparing to enter the promised land. At God’s command, scouts are sent ahead to explore the area. The scouts return with reports that the land does “does indeed flow with milk and honey” and has much fruit …
Death and Life
The post that follows is the article I wrote for the cover of our bulletin at Our Lady of the Lakes for July 31, 2011. Death & Life Jesus knows what it is like to lose a loved one. Today’s Gospel begins with Jesus learning of the death of John the Baptist. When Jesus receives …
Knowing Our Strengths and Our Weaknesses
God has given each of us many gifts. No one has all the gifts but working together as a community of believers we have all the gifts we need. We begin working together by each recognizing our strengths and our weaknesses. It is as an important to know our weaknesses as well as our strengths. …
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Change
Is change a bad thing or a good thing? There are people who resist any change. Their argument may be as simple as ‘we have been doing it this way for years.’ On the other extreme are people who seem to want to change just to change. They might think it is strange to do …
Forgiveness
Forgiveness can be a difficult thing. It can be difficult to forgive someone when they do something that hurts us. It can also be difficult to accept forgiveness that is offered to us after we have hurt someone. When someone tells us they forgive us, we might wonder if they really forgive us or if …
What Do You Like to Read About?
You may have noticed in the last few months I haven’t written as much as I used to. Generally, I make a point to write something here at least once a week. I write more often as Spirit inspires me. Lately, I struggle a little to know what to write about. I don’t get many …
Four Years
This week I celebrate the fourth anniversary of my priestly ordination. In four years, I have served in two very different parishes. The first (St. Mary’s Southside) was a single church located in the City of Elmira but serving people to the Pennsylvania border (all in Chemung County). Now, I serve at Our Lady of …
Who Determines Right and Wrong?
In our country where we believe in democratic principles, laws are passed by the majority vote of elected representatives (who were elected by getting the largest share of the vote – not necessarily a majority if there were more than two candidates). So, “majority rule” sets the tone in our country. Does that mean that …
The Holy Trinity
As part of our diocesan initiative this year to help us better understand the Mass, here is the homily I gave today on the Holy Trinity. All three persons of the Trinity are at work in the Mass and they do it all together. Trinity Sunday, Year A Exodus 34:4-6b, 8-9 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 John …