One of the common practices associated with Lent is fasting. The readings of the Friday after Ash Wednesday speak of fasting. The disciples of John come to Jesus and ask why his disciples were not fasting. He replies that the bridegroom is with them so it is not the time for fasting. His disciples will …
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is not a well-understood sacrament. Many people who grew up prior to the Second Vatican Council still understand it as “Last Rights.” Understood as “Last Rights” one would only call for the priest to come when the person was thought to be near death. Occasionally, when I …
Today’s first reading (Monday-6th Week in Ordinary Time, Year II) comes from James 1:1-11. James speaks of perseverance and doubt. We must persevere in faith without doubt. It is easier said than done. When life is going well our faith is not challenged. It is in times of challenge and difficult that we found out just …
This morning I received an action alert from the NYS Catholic Conference. This conference works as the public policy arm of the Catholic Bishops in New York State. This action alert was about funding for mandated programs in Catholic/private schools. I do not know the detials but there are programs that are mandated in public …
I just finished reading the book I mentioned before The Future Church by John Allen, Jr. His concluding chapter includes some discussion of how change happens in the church. Is the Church slow to change? Yes; as Allen writes The multiple layers of authority in Catholicism, its strong emphasis on tradition, and its deliberately self-referential …
I have been reading a book by John Allen, Jr. called The Future Church (2009 Doubleday Press) in which he talks about issues that the Church faces in the 21st century. Today I was reading the chapter on Pentecostalism. One of the considerations he writes about is our experience of God (393). Pentecostal worship is …
Today (February 6th) is the Memorial of Paul Miki and Companions who were martyred for their faith in Japan in 1597. Paul Miki was born in Japan and became a Jesuit priest. Along with 25 other people (Japanese and Europeans, Franciscans, Jesuits, and lay people) his was martyred because they believed in Jesus and refused …
Quality or Quantity, which do you seek? Quality or Quantity of what? I’m talking about prayer. Today I was reading an article written to priests talking about people who confess their prayer life isn’t what should it should be. How do feel your prayer life is? Quantity – do you spend enough time in prayer? …
Continue reading ‘Quality or Quantity: Which Do You Seek?’ »
This year’s issue for the Diocese of Rochester Public Policy Weekend (February 13th/14th) is Comprehensive Immigration Reform. In preparation for the weekend I have attended a presentation on Immigration Reform and doing some research on my own. From this work, I just added a new article to my website entitled “Seeking a Just Immigration Law.” …
Continue reading ‘A New Article at www.renewaloffaith.org’ »
In my previous blogs on the parish website, I have talked about some of our social ministry efforts at St. Mary’s but I am not sure I have ever talked about why we have a social ministry program. To answer why we need to understand what social ministry is. Social ministry is not just charity. …
