What’s It Going to Take to End the Violence?

There is a lot of violence in the world today. We see the wars between Israel and Hamas, and the Ukraine and Russia. How many mass shootings have there been recently in our Untied States? Maine, Cincinnati… What’s it going to take to end the violence? Tears… Yes, Tears… How are tears going to help? …

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31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Jesus says, “Call no one on earth your father.” His words are pure, simple, and clear. So, why do Catholics call priests “father”? Doesn’t this go against what Jesus said? Taken at face value, it would. We need to look at the context in which Jesus speaks. This gospel passage begins, “The scribes and the …

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Mass of Remembrance

Mass of RemembranceWisdom 3:1-9Psalm 23Romans 6:3-9John 6:37-40November 2, 2023 Tonight we gather to offer this Mass of Remembrance for our loved ones who died in the last year.  Some died as the result of an accident.  Some died of old age.  Some died of long-term illness.  Some died of a short-term illness The constant in …

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All Saints Day – Homily

All SaintsRevelation 7:2-4, 9-14Psalm 24:1bc-2, 3-4ab, 5-61 John 3:1-3Matthew 5:1-12aNovember 1, 2023 Do you want to be a saint? The first saints were all martyrs.  They sacrificed their earthly lives for their faith.  The martyrs become powerful witnesses to the faith.  They serve as inspiration for us.  Their faith was publicly known and we venerate …

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A Response to a Question About Greed in Generous Situations

The following is my response to Linda’s comment that she posted on my blog.  Here is her comment. A topic I would like your opinion on is that of greed.  Although I know what I think greed is, maybe I’m just judging people which I know is wrong!  At our parish we have a free …

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Two Things

Once again, I will begin this week’s article with a brief discussion of the ongoing the conflict between Israel and Hamas (see my previous articles “Escalating Conflict,” 10/10/23, “The Importance of Building Relationships,” 10/17/23, “Is Life Being Respected” 10/24/23). Israel has now begun sending ground troops into Gaza. They are attacking specific Hamas targets. They have rescued one …

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30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – Homily

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year AExodus 22:20-26Psalm 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51 (2)1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10Matthew 22:34-40October 29, 2023 “Thus says the LORD: “You shall not molest or oppress an alien, for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt.” The topic of immigration is a controversial one.  Opinions range from closing our borders …

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Updated – New Video – Made for Discipleship Part I

I started my new series on discipleship, Made of Discipleship, yesterday. The video and slides for Part I are now available online at http://www.renewaloffaith.org/madefordiscipleshippart1 . If you view it in the next couple of days, you can give me feedback by completing an online evaluation at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf1RB6tN3yySwFvp9aQ2JN90BomDZ9WMnxT1vIk0IH2s_-mRQ/viewform?usp=sf_link . You can register for Part II (Thursday, …

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The Hidden Depths of the Mass #12

The Liturgy of the WordAfter the Collect (opening prayer), we begin the Liturgy of the Word.  This includes all the readings, the homily the Creed, and the Prayers of the Faithful (aka General Intercessions).  The readings we share are the inspired Word of God.  They were written down by human hands and thus are influenced …

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