I want to take a moment to comment on the second part of Sunday’s Gospel that I didn’t discuss during the homily. Jesus says if your hand causes us to sin, cut it off. If you foot causes you to sin, cut it off. If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out! This sounds …
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Numbers 11:25-29 James 5:1-6 Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 September 30, 2012 John comes to Jesus concerned that a person is driving out demons in Jesus’ name because, apparently, he is not part of the same group as John. Jesus’ reply is to say that the person could only …
I have written here in recent months about how many funerals I do. I see funerals as an opportunity to minister to the funeral, to let them know that we care and that God cares. Being new in the parish, it is an opportunity for me to get to know the families a little and …
This weekend I spoke from the readings about Church Teaching, particularly Catholic Social Teaching and Labor Day. Here is my homily. I hope it leads you to reflect on the Labor Day Holiday and how God is calling you to live. 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8 James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27 …
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I realized yesterday that it has been a few days since I have written here. There are typically two reasons for when I don’t write something here. The first is that I don’t have the inspiration to write something and the second is that I don’t have the time to write. My reason for not …
Today’s Gospel Reading (Saturday, 8/11/12, 18th Week in Ordinary Time) always make me ask how strong is my faith. In this particular gospel, a man comes to Jesus seeking help for his son. Jesus’ disciples (who have already done some miracles) were unable to help the boy. Of course, even though the disciples cannot help the …
Another ten days has passed since I last wrote. The funerals have slowed down with just one funeral in church and a separate burial last week. That doesn’t mean everything has slowed down. I spent Tuesday and Wednesday of this week in Rochester for a new diocesan leadership program. The program began with these two …
Well, today is four weeks since my arrival at Immaculate Conception. If you remember my earlier writings, Sr. Edna had spoken to me as I was carrying in my boxes to schedule a funeral. Tomorrow, I will preside at my eighth funeral since my arrival. That would translate to about 100 funerals a year. The good news is that …
Here is my homily for Sunday, July 22nd. 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Jeremiah 23:1-6 Ephesians 2:13-18 Mark 6:30-34 July 22, 2012 Once again the apostles gather with Jesus. But this time their gathering takes on a different significance. They are just returning from the mission that Jesus sent them out on. To …
Today is three weeks since my arrival as the pastor of Immaculate Conception Church. Last week I spoke about how busy I have been. I continue to be busy with funerals and meetings. What I am really trying to focus on is simply getting to know the parish and the people. This has been a …
