Are some sacraments more important than others? At times, yes. Perhaps instead of thinking of importance in terms of ranking one as first or greatest, it might be easier to think of them in terms of significance. As we grow in age and in faith, sacraments take on a different meaning and significance for...
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Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11; Titus 2:11-14;  3:4-7; Luke 3:15-16,21-22 There is a movie from 1994 that I have seen at least a half dozen times.   I have never been able to figure out what it was about this movie that has so captured my imagination that I am compelled to watch it anytime I stumble upon...
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Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6; Matthew 2:1-12 One hundred years ago, the first step on American soil for immigrants from Europe was not a patch of warm, welcoming earth but rather a wooden ramp at Ellis Island in New York harbor.  The ramp led to the doors of the main building where processing took place....
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Micah 5:1-4;  Hebrews 10:5-10;  Luke 1:39-45 Today we have before us the story of the pivotal moment in human history when God reached down into the world to officially begin His plan of salvation.  At this moment in human history God, in all of his glory and majesty, became one of us, conceived in...
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Christmas – 2009 The Christmas story, with its vivid cast of characters, is a story so very familiar to us.  Because of this we sometimes can miss sight of the deeper meaning of the reality of the “Word made flesh,” our God who came to dwell among us.  Because of this I invite you...
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I go to confession regularly and try to live my life based on my faith. On one or two occasions I have forgotten to mention a sin, and now do not recall if I ever mentioned it. Are forgotten sins forgiven? We cannot stop the flow of God’s love and mercy, especially when we...
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When we dare to go to these places, when we work to level the mountains and valleys, we may be frightened, we may be nervous, we may feel as though life as we have known it has ended. This is why have the assurance that Baruch, and John, and Jesus give to...
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Jeremiah 33:14-16;  I Thessalonians 3:12-4:2;  Luke 21:25-28,34-36 * It is so dark! And the darkness is not all outside. There’s the darkness of recession that has put many American’s out of work, of the senseless acts of violence and suicide bombers inflicting terror around the world, of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East,...
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When the world will end is a question which has eluded the Christian community since the time of Christ.  Even though the gospel is very clear in stating that no one knows the time or the hour, many people still are preoccupied or at least curious as to when this will happen.  The end...
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When we pray for the dead at our eucharistic celebrations, for whom are we praying? November, the month of All Souls, is dedicated to praying for the dead in a more focused and intentional manner. Catholics believe that praying for those who have died expresses our continual care and concern for those no longer...
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