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So far Barbara Lombardi has created 859 blog entries.

What Christians Believe: Understanding the Nicene Creed

While I was away on vacation last week, I took the opportunity to read Bishop Robert Barron’s outstanding new book entitled What Christians Believe: Understanding the Nicene Creed.  It’s short – only 139 pages – but filled with deeply insightful reflections on the basic tenets of our faith that we recite every Sunday at Mass.  I strongly recommend it for everyone and offer some reflections on it to whet your appetite.

Bishop Barron begins with an excellent reflection on the very first two words of the Nicene Creed: “I believe.”  Many […]

2025-07-25T14:35:05-04:00July 25th, 2025|

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Last Sunday, we heard the story of the Good Samaritan.  In that story, Jesus contrasts the behavior of two members of the Jewish clergy, a priest and a Levite, with the behavior of a despised outsider, the Samaritan.  Even though the Samaritan may have lacked the knowledge of God’s law – as the priest and the Levite certainly did – the Samaritan fulfilled the law’s spirit better than these legal experts.  That parable shows the futility of a religion that has no application to daily life.  Today’s story of Mary […]

2025-07-21T14:18:59-04:00July 21st, 2025|

A CALL FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE AND THE COMMON HOME

A Message from the Catholic Episcopal Conferences and Councils of Africa,

Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean

 I think we can all agree that we are experiencing climate change that has seen an increase in temperature fluctuations, more violent storms, floods and droughts.  There is great debate about the role that human activity has played in the dramatic change in climate over the past century and especially in the past few decades but it is evident that we are experiencing an alarming increase in temperature and violent […]

2025-07-11T14:52:08-04:00July 11th, 2025|

FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

We all know that Jesus is God. He can do all things.  While he was in our midst, he healed the sick, fed the hungry, brought the dead back to life and even overcame the power of the devil as he rose from the dead.  So, why did he need the help of the seventy-two who we hear him send out two by two in today’s Gospel?  Actually, he didn’t need their help.  Jesus saves the world all by himself.  However, God, in his divine providence, calls on us to […]

2025-07-10T10:15:18-04:00July 10th, 2025|

CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

As if the three-year war between Russia and Ukraine and the almost three-year war between the Hamas and Israel weren’t enough, Israel is now embroiled in a serious conflict with Iran and we are becoming ever more entangled in it ourselves.  At the same time, we read about the natural disasters around the world – ongoing wild fires in Canada, floods here in our country and, indeed, around the world, deadly heat waves – and our hearts go out to the millions of people who are suffering and struggling to […]

2025-07-04T15:30:15-04:00July 4th, 2025|

Ss. PETER AND PAUL

So, why were Peter and Paul so passionate about continuing the hard and dangerous work that Jesus had begun?  Why would they risk life and limb and dare to walk into the lion’s den – that is, go to Rome – with such boldness?  What motivated them to give up everything and go on this mission that would ultimately lead to their death – Peter by crucifixion, upside down, at that – and Paul by being beheaded? 

To grasp the depth of their passion, we need to look at their […]

2025-06-30T11:37:23-04:00June 30th, 2025|

Feast of Saints Peter and Paul/Disciple Maker Index Survey Results

FEAST OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL

“You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.  …I give to you the keys to the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 16:18a, 19).  With these proclamations, Jesus indicates both that there will be a church and that Peter will be its foundation as Jesus returns to his heavenly Father.

The New Testament clearly shows St. Peter as the leader of the apostles.  Jesus chooses him to have a special relationship with him.  He was the first one whom Jesus called to […]

2025-07-10T15:16:01-04:00June 27th, 2025|
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