FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
i don’t know about you, but I have been watching with disbelief and horror the events unfolding in the Ukraine as Russia invades it, causing wanton destruction and killing both soldiers and civilians without any compunction. It is, tragically, just the latest reminder that, ever since Cain slew Abel, there are those among us who do not respect the rights of others and will do anything they can to get their way. We see the same scenario playing out between Israel and Palestine and China and Taiwan. We are, once […]
EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
So, how do you like the new look in our church? Finally, all 2,242 pipes of our new organ are in place, both in the choir loft and the positiv divisions over the doorways flanking our Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Aren’t they magnificent!?! We are very blessed to have a beautiful church, with splendid stained glass windows that present all of Salvation History, a handsome, granite altar and ambo, from which we hear the Word of God proclaimed and we receive the sacred Body and Blood of Christ, the source of […]
LENT BEGINS
Although spring doesn’t come officially until 20 March, Lent – which means “spring” – begins this Wednesday, 2 March, with Ash Wednesday. On Ash Wednesday, we are again made aware of our sinfulness and our need for salvation. We are called to choose to accompany Jesus as he offers his life to save us. On Ash Wednesday, we receive ashes as both a sign of repentance and a call to choose to prepare for our eternal salvation. This is why there are two formulas – “Repent and believe in the […]
SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Ice cream, chocolates, candy…don’t they sound great! Many of us crave sweet things. In just a little more than a weeks, some of us will be giving them up as our sacrifice for Lent. Sugary treats may not be a healthy option but they trigger the release of feel-good chemicals in our brains that provide us with a momentary rush of pleasure. Interestingly enough, so does the thought of getting even with someone who has hurt us. Neuroscientists have discovered that revenge really is “sweet” for that part of our […]
Next Generation Parish Update
It has been almost a year since I wrote to you about Next Generation Parish, an initiative that the Catholic Leadership Institute is introducing to 15 select parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. You may recall that CLI is a 25-year old national apostolate that provides training and formation for the purpose of creating more vibrant communities rooted in Jesus Christ. It was founded and is still headquartered here in our archdiocese but has worked with (arch)dioceses throughout the country. We accepted CLI’s invitation to engage in this four-year process […]
SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – Wedding Anniversary
What does it mean to be blessed? It means to be in God’s grace, to enjoy his favor and it leads to true joy and everlasting happiness. We all say that we seek to be happy but what we really seek is to be blessed, that is, to enjoy God’s favor, both here and for all eternity in heaven. So, how do we become blessed? Fortunately, in his infinite love and wisdom, God has shown us the way to true blessedness. How does God guide us? Through Sacred Scripture, of […]