Posts by Fr. Rich (Page 2)

Today we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord. What difference does baptism make to us? When Jesus was baptized, the Father spoke and said, “You are my Son, the beloved; my favor rests on you.” When we are baptized, the Father says over each of us: “You are my son/daughter, my beloved; my favor rests on you.” Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit when he was baptized in the Jordan, and we are anointed with the oil of chrism…

I wish to express my thanks to you for your generosity in this year’s Christmas collection. The total came to $17,941.00. The Christmas collection as well as the Easter one, makes up for what isn’t able to be covered by our regular Sunday collection. It’s a huge help financially. So Thank You and God Bless You for your generous support to your Parish and Church.

I love to drive. Every year I would drive by myself to Florida. This drive did wonders for me. But mostly, it gives me time to think. Traveling by plane is just not the same. The hassle at the airport, the uncomfortable and tight seating, the hustle, bustle, leaves no time to really relax and think. One year I was driving late into the evening. I was pulled over by a state trooper. I had been driving on the highway…

On this feast of the Holy Family, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my THANKS to our parish family. I am so very grateful to all those who help in many ways in our parish. There are those who serve through the liturgy: Ministers of Communion, Lectors, Altar Servers, Cantors, Musicians, Contemporary and Traditional Choirs. There are those who serve in various ways helping the parish work together, such as, Our Lady’s Guild, Holy Name and Knights…

Today is the Fourth Sunday of Advent with only a few days left until Christmas. I’m sure, we are all in the last second, hyper-active mode of getting ready for Christmas. But remember, Advent is not just a time of preparing, but also a time of waiting. Our preparations take on the mode of decorations, gift buying and wrapping, meal preparations, card sending and dinner invitations, just to name a few. And all that’s fine. But when we describe the…

Today we celebrate the third Sunday of Advent traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word for rejoice, and this Sunday is the time for us to rejoice because Jesus came and died so that we may live forever with him! On this day we are invited to reflect on the joy we have access to because of our faith in Jesus. One of the defining characteristics of Christ-followers is their joyful demeanor. Let’s not allow the struggles of…

I was thinking about this beautiful season of Advent. And it came to me, that advent is like a compass. The compass is always pointing North. To me, that means it is always pointing toward Jesus & heaven. In a way, that’s where Advent is pointing: the birth of Jesus and His final coming to decide our eternal lives. But that same compass can direct you in other directions leading to good places. We follow one direction and we find…

The First Sunday of Advent quietly acknowledges a big difference in liturgical ministries in the church. It’s a gentle beginning of the Christmas season – a moment to pause, reflect, and look forward with hope. Whether we light a candle, hang a wreath, or simply take a breath before the December rush, this day invites a sense of anticipation and togetherness. In a world that often feels rushed and noisy, this First Sunday of Advent offers a rare invitation to…

What is the Kingdom of God? What is the Kingdom of Christ the King? Here is a beautiful explanation given by Gerald Darring (St. Louis University: The Kingdom of God is a space. It exists in every home where parents and children love each other. It exists in every region and country that cares for its weak and vulnerable. It exists in every parish that reaches out to the needy. The Kingdom of God is a time. It happens whenever…

Jesus’ words “by your perseverance you will secure your lives” call to mind the experiences of birds as they make a seasonal migration. Multiple times a year various species of birds travel thousands of miles in response to changes in food availability, habitat, or climate. Despite the threat of predators and exhaustion, every bird is biologically cued to make the migration with its species. During these migrations, many species work together as a team. Large birds, for instance, will often…

Today we celebrate a basilica in Rome named after Saint John and its original donor, the Lateran family. It is a consecrated place which withstood centuries of destructive forces and yet endured—like the universal church itself. We celebrate the Lateran basilica as a symbol of all the holy places in this world, communal and personal, that elevate our thoughts and move our hearts to the grand reflection of the universal church. Such sites help us to see as God sees:…

This week is National Vocation Awareness Week. It a week to remind us of what God calls us to do in our lives, from religious vocations, marriage, careers and the like. But today I reflect on a vocation to the priesthood. What attracts a man to the priesthood? For me, it was the priest in my parish growing up that was always working with the kids. He talked with us and challenged us in life. The ‘old’ pastor was even…