Posts by Fr. Rich (Page 3)

As fireworks light up the sky and the smell of barbecue fills the air, this Thursday we will come together as a nation to celebrate the Fourth of July. It is a day marked by patriotism, freedom, and the remembrance of our nation’s founding history. But for Christians and Catholics, Independence Day holds a deeper significance, intertwining faith with the principles of liberty and justice. The Fourth of July is an opportunity to express gratitude for the freedoms we have…

Life is full of storms. At times, they can become so strong and strange that our human strength can no longer help or support us. At such moments fear and complaining take over the central stage of our life. Even in some cases, we might lose our faith in God, thinking that He has abandoned us, or that He does not exist. These storms come in different forms. They could be problems in our marriage, our children who are not…

As we gather on this Fathers Day Weekend, we honor our Dads. We remember those who have passed as we think of the many ways they have inspired us. We pray for those still with us, so that they guide their children. Here’s a prayer in their honor. Heavenly Father, As we celebrate this special day, we think of the gift that You have given us in the form of earthly fathers. What a blessing that fathers share such an…

Today’s Gospel challenges us to face rejection with prophetic courage and optimism. Very often our friends, families, or childhood companions fail to listen to us and refuse to accept the words of grace, love, and encouragement that we offer to them because they know so much about us and are so used to us that they disregard what we have to say, if they even hear it! But we have to face such rejection with a kind of prophetic courage…

In our life, we have many things to be thankful for. These could be gifts, favors done, help offered or even a few minutes spent with a friend. We might say the Eucharist is all of that and much more. Because it is Jesus Himself seen through the appearance of bread and wine. Today we have the opportunity to spend some time with the Lord, beyond the Sunday Mass. It could be a quiet few moments or a time to…

Today (5/26/2024), we Have a special celebration in our parish. It is Father Tom Ciba’s 50 Priesthood Anniversary. That is a great milestone in the life and ministry of a priest. We congratulate and thank Father Tom for his dedicated service to God and the Church. It is also a reminder to us all of our priestly service to God. Everyone is not ordained a priest. But we all are called to offer service to one another as Jesus reminds…

Today, twenty two of our young parishioners are receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. It’s a great experience for them as they are sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit and now the Church sees them as adult members. They have received the religious education to make decisions of faith. So have we all. But we also know, that the world is constantly changing. New temptations face us each day trying to draw us away from our faith and the…

Today we commemorate Mother’s Day. This day holds a profound significancein our lives and in the community of the Church. It helps us to recognize and appreciate the nurturing and selfless love that mirrors God’s unconditional love for us. It is an occasion to honor not only our biological mothers but also spiritual mothers, grand mothers, aunts, teachers, mentors, and all women who have made a positive impact on our lives. Mother’s Day also provides us an opportunity to reflect…

Did you ever consider becoming an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion? These ministers perform the humbling and unique service of sharing the presence of Christ with all who receive the Body & Blood of Jesus. They are in service to the Lord at Mass and in some cases share in the ministry to the sick, hospitalized and homebound. This ministry helps one develop one’s own sense of faith development, a love for prayer, and a joy in serving others. By…

If you ever had to prune branches on a vine, you know it’s no easy task. They are so intertwined and interconnected that it’s almost impossible to tell where one ends and one starts. In today’s Gospel, Jesus says, “I am the vine and you are the branches.” This is the image of our relationship with Jesus, we are in Him and He is in us. Without Him we wither and die. As the vine to our branches, Jesus tells…

We as church ask the same questions from our own membership each year on Good Shepherd Sunday, which is also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. From among those gathered here this weekend we must ask: Who will lead the church into the future? Who will preach the gospel to the assembly that gathers tomorrow, and all our tomorrows? Who will be our teachers and prophets and healers, our administrators and music-makers and caregivers? If it takes a village…

If you were confronted by someone who questioned your Christianity, how would you respond to them? Do you know Jesus’ last name? His place and date of birth? His first miracle? How many miracles did He do? Would you then maybe question yourself if you really know Jesus! In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds His disciples of what He just went through, crucifixion, death and resurrection. Then told them they are witnesses of all this. We weren’t there for Jesus’s crucifixion,…