Pastor’s Post

On this third Sunday of the Advent season, Gaudete Sunday, we are encouraged to rejoice. Maybe “encouraged” isn’t strong enough, but “obliged” seems too heavy-handed. We are exhorted to shout and sing by the prophet Zephaniah, urged to exult and give thanks by the psalmist, and practically begged to rejoice by Saint Paul, who insists on saying it twice. Why this imperative? Remember, it’s not an emotion that’s required of us nor a simple attitude adjustment either. What’s obliged is…

Today’s Gospel quotes Isaiah the prophet: “Prepare the way of the Lord.” This is our directive during this Advent season. But we need to remember not only to prepare for the Lord’s birth at Christmas, but to prepare and be ready for His second coming at the end of time. We all prepare to celebrate Christmas. It could be simple everyday things such as decorating, sending greeting cards, preparing special family meals, buying presents or wishing someone a Merry Christmas.…

Advent is a time of waiting and hoping, of renewing our trust in God’s mercifullove and care, and of reflecting on the several comings (advents), of Christ into our lives. Besides Jesus’ first coming at birth, we are asked to reflect on Christ’s coming as the risen Lord at Easter, in the Sacraments (especially the Eucharist), in our everyday lives, at the moment of death, and at the end of human history (the second coming). Preparing for Advent goes beyond…

Mrs. Jones told her 1st graders to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful. She thought since they all came from poor backgrounds, they would draws turkeys, lavish foods or a dinner table. When she went through them, she saw what she expected except for one picture. A little quiet boy simply drew a hand. The class was intrigued and they kept guessing whose hand it was. Maybe God’s as He gives us everything. Maybe the farmers…

A few years ago, I started praying the Examen every evening before going to bed. It’s a prayer practice that was pioneered by Saint Ignatius of Loyola in his compilation, The Spiritual Exercises. It involves, among other things, reflecting on the events of your day and noticing where you felt God’s presence and action in order to discern God’s will for you. I am routinely amazed by how much of my day I skim over without much consideration until I…

After reading today’s Gospel about the woman who by giving her two little coins gave more than anyone else that day, we need to look differently on things around us. We need to accept Christ’s criteria of judging people. We often judge people by what they possess. We give weight to their position in society, to their educational qualifications, or to their celebrity status. But Jesus measures us in a totally different way – on the basis of our inner…

This week is National Vocation Awareness Week. It is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood,diaconate, and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations. During this time offer this prayer for those who may be considering a religious vocation. If you know of someone thinking about it, encourage them. If you know…

When my Mom was alive, she had cataract surgery. When it was over and she healed, she got a bit depressed. When I ask her why she felt that way, she said that now she could see the dirt around the house she couldn’t see before. And she had to do some more cleaning. Bartimaeus in today’ Gospel said to Jesus that he wanted to see. He was blind and just wanted to see the world. When Jesus gave him…

In President Kennedy’s inaugural address, he said: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” These words hit a nerve because they resonate with something deep within us. Being of service defines one of the highest qualities of a human being. When we think of service on a day-to-day basis, however, today’s society seems primarily concerned not with how we can be of service, but with how our own needs are…

The Living Water Trail is being sponsored again by the Stroudsburg Deanery of Churches next weekend,October 19/20th. Stop by any of the Catholic Churches in Monroe County for a moment of prayer,devotion, or entertaining experiences. The schedule for each Church is on the bulletin board in the narthex. Begin this minipilgrimage at any Parish and then travel from site to site as your own pace. You are welcome to visit as few or as many churches as you come and…

The month of October is Respect Life Month and this Sunday is designated as Respect Life Sunday. It is truly a reminder to us of God’s precious gift of human life and our responsibility to care for, protect and defend this gift of life, from conception to natural death. As Catholics and faith filled believers, we understand that we are created in the image and likeness of God. That means we can create life as we see a child in…

A number of Churches around us have been merged or closed due to the decline to the decline in the number of priests to serve them. To increase this numberwe need to pray or encourage young men to enter the seminary and priesthood. Our Elijah Cup program is geared to do just that: pray for religious vocations. This special chalice is used at Mass and then purified and given to a family or individual to take home for the week.…