Pastor’s Post (Page 23)

This is Memorial Day Weekend. We would usually have a memorial service remembering and honoring our veterans. But due to covid-19, this service will not be held. But that doesn’t mean we cannot remember to honor our veterans. Since its first official observance on May 5, 1868, when it was called Declaration Day, it has been a day of remembrance for those who sacrificed and died in our nation’s service. And while it was originally dedicated to honor Civil War…

This is the Sixth Sunday of Easter. Do you believe that we have spent the entire Easter Season and half of our Lenten Journey at home away from church distancing ourselves from one another? In today’s Gospel, Jesus promises an Advocate (Holy Spirit) to those who believe in Him. This Holy Spirit is truly a part of our everyday lives. He is the knowledge and wisdom for our witness to faith – our caring actions, generosity and concern for others.…

Mother’s day is all about celebrating the woman who raised you and shaped you as a person. From all the packed lunches with napkin notes, to the bandages and kisses after falling off your bike, to being the first to cry at your graduation – your Mom was there for it all. Happy Mother’s Day to all our Moms. Pray and remember those who have moved on to eternal life. And show love to those still with us. Happy Mother’s…

How do we get around today: Google maps, navigation app on our phones, GPS in our cars? If you notice those are not much help today. We are quarantined at home. We’re with the same people day in and day out. No where else to go. Maybe the map we need has always been right in front ofus. Yes. Our faith! Our faith isn’t taking us on the road to another city. But it takes us along the road of…

The RCA company was one of the first to develop the phonograph, or, as they called it, the Victrola. Their logo was a dog sitting next to an old style speaker with his ear cocked and listening. It’s selling point was that the sound of their phonograph was so true to life that the dog would be able to recognize his master’s voice. How good are we at recognizing the voice of the Lord in our lives? Does it come…

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus meets two of His disciples on the road to Emmaus. The destination isn’t all that important, but what happens on the journey is. Jesus listens to their problems, hurts and feelings. He makes them feel better about themselves and their situations. Even though they didn’t recognize that it was Jesus, they invite Him to stay with them longer. Then they broke bread together and they recognized that it was the Lord. We’re all on this…

The Biblical concept of mercy always involves help to those who are in need or distress. Such help covers a broad range, including God’s forgiveness of our sins. The Biblical definition of mercy translated for us today simply says that mercy is a personal characteristic of care for the needs of others. During this pandemic and shelter-at-home restrictions, we see so many examples of mercy from people offering assistance to others and those checking on a needy neighbor as well…

Happy Easter! This seems like a greeting that doesn’t fit the occasion. However, this greeting is a perfect one for the occasion,. It’s a day to celebrate! Christ has Risen! He has defeated sin and death by coming back from the cross. What a victory! What a success! In the midst of the crisis facing our world, we need to be positive and look to a future when this virus has been eradicated. But it can’t be going back to…

The shelter-in-place order from Governor Wolf continues through the month of April. Our Bishop, along with so many other Bishops, have cancelled the Holy Week and Easter Masses and Services. All this is being done in the best interests of the people. It is there to help stop the spread ofthe corona virus and trying to keep people safe and healthy. We are asked to stay at home but not to stop living. Conversation can be a great comfort to…

It is a very unusual time we are experiencing in our parish, our country and around the world. When we had experienced disasters, like 9-1-1, we were told to go out and work together to rebuild and support one another and our country. Now we are asked to stay inside, don’t connect with others, avoid physical contact. This is not our way. It is different. And it is difficult. But maybe it’s this difference we need to embrace for the…

As we prepare to pack food baskets for some needy families in the parish and local area, I just wanted to say Thank You for your continued generosity to our food pantry. We asked for turkeys at Thanksgiving and you came through with enough turkeys to give at Thanksgiving and Christmas and even a few extra to serve at our Community Dinner in December. Your monthly donations of non-perishable food items keeps our pantry stocked to help people throughout the…

Two Sundays ago our Holy Name Society sponsored a benefit pancake breakfast for the Pocono Township Volunteer Fire Company. Many came out in support of this breakfast and many just stopped over and made a donation. The total raised from this event came to $1,740. On behalf of the volunteers at the fire company and our Holy Name members, THANK YOU for your support. God Bless You!