Pastor’s Post (Page 4)

To be a Disciple of Jesus requires 100 percent of our life. Half measures will never do. That is what we hear in today’s Gospel of the “good-enough Christian: one who meets the minimum requirements of Church membership.” Good- enough isn’t good enough. Being the Body of Christ makes us sharers in the life of Jesus! And he was never known to do things halfway. If our intention is to follow Jesus, we have to be thoughtful about the size…

I wish to take this space to express my gratitude to all those who worked long and hard to make our parish Homecoming Bazaar a success. A Bazaar of this size just doesn’t happen overnight. Many people gathered months before to express their ideas and plan this year’s event. Those plans were put into motion by those same people, making contacts in and around town. Sponsors were solicited so that our tents would be affordable. Raffle Tickets were organized and…

The venerable Bishop Fulton J. Sheen tells us that we will have three surprises in Heaven. The first surprise: We will be surprised to see that many people we expected to be in Heaven are not there. St. John of the Cross gives the reason why they are not there: “At the evening of our life, we shall be judged on how we have loved.” The second surprise: We will be surprised to see that the people we never expected…

The weather was beautiful, the workers were ready and enthusiastic, the foods were delicious, the games were fun and the prizes were really nice. That says we had a great Bazaar. I just wanted to say Thank You to all those who participated in this year’s festival. From Denise Brosnan, chair person, to all those who made this a success: set-up & clean-up crews, cooks, Rocco, Gio & Vince, the servers, the games attendants, the security people, and the entertainment.…

When I first read this Gospel many years ago, I was really taken aback. Is Jesus condemning us to the fires of hell? Is He pitting us against each other to cause havoc? It really didn’t make any sense! Then I started to pray with this particular Gospel. And as I did, I realized that the fire that Jesus speaks about is the Gospel – it’s the Word of God. It challenges us to live our faith, not just say…

Last weekend I gave my homily about what is needed and what we want in our lives. After those Masses and finishing up the bazaar, I started to reflect on what I have. Last week and weekend, I saw so many people gathering to help at our annual bazaar. Could we have used more, always. But those who were here worked, enjoyed themselves, and did a great service for the Church. That made me realize what I (we) have here…

Our Gospel message today invites us to share our blessings with others. The parable of the rich fool gives us a warning as well as an invitation. It reminds us that our possessions are merely lent to us by God, and that we are accountable for their use. We must be generous in sharing our time, our treasure, and our talents, the three elements of Christian stewardship. Every one of us is rich in one thing or another. The parable…

This coming weekend is our annual Homecoming Bazaar. It is called Homecoming because so many people, who have moved away, come back to the parish for the bazaar. It could be for the homemade foods and delicacies. But more so, it is for meeting old friends and acquaintances. The Bazaar is more than a parish fund- raiser. It is an event where our parishioners come together make new friends, welcome visitors and guests, have a good time, and truly come…

A true story is told by an advertising executive at Reader’s Digest, who found her emptiness filled in by prayer, listening to God, as Mary did in today’s Gospel. In spite of her successful career, she had felt emptiness in her life. One morning, during a breakfast meeting with her marketing consultant, she mentioned that emptiness. “Do you want to fill it?” her colleague asked. “Of course, I do,” she said. He looked at her and replied, “Then start each…

Today we heard the story of the Good Samaritan. It’s a familiar story to us. But do we walk away learning something. Think about the individuals who came across the man left for dead. What were their first thoughts? First the priest said he can’t help. He would be made unclean and unable to do his duties. The Levite said, he’s not of my class. I can’t associate with him. Each thought of himself first. But the Samaritan, he didn’t…

Jesus sent out 72 disciples to preach the Gospel message. They went out into the known world and shared Christ’ messages to love God with everything we have, to love one another, to forgive each other, not to judge, but be willing to sacrifice for others. As faithful Christians, are we doing the same? We should attract others by leading exemplary lives, just as a rose attracts people by its beauty and its fragrance. We might say this is our…

Today we celebrate the Feast of Saints Peter & Paul. St. Peter, the chosen head of the Apostles and St. Paul, the great preacher of Christianity. In today’s Gospel, the Apostles were asked who do you say that I am? Peter responds: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” How would you answer that question. How would your children? I think back to Columbine High School attacked by a deranged shooter. He asked the one girl, as…