What’s in a name? “A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.” So why is it significant that “when I was in the womb, before my birth, he had pronounced my name.” This same question arises again in the gospel – why is it important that the…

I want to thank everyone from St. Stephen’s-St. Patrick’s and Our Lady of Perpetual Help for making my 25th Anniversary so special. The music and the flowers in the church were perfect. It was so good to see people that I have not seen in years, and the beautiful reception…

The parable in our gospel today is one that could have many meanings. Like many of Jesus’ parables that have to do with seeds and soil and planting and harvesting, this one tells us that the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground,…

The Elijah stories in 1 Kings are some of my favorites. We know that he was a heroic figure for many prophets, especially those who had a contemplative dimension to their prayer-life. Carmelites world-wide consider him the ancient model of their religious order to this day. He’s a man with…

A few years ago I read a novel entitled The Shack by William P. Young, a protestant minister. When it first came out it spent weeks on the Best Seller list. I am convinced that in addition to his theological studies, Rev. Young had to spend much time in prayer…

Last week found me driving across the country as I helped my sister with her move to Colorado. Somewhere in the middle of Nebraska we passed a large billboard proclaiming in bold letters “AFTER YOU DIE YOU WILL MEET GOD.” I’m sure they meant it to be an unsettling thought,…

If I were to count the repetitive words in the Bible, the one word that I’m sure would dominate all others is LOVE. In the second reading for today, we read “God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.” In today’s gospel, Jesus’…

Sunday, May 20th, we welcome Elijah Richard Somers to the Waters of Baptism, after our 8:30am Mass. May the Holy Spirit guide him all the days of his life.

I attended a workshop this past weekend, and part of our informal discussion was about how today’s world has cheapened friendship…how “friends” on social media sites can be mistaken for true friends, and how a search for genuine friends can make us vulnerable to exploitation. We know that sometimes friendship…

Students at a parish school were learning about Jesus and his role as the Good Shepherd. They were given a month to memorize Psalm 23, which they would have to recite at a school assembly with the pastor and all the parents attending. When the big night came, the first…