Monthly Archives: March 2009

Obedience to the Truth — Dynamic Tension

Posted on March 29, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I had a conversation yesterday with a friend. He was concerned about divisions in the Church.  I tend not to think in terms of “divisions”, preferring to frame the issue in terms of holding in dynamic tension diverse practices and … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on March 27, 2009 by Deacon Bob

From a deacon of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis: “I realized that I am no more than a servant…nothing more, nothing less in the mission of Jesus Christ and his Church.” — Deacon Sean Curtan, SFO

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Notre Dame and the President

Posted on March 26, 2009 by Deacon Bob

If you have been listening to Catholic radio in recent days, you have no doubt heard that Fr. Jenkins, president of the University of Notre Dame, has invited President Obama to give the commencement address to the graduating class in … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Politics | 2 Comments

Are We Truth Friendly and Happy?

Posted on March 24, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I just finished reading John Paul II’s encyclical Vertitatis Splendor. As you know, it is an encyclical on Catholic moral theology, something on which the Second Vatican Council was going to issue a document but never got around to it, … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality | 3 Comments

Hardware Store Ministry

Posted on March 22, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I was listening yesterday to my local hardward store owner at a training session for mentoring couples in our parishes’ marriage preparation program.  I had tapped him and his wife as potential candidates to mentor some of our young engaged … Continue reading →

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Freedom of Conscience and Law

Posted on March 21, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Let me take a stab at this topic.  It would seem so many have a really hard time understanding the Church’s teaching on conscience and law. We must obey our consciences.  We must.  We must also properly form our consciences … Continue reading →

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Quote of the Day

Posted on March 20, 2009 by Deacon Bob

“We must know at first hand the experience of the people of our own time — their alienation, their dissatisfaction, their searching for spiritual experience, so that we can proclaim hope from within their experience not from without….”  — Joseph … Continue reading →

Posted in General Interest, Prayer and Meditation | 1 Comment

Show Me the Face of God

Posted on March 18, 2009 by Deacon Bob

St. Theophilus of Antioch wrote a beautiful piece on seeing the face of God.  A few quotes for your reflection. “If you say, ‘ Let me see your God’, I will say to you, ‘ Let me see the man within you, … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer and Meditation, Saints and Prophets | 1 Comment

Live Without Fear

Posted on March 17, 2009 by Deacon Bob

A couple of months ago, I wrote about my New Year’s resolution to live without fear.  I am finding it easier said than done.  No surprise there, I suppose. I ran across this from St. Padre Pio of Pietrecina today.  It … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer and Meditation, Saints and Prophets | 1 Comment

Lies

Posted on March 15, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Have you ever asked yourself why the Scripture writers have called Satan the father of lies?  I have.  Think about it.  What has been the effect in your life when you have lied or been lied to?  What impact has … Continue reading →

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“Leave me Lord. I am a sinful man.”

Posted on March 14, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I have found Luke 5: 1-11 to be a good Lenten meditation.  It is his account of the calling of the first disciples.  You have heard the story: Jesus is near Lake Gennesaret and he sees two boats moored by … Continue reading →

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Pope Benedict’s Apology

Posted on March 12, 2009 by Deacon Bob

As you may have heard today, Pope Benedict has issued a letter to all the bishops of the world regarding the Williamson issue. You recall, the Pope remitted the excommunications of four illicitly ordained bishops consecrated by Archbishop Lefebvre in 1988. … Continue reading →

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Celibacy and the Priesthood

Posted on March 11, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I was over on Deacon Greg Kandra’s blog today and noticed a post by him regarding the retiring New York Cardinal Egan’s comments on priestly celibacy.  It sounds as if the Cardinal anticipates a possible relaxation of this discipline in … Continue reading →

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Another Blow to Pro-Life “Grazie a” President Obama

Posted on March 9, 2009 by Deacon Bob

As most of you know already, the president signed an executive order today allowing taxpayer monies to be used to destroy live human embryos for stem cell research.  President George Bush had signed an order in 2001 essentially prohibiting such … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Politics | 5 Comments

Biblical History vs. “Myth”

Posted on March 9, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I am in the middle of reading an interesting book entitled, The Bible Unearthed: Archaeology’s New Vision of Ancient Israel and the Origin of Its Secrets by Finkelstein and Silberman.  I am only half-way through, but it is evident their … Continue reading →

Posted in Scripture | 2 Comments

References by the Holy Father Today

Posted on March 8, 2009 by Deacon Bob

The Holy Father just completed a retreat, conducted by Cardinal Arinze. In today’s Angelus address, Benedict talks about the experience and also about today’s Gospel reading on the Transfiguration. I have heard three different homilies on it in the past … Continue reading →

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A Deacon’s Meditation

Posted on March 7, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Our bishop today led the diocesan diaconal community in a day of reflection. One of the suggestions given to us was to pray over and meditate on the Prayer of Diaconal Ordination. To all deacons:  do you recall this powerful … Continue reading →

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Social Justice ala St. John Chrysostom

Posted on March 6, 2009 by Deacon Bob

When we talk about fasting during Lent, how often do we think of social justice as a form of fasting? Take a look at what St. John Chrysostom has to say: “Not to enable the poor to share in our … Continue reading →

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Who are Deacons — Part 2

Posted on March 5, 2009 by Deacon Bob

A number of weeks ago, I posted a bulletin insert on diaconal identity. I promised to post more, so here is a second installment of my effort to catechize the faithful about the diaconate.  What do you think, deacons? “Deacons … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on March 5, 2009 by Deacon Bob

“No one deserves to go hungry, and there is no ecological reason for people to be hungry today.  People are hungry today solely because of the social and economic structures of sin:  greed, pride and lust for power.” — Br. … Continue reading →

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