Category Archives: Sacraments

How Did It Go?

Posted on November 27, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Well, the first Masses were prayed last night with the new translation. How did it go for you? In La Crescent, things went pretty well, it seems. Your’s truly forgot to intone the “Lord be with you” prior to the … Continue reading →

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If Only We All Were So Aware

Posted on October 21, 2011 by Deacon Bob

I was at daily Mass yesterday in a parish at which I had never previously been present. At the sign of peace, I turned to glance over my right shoulder and saw a disheveled man standing in the back with … Continue reading →

Posted in Sacraments | 2 Comments

Hints of Things to Come?

Posted on July 15, 2011 by Deacon Bob

The National Catholic Register is reporting that in Ireland some lawmakers are trying to pass legislation that would require priests to break the seal of the confessional if a pedophile confesses. Please note that this law has not passed, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Church News, Politics, Sacraments | 2 Comments

Thoughts While Preparing for Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Deacon Bob

I will be presiding tonight at Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction for one of the parishes to which I am assigned. It will be an hour of quiet before the Lord. The crowd will be small, but those present have a … Continue reading →

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From the Ancient Catechism of Jerusalem

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Deacon Bob

There is an ancient Christian text called the Catechism of Jerusalem, a selection of which was given for today’s Office of Readings. It has a teaching about baptism that is worth our attention and thought today. My English translation of … Continue reading →

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iPhone Confessions?

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Deacon Bob

The news outlets have been abuzz with reports about a new application for the iPhone titled Confession: A Roman Catholic App developed by a South Bend, Indiana publisher, Little iApps, LLC. I have not seen this application, nor have I … Continue reading →

Posted in Church News, Sacraments | 4 Comments

Random Thoughts

Posted on June 6, 2010 by Deacon Bob

I have not had computer access for a few days.  Thus, no posts. Spent time with extended family in Green Bay. Was talking to my sister’s father-in-law last night about the research being done on the effects of technology in … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on May 7, 2010 by Deacon Bob

“Marriage is a school for gratitude.” — USCCB, Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan, 2009

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Catechesis on Marriage

Posted on May 4, 2010 by Deacon Bob

I continue to read the USCCB’s pastoral letter, Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan. I’d like to transcribe a lengthier section of that letter here, a section that beautifully describes the Church’s teaching on the sacramentality of Christian … Continue reading →

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The Communion of Marriage

Posted on April 27, 2010 by Deacon Bob

I am reading the Pastoral Letter of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops entitled, Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan. I would recommend this to all married couples and indeed to all members of the Church. There … Continue reading →

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Deacons and Marriage

Posted on April 23, 2010 by Deacon Bob

I’d like to quote Herbert Vorgrimler in his book,  Sacramental Theology, (pg. 27o):   “… all that a deacon does is done as a member of the hierarchy, of the clerus; whether married or not, the deacon makes it clear that … Continue reading →

Posted in Deacons, Sacraments, Spirituality | 15 Comments

Motu Proprio “Omnium in Mentem” of Benedict XVI

Posted on December 16, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I read yesterday the Pope’s Moto Proprio entitled Omnium in Mentem. I meant to write a post on it yesterday, but got caught up in the busyness of the day here at the office as well as in the parish in … Continue reading →

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In Defense of Marriage

Posted on June 29, 2009 by Deacon Bob

The whole institution of marriage is threatened nowadays. The rates of cohabitation, homosexual couples seeking to marry in more and more states, the trivialization of marriage by so many others — all these threaten marriage. As my one of my … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Sacraments | 1 Comment

St. Thomas Aquinas on the Eucharist

Posted on June 14, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Those of us who pray the Office of Readings enjoyed St. Thomas today. Here is a quote (my translation from the Italian): “The only begotten Son of God, willing that we become participants in his divine nature, assumed our nature … Continue reading →

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Quote for Corpus Christi

Posted on June 14, 2009 by Deacon Bob

“You have given us bread from heaven; bread of the angels!” — Second Vespers for Corpus Christi

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Equality in the Marriage Liturgy

Posted on May 4, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I was looking at the website for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (www.usccb.org) and I see they are recommending both the bride and the groom be escorted down the aisle by their parents, as this expresses equality of … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Sacraments | 3 Comments

St. John Chrysostom and Marital Fidelity

Posted on April 29, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Some studies show up to 70% of all marriages will experience infidelity. This figure I believe is a bit inflated, but I know the rate to be higher than most would think. I happened to be reading the Catechism today … Continue reading →

Posted in Sacraments, Saints and Prophets | 2 Comments

More Baptismal Catechesis

Posted on April 17, 2009 by Deacon Bob

St. Cyril of Jerusalem speaks more on the catechesis of baptism today. “Having become members of Christ, it is not incorrect for you to be called ‘christs’, that is ‘consecrated’, because God has said of you, ‘Do not touch my consecrated … Continue reading →

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Baptismal Catechisis

Posted on April 16, 2009 by Deacon Bob

We prayed over this today in the Office of Readings.  I thought it worth noting in a post for any of us who don’t pray that Office. Again, my translation of the Italian text I used. “Let no one think … 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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