Monthly Archives: December 2009

A Prayer for Peace at the End of the Decade

Today, I guess, is the end of the decade.  A decade marked by almost continual war.  My prayer, which I hope you will join with me in praying, is a prayer for peace. I find today’s patristic reading in the … Continue reading

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Quote for the Day

“If you become docile to his holy commands, you will become good as he is good; you will be like him and you will receive glory from him. God is not stingy with his benefits, he who for his glory … Continue reading

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One Man’s Long-standing Protest

I read today that Fr. Carl Kabat, OMI was arrested on August 6 in Weld County, Colorado after having trespassed onto a US missile site. He was later convicted and sentenced to time served. Fr. Kabat is 76 years old. … Continue reading

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Feast of the Holy Innocents

A couple of days ago, we celebrated the feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr of the Church. Today, we celebrate the feast of the holy Innocents who, in a very real sense, were the real first martyrs. As you … Continue reading

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For the Love of Stephen!

Being a deacon blogger, I can’t help but post on St. Stephen, whose feast we celebrate today. As you know, he is the Protomartyr that is, the first martyr of the Church.  He was also among the first deacons of … Continue reading

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Merry Christmas to All!

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you!  I truly hope that the newborn child of Bethlehem may find a warm place in your hearts and lives to reside and grow to full maturity.  May God bless you abundantly. … Continue reading

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Papa Luciani’s letter to Jesus

I’d like to share a portion of a letter Pope John Paul I wrote to Jesus in 1974. “Dear Jesus, I have received some criticism. ‘He is a bishop, a cardinal,” it has been said, ‘and he’s broken his arm … Continue reading

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Quote for the Day

“It does not matter what our status of life is financially, socially or scholarly, as long as we live that lifestyle honestly, not trying to be something or someone that we are not. We have to learn to be ‘transparent’ … Continue reading

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Papa Luciani on Faith and the Church

Pope John Paul I took up the topic of faith and the Church in his usual pastoral way on September 13, 1978 during a general audience.  Here are excerpts for your consideration: “Read St. Paul; ‘Corpus Christi quod est Ecclesia’. … Continue reading

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Quote for the Day

“Lord, take me as I am, with my defects, with my shortcomings, but make me as you want me to be.” — the daily prayer of Pope John Paul I

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The Deacon as “Confessor”

Nearly ten years ago, the Church celebrated the Jubilee Year of Deacons. I liken it to this year’s Year of the Priest. I was reading a homily of Cardinal J. Francis Stafford, then President of the Pontifical Council for the … Continue reading

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Saint John Paul II and Saint Pius XII?

The Holy Father promulgated today a decree attesting to the lives of heroic virtue of John Paul II and Pius XII. They and numerous others were named in the decree, and are moving forward toward canonization as saints of the … Continue reading

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Homily for Gaudete Sunday

(Here is my homily from last Sunday, at least the outline of it.)  Today, we celebrate Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is a Latin word for “Rejoice!” We are in the middle of Advent and we take a day to rejoice. We … Continue reading

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Quote for the Day

“How marvelous is divine wisdom, for it brought salvation through the cinders of humility.” — St. Bonaventure, OFM

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Motu Proprio “Omnium in Mentem” of Benedict XVI

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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