Author Archives: Deacon Bob

About Deacon Bob

Moderator: Deacon Bob Yerhot of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota.

St. Polycarp

Posted on February 23, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Today is the memorial of St. Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, now Izmir, Turkey, and a disciple of St. John the Apostle.  He was also the friend of St. Ignatius of Antioch.  St. Polycarp (whose name means “many good things” in … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on February 22, 2010 by Deacon Bob

“Clearly, what God wants above all is our will which we received as a free gift from God in creation and possess as though our own.”  — St. Joseph of Cupertino, OFM Conv.

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The Case for Humility

Posted on February 20, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Great reading from St. Irenaeus in the Office today. He makes the case for humility. An excerpt, my English translation: “He commands us to follow him, not because he has need of our service, but to give us salvation. To … Continue reading →

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New saints are on the way

Posted on February 19, 2010 by Deacon Bob

The Holy Father announced today, in a very formal gathering of cardinals at the Vatican, that six individuals will be canonized on October 17, 2010. Among them is Blessed Andre’ Bessette from Canada. Those of us from Holy Cross Parish … Continue reading →

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Holy Father’s Words on Lent

Posted on February 18, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Pope Benedict offered a homily yesterday at the Basilica of St. Sabina on the Aventine hill in Rome. He concluded with these words: “Dear brothers and sisters, Lent enlarges our horizons, orients us to eternal life. On this earth we … Continue reading →

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What is Fasting all about, anyway?

Posted on February 17, 2010 by Deacon Bob

It took me a long while to figure this out in my life, even though it is so simple. Fasting, which we are obligated to do on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and encouraged to do each Friday of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Virtues | 1 Comment

Quote for the Day

Posted on February 17, 2010 by Deacon Bob

“For many are those who love beauty. But beauty is not in externals; true beauty consists in the splendour of wisdom.” — St. Bonaventure, OFM

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Wisdom of God in Creation

Posted on February 16, 2010 by Deacon Bob

It is interesting that we end the current stretch of Ordinary time in the Office of Readings with St. Anthanasius writing about the Wisdom of God. His explanation of Wisdom, as revealed in the Book of Proverbs (Proverbs 8: 1-5, 12-36) … Continue reading →

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Thoughts While Practicing the Exultet

Posted on February 15, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Being the new deacon of the parish, and having a passable voice, I am singing the Exultet this Easter Vigil. In the old days, i.e., back in seminary days, I was a member of a Combo singing second tenor, member … Continue reading →

Posted in General Interest | 6 Comments

The Maternity of the Church – World Day of the Sick

Posted on February 11, 2010 by Deacon Bob

From the homily today of the Holy Father on the World Day of the Sick, my translation of his Italian original: “The maternity of the Church is reflected in the caring love of God, of which the prophet Isaiah speaks: … Continue reading →

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The Diaconal Voice of Christ

Posted on February 10, 2010 by Deacon Bob

I ran across a beautiful paragraph  in reading a talk given by Archbishop Roberto O. Gonzalez Nieves, OFM, Archbishop of San Juan de Puerto Rico backon February 19, 2000 on the identity, functions and prospects for the permanent diaconate.  Here … Continue reading →

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The Church’s Message of Hope

Posted on February 9, 2010 by Deacon Bob

The Holy Father spoke to the Scottish bishops during their ad limina visit a few days ago. He accented how the Church’s teachings, especially in the area of family and human life, must be presented in a positive manner that inspires … Continue reading →

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Benedict XVI on the Rights of Children

Posted on February 8, 2010 by Deacon Bob

I’d like to bring your attention to an address the Holy Father gave today to the plenary meeting of the Pontifical Committee on the Family. His whole address can be found at the Vatican website (see link to the lower … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on February 8, 2010 by Deacon Bob

“That is what an experience of sickness can do. It can bring us into contact with ‘poorness of spirit,’ which knocks away all other props and makes us realize that all good things are from God.” — William Debiase, OFM

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Rushing Here and Rushing There – (for what reason, pray tell?)

Posted on February 6, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Human activity. Motion. Moving from place to place, or even at times spinning one’s wheels, but gotta have that movement. The discomfort of inactivity. The pain of rest. I am accused by some in my family of being a cynic. … Continue reading →

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