Author Archives: Deacon Bob

About Deacon Bob

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

Quote for the Day

Posted on February 4, 2010 by Deacon Bob

“From God’s perspective, one hidden act of repentance, one little gesture of selfless love, one moment of true forgiveness is all that is needed to bring God from his throne to run to his returning son and to fill the … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer and Meditation, Spirituality | Comments Off on Quote for the Day

The Rise of Paganism in Western Culture

Posted on February 3, 2010 by Deacon Bob

I have been thinking a bit about the increasingly obvious presence of paganism in our culture. Buddhists, Wiccans, and New Age philosophies seem to be catching the attention and souls of many. One hears so often of “mindfulness.” When listening to … Continue reading →

Posted in Fundamental Theology, General Interest | Comments Off on The Rise of Paganism in Western Culture

Quote for the Day

Posted on February 3, 2010 by Deacon Bob

“Neither Jesus nor Francis were social reformers. They were more: they were radical promoters of the reign of God; they called for conversion of life and transformation of society.” — Marie Lucey, OSF

Posted in Saints and Prophets, Spirituality | Comments Off on Quote for the Day

Virtual Tour of St. John Lateran

Posted on February 2, 2010 by Deacon Bob

For all you who have never been to Rome and seen the patriarchal basilicas for yourselves, you now have the opportunity to do so via a “virtual tour” over the internet.  Believe me, it is the next best thing to … Continue reading →

Posted in General Interest | Comments Off on Virtual Tour of St. John Lateran

Quote for the Day

Posted on February 1, 2010 by Deacon Bob

“Lord, take me as I am, with all my defects, my sins, and make me become what you wish.”  — Pope John Paul I

Posted in Papa Luciani (Pope John Paul I), Prayer and Meditation | Comments Off on Quote for the Day

St. Ignatius of Antioch

Posted on January 31, 2010 by Deacon Bob

We have today in the Office of Readings an section of St. Ignatius’ letter to the church of Smyrna. St. Ignatius is one of the very first Patristic writers, having most probably known the apostles personally, and thus is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christology, Saints and Prophets | Comments Off on St. Ignatius of Antioch

Papa Luciani on the Woes of his time, and ours

Posted on January 30, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Even though he wrote this in 1973, I find it apropos to contemporary society. Papa Luciani is lamenting the cultural movements in western society. He wrote a fictional letter to Aldus Manutius, a printer and publisher from Venice in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Papa Luciani (Pope John Paul I) | Comments Off on Papa Luciani on the Woes of his time, and ours

Claiming God’s Love and our Original Goodness

Posted on January 29, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Fr. Henri J.M. Nouwen wrote the following in his book, The Return of the Prodigal Son.  “I do not think I am alone in this struggle to claim God’s first love and my original goodness. Beneath much human assertiveness, competitiveness, … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer and Meditation, Spirituality | Comments Off on Claiming God’s Love and our Original Goodness

The Angelic Doctor

Posted on January 28, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Today, we celebrate the memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas, often called the “Angelic Doctor” because of his theology of angels. As I suspect you know, he is probably the foremost theologian of the Catholic Church of all time, living in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christology, Saints and Prophets | Comments Off on The Angelic Doctor

St. Bernard Reflects on the Cross and the Sacred Heart

Posted on January 27, 2010 by Deacon Bob

In today’s Office of Readings, St. Bernard reflects on the meaning of the Cross and the Sacred Heart.  As always for him, his language in poetic. Here is a snippet of what he wrote, my translation into English. “He nutured … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer and Meditation, Saints and Prophets | Comments Off on St. Bernard Reflects on the Cross and the Sacred Heart

Quote for the Day

Posted on January 26, 2010 by Deacon Bob

“His salvation is near to those who fear him and his glory will live in our land.” — Psalm 85

Posted in Prayer and Meditation, Scripture | Comments Off on Quote for the Day

Quote for the Day

Posted on January 25, 2010 by Deacon Bob

“When a man trains himself to acts of virtue, it is with the help of grace from God from whom all good things come that he does this. The will is what a man has as his unique possession.” – … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer and Meditation, Spirituality | Comments Off on Quote for the Day

A Synod for the Americas

Posted on January 24, 2010 by Deacon Bob

There are reports that there is a need for a special synod in America, i.e., North and South America. It is up to the bishops and the Holy Father to make the decision. From what I have read at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Church News | Comments Off on A Synod for the Americas

We Are the Amazement of God

Posted on January 24, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Papa Luciani, in his book Illustrissimi, writes to Charles Péguy, a French writer and a fervent Catholic who died in the first World War. He was also the author of many religious poems, and was noted for accenting Christian witness … Continue reading →

Posted in Papa Luciani (Pope John Paul I), Spirituality | Comments Off on We Are the Amazement of God

Using the Web – Calling all Priests (and Deacons!)

Posted on January 24, 2010 by Deacon Bob

I would like to note that the Holy Father, in his message on the 44th annual World Day of Social Communications, entitled, The Priest and Pastoral Ministry in a Digital World: New Media at the Service of the Word, has … Continue reading →

Posted in Church News, General Interest, Popes | Comments Off on Using the Web – Calling all Priests (and Deacons!)