Author Archives: Deacon Bob

About Deacon Bob

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

Good Friday Reflection

Posted on April 10, 2009 by Deacon Bob

An apt reflection for Good Friday afternoon: “My plan of life is chiefly this: to love and suffer, always meditating upon, adoring and admiring God’s unspeakable love for his lowliest of creatures.” — St. Conrad of Parzham, OFM Perhaps we … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on April 8, 2009 by Deacon Bob

“For the bonds which unite the faithful are mightier than anything dividing them.  Hence, let there be unity in what is necessary; freedom in what is unsettled, and charity in any case.” –Gaudium et Spes 92. Worth remembering when we … Continue reading →

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Human Freedom and the Fundamental Option

Posted on April 8, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Pope John Paul II, in Veritatis Splendor made the following comments:  “There is no doubt that Christian moral teaching, even in its Biblical roots, acknowledges the specific importance of a fundamental choice which qualifies the moral life and engages freedom … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Popes | 1 Comment

Reflection of St. Basil the Great

Posted on April 7, 2009 by Deacon Bob

St. Basil today continues with the theme we left off on in yesterday’s post.  He says, translated from the Italian: “God’s economy of salvation, our Savior, consists in the rearising of man from his fall and returning him to the divine intimacy, … Continue reading →

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The Poverty of Provisionality and Finiteness and Holy Week

Posted on April 6, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I may have written about this before, but it returns to mind during Holy Week.  Today’s Office of Readings brought it back (see the patristic reading for the day).  The poverty of provisionality and finiteness that we experience as humans … Continue reading →

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Memories of John Paul II

Posted on April 4, 2009 by Deacon Bob

The fourth anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II was a couple of days ago.  Maybe it is my age, but it does seem like he died just a few months ago.  I recall being in the cathedral, … Continue reading →

Posted in Popes | 1 Comment

Come Home!

Posted on April 4, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Does today’s Morning Prayer reading hit anyone squarely in the heart? It did mine.  Here it is (my translation of the Italian): “I said, ‘Here I am!  Here I am!’ to a people that weren’t calling on my name.  I … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on April 3, 2009 by Deacon Bob

“Catholics are meant to be a reflection of Christ’s presence in the world, preaching the Gospel, spreading the kingdom of God, building up the community of the faithful, and then reaching out to those who are most in need.” — … Continue reading →

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RIP Bishop Loras J. Watters

Posted on April 2, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I just returned from Vespers at the Cathedral in Winona.  Our former bishop, Loras J. Watters, age 93, died on March 30.  He was a remarkably simple man who guided our diocese through the immediate post-Vatican II days. He was … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on April 1, 2009 by Deacon Bob

“One cannot wrestle with one who is disrobed because he who wears something that can be seized is more quickly thrown to the ground.  You cannot live in luxury on earth and reign with Christ in heaven.” — St. Claire … Continue reading →

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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 | 2 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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