Author Archives: Deacon Bob

About Deacon Bob

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

Freedom of Conscience and Law

Let me take a stab at this topic.  It would seem so many have a really hard time understanding the Church’s teaching on conscience and law. We must obey our consciences.  We must.  We must also properly form our consciences … Continue reading

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Quote of the Day

“We must know at first hand the experience of the people of our own time — their alienation, their dissatisfaction, their searching for spiritual experience, so that we can proclaim hope from within their experience not from without….”  — Joseph … Continue reading

Posted in General Interest, Prayer and Meditation | 1 Comment

Show Me the Face of God

St. Theophilus of Antioch wrote a beautiful piece on seeing the face of God.  A few quotes for your reflection. “If you say, ‘ Let me see your God’, I will say to you, ‘ Let me see the man within you, … Continue reading

Posted in Prayer and Meditation, Saints and Prophets | 1 Comment

Live Without Fear

A couple of months ago, I wrote about my New Year’s resolution to live without fear.  I am finding it easier said than done.  No surprise there, I suppose. I ran across this from St. Padre Pio of Pietrecina today.  It … Continue reading

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Lies

Have you ever asked yourself why the Scripture writers have called Satan the father of lies?  I have.  Think about it.  What has been the effect in your life when you have lied or been lied to?  What impact has … Continue reading

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“Leave me Lord. I am a sinful man.”

I have found Luke 5: 1-11 to be a good Lenten meditation.  It is his account of the calling of the first disciples.  You have heard the story: Jesus is near Lake Gennesaret and he sees two boats moored by … Continue reading

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Pope Benedict’s Apology

As you may have heard today, Pope Benedict has issued a letter to all the bishops of the world regarding the Williamson issue. You recall, the Pope remitted the excommunications of four illicitly ordained bishops consecrated by Archbishop Lefebvre in 1988. … Continue reading

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Celibacy and the Priesthood

I was over on Deacon Greg Kandra’s blog today and noticed a post by him regarding the retiring New York Cardinal Egan’s comments on priestly celibacy.  It sounds as if the Cardinal anticipates a possible relaxation of this discipline in … Continue reading

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Another Blow to Pro-Life “Grazie a” President Obama

As most of you know already, the president signed an executive order today allowing taxpayer monies to be used to destroy live human embryos for stem cell research.  President George Bush had signed an order in 2001 essentially prohibiting such … Continue reading

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Politics | 3 Comments

Biblical History vs. “Myth”

I am in the middle of reading an interesting book entitled, The Bible Unearthed: Archaeology’s New Vision of Ancient Israel and the Origin of Its Secrets by Finkelstein and Silberman.  I am only half-way through, but it is evident their … Continue reading

Posted in Scripture | 1 Comment

References by the Holy Father Today

The Holy Father just completed a retreat, conducted by Cardinal Arinze. In today’s Angelus address, Benedict talks about the experience and also about today’s Gospel reading on the Transfiguration. I have heard three different homilies on it in the past … Continue reading

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A Deacon’s Meditation

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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Social Justice ala St. John Chrysostom

When we talk about fasting during Lent, how often do we think of social justice as a form of fasting? Take a look at what St. John Chrysostom has to say: “Not to enable the poor to share in our … Continue reading

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Who are Deacons — Part 2

A number of weeks ago, I posted a bulletin insert on diaconal identity. I promised to post more, so here is a second installment of my effort to catechize the faithful about the diaconate.  What do you think, deacons? “Deacons … Continue reading

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Quote for the Day

“No one deserves to go hungry, and there is no ecological reason for people to be hungry today.  People are hungry today solely because of the social and economic structures of sin:  greed, pride and lust for power.” — Br. … Continue reading

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