Category Archives: General Interest

BISHOP QUINN DELIVERS NATIONAL RADIO MESSAGE Diocese of Winona

Posted on January 2, 2014 by Deacon Bob

My bishop, John M. Quinn of the Diocese of Winona, gave a national radio address recently on the Holy Family. I would encourage each of you to sit back and listen to this program. Thank you, Bishop Quinn. http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-resources/christmas/upload/christmas-retreat-year-a-holy-family-english.mp3  

Posted in General Interest | Comments Off on BISHOP QUINN DELIVERS NATIONAL RADIO MESSAGE Diocese of Winona

Pope Francis’ Christmas Greeting to the World “Urbi et Orbi”

Posted on December 25, 2013 by Deacon Bob

Here is Pope Francis’ Urbi et Orbi Christmas message to the world. I reproduce it in its entirety, as per the official Vatican translation. I would add, though, that listening to it in the original Italian as the Pope spoke, he added … Continue reading →

Posted in General Interest, Pope Francis | Comments Off on Pope Francis’ Christmas Greeting to the World “Urbi et Orbi”

The Shrewdness of Subtle Pride

Posted on December 7, 2013 by Deacon Bob

I occurred to me today, in a conversation I had with a man, how shrewd and subtle pride can be. I suppose you might shrug your shoulders and mutter, “So what’s new?” indicating that such an occurrence is well within … Continue reading →

Posted in General Interest, Virtues | Comments Off on The Shrewdness of Subtle Pride

Quote for the Day

Posted on November 17, 2013 by Deacon Bob

“When you lose your wealth, you’ve lost nothing. When you’ve lost your health, you’ve lost something. When you lose your character, you’ve lost everything.” — attributed to the Rev. Billy Graham

Posted in General Interest | Comments Off on Quote for the Day

Quote for the Day

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Deacon Bob

Here is an excerpt (the italics and bold print are mine) from a speech the Apostolic Nuncio gave to the American bishops meeting today in Baltimore. His talk was quite direct and revealing. I encourage you to read the entire text … Continue reading →

Posted in General Interest, Pope Francis | Comments Off on Quote for the Day

“Strive to Enter Through the Narrow Gate…”

Posted on October 30, 2013 by Deacon Bob

Today’s Gospel has Jesus telling us to “strive to enter through the narrow gate.” He also warns that many will try and fail. You have to ask, “What will make the difference between entering and not entering?” There is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Addictions, General Interest, Scripture, Spirituality, The Holy Spirit | Comments Off on “Strive to Enter Through the Narrow Gate…”

How Well Do You Hear? Remember?

Posted on October 18, 2013 by Deacon Bob

How well do you hear? How long is your memory? No, this isn’t a test for Alzheimer’s. These really are profound spiritual questions that we all would do well to consider. How well do we hear God’s Word as revealed … Continue reading →

Posted in General Interest, Saints and Prophets, Scripture | 1 Comment

“And he kept trying to see him.”

Posted on September 26, 2013 by Deacon Bob

Today’s Gospel passage from Luke is about how perplexed Herod became about the identity of Jesus. We hear of people telling him that Elijah has arisen, or the great prophet has come back. He immediately thought about John the Baptist, … Continue reading →

Posted in Fundamental Theology, General Interest, Scripture | Comments Off on “And he kept trying to see him.”

Pope Francis Speaks Forcefully Against War in Syria

Posted on September 2, 2013 by Deacon Bob

The Holy Father, in a very direct and forceful manner, spoke out against any form of violence or war in Syria. In his Sunday Angelus address, he abandoned his usual catechetical or theological discourse to speak with unusual vigor about … Continue reading →

Posted in General Interest, Pope Francis | Comments Off on Pope Francis Speaks Forcefully Against War in Syria

Random Thoughts….

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Deacon Bob

Another Sunday morning completed, and a bright sunny afternoon ahead. There is so much ahead, if I let myself go there in my mind. A wake in a couple of days, a communion service, a business trip, a busy week … Continue reading →

Posted in General Interest, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Random Thoughts….

For Your Information

Posted on July 19, 2013 by Deacon Bob

I would draw your attention to the addition of a page to this weblog entitled Conferences and Retreats. You can find the tab for this page under the header image above, and some information regarding it along the sidebar to the … Continue reading →

Posted in General Interest | Comments Off on For Your Information

Quote for the Day

Posted on July 7, 2013 by Deacon Bob

“The more Christians immerse themselves in the circle of Christ’s light, the more capable they become of understanding and accompanying the path of  every man and woman towards God.” — Lumen Fidei #35, Pope Francis

Posted in General Interest, Pope Francis | Comments Off on Quote for the Day

Pope Francis Reflects on the Meaning of Christian Service

Posted on July 3, 2013 by Deacon Bob

The Holy Father spoke today on the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle on encountering the living God through the wounds of Christ. I ran across this in an email from a brother deacon in my diocese who spends enormous … Continue reading →

Posted in Deacons, General Interest, Pope Francis | 1 Comment

Immigration Reform

Posted on June 22, 2013 by Deacon Bob

I can only offer an opinion, perhaps I should say a conjecture, as to the root of immigration reform opposition. I believe it is purely party politics. Blind allegiance to a particular party’s positions. A desire to divide the body politic, … Continue reading →

Posted in General Interest, Human Rights, Politics | Comments Off on Immigration Reform

A Untold Story of Charity

Posted on June 15, 2013 by Deacon Bob

I learned of someone in a neighboring community who, every morning until his tragic death, lived out Jesus’ command to care for the poor. This man, whom I will call George, died over two years ago after being struck by … Continue reading →

Posted in General Interest | Comments Off on A Untold Story of Charity