Category Archives: Sacraments

A letter from Bishop Slattery – Countering with Prayer the proposed Black Mass in Oklahoma City

Posted on August 5, 2014 by Deacon Bob

Satan continues his work in our society. You may have heard that a Black Mass is scheduled to take place in Oklahoma City in the near future. The bishop of the neighboring diocese of Tulsa is calling on all his clergy and … Continue reading →

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Daily Homily for Thursday

Posted on May 8, 2014 by Deacon Bob

“I am the bread of life.” Jesus tells us today that he is the bread of life. Jesus the Nazorean. Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, he who from all eternity was the Son of the Father, who in the fullness … Continue reading →

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Gotta go to Confession Now!

Posted on March 29, 2014 by Deacon Bob

Courtesy of Catholic News Service, take a look at this. Pope Francis unexpectedly decided to go to confession before hearing the confessions of others at St. Peter’s yesterday. I doubt this has ever been seen by the general public, much … Continue reading →

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Rumor is…..

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Deacon Bob

The rumor is that Pope Francis has directed that the bishops and priests in the Vatican Curia are to take time to hear confessions in a nearby parish, Santo Spirito. All I can say is I hope this is true, … Continue reading →

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“Whether in life or in death, you are the Lord’s”

Posted on November 7, 2013 by Deacon Bob

Our first reading at Mass today reminds us that whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s chosen ones. This is echoed loudly in today’s Gospel in Jesus’ two parables, the first about the lost sheep which he finds … Continue reading →

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“There is a Baptism with which I must be baptized…”

Posted on October 24, 2013 by Deacon Bob

Today’s Gospel from Luke has Jesus declaring, “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish … Continue reading →

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Seeing God clearly, or through foggy lens?

Posted on September 13, 2013 by Deacon Bob

This past week I was asked on two occasions to give the homily at daily Mass. I used the opportunity to reflect on the effect sin has on our ability to see the presence of God in daily life. The … Continue reading →

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Confession Reflections

Posted on September 7, 2013 by Deacon Bob

Here are a few splendid reflections/quotes on the Sacrament of Penance. “Confession is an act of honesty and courage – an act of entrusting ourselves, beyond sin, to the mercy of a loving God.” — Bl. John Paul II “The … Continue reading →

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A Deacon’s Relationship with the Blood of Christ

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Deacon Bob

I have been asked on more than one occasion why deacons are related to the chalice, i.e., to the Blood of Christ. This is signified at Mass when the deacon elevates the chalice during the doxology, and when he preferentially … Continue reading →

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Liberated From The Slavery of Fashion

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Deacon Bob

Here is a video of an interview of a theologian to the Papal Household, explaining why only men can be ordained to the priesthood. He has a line that stood out when he said it: “Liberated from the slavery of … Continue reading →

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A “Catholic” Newspaper Gets It Wrong

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Deacon Bob

Some of you may already be on top of this story. On December 3rd, the National Catholic Reporter published an editorial endorsing the ordination of women to the priesthood. If you must, you can log on to: http://ncronline.org/node/40306 to read … Continue reading →

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To Reform the Reform? An Explanation

Posted on June 15, 2012 by Deacon Bob

The Catholic News Service has available online a nice six minute video explaining the reform of the Mass after Vatican II, and some of the concerns many have about the re-entrance of the Extraordinary Form (often called the Tridentine form) … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Deacon Bob

“Each time we use the sacrament of reconciliation we likewise reaffirm that we can do things with God’s grace that we will never accomplish on our own.” — Philip Marquard, OFM

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Facing Lent’s Temptations

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Deacon Bob

  I heard a spiritual director (not mine) say recently that the devil cannot read your thoughts; he is only a very good observer of behavior and quickly hones in on your weakness. It is there he attacks. Your thoughts, … Continue reading →

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How Did It Go?

Posted on November 27, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Well, the first Masses were prayed last night with the new translation. How did it go for you? In La Crescent, things went pretty well, it seems. Your’s truly forgot to intone the “Lord be with you” prior to the … Continue reading →

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