Funeral Mass - Ruth Murray

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Ruth Murray on Tuesday, August 28 at 11:00 a.m. The celebrant will be her nephew Msgr. Robert Robbins. Please pray for her and for her family.

Funeral Mass - Ann Ohlson

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Ann Ohlson on Monday, August 27 at 10:00 a.m. Please pray for her and for her family.

Lord, To Whom Shall we Go?

Husbands love your wives, even as Christ loved the Church. Last week I have celebrated 2 weddings at Mt St. Mary College. Both brides were graduates. Holy Rosary Chapel is a lovely spot. In the chapel there is a beautiful mosaic of St. Thomas Aquinas – he defined love as – willing the good of the other. As I spoke to the couples, I reminded them that this was the challenge – to love – in good times and in bad, in sickness and health, to love & honor all the days of life. Marriage can be like a roller coaster – ups & downs – be ready for the downs – and keep loving.

When I was a young priest, I was not ready for the downs. The downs led me to believe – I might have made a mistake being ordained. I remember sitting with my mother over a cup of tea talking about it.

She gave me a look.

First, she said – remember – you took a sacrament – you made a promise to God – God has made a promise to you.

Then – you don’t think your father and I have had difficult times – I had no idea – like a good parent – they had shielded their children from their problems as best they could.  But we love each other.

So, love is a decision – to will the good of the other.

Mother Teresa would often have visitors who wanted to get involved in her work with the poor. They had to attend Mass first. After, she would say – did you watch the priest – the reverence he has for the Host – when he touches the body of Christ? Tomorrow you will go to the House for the Dying – and you will touch the same Body of Christ- Have the same reverence the priest has for the Host.

If only every priest understood that, every bishop understood that, if every person understood that – we would not be where we are today. To touch the Body of Christ.

Some would not accept this teaching about the Body of Christ and many left – Jesus said - are you going to leave me too – just as many people might be wondering today – is this a mistake, should I leave?   Peter was the one – Lord, to whom shall we go, you have the words of everlasting life.  I don’t always like the Church, and parts of her I can’t stand right now. But, I love her, and I made a promise, and God made a promise to me.

In the words of Joshua today – As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!

A Great Sadness

(This is an outline - for the complete homily, it has been recorded on Sound Cloud & posted. Check our Facebook page)

Said more than one – a difficult week to be a Catholic. I’m almost embarrassed to be walking around wearing black.

Felt many different emotions – disbelief – sadness – anger

How could a priest or bishop hurt a young person? I have nieces and nephews – if anything were to happen top them, I don’t know what I would do.

Lives and been hurt – faith has been damaged

Leaders acting more like CEO’s than pastors – showing a basic lack of care for people.

Granted we have come far from 2002 and the Dallas Charter – but clearly we have further to go. So we must continue to speak against any kind of abuse – pray for victim and the church.  Evil has entered in “smoke of Satan.”  Good we pray St. Michael . . .

In a few moments – we will pray the Creed  -  One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic

Apostolic – Greece – Paul – great Saints – into today.

Catholic – Untouchables

Holy? – Everything about the Church is holy – our church, the Bible, the Sacraments – allow this holiness to enter us.

One – we are not one when we break Commandments – to receive Communion is to be in Communion. Take sin seriously – confess and become what we receive.

Thank you for being here, for being faithful, for supporting your parish and your priests – together may we continue to walk in holiness – as we journey to the kingdom.

Funeral Mass - Ann Hill

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Ann Hill on Thursday, August 16 at 10:00 a.m. Please pray for her and for her family.

Funeral Mass - Atea Bosaz

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Atea Bosaz on Tuesday, July 31 at 10:30 a.m. Please pray for her and for her family.

The Mass

(This homily owes it's inspiration to a sermon delivered by Bishop Robert Barron. His insights were invaluable!)

Imagine accident on Rt 82. Police arrive and begin asking questions – did anyone see what happened? Some did, and they share what they saw. All saw same accident, but from a different perspective. That is one way to look at the Gospels. They are the Gospels of Jesus Christ – but according to MT, MK, LK & JN.

Now all the Gospels speak of a Last Supper. But John does not include the Institution Narrative – This is My Body, this is my Blood. Instead, he expands on the meaning of the Eucharist in John Chapter 6. It is called the Bread of Life Discourse We will read this at Mass for the next few weeks. Today’s story is a great way to understand the Mass!

1)    Went across the Sea of Galilee with a large crowd following. Always a crowd followed Jesus. Just as a crowd gathers here for Mass. Catholic – ages, languages, ethnic groups.

2)    Went up the mountain – always a place to encounter God. See how we go up mountain!

3)    He sat down – what teachers do – Cathedral – Cathedra (chair). We are taught – Liturgy of the Word.

4)    Passover was near – from slavery to freedom. Jesus is new Passover: death to life. So, Jesus fed them – the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  

5)    Took bread, gave thanks, gave it to them – Eucharist! They are hungry – Demi Lovato – 12 hours partying – will that help? – big hug house – will that help? – take a drug – will that help?  May she experience healing. Jesus feeds us with the one thing that will satisfy our hunger – the Bread of Life.

6)    Ate till satisfied – filled with God. They gathered fragments – give to sick or place in tabernacle.

Up the mountain, they were taught, they were fed, they became the mystical Body of Christ – and then, they were called: to bring the Presence to a waiting world!