At the start of a new year it is appropriate to make plans of a spiritual nature as well as other plans. How open are we to experiencing God’s love and showing and sharing this with others? I would recommend that each of us come up with a short doable list of goals for the coming year. It is important to experience and share with others ways that we see how our faith is connected with life and God’s guidance. This means seeking Jesus’ healing love in all aspects of our journey through life.

January 4th, 2009

Reflectlon for Feast of Holy Family: For a great deal of the world Christmas is over. Some people feel tired and not refreshed after Christmas. For us Catholics the Christmas season has just begun and does not end until we celebrate the Baptism of the lord. The readings of the Christmas season call us to realize truths about life that extend beyond singular events. God has a plan for all of us for all of life. God wishes each of us to reach our potential, which begins in our family life. The journey of faith to where God wishes us to be begins in our families. The Holy Family serves as a model for all of us. This is a wonderful time for all of us to reflect upon the way that God extends His love to us through our families.

Reflection for Feast of Epiphany: How do we recognize God’s guidance in our lives? Each of us is called to a life of stewardship. That is to say, God has given each of us gifts to be nurtured and shared with others. How we develop our gifts and talents depend on our individual mission desires and how we cooperate with the grace of God. In today’s readings Jesus is presented with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh by the three wiseman. The primary gift to Jesus was not gold, frankincense, and myrrh but the homage of faith.. They came to see a child who would become king. This feast day is all about promises and hopes.

January 4th, 2009

There are so many things I need to thank you for as we are about to begin another calendar year. New programs have started and others are ready to start. The work, the generosity, the willingness to share in the Advent projects and the other projects throughout the year, the attitudes and efforts of so many during the Advent and Christmas Season has been nothIng short of amazing, heartwarming and exceptional. From the parish staff to the volunteers there is a very wonderful spirit here. Many people have expressed this throughout the year and God has blessed others through you. Many have been overly generous with their time, talents, and treasures to help others both within and outside the parish. Also many have been so kind, generous and encouraging to me. Whether it has been dropping off food, your prayers, your Mass cards, your gifts or kind words, thank you. It is not my desire to forget anyone deserving of a thank you so I will say in general thank you. Thank you, too, for your continued prayers and concern for Sr. Julie who is an example and inspiration to all of us. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I pray that 2009 will be a year filled with blessings for this parish and each of us.

January 4th, 2009

Reflection for Fourth Sunday of Advent: The sacred feast of Christmas is very near. Even in the midst of all that is going on in the world we await Jesus’ arrival in joyful anticipation. These are times when we truly feel overwhelmed with all that needs to be done particularly the last minute preparations. There is a temptation to see only the wrong and darkness in the world and to respond accordingly. Patience is a most necessary virtue at this time of year. Looking around we see there is much goodness and light in the world. The way you have responded to so many of the parish projects gives me great hope. Thank you. Maintaining perspective these days is challenging for all of us. I would suggest even a short time set aside for prayer each day can help us put things into perspective. Jesus invites us to follow in His example and bring more light and goodness to the world. I hope you are able to find time for prayer and spiritual joy and fun in these remaining days before Christmas.

December 20th, 2008

Reflection for Third Sunday of Advent: The sacred feast of Christmas is coming near. Even in the midst of all that is going on in the world we await Jesus’ arrival in joy. These are times when we can feel overwhelmed with all that needs to be done There is a temptation to see only the wrong and darkness in the world and to respond accordingly. Looking around though we see there is much goodness and light in the world. Even a short time set aside for prayer can help us put things into perspective. Jesus invites us to follow in His example and bring more light and goodness to the world. This can be done in many ways. I marvel at all that you do each day. Please keep up your good example. These are good times in the morning when we rise and at night to think each day of five or ten people or things that we are grateful to God for. I hope you are having a blessed Advent Season.

Thank You: I continue to marvel and be impressed by the way you reach out to help the less fortunate. This Advent is no exception. Thank you.

December 12th, 2008

Reflection for second Sunday of Advent: Come, Lord Jesus. Do we take what John the Baptist says or as a model of belief seriously enough? John the Baptist is certainly a model of humility, repentance, living a Christ centered life, and calling the truth for what it is. Advent is also a time to let go of joylessness. John the Baptist was bold in proclaiming God’s cry for repentance. When we speak about the need for repentance, it is both individually and collectively. Advent is the gift of time to repent and receive the Good News. With God’s guidance in receiving the Good News we are lead to deeper commitments. God as we know is both the promise maker and the promise keeper. Where are we being invited through repentance and God’s guidance to encounter Jesus? To encounter Jesus and to follow Jesus is to learn more about the magnificent and rich mystery of God’s love for us. We are able to experience this more and share it with others when we ; pray about our Advent reflections, unite with Mary in prayer, get rid of grudges, pray for patience, long to receive Jesus, do things out of the ordinary everyday for others, receive and live the sacrament of Reconciliation, and think about how we use our gifts and talents to enrich others.

December 6th, 2008

Reflection for first Sunday of Advent: Advent is a time that is all about hope expectation. We live between the time of the arrival of Jesus and His second coming. Advent is the beginning of a new church year. The Advent Season is a time we might consider taking up a spiritual practice that will bring us calmness, quiet and peace. This can be almost anything from keeping a prayer journal, to more spiritual reading, or listening to how the meaning of activities and events echo throughout our lives. What would it be like for us to focus on Jesus in our lives? What would it be like to let Jesus be born into our lives? Advent is a time to look at the lives of the saints and journey with them. Advent is a time to seek forgives and to extend forgiveness in places where we need to do such. Advent is a time that reminds us that the Lord is near and we give thanks and praise to God for all blessings. Please make use of this special season and the spiritual events to grow closer to the Lord and others. In a special way please remember those among us who are in any need.

November 29th, 2008

Today is the last Sunday of the Church year. Next Sunday we begin the start of a new liturgical year with the beginning of Advent. Today’s readings focus on the end of times. We are told that whatever we did for the least of His brothers and sisters we did for Jesus. Jesus Christ has the final word and He will come in glory and power to judge the good and the bad. He will reward those who have tried to help others and treat appropriately the bad and those who were only concerned about themselves. Jesus is among us. Where do we see Him?

November 21st, 2008

Christians are called to be children of the light. We are all called to be responsible for using our God-given gifts on behalf of the reign of God and the good of all. Our talents must be used and we must keep developing them. Each of us has a measure of responsibility to use our talents for the spread of the gospel in the world. Catholicism is all about our relationship with Jesus and how we share this with others.

November 15th, 2008

Today we celebrate the Feast of St. John Lateran. A church is a place where we meet God. In a special way St. John Lateran Church is referred to as the Pope’s Church. We know that God is everywhere but we experience the presence of God in a special way in church, in prayer, worship, covenant and community. What does worship space mean to each of us? Each of us is called to be a temple of the Holy Spirit and the living presence of God. Each of us is invited to recognize that the promise of healing constitutes every covenant with God. The covenants remind us that in community we live love of God and love of neighbor. Love of neighbor is one of the ways that may enrich our love of God. Jesus invites us to come forward to cast our cares upon Him and experience His healing works. Each of us in return needs to be sensitive to people who are in need; within our families, our neighborhood and beyond. These are difficult times in a number of ways for so many people. As a parish and as individuals each of us might consider showing others additional kindnesses this week. Also may I suggest that we pray for those around the world who have no one else to pray for them.

November 7th, 2008