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Our Blog

Change Leads to Reflection

By Fr. Jeff | 06/29/2026

As my homily for this past Sunday showed, my upcoming change in assignment has led me to some reflection.  In my homily I mentioned some of the good things that happened in the parishes during my five years of service at St. Mary’s of the Lake and St. Benedict’s.  I have…

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13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – Homily (2026)

By Fr. Jeff | 06/28/2026

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16aPsalm 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19 (2a)Romans 6:3-4, 8-11Matthew 10:37-42June 28, 2026 Does hearing Jesus say, “whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me,” trouble you?  He says…

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The Patron Saint of Our Diocese

By Fr. Jeff | 06/22/2026

In the first reading for Sunday Mass yesterday, we heard the prophet Jeremiah lament what he suffered as a prophet of the Lord (see my homily).  Jesus suffered greatly for us.  Thus, we can have great trust in him when we listen to his words in yesterday’s…

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12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A (2026)

By Fr. Jeff | 06/21/2026

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Jeremiah 20:10-13 Psalm 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35 (14c) Romans 5:12-15 Matthew 10:26-33 June 21, 2026  As a prophet, Jeremiah faced ridicule and persecution.  He heard “the whisperings of many” who denounced him.  It wasn’t just from strangers.  Even his former friends had turned against…

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11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – Homily (2026)

By Fr. Jeff | 06/14/2026

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year AExodus 19:2-6aPsalm 100:1-2, 3, 5 (3c)Romans 5:6-11Matthew 9:36-10:8June 14, 2026 After God led his people out of Egypt, Moses “went up the mountain to God.”  There, in prayer, Moses conversed with God.  Prayer for…

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Magnifica Humanitas – Introduction and Chapter 1

By Fr. Jeff | 06/09/2026

Last week I wrote an article with general comments on Pope Leo’s XIV’s new encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas  As I continue my own study of it, I would like to offer the following reflection on the introduction and first chapter.  One does not need to look any…

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The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Year A – Homily (2026)

By Fr. Jeff | 06/07/2026

The Most Holy Body and Blood of ChristDeuteronomy 8:2-3, 14b-16aPsalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20 (12)1 Corinthians 10:16-17John 6:51-58June 7, 2026 We celebrate the Eucharist week after week.  It can become very routine for us.  The routine can lead to complacency.  There…

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Pope Leo’s New Encyclical – Magnifica Humanitas

By Fr. Jeff | 06/02/2026

Last week Pope Leo XIV issued his new encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas.  It used to take days, weeks, or, if you go back far enough in time, months before papal documents were readily available.  In today’s age of the internet, Magnifica Humanitas was on the…

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The Most Holy Trinity, Year A (2026)

By Fr. Jeff | 05/31/2026

The Most Holy Trinity, Year AExodus 34:4b-6, 8-9 Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55 (52b) 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 John 3:16-18 May 31, 2026  Following Pentecost, we have returned to Ordinary Time.  As we do so, the Church gives us two special solemnities this Sunday and next.  Today we celebrate The Solemnity…

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 Praying For Our Nation

By Fr. Jeff | 05/26/2026

Yesterday, in the United States, we celebrated Memorial Day.  It is a day for us to honor those who gave their lives in service for our country, not for the glory of war but rather for the defense of freedom and the protection…

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Pentecost, Year A (2026)

By Fr. Jeff | 05/24/2026

Pentecost – Year A Acts 2:1-11 Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34 (30) 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13 John 20:19-23 May 24, 2026  It is fifty days since Jesus rose from the dead.  It is now time for Pentecost and the descent of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirt arrived as…

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The Feasts That Follow Easter

By Fr. Jeff | 05/19/2026

Before ascending to the Father, Jesus told his disciples to “wait for “the promise of the Father…the Holy Spirit” (see the first reading for the Ascension).  In my Sunday homily, I spoke of how the disciples used their time while they waited for…

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Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year A – Homily (2026)

By Fr. Jeff | 05/17/2026

7th Sunday of Easter, Year AActs 1:12-14Psalm 27:1, 4, 7-8 (13)1 Peter 4:13-16John 17:1-11aMay 17, 2026 Just before He ascended, He told his disciples to “wait for “the promise of the Father…the Holy Spirit.” After they saw Jesus ascend to…

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Ascension of the Lord, Year A (2026) – Homily

By Fr. Jeff | 05/14/2026

The Ascension of the LordActs 1:1-11Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9 (6)Ephesians 1:17-23Matthew 28:16-20May 14, 2026 The disciples had seen the power of God at work through Jesus in the mighty deeds He had done.  They grew in knowledge as they listened…

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Holy Days of Obligation

By Fr. Jeff | 05/12/2026

This Thursday (May 14, 2026) will be forty days since Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday morning.  Acts 1:3 tells us that after his Resurrection, Jesus spent forty days with his disciples before ascending to Heaven (Acts 1:1-11).  Thus, this Thursday is a very special day.  In…

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Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A (2026)

By Fr. Jeff | 05/10/2026

Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A Acts 8:5-8, 14-17 Psalm 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20 (1) 1 Peter 3:15-18 John 14:15-21 May 10, 2026  Jesus loves you.  Jesus loves every single person in the world.  It might seem hard to imagine.  There are people in the world who are hard…

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Working For a Better Future

By Fr. Jeff | 05/05/2026

In my homily on Sunday I announced that I would be leaving St. Mary’s of the Lake and St. Benedict’s on June 30th to become the Parochial Vicar (assisting priest) at St. Louis Church in Pittsford, NY.  It was only on Thursday that I received…

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Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year A – Homily (2026)

By Fr. Jeff | 05/03/2026

5th Sunday of Easter, Year AActs 6:1-7Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19 (22)1 Peter 2:4-9John 14:1-12May 3, 2026 Do you have anxiety or distress in your life? Jesus says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” What troubles you?  Serious illness?  Job…

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Who Will Be First?

By Fr. Jeff | 04/28/2026

It has not been a good week for the dignity of life.  On Saturday our nation experienced another attempt at mass violence.  A man attempted to enter the White House press dinner with a shotgun and handgun.  Fortunately, his attempt at mass violence was stopped by security. …

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Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year A (2026) 

By Fr. Jeff | 04/26/2026

Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year A Acts 2:14a, 36-41 Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 (1) 1 Peter 2:20b-25 John 10:1-10 April 26, 2026  Peter proclaims, “Let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”  “Whom you crucified…”  Who…

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Thoughtful Reception of the Eucharist

By Fr. Jeff | 04/21/2026

At the Easter Vigil this year I gave five people who have been part of our Order of Christian Initiation (OCIA) group for the last year their First Communion in the Catholic Church.  Next Sunday I will give four children their First Communion at our…

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Third Sunday of Easter, Year A – Homily (2026)

By Fr. Jeff | 04/19/2026

3rd Sunday of Easter, Year AActs 2:14, 22-33Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11 (11a)1 Peter 1:17-21Luke 24:13-35April 19, 2026 After the tomb of Jesus’ was found empty, the disciples gathered in a locked room in fear of the Jews.  Now,…

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