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Our Blog

Led by the Spirit

By Fr. Jeff | 05/04/2013

If you haven’t already, take a look at today’s first reading (5th Week of Easter, Saturday), particularly the second part.  The reading tells some of the events of Paul’s missionary journeys. Paul did not pick which towns he preached in. …

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Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year C

By Fr. Jeff | 04/29/2013

5th Sunday of Easter, Year C Acts 14:21-27 Revelation 21:1-5a John 13:31-33a, 34-35 April 28, 2013 We need hope. We live in a world of turmoil.  Bad things happen.  Bombings in Boston, the explosion in Texas, and the possibility of…

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Boston Bombings and the Death Penalty

By Fr. Jeff | 04/26/2013

As they question the surviving suspect in the Boston bombings from last week, there is talk in the media about giving him the death penalty if convicted.  What do you think? For me the answer is simple, no! If you…

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What’s a Parish Need?

By Fr. Jeff | 04/23/2013

On Friday, I will have been Pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Ithaca for ten months.  It has been a busy ten months.  There are all the regular activities that go with a parish, a school, and two cemeteries.  There is…

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Listening

By Fr. Jeff | 04/21/2013

I just finished reading an article on listening in a magazine.  Actually, in a spirit of honesty with regards to an article on listening, I’m not sure I really read the article.  Physically I read it but as I was…

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Who Are His Sheep?

By Fr. Jeff | 04/21/2013

4th Sunday of Easter, Year C Acts 13:14, 43-62 Revelation 7:0, 14b-17 John 10:27-30 April 21, 2013  My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. Remember last week when the disciples saw Jesus on the shore…

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Third Sunday of Easter, Year C

By Fr. Jeff | 04/14/2013

3rd Sunday of Easter, Year C Acts 5:27b-32, 40b-41 Revelation 5:11-14 John 21:1-19 April 14, 2013 The Apostles are now arrested and on trial.  They are zealously preaching the faith.  They had previously given orders to ‘stop teaching in that…

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My Last Presentation – “Talking About God: Sharing Our Faith”

By Fr. Jeff | 04/07/2013

When I did my last presentation on March 18th, it was a snowy night so not many were able to attend.  The good news is that the video is now ready and available on my website at https://renewaloffaith.org/evangelization/sharingfaithvideo.htm. Check it…

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Doubt

By Fr. Jeff | 04/07/2013

2nd Sunday of Easter, Year C Acts 5:12-16 Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19 John 20:19-31 April 7, 2013 Jesus has been crucified.  They know the tomb is empty.  The disciples are locked in a room.  Why did they lock themselves in…

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Passion

By Fr. Jeff | 04/05/2013

When we use the word “Passion” with a capital “P” in the Church we are generally speaking of Jesus’ Passion that we just celebrated during Holy Week.  Out of his passion for us, Jesus freely gives his life for us…

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Easter Vigil 2013

By Fr. Jeff | 03/31/2013

Easter Vigil 2013 Genesis 1:1-2:2 Genesis 22:1-18 Exodus 14:15-51:1 Isaiah 55:1-11 Romans 6:3-11 Luke 24:1-12 March 30, 2013 Tonight we hear the story of Salvation History.  We hear it in the readings but also in our Exsultet.  We are reminded…

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Good Friday Homily

By Fr. Jeff | 03/30/2013

Good Friday 2013 Isaiah 52:13-53:12 Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9 John 18:1-19:42 March 29, 2013 The news is devastating. Jesus, the one they thought to be the Messiah, has been arrested, beaten, mocked, scourged, and crucified.  He is now dead. How could…

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Holy Thursday Homily

By Fr. Jeff | 03/29/2013

Holy Thursday 2013 Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 John 13:1-15 March 28, 2013 Tonight is a night like no other night but neither is a night that stands all by itself. It was the night of the Passover.  The…

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I’m Sure God Exists

By Fr. Jeff | 03/29/2013

This has been a busy week.  There is a lot of preparation that goes with the celebration of the Triduum.  There was also the Diocesan Day of Penance on Tuesday during which I spent 8 1/2 hours hearing confessions. So…

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The Easter Triduum is Upon Us

By Fr. Jeff | 03/28/2013

It is Thursday morning of Holy Week.  At 7 p.m. this evening, we will celebrate the Mass of Lord’s Supper where Jesus celebrated the Passover with his disciples, washed their feet and gave us the gift of the Eucharist.  I’ll…

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People Want to be Forgiven II

By Fr. Jeff | 03/27/2013

Today’s readings (3/27/13), contrast two “people”.  In the reading from Isaiah we hear of the Suffering Servant.  Ultimately this prophecy finds fulfillment in Jesus but we can all fulfill in some way as Christian disciples seeking to God’s Will.  In…

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Passion (Palm) Sunday

By Fr. Jeff | 03/25/2013

Palm Sunday, Year C Luke 19:28-40 Isaiah 50:4-7 Philippians 2:6-11 Luke 22:14-23:56 March 24, 2013 Today we begin no ordinary week.  This week celebrates Jesus’ final days on Earth and so today we begin with his journey into Jerusalem. He…

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Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

By Fr. Jeff | 03/20/2013

Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and King Nebuchadnezzar – I think I will remember these names forever.  They appear in today’s first reading. I think back to 1999, shortly after I returned to church after many years of not going.  I had the opportunity…

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Judgment and Condemnation – Homily

By Fr. Jeff | 03/17/2013

5th Sunday in Lent, Year C Isaiah 43:16-21 Philippians 3:8-14 John 8:1-11 March 17, 2013 As Jesus continues his ministry to teach the people, once again the scribes and the Pharisees come to test Jesus.  They come bringing the woman…

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People Want to Be Forgiven

By Fr. Jeff | 03/17/2013

Over the past few weeks, I have spoken in homilies and during the announcements about the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) and opportunities for people to confess their sins.  With some assistance from our parish Evangelization Team, I created two videos and…

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We Have a Pope

By Fr. Jeff | 03/13/2013

Today we have a new Pope, Francis I.  It is Cardinal Bergoglio from Argentine.  You can read more about him at http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1301150.htm.    As he begins his papacy, I will be praying for him as our Pope and invite all of…

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It Begins

By Fr. Jeff | 03/12/2013

I write this at 8 a.m. local time on Tuesday, March 12, 2013.  That means the cardinals have celebrated the Mass that opens the conclave and are now in the process of moving into the locked conclave. In today’s first…

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Homily – Fourth Sunday of Lent, Year C

By Fr. Jeff | 03/11/2013

4th Sunday in Lent, Year C Joshua 5:9a, 10-12 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 March 10, 2013 The first reading speaks of the entrance of the Israelites into the Promised Land.  This marks a new beginning for them.  Once,…

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The Role of Godparent

By Fr. Jeff | 03/09/2013

Recently, the question of who can be a godparent has come to me.  Many see it is as an honor to be chosen to be a godparent.  It is an honor but it also comes with responsibility.  To see it…

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Homily for Holy Hour

By Fr. Jeff | 03/04/2013

Homily for Holy Hour Using Readings for 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Exodus 17:3-7 Romans 5:1-2, 5-8 John 4:5-42 March 2, 2013 These readings that we are using for our Holy Hour tonight are taking from the Third…

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