Ecclesiology
Last Saturday, November 9th, we celebrated the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome. Those who do not wholly understand our veneration of the saints might see this feast as the Catholic Church worshipping a building. Our…
Read MoreIn May, the Diocese of Buffalo announced plans to merge 1/3 of its parishes. As of this morning (6/18/24) a banner on its website says “Rightsizing and Reshaping.” In the business world “rightsizing” is a good thing. It is seen…
Read MoreHere is an article in PDF format that I recently composed (with proofreading and editorial assistance from some friends.). The topic is what is the purpose of a parish.
Read MoreWhy am I Catholic? Traditionally, the answer to the question why are you Catholic was, “Because my parents and grandparents are Catholic.” Being Catholic was part of our identity. One went to church for Christmas and Easter because that’s what…
Read MoreLast Saturday I read a news story (Sarah Maddox, “Why thousands of U.S. congregations are leaving the United Methodist Church.” September 9, 2023. CBSnews.com.). You may remember that in 2019, the United Methodist Church held a conference that discussed same-sex…
Read MoreLast night I offered the third (and final) presentation in my series, Being Church in Today’s World. The video and slides for Part III are now available on my website at https://www.renewaloffaith.org/beingchurch2022part3. If you watch the video in the next…
Read MoreLast night I presented Part II in my new series of presentations, Being Church in Today’s World. The video recording and slides are available at https://www.renewaloffaith.org/beingchurch2022part2 . If you watch the video in the next couple of days, you can complete an online evaluation…
Read MoreI recently read Mark Shea’s By What Authority? An Evangelical Discovers Catholic Tradition Revised and Expanded Edition (San Francisco: Ignatius Press. 2013). Shea began his Christian life in the Evangelical Church. This book tells his story of moving from sola…
Read MoreLast night I began my new series of presentations, Being Church in Today’s World. The video recording and slides are available at https://www.renewaloffaith.org/beingchurch2022part1 . Here is a description of the series – “For centuries western civilization was rooted in Christianity.…
Read More6th Sunday of Easter, Year CActs 15:1-2, 22-29 Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 (4) Revelation 21:10-14a, 22-23John 14:23-29 May 22, 2022 Some of the people had been upset by teachings they heard. It has disturbed their peace of mind. This…
Read MoreI recently read a new book, Priests in Love with God and Eager to Witness to the Gospel by Archbishop Emeritus Alfred Hughes (San Francisco: Ignatius Press. 2021). He wrote the book with seminarians in mind but also for reflection…
Read More26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year BNumbers 11:25-29Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14 (9a)James 5:1-6Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 Jesus’ words today may seem shocking. “If you hand causes you to sin, cut it off…And if your foot causes you to sin,…
Read MoreRecently, I have been using Fr. James Mallon’s new book, Divine Renovation Beyond the Parish (Frederick, MD: The Word Among Us Press. 2020) for reflection both on change and leadership. Today, I offer my final article using this book. In…
Read MoreSince it was announced that I will be moving to a new assignment, I have written several articles related to change. The first one, “The Next Change”, started with the saying “change is inevitable.” For me, change almost seems a…
Read MoreFour weeks from today I will be moving to my new assignment at St. Mary’s of the Lake and St. Benedict’s. As I prepare to lead them, I continue to reflect on what it is that God calls us to.…
Read MoreIn my last article, “Hopes and Dreams”, I spoke of helping people and leading people to Jesus. In my past article, “What Sort of Church Should We Be?”, I spoke of serving the people. Today I would like to write…
Read MoreAs preparations continue for me to transition to St. Mary’s of the Lake and St. Benedict’s at the end of June, a couple of people from there have asked me about my “hopes and dreams” for the parish. It is…
Read MoreI would like to pose a question for reflection – “Do you belong to your parish or does your parish belong to you?” For the latter, what do you expect from your parish? Do you only go to your parish…
Read More7th Sunday of Easter, Year BActs 1:15-17, 20a, 20c-26Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20 (19a)1 John 4:11-16John 17:11b-19May 16, 2021 We come today between our celebration of the Ascension of Jesus and Pentecost. This is the time frame in our first reading…
Read MoreThe first reading in yesterday’s (28th Sunday in Ordinary Time) Office of Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours led me to think about where we are at as a Church with regards to the number of people who practice…
Read MoreThe question for this article is how do we experience Church? As we explore this question, please note that I capitalized the word “Church”. This is because, ultimately, it is a transcendent “Church” that we are called to belong to.…
Read MoreWe continue to be separated to do our part to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. I miss seeing the people. I miss gathering together to celebrate the Eucharist. Celebrating the Eucharist is the most important thing we can do.…
Read More26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Numbers 11:25-29 Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14 (9a) James 5:1-6 Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 September 30, 2018 Jesus speaks to his disciples about what causes them to sin. His direction to cut our…
Read MoreHomily for September 2018 Holy Hour Acts 2:1-11 Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 John 19:28-37 The first reading tonight tells the story of Pentecost. It can be a spectacular scene to image. I think the…
Read MoreAlmost two weeks ago I did a presentation here at St. Michael’s. I had planned my calendar around being able to edit and caption the video the day after the presentation so I could get it online as soon as…
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