Mary

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Homily

By Fr. Jeff | 12/09/2024

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin MaryGenesis 3:9-15, 20Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 (1)Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12Luke 1:26-38December 9, 2024 God had placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.  Everything was wonderful.  The garden was a gift from God…

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The Immaculate Conception of Mary

By Fr. Jeff | 12/08/2023

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. You will not find a story of the Immaculate Conception of Mary in the Bible. The Bible does not tell us much about Mary. What…

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The Assumption of Mary

By Fr. Jeff | 08/15/2023

Today we celebrate the Assumption of Mary. We give our praise and worship to God alone. We venerate (honor) Mary but we do not worship her. Our gospel reading today is the story of the Visitation of Mary. When Mary…

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Honoring Mary and Honoring Those Who Died in Service

By Fr. Jeff | 05/29/2023

A few years ago Pope Francis decreed that the Monday after Pentecost would be celebrated as the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. That’s today (5/29/23). Our first reading today comes from Genesis right after Adam…

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The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception – Homily

By Fr. Jeff | 12/08/2022

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin MaryGenesis 3:9-15, 20Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 (1)Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12Luke 1:26-38December 8, 2022 Our first reading today comes from the story of the first sin in the Garden of Eden.  God had created the…

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New Video Presentation – “Praying the Rosary From the Heart”

By Fr. Jeff | 08/26/2022

Last night I offered a new presentation, Praying the Rosary From the Heart. Here is a short description of the presentation: The Rosary is a sacramental we use in prayer.  We memorize the prayers but do we think about what…

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New Upcoming Webinar – Praying the Rosary From the Heart

By Fr. Jeff | 07/23/2022

After 3 1/2 months without doing a webinar/presentation, I am happy to announce that I have scheduled a webinar for Thursday, August 25th, at 6:30 pm. called “Praying the Rosary From the Heart.” Here is a description of what I…

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The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

By Fr. Jeff | 12/08/2021

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin MaryGenesis 3:9-15, 20Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 (1)Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12Luke 1:26-38December 8, 2021 Our readings today begin in the Garden of Eden.  Adam and Eve were there in paradise until the cunning serpent came…

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The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Homily

By Fr. Jeff | 08/15/2021

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin MaryRevelation 11:19a, 12:1-6a, 10abPsalm 45:10, 11, 12, 16 (10bc)1 Corinthians 15:20-27Luke 1:39-56August 15, 2021 Normally we would be celebrating the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time of Year B today.  Instead, we are celebrating the…

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The Visitation of Mary

By Fr. Jeff | 05/31/2021

Today (May 31st), we celebrate the Feast of the Visitation of Mary. One might wonder why this feast falls at this time of year. We are in Ordinary Time. However, yesterday, for our Sunday Mass we celebrated the Solemnity of…

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2020 is Over!

By Fr. Jeff | 01/01/2021

Today is January 1st. That means we begin a new year. It is now 2021! That means 2020 is over! 2020 is a year we might wish we could forget but probably never will. The Coronavirus pandemic has changed the…

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The Immaculate Conception of Mary – Homily

By Fr. Jeff | 12/08/2020

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin MaryGenesis 3:9-15, 20Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 (1a)Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12Luke 1:26-38December 8, 2020 God is the creator of the world, the “maker of heaven and earth.” What God created is good.  God created in…

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Our Catholic Understanding of Mary

By Fr. Jeff | 06/20/2020

While all Christianity honors Mary as the mother of Jesus, not all denominations hold Mary in the same regard as we Catholics do. Many Protestants misunderstand what we believe about Mary. Some of them interpret our devotion to Mary as…

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Mary, the Holy Mother of God – Homily

By Fr. Jeff | 01/01/2019

Mary, the Holy Mother of GodNumbers 6:22-27Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8Galatians 4:4-7Luke 2:16-21January 1, 2019 As we gather here today to celebrate a holy day, it is January 1st.  In our country it is New Year’s Day.  However, the fact…

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The Presentation of Mary and Our Presentation of Ourselves

By Fr. Jeff | 11/21/2018

Today we celebrate the Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  It is celebrated on November 21st marking the dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary the New in Jerusalem in the year 543.  As with most of…

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Some Insights on Our Catholic Understanding of Mary

By Fr. Jeff | 07/04/2018

Today, July 4th, I used my “independence” to do some spiritual reading.  The insights I am about to share are not my own but come from Dr. Edward Sri.  I had the opportunity to attend a presentation by him in…

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Seeing With the Eyes of Faith

By Fr. Jeff | 05/31/2018

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  At the Annunciation, Mary found out she had been chosen to be the mother of Jesus.  Mary’s reaction is not one of pride.  She does not begin…

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Mary as Mother of God and New Year’s Resolutions – Homily

By Fr. Jeff | 01/01/2018

Mary, the Holy Mother of God Numbers 6:22-27 Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:16-21 January 1, 2018 January 1st is associated with various things.  In our secular society, it is the beginning of the new calendar year. …

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Honoring Mary, Mother of God at Christmas – Homily

By Fr. Jeff | 01/01/2017

Mary, the Holy Mother of God Numbers 6:22-27 Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:16-21 January 1, 2017 One week ago we celebrated Christmas day but our Christmas season continues until next week.  Today marks the eighth day…

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The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

By Fr. Jeff | 08/15/2015

Today, August 15th, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Normally it would be a Holy Day of Obligation but since it falls on a Saturday this year, it is not a day of obligation,…

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Why Have Mass on New Year’s Day

By Fr. Jeff | 01/01/2013

People will sometimes ask me if there is Mass on New Year’s Day.  The answer is always, yes there is Mass on New Year’s Day but it is not New Year’s Day we are celebrating.  New Year’s Day marks the…

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The Immaculate Conception

By Fr. Jeff | 12/08/2012

Today (December 8th) we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  This year it falls on Saturday but because it is our National Feast Day in the United States, it remains a Holy Day of…

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The Assumption of Mary

By Fr. Jeff | 08/15/2012

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary.  It is a Holy Day of Obligation (Click here to see the readings).  Here are some of the thoughts I shared in my homily. The fact that today is a…

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