Prayer

What Peace Requires?

By Fr. Jeff | 11/03/2024

Peace…It is missing in the world.  What is needed to bring peace to this world?  We live in a world torn by war, division, and hatred.  What is needed to change this? My heart aches when I heard news stories…

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Managing Distractions

By Fr. Jeff | 10/22/2024

I hear people talk about how they are distracted by worldly things at Mass.  The same can be true when praying at home.   I would like to offer three possible categories for these distractions. First, is the “noisy child” at…

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A Lifetime of Conversion

By Fr. Jeff | 10/01/2024

No matter how much we know about our faith, there is always room for growth.  This is evident for me in the celebration of the Feast of the Archangels on September 29th.  This year the feast fell on Sunday so…

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We Dare to Say

By Fr. Jeff | 07/23/2024

We dare to say… As we end the Eucharistic Prayer at Mass with the great amen and prepare to say the Lord’s Prayer, the priest says, “At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say.” It…

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Out of Sight, Out of Mind

By Fr. Jeff | 07/09/2024

As I was looking for an idea to write this week’s article about, I came across a news article where the New York State Governor was cautioning people about COVID.  I wondered, “isn’t the pandemic a thing of the past? …

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The Time Between

By Fr. Jeff | 05/21/2023

“After Jesus had been taken up to heaven the apostles returned to Jerusalem.” There, “they went to the upper room” (first reading for this 7th Sunday of Easter) The upper room is where they had gathered with Jesus after his…

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The Devout Life – Prayer

By Fr. Jeff | 11/29/2022

This is the third article in my series based on my reading of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis De Sales. The first article was “What Does It Mean to be Devout?” followed by “Purification in the…

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30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C – Homily

By Fr. Jeff | 10/23/2022

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year CSirach 35:12-14, 16-18Psalm 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23 (7a)2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18Luke 18:9-14October 23, 2022 Once again Jesus tells a parable, this time “to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone…

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Spending Time Away

By Fr. Jeff | 10/21/2022

As I write this, I am almost done with some time off.  When I write “time off” I suspect the word “vacation” probably comes to mind for many of you.  What is the purpose of a vacation?  When I think…

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Be Persistent in Prayer

By Fr. Jeff | 10/16/2022

It is necessary for us “to pray always without become weary.” Today Jesus tells a parable of a woman who persists in her request. She is awaiting a decision from a judge. The judge, “who neither feared God nor respected…

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28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C – Homily

By Fr. Jeff | 10/09/2022

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C2 Kings 5:14-17Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4 (see 2b)2 Timothy 2:8-13Luke 17:11-19October 9, 2022 Naaman was a great soldier, serving as commander in his king’s army.  He was also a leper.  He had sought a…

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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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Lord, Teach Us How to Pray

By Fr. Jeff | 07/24/2022

Last Sunday, we heard of Abraham’s hospitality to the Lord. At that point, Abraham did not know it was the Lord. Now (17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C) the Lord says to Abraham, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah…

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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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Overcoming Anger with Prayer

By Fr. Jeff | 05/31/2022

As I continue my series of articles offering some reflections based on my reading of Judith Valente’s book, How to Live: What the Rule of St. Benedict Teaches Us About Happiness, Meaning, and Community (Charlottesville, VA: Hampton Roads Publishing. 2018) (See my…

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What Do We Want to be Different in 2022?

By Fr. Jeff | 01/04/2022

Last week I wrote an article about new year’s resolutions (“A New Beginning”). Today I will share some thoughts about what we might be looking forward to in 2022. I think the thing most obvious thing that we would all…

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The Third and Final Webinar in My Series on Prayer

By Fr. Jeff | 12/03/2021

Last night I offered the third and final webinar in my series, Giving Our Hearts to God: What It Means to Pray. You can view the recording of this webinar and see the slides at www.renewaloffaith.org/prayer2021partIII. The recording is 1…

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Part II of Series on Prayer Now Available

By Fr. Jeff | 11/19/2021

I just uploaded the recording of the second webinar in my new series on prayer, Giving Our Hearts to God: What It Means to Pray. You can view the view and see the slides at www.renewaloffaith.org/prayer2021partII. This presentation focuses on Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, and…

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Can the Holy Souls in Purgatory Pray for Us?

By Fr. Jeff | 11/08/2021

In my homily this weekend, I spoke about Purgatory and praying for the dead. Purgatory is an important part of our Catholic faith and understanding of what happens to us after earthly death. Unfortunately, it is not talked about much.…

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Repost with Corrected Link – First Video in New Series on Prayer

By Fr. Jeff | 10/29/2021

I just uploaded the recording of the first webinar in my new series on prayer, Giving Our Hearts to God: What It Means to Pray. You can view the view and see the slides at www.renewaloffaith.org/prayer2021partI. Here’s a description for…

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Using the News to Pray

By Fr. Jeff | 10/18/2021

In previous articles like, “What’s in the News,” I have written about why I think it is important to follow the news. Watching the news we typically hear more discouraging news than uplifting news. Recently, I have begun trying to…

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Praying the Litany of St. Joseph

By Fr. Jeff | 10/01/2021

In my last blog article, “In Struggles We Find Hope,” I reflected on my recent reading of St. Joseph and His World by Mike Aquilina (New York: Scepter Publishers. 2020). Continuing on the theme of the Year of St. Joseph called for…

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New Series on Prayer

By Fr. Jeff | 09/21/2021

Finally, I have the details for my next series of presentations! It will be a series on prayer called, Giving our Hearts to God: What It Means to Pray. Now, I don’t profess to be an expert on prayer. In…

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It’s Worth Doing Well

By Fr. Jeff | 09/07/2021

If it is worth doing, it is worth doing well. I am referring to our celebration of the Mass. It is certainly worth doing! The Eucharist is the source and summit of our Catholic faith (Lumen Gentium, 11). We know…

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Where Do you Go to Find God?

By Fr. Jeff | 07/09/2021

As I settle into a new rectory, I look to shape the space in which I will pray. This rectory has enough rooms that I am able to dedicate a whole room to prayer and God. Many people may not…

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