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Here is a link to some resources from the USCCB on the process as Pope Benedict XVI resigns and a new pope is elected. http://usccb.org/about/leadership/holy-see/pope-benedict-xvi/papal-transition-2013-graphics-downloads.cfm Peace, Fr. Jeff
Read MoreMany of you may have seen my presentation recorded in January on the story of my faith journey. One small part in that presentation was a mention of the first time I went to the Sacrament of Reconciliation after my…
Read More1st Sunday in Lent, Year C Deuteronomy 26:4-10 Romans 10:8-13 Luke 4:1-13 February 17, 2013 On Wednesday, we marked the beginning of our Lenten journey for this year with the reception of ashes. Lent is a time that’s purpose is…
Read MoreToday I attended a workshop on Young Adult Ministry called “Building Bridges to Young Adults” by Joan Weber of the Center for Ministry Development. The goal of this workshop was to help the participants like myself find ways to serve our…
Read MoreThe headlines were glaring, “The Pope is Resigning.” I have to admit that when I say the headline yesterday morning I was shocked. I thought ‘what’s wrong?’ It turns out that nothing is wrong. Pope Benedict XVI is 85 years…
Read MoreIt’s almost here. Lent begins with our celebration of Ash Wednesday on February 13th this year and will go to the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday (March 28th). When you hear the word “Lent” what do you…
Read More4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13 Luke 4:21-30 February 3, 2013 Our reading today from Paul is probably the most often picked second reading for weddings. Sometimes, I think couples just pick it…
Read MoreIt has now been a little over seven months since I became the Pastor of Immaculate Conception Church. It has been a busy seven months. As I have written before we have a lot going on, ranging from our church…
Read More3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21 January 27, 2013 The first verses of our gospel today are the very first verses of the Gospel of Luke. Here Luke tells…
Read MoreRecently, I have had a couple of people ask me questions about some of the words in the “new” translations of the prayers for Mass. I put “new” in quotations because we have been using the new translations for fourteen…
Read MoreYesterday I attended workshop in our diocese entitled “The Challenge of Catechesis Today” given by Bishop Frank Caggiano (Auxillary Bishop of Brooklyn). Last fall the New York State Catholic Bishops released a new document called “The Catechetical Leader in the Third Millennium.” …
Read More2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C Isaiah 62:1-5 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 John 2:1-11 January 20, 2013 Jesus changes water into wine. No small thing and it isn’t meant to be. This is first of seven great signs in John’s…
Read MoreBefore Christmas our Parish Evangelization Team was brainstorming on ideas to reach out to the people who come to Mass on Christmas and those who may not come to church at all. It was decided that I would do a…
Read MoreBaptism of the Lord, Year C Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 Titus 2:11-1, 3:4-7 Luke 3:15-16, 21-2 January 13, 2013 Today we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus. Baptisms are always something to celebrate. Baptisms are occasions of great joy. As I say…
Read MoreEpiphany, Year C Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 Matthew 2:1-12 January 6, 2013 Christmas is a season to be very aware of Jesus’ presence in the world. Today we celebrate The Epiphany of the Lord but Christmas is really a…
Read MoreOur Parish Pastoral Council meeting this week included a discussion on what are signs of a vibrant parish. The list ranged from a line for Confessions to people feeling at home. Today, I would like to talk about feeling at…
Read MorePeople 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…
Read MoreToday is December 31st. It is the end of our secular year 2012. Tomorrow will be January 1st and mark the beginning of a New Year. Just a few weeks ago we marked the end of the last liturgical year…
Read MoreHoly Family, Year C 1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-8 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24 Luke 2:41-52 December 30, 2012 Christmas is not over. Christmas is too important to be a single day. We celebrate Christmas as a season from Christmas Day till…
Read MoreToday, December 28th, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Innocents. The story of the Holy Innocents is found in Matthew 2:13-18. Herod was king of the region and had heard from the Magi that a new king had been…
Read MoreChristmas, Year C Isaiah 9:1-6 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-14 December 25, 2012 O Come All Ye Faithful! Familiar words to many. It’s my favorite Christmas hymn. It also fits today. Look at all the people. There’s something about Christmas that…
Read More4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C Micah 5:1-4a Hebrews 10:5-10 Luke 1:39-45 December 23, 2012 A tale of two women. Today’s gospel speaks of two women. I should say two very important women. They are important because of the…
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