• Bulletin Board, Announcements, Calendar
• Welcome and Website Protocol
• Editorial - Op Ed
• Article Archive

Print this page

Article Categories

• Book Reviews
• Open Letter
• Editorials
• Notes, Quotes & Comments
• Pastor's Study
• Project Millstones
• Sidebar Comments
• Weekly Message

Links

AMERICA Magazine
A balanced Catholic weekly magazine published by the jesuits of the United States for an intelligent Catholic readership. Go online to subscribe.

Liturgy
This link will keep 'parishioners-at-large' in touch with current creative liturgy sources and resources that respect a variety of 'traditions' within the Church.

Voice of the Faithful
A 'movement' of lay Catholics 'inspired' by the abuse scandal calling for greater accountability of bishops to 'Catholics in the Pew.'

Survivos' Network for those Abused by Priests or Religious
A National Network of self-help support groups for people abused by clergy or religious.

Bishop Accountability
Vital information about the disclosure of sexual abuse and related issues affecting Catholics in the pew and the manner in which Bishops continue to exempt themselves from accountability

National Catholic Reporter
A national Catholic lay newspaper covering events not usually covered or presented with a clerical bias in the local diocesan press or but of concern and interest to Catholics.

COMMONWEAL Magazine
A 'lay' Catholic weekly publication with an accent on an intelligent analysis and commentary on curent issues, trends and concerns of interest to Catholics.

Search

Daily Scripture

+ 7th Week of Easter

“Parting is such sweet sorrow.”

Readings: Acts 20:17-27 Psalm 68:10-11, 20-21 John 17:1-11

I am in the world no longer, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. [John 17:11]

Shakespeare ‘penned’ the phrase quoted above. I didn’t understand it as a student of Shakespeare in high school but I began to understand it when I waved goodbye to my family as I sailed off to Italy on September 21, 1963 for a three-year stretch in Rome. In fact, it has multiple meanings and applications that I appreciate now more than ever before.

There is another phrase that perhaps gives credence to my thoughts so poorly expressed and it’s this: “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” Ah, that’s it. At times we need to separate from ‘the source’ in order to appreciate how important it is to stay connected.

The farewell speech of St. Paul in Acts and the farewell ‘prayer’ of Jesus in John’s gospel were more likely composed by the authors of these texts along the lines of the farewell speeches of great leaders of their times in order to attract the attention of Jesus’ followers.

The departure of Jesus and later that of Paul created ‘fallow’ time in the hearts of the neophyte believers that was absolutely necessary if they were to grasp the significance of Jesus’ message and the teachings of St. Paul.

We are once again in ‘fallow’ time as we prepare for Pentecost. It’s a time of discernment during which we are invited to ponder the words and deeds of Jesus so that in his absence, we may come to know his presence in the Spirit that remains within us and around us.

As we ponder, it is important to reflect on the gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and reverence of the Lord. And the fruits of the Holy Spirit are qualities that are characteristic of a community living in Christ: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty self-control and chastity.

There is much to ponder as we wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.

Daily Scripture

Monday January 31, 2005

+ 4th Week in Ordinary Time

Be careful, there’s a full moon!

Readings: Hebrews 11:17-40 Mark 5:1-20

“(Jesus had been saying to him, ‘unclean spirit, come out of the man!’) ‘What is your name?’ Jesus asked him. ‘Legion is my name.’ He answered. There are hundreds of us.’” [Mark 5:8-9]

It’s a troubling story on many counts and I would rather not deal with it. Nevertheless, it is the Gospel of the day and we ought night edit out of our daily diet biblical stories that make us feel uncomfortable. Rather, we need to use our imagination to search for a deeper meaning and broader application.

No, there is no full moon today. It has already passed but the expression is used frequently to describe a difficult day for which there appear to be no explanations. Have you had an anxiety or panic attack lately? Most arrive without warning and for no apparent reason. Moreover, some attacks can be severe and require medical or psychiatric attention. We may feel overwhelmed by the ‘legion of emotions’ and fears that immobilize us. I suspect that people dealing with the effects of bi-polar illness and their family know exactly what I am referring to.

Medication can and does help but there is more to healing than medication. Some of the greatest saints were afflicted with anxiety disorders.

Miracles of physical and emotional healing have occurred in recent times through a very special ministry called “Healing Touch.” It is truth a ‘faith-based initiative’ that partners with professional physicians and counselors to help the hurting to heal. Faith in God and hope for healing are important for wellness and the love of those who reach out to those who hurt is the glue that keeps us all connected.