Pastor's Weekly Reflections
April 29, 2012
Now in this our Easter-tide we continue to celebrate the joys Easter. Some might be yet feeling church and donor fatigue given our many services and collections...
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April 01, 2012
The solemn procession with palms is the traditional start of this, the first liturgy of Holy Week, the most solemn in the Church’s liturgical year.
Holy Week is not a weak to hide, but to make ourselves visible in the outward celebrations of our faith...
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March 25, 2012
As Spring comes early this year with the wonderful weather, it is fascinating to watch where daffodils grow. Often it is in some unlikely corner which a few weeks ago looked barren and neglected...
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March 18, 2012
On this Fourth Sunday of Lent we reflect on accepting or rejecting ‘The Light.’ Christ came into the world to be the LIGHT, but many rejected the LIGHT...
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March 11, 2012
On this Third Sunday of Lent we reflect on Jesus cleansing the Temple. We are gathered in the house of God, which is supposed to be a house of prayer and worship...
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March 04, 2012
On this Second Sunday of Lent we could call it ‘Transfiguration Sunday.’ Might we also acclaim: “Lord, it is good for us to be here...
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February 26, 2012
On this our First Sunday of Lent we could call it ‘Temptation Sunday’. Each of us is involved in a constant struggle against temptation...
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February 19, 2012
In olden days in rural Ireland when a person got sick, the priest was the first one sent for. Then maybe the doctor...
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February 12, 2012
Little gestures can give us greater insight into a person’s character than big gestures. The big things show us a person’s power...
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January 29, 2012
Ours is the age of opinions and sharing of personal views. All seem to be entitled to have an opinion about everything...
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January 22, 2012
We find Jesus promising to make four small time fishermen into fishers of people if they are willing to follow Him. There was a price to be paid, something to be left aside, a security to be abandoned if there were to be room for God in their restricted lives...
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January 15, 2012
Even though this year of Mark, we begin with a reading from John. The Second Sunday of Ordinary Time respects an old liturgical theme of celebrating different epiphanies or manifestations of Jesus. John shows us a gradual recognition of who Jesus is—through the testimony of John the Baptist and the confession of the first disciple. Here John the Baptist calls Jesus ‘the Lamb of God; and Andrew call "the Messiah." Throughout the Christmas season our Masses have celebrated the treasures of our faith. The birth of Jesus reassures us that God is with us now and always... The beautiful First Reading this morning from Isaiah reminds me of this wonderful remembrance of the Lord's Nativity in which we continue to celebrate in this our Christmas Octave - Eight Days of Rejoicing in the "child born for us, a son given to us and dominion is laid upon his shoulders; and this is the name they gave him: Wonderful-Counsellor, Might-God, Eternal Father, Prince -of-Peace." (Is:9:1-3,5-6). As we wrap up another year, let me take a moment to thank you ALL, for your:love, joy, faith and support in 2011.... For many coming home never loses its excitement. The prospect of welcoming, warmth, and the renewal of love, can energise one’s whole being... Pastor’s Sunday Reflection John the Baptist had a central role to play in the coming of Jesus Christ, Son of God. His role, as today’s Gospel puts it, was to be “a voice of one crying in the wilderness... Happy Advent to everyone. Last Sunday we marked the start of Advent with the implementation of The New Roman Missal which I believe has been well received... My Dear Friends: As this season of Advent begins, so does The New Roman Missal. Change is a fact of life. The rate of change continues to accelerate with social media today... Today’s gospel also points forward to the Last Day, but with a very sharp focus on the kind of ethical behaviour that will stand up to scrutiny in the Final Judgment. We are right now writing the book of evidence for that judgement on our the value of lives... The month of November comes with Remembrance. This past week we recalled All Saints and the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed (All Souls)... In our Gospel we see the tragedy of being religious without being spiritual, of placing primary emphasis on outer conduct rather than on inner character. Those to whom Jesus speaks did not recognize their need to be changed... THEME OF THE READINGS Theme of the Readings: Today's gospel challenges us to recognise God in daily life and, recognising Him, to be changed in heart and lifestyle.... The Falls season is upon us. It will present for us a special time of preparation... A young person taken not by the game of hockey, but by cancer at 15 years - in the final game of his life. The proof of faith is good works. Love of God is shown above all in generous service to others in most need, without distinction of social class or religious practice... Today’s gospel is a stern reminder to be aware of the destructive selfishness that can so easily take over our hearts. We tend to ignore the fact that we have no claim to this world’s goods over and above our brothers and sisters at home or elsewhere.... If to ask for forgiveness is difficult,to forgive one who has wronged us is seven times more difficult. One of Jesus' last words as he was dying on the cross was, "Father, forgive them, they do not know what they are doing" (Lk. 23:34). Since nothing we intend is ever faultless, and nothing we attempt ever without error, and nothing we achieve without some measure of finitude and fallibility we call humanness, we are saved by forgiveness... One of the things I like best about the New Testament is that it is so practical. It must have been the fact that Jesus had human beings called disciples always with him that forced him to speak in such everyday terms about everyday problems... For a copy of Fr. Chris's very moving homily at the Funeral Mass for James William Dean on August 22nd 2011 please click here... The Gospel shows a woman of great faith and determination. Like her, we can come to the Lord with our needs, trusting Him even if at first He seems not to care about our predicament... Life is a tough haul for many people some of the time and for some people most of the time. This is particularly true for committed people trying to live out our Catholic values in everyday living... Challenging times face us today. Opportunities for new exciting experiences are part of our lifestyle. New technologies, religious exploration, travel, study, music, sport and service have made our lives that more richer... Today’s Gospel seems to have Jesus advocating a different policy. He suggests that the darnel be allowed to grow along with the wheat until harvest... Summer affords us some gardening and planting, The Gospel parable today echoes within me with its message of seed and sower, of root and rock, of thorn and triumph, of failure and fruitfulness... On Pentecost Sunday last, we prayed that the Holy Spirit would be given to us. We heard the words of Jesus most clearly: "I'll be with you always… to the end of time."... Eric Clapton, arguably the greatest living rock guitarist, wrote a heart wrenching song about the death of his four year old son. He fell from a 53rd-story window... Vocation Sunday – Good Shepherd Sunday! Surely, the saving message of Jesus needs to be announced vigorously, in the language of today... Faith is a very precious gift; and yet it is often exposed to the harsh winds of doubt which blow through the modern world. Might we find a strengthening faith as we celebrate this Second Sunday of Easter– Divine Mercy Sunday; and on this special day when John Paul II is beatified in Rome.... A Blessed and Holy Easter to You! May your heart rejoice in hope as you remember our Saviour's great gift of peace to the world... Since Ash Wednesday, when Lent began, we have been preparing for Easter. But Lent, as many believe, doesn't end on Easter Sunday... Jesus' coming late to Lazarus' funeral was at the risk of His own death, but He promises resurrection and eternal life to all who trust in Him... One of the most appealing advertisements from Development and Peace over the years is to help save a person's sight in the developing world... Today's Gospel is really important in our understanding of the mystery of Jesus Christ. The Gospel invites us to meditate today and ponder that for which we long and thirst... Lent is about making time to go apart with Jesus in prayer. As Roman Catholics we can do that in varied ways: daily Lenten Mass; Stations of the Cross; Confession and other acts of charity, penance and almsgiving. This First Sunday of Lent helps us to face change in our lives. We fear change, we resist it, we deny it... As we look at world events, the question we ask in our day is no different than the one posed in the New Testament Letter of James, "Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from?" (James 4)... There was a mother mouse who decided to teach her children about the world. So she gathered all of her little mice and set out for a walk... Jewish rabbis sit down when they officially instruct their congregation in the synagogue. Kings do the same when they address their people on state matters... The Baptism of the Lord brings to an end our Christmas season. It has been a hectic two weeks almost of celebrating the great events of our salvation history in Christ the Lord... Christians eagerly anticipate the Christmas celebration of Jesus' birth. As preparation, they often decorate an evergreen Advent Wreath with four purple candles with a white candle in the centre... Our Advent season has always been a special time of grace and celebration for Christians. The themes speak to some of our deepest human longings: for peace, for hope, for light amid the darkness of winter days and nights for the coming of the Lord... Our Advent season has always been a special time of grace and celebration for Christians. The themes speak to some of our deepest human longings: for peace, for hope, for light amid the darkness of winter days and nights for the coming of the Lord... 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' To be remembered is the cornerstone of relationships. It is how friendship is nurtured and blossoms. Remembrance makes present again the reality of the bond between separated or absent friends....
click here to continue...January 07, 2012
click here to continue...Funeral Mass Homily for Pamela Maria Murphy
January, 2012
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Today’s gospel reminds us that it was a woman who was centre stage at the first Christmas. “In Mary we see all the beauty of Advent concentrated...
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click here to continue...Fr. Christophers's Pastoral Letter for Christmas 2011
Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, has coined this phrase and I like it - and now I use it often. Our beloved Catholic Church Universal, Diocesan and Parochial - we are all friends of the Lord.
click here to continue...November 27, 2011
Why the new words? The language in which we pray together at Mass is special, a simple, dignified, formal way of talking to God...
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There is a loose connection between the Readings today that seem to have as their center the two outstanding precepts of the Mosaic Law, the love of God with all one’s mind, heart and will, and the love of one’s neighbour as oneself...
click here to continue...October 16, 2011
Isaiah 45,1,4-6. 1 Thess 1
There is a loose connection in today's Readings between the absolute power of the Lord and earthly, temporal power that can serve God's purposes.
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click here to continue...A Final Hockey Game for James William Dean
September 25, 2011
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click here to continue...Homily 24th Sunday of the Year September 11, 2011.
Sept 11th, 2011
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click here to continue...Homily at Funeral Mass for James William Dean
Aug 14th, 2011
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Nov 7th, 2010
God is faithful to his human creatures. Being created in his image and likeness, we are immortal. By grace, he makes us his children, calling us to live in communion with him...
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Oct 31st, 2010
All Hallow's Eve, Hallow E'en, Halloween, Day of the Dead, or Celtic Samhain. By whatever name it has been called, this special night preceding All Hallows day (November 1st) has been considered for centuries as one of the most magical nights of the year....
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Sept 26th, 2010
Theme Of The Readings: Amos condemns the wanton revelry and godlessness of the Israelites of his time, and Paul exhorts Timothy to lead a life of piety and integrity...
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Sept 5th, 2010
Today's Readings bring home the lesson that our human reasoning is insufficient to understand the ways of God or his will in our lives...
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August 29th, 2010
A major theme of this week's Readings is the need for humility before God...
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June 20th, 2010
Allow me to write and reflect on a very difficult topic this week death, grief and loss...
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May 23rd, 2010
We have now completed our sacramental program with our young people at St. Theresa Catholic School which began in the Fall of 2009– to the Spring of 2010...
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May 16th, 2010
The Ascension of Our Lord, which occurred 40 days after Jesus Christ rose from the dead on Easter Sunday, is the final act of our redemption that Christ began on Good Friday.
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May 9th, 2010
I can't imagine a better lesson for Mother's Day than one that begins like this: "Whoever loves me will keep my word . . ."
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May 2nd, 2010
The Month of May is both named for and dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God, and October is dedicated to the Rosary.
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Apr 25th, 2010
Christ the Good Shepherd continues to lead His people through His Bishops, Priests, Deacons. Of course the style of service and leadership has changed.
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Apr 18th, 2010
The distressing breaches of trust and the human failures of some in leadership roles in the Church have caused great pain to many and sapped the morale and confidence of many more...
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Apr 11th, 2010
When Jesus appeared to the disciples, his greeting was, "Peace be unto you."
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Mar 14th, 2010
Theme of Readings: In today's Readings we see that through His infinite mercy, the Lord removes the "reproach of Egypt" from His people...
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Mar 7th, 2010
Dear Lord, We are now half-way in the holy season of Lent...
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Feb, 28th 2010
Anamcara is the Celtic name given to a companion who assists another person to live out a covenant, often a covenant to meet death with equanimity and awareness...
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Feb, 21st 2010
Lent is a forty-day period before Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday. We skip Sundays when we count the forty days, because Sundays commemorate the Resurrection...
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Feb 14th, 2010
A full Lenten Program is ever before us once again. Lent begins this Ash Wednesday, and it carries us for the next six or so weeks...
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Feb 7th, 2010
Pope John Paul II instituted World Day of the Sick on May 13th, 1992, setting aside February 11, Feast of our Lady of Lourdes, for its annual celebration...
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Jan 31, 2010
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, (February 2nd), commonly called Candlemas, commemorates the presentation of Christ in the temple and the ritual purification of the Virgin Mary...
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Jan 24, 2010
Our hearts continue to bleed with horror, compassion and human solidarity for the people of Haiti. Hopefully, as a parish community we will show our collective solidarity in the financial appeal this weekend...
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Jan 10, 2010
A personal note of thanks to those who sent Christmas cards, gifts of one kind and another to me this Christmas - my second here...
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