Father Cioppi – Page 24 – Mother of Divine Providence

Three temptations from the desert – Matthew 4:1-11

Posted on March 9, 2014March 10, 2014 by Father Cioppi

The three temptations given to us today are indeed reflections of how we work through temptations during our own Lenten practice.

Jesus goes into the desert because the Holy Spirit directed Him there. He fasted for forty days and forty nights at the end of which Jesus is tempted in three ways: hunger, loneliness and having sense of powerlessness. As we begin our Lenten practices, we can expect, if we take them seriously, to be tempted in the same way.

Continue reading “Three temptations from the desert – Matthew 4:1-11” →

Forty Hours Devotion March 8, 9 & 10 with Father Tom Viviano

Posted on March 8, 2014March 8, 2014 by Father Cioppi

You are most welcome to join our Forty Hours Devotion which begins during the 8:00 am Mass on Saturday, concluding for the day with the 5:15 pm Mass. Forty Hours continues Sunday after the 11:30am Mass and concludes for the day with Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. On Monday, after the 8:00 am Mass with Solemn Evening Prayer, Procession and Benediction at 7:30 pm. This is a special time of grace for our parish and many parishioners and guests will come to pray, seek spiritual solace and adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

Psalm 91 reads, “You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, say to the Lord, “My refuge and fortress, my God in Whom I trust.”

If you live Chapter 5 you won’t have to worry about Chapter 6! Matthew 6:24-34

Posted on March 1, 2014March 7, 2014 by Father Cioppi

Every week I visit the 7^thand 8^th grade class. Last week I went over possible Lenten practices they could adopt starting this coming Ash Wednesday.

I explained that a good lent practice involves three things: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. I pasted out three by five cards and asked them to write down the three things they were doing as part of their Lenten practice: one for each area of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. For example, I am thinking about giving up red meat and alcohol, I will say and extra rosary each day and I will give a determined amount of money to the poor box each Friday. Continue reading “If you live Chapter 5 you won’t have to worry about Chapter 6! Matthew 6:24-34” →

Do not be afraid to take the next step. Matthew 5:17-37

Posted on February 15, 2014 by Father Cioppi

In the book of Sirach today the prophet is given a clear choice: fire or water. “Stretch out your hand and choose.” Before man is life and death, good and evil. In the end we must choose. But remember this: “to none does He give license to sin.”

Continue reading “Do not be afraid to take the next step. Matthew 5:17-37” →

We have to live as “salt” in the world – Matthew 5:13-16

Posted on February 8, 2014February 11, 2014 by Father Cioppi

I asked some high school students once what they got out of Mass. They said, ‘nothing.’ “Why do you think that is?” I asked them. “We don’t know,” they responded.”

Then I said, “Exactly right, because you are not at Mass to get anything out of it. You come to Mass to give everything you have to it.

We belong in our Home, the Church – Luke 2:22-40

Posted on February 6, 2014February 11, 2014 by Father Cioppi

Today we celebrate a Feast that usually is celebrated during the week. Most people miss it, yet it is a very ancient feast. Mary and Joseph bring their first-born son to the Temple. They desire to follow the law and the Tradition of their faith: they want to physically unite their Child with the Divine Presence Who dwells there. Continue reading “We belong in our Home, the Church – Luke 2:22-40” →

Parish Children called to First Confession

Posted on February 2, 2014February 19, 2014 by Father Cioppi

This is an important day for us, boys and girls, isn’t it! This morning, these priest friends of ours have come to help us open our hearts to Jesus.

None of us is perfect, are we? Sometimes we make mistakes, all of us do, you do, your parents do, your brothers and sisters do and I do. Continue reading “Parish Children called to First Confession” →

The disciple attracts others to join us in prayer John 1:29-34

Posted on January 19, 2014January 19, 2014 by Father Cioppi

This morning the Church challenges us with the discipleship of three people. Isaiah, Paul and John the Baptist. The Scriptures challenges us to imitate them through in their work by attracting the sinner, bringing them home, and by using our senses as well as our heart in deepening our relationship with Jesus.

Isaiah is the servant whose job it was to bring back those who strayed from the covenant. His life was to serve God first, above all things and to bring others back to the covenant. Continue reading “The disciple attracts others to join us in prayer John 1:29-34” →

DETOURS ARE EVERYWHERE

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Father Cioppi

You can’t get there from here. Have you ever heard that saying? The other day when I was out on Communion calls, that is exactly how I felt — every road I was on, every turn I took led me to a road that was under construction or a detour sign. And NOW, we even have a closed portion of Allendale Road. I did not realize that the roads were in such bad condition. Then I began to think about life and all the changes and twists and turns that we experience every day. How do we face them? How do we make the adjustment that is needed to move forward? Even in our spiritual life, we undergo construction and detours. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a wonderful gift that we have that can help us take care of those detours that we take in life. Our wrong choices, our unkind words that cause others pain, the times that we don’t give God His due — prayer, Mass, trust. The words of Jesus through the person of the priest help to get us back on track and the grace received through this Sacrament gives us the strength to face all that we experience in life. How blessed are we to know and love God who is our loving Father. What have you seen this week? Have you been able to look beneath the surface?

All Teens in Upper Merion – This is for YOU.

Posted on January 14, 2014January 15, 2014 by Father Cioppi

Finally, a high school retreat that gets you – understands what your life is all about, and can help you bring God into the center of all the craziness. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity!

All baptized Catholic public school and home-school teens in 11th-12th grade are invited to the MontCo Regional “Kairos” Retreat! This event runs from Feb 13th – 16th, and will help you dig into your faith like never before. By the end of this retreat you will view yourself, your family & friends, and your relationship with God in a whole new, powerful way. This weekend will be packed with fun activities, moments for prayer and reflection, inspirational talks from teens YOUR age, and much more! Tens of thousands of teens have attended Kairos retreats over the past years, and now it’s your turn to experience this life-changing retreat!

Details:– Signup deadline is FEB 1st!!!!
– Required “Info Meeting” for parents & teens who sign up on Feb 2nd
– Age bracket: 11th & 12th graders who haven’t gone on a Kairos retreat before
– Students throughout MontCo are invited
– This retreat is coordinated with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
– Cost is $250/person and covers all meals, lodging, & materials for four days, three nights
– Dropoff & pickup for the retreat are at St. Anthony of Padua parish in Ambler. Students will be bused to Mother Boniface Spirituality Center in Philadelphia for the retreat.
– Limited scholarships available.

View the website & “meet” the teen leaders at http://paregionalkairos.weebly.com/. Email Lauren Joyce with questions: Ljoyce@MdpParish.com.

Mother of Divine Providence

Worship God first, above all things and then "go out and make disciples."

Author: Father Cioppi