The tragedy at Immanuel AME Church in South Carolina is a tragedy that has fallen on our whole nation. These nine deaths at the hand of this young man forces me to ask myself,  ‘Am I holding on to some thoughts that lessen the value of other human beings?’ I watched the Civil Rights Movement of the 60’s and always thought of myself as someone who respected others, who regarded ‘no one according to the flesh.’ But this incident makes me wonder.

When I taught high school we had a racial incident. Someone had written KKK in a bathroom stall. During our discussions, it was learned that offensive script was written two years ago. No one thought to remove it. And because it remained there, the community, even unconsciously approved it.

Continue reading ““From now on we regard no one according to the flesh -Mark 4:35-41” →

We venerate today the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist in which “God lies concealed cloaking His Face with the appearance of Bread and Wine. He is whole, entire, and perfect in each piece and in every drop.”

Throughout this week, the Catholic Church has taken a moment to adore, worship and venerate this central creed – that Christ is alive and communicates with God’s People primarily in the Eucharist reserved here in our tabernacle and in the tabernacles around the world.

This is what distinguishes us among Christians and from other religions – Jesus dwells here among us and we recognize, respect and sanctify the place where He dwells.

Continue reading “CORPUS CHRISTI” →

Pentecost is the living memory of the Church on fire with the Spirit of Truth. Since Easter, we have connected with the memory of the Apostles who enliven our hearts and minds to the reality of what is means that God is alive and dwells among us.

The forgiveness of sins is the sign of the Holy Spirit breathing into the soul of the Church the truth about our relationship with God.

Continue reading ““Receive the Holy Spirit” John 20:19-23″ →

Good morning boys and girls, my dear friends in Christ,

Today is a very special day for you boys and girls, because what you will receive today will change you forever. By accepting this simple gift from God, by eating this bread and drinking from this cup you will accept with thankfulness the life of God in you.

Eating no other food can do this. Receiving Holy Communion will help you remember three very important things in your life, that

• God loves you
• That you be thankful to God for loving you
• And that I love Jesus with my whole heart, with my whole soul, with my entire mind by loving my neighbor.

Continue reading “First Holy Communion 2015” →

During these Easter weeks, we celebrate our new life in Christ. Saint John says: ”See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God.” And yet John warns us that the world will never know us because it will never recognize Jesus.

The Church will never really belong in the world and the worldly will never fully accept the Church. In fact, if we are accepted by the world, we know we have become too complacent. Remember, the Church flourishes when it suffers, like Jesus on the Cross.

So we need to be careful if we are to lead this new life, we need to be watchful that the seeds of this world are not nourished but rather are rooted out by our vigilance in prayer and in the reception of the sacraments.

Continue reading ““See what love the Father has…” John10:11-18″ →