One of the most favored images of Christ in the early Church was that of the “Good Shepherd”.  This image appears several times in the paintings found in the catacombs in Rome.  Some of them date back to the late second and early third centuries.  There are many depictions of the Good shepherd in our […]

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.  People come to our livres for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.  Jesus always made it clear […]

In the Gospel today, the risen Jesus appears to his apostles, shows them his wounds and bestows peace on them. Then he inaugurates the mission of the Church. This mission is the exact same mission he received from the Father, a mission accomplished by his death and resurrection: the reconciliation of people with the Father, through […]

Easter is about baptism and new life.  Although Easter celebrations lead us to an empty tomb.  Today’s Gospel does not present us with the risen Jesus.  Instead, it presents us with the empty tomb!  The angel asks: “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”  That is a great question!  We do not […]

Mass of Chrism: 7:00pm Monday, March 26th at St. Dunstan’s Basilica. Bishop Richard Grecco is the presider for this Mass, concelebrated with the priests of our diocese.  All parishioners are invited to this integral part of our Holy Week tradition, when the Holy Oils are blessed and consecrated. EASTER TRIDUUM: Holy Thursday – Mass of […]

With Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem, amidst all the excitement and shouts of “Hosanna”, I wonder if anyone could “hear” what was going on within the person riding on the colt?  What was Jesus feeling?  What was he sensing?  Was he as joy-filled and happy as those shouting and laying down palm branches as he passed?  […]

We hear the words from today’s Gospel: “The person who loves their life loses it, and the person who sacrifices their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”  What a poor world it would be if everyone put their own personal safety, security and selfish advancement first rather than last.  It is […]

Today’s Gospel passage contains probably the most well known and quoted verse in the whole Bible: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.   This is from John, Chapter 3, verse 16.  It is in this […]

We can get angry over the simplest things in life.  I am sure people even get angry at the ATM machine if you’re not satisfied with your request.  Well, in ancient times, the money changers were the equivalent of ATM machines.  Jesus was upset with the money changers’ gouging, the exorbitant rates, the fleecing of […]

When we look at our communication with God, it isn’t hard to see the many times when we are constantly checking to see if God is listening in hopes that he will respond to our needs.  In reality he hears us, but he asks us to listen to him as well. Twice in the Gospels […]