View from the Ambo

Saturday, December 8, 2018

Immaculate Conception C '18 - Foreshadow

The Blessed Virgin Mary foreshadows the conception and destiny of the Church. Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2QubldR Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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Sunday, December 2, 2018

1st Sunday C '18 - Hearts Prepared

We are called to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ, who comes in history, mystery, and majesty. Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2QubldR Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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Sunday, November 25, 2018

Christ King of the Universe B '18 - King

As we celebrate Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, are we willing to claim Christ as our king? Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2DU2Y5J Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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Thursday, November 22, 2018

Thanksiving '18 - NAP

On this thanksgiving day, we are asked to give thanks to the Lord. Perhaps we should start with a NAP! Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2S40X9Z Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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Sunday, November 18, 2018

33rd Sunday B '18 - Amen

Giving at the Fall Retreat, does our "amen" mean and end, or something else? Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2RLF4Mp Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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Thursday, November 15, 2018

Memento mori

Some time ago, I read a story about a doctor’s conversation with a patient with terminal cancer. The patient was expressing fear of dying, mainly because of the fear of the unknown. At that moment, there was a commotion at the door, as the sound of clawing and yelping was heard. A split second later, a dog burst in, bounding into the doctor’s office and with as much enthusiasm as a dog can display, ran up to her master, the doctor, and pounced. As he knew the patient not only from his work but saw him at the same church, the doctor took the moment to demonstrate the lesson. “You notice how impatient my dog was to get here?” the doctor asked. He continued, “My dog has never been in here. In fact, she has never been here before. She did not know what waited for him on the other side of the door, but she heard my voice. She knew that I was in here. She knew the voice of his master, she knew the love of her master, and she had no fear. She just wanted to be with me.” The doctor paused, choking back his tears, realizing the power of that moment for both his patient and himself, “I imagine death is like that. We don’t know what’s on the other side, but we hear the voice of our master, and we should want to be with Him so much that we have no fear.” The patient wiping away tears of relief, was moved by the example to silent pondering. This month, at least in the Catholic Church, we remember all who have died. It gives us a pause to remember those who have passed with fondness, and to pray for them. But it is also a chance for us to remember that we, too are going to die. This can bring us tremendous fear, or it can bring us tremendous peace. Like the doctor and his dog, if we know the voice of the Lord and listen to that voice, we have nothing to fear, and while we do not hasten to see Him before He calls us, we also do no fear that day. This is the true meaning of the phrase, “Memento mori” - Remember death. We call to mind that we are gong to die, and we make decisions based on that eternal perspective. While it is a sobering thought, it is also tremendously freeing. St. John tells us in his first letter that we are God’s children now, and that the world does not know this because they do not know Him. But St. John continues that what we are to be is yet to be revealed, and when it is, we shall be like God for we shall see Him as He is. We hear the voice of the Master, we don’t know what waits, but we know Who waits for us, and that He waits as a loving Father, ready to embrace us as beloved children and something more, something beyond our wildest imaginations. So we remember death, but also remember that death is conquered by Christ. We have nothing to fear.

Sunday, November 11, 2018

32nd Sunday B '18 - Two Cents

Jesus praises a widow for her gift of faith. How do we give? Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2RLF4Mp Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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Sunday, November 4, 2018

31st Sunday B '18 - Love

The Great Commandments tell us to love God and our neighbor, but what is love? Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2AKHQMv Give feedback at goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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Thursday, November 1, 2018

All Saints '18 - Children

The saints recognize that they are children of God and live out that relationship. Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2PAoMbP Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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Sunday, October 28, 2018

30th Sunday B '18 - To See

Blind Bartimaeus is giving the choice to ask the Lord for what he wants - and he answers. What to we seek? Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2yC9hqh Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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Sunday, October 21, 2018

29th Sunday B '18 - Ordered Attachments

The apostles James and John ask for something they cannot have, but their attachment to Christ is greater. What are our attachments? Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2qaU1fv Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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Sunday, October 14, 2018

28th Sunday B '18 - Disordered Attachments

The young rich man knows that there must be something more to inheriting eternal life, and he asks. He is too attached to his wealth to listen to the answer. What is the Lord helping us to discern this day? Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2NzhakE Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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Thursday, October 11, 2018

Repeating or Rhyming?

Mark Twain is mistakenly credited to have quipped, “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it rhymes.” This notion has been in my mind these last months as we have witnessed, yet again, the failure of so many in leadership in the Catholic Church regarding sexual misconduct. Some used those days wake-up call to recommit ourselves to the faith, morality, and most importantly live as Christ has called us to live. Dioceses of our state have released the names of those credible accused, sought out the victims to beg forgiveness and seeking healing, and at least begun the settlement of lawsuits. Unfortunately, some bishops and dioceses did not. These last months, we have witnessed high-ranking prelates debasing themselves in the most despicable of ways. We see others covering, aiding and abetting sin and moral failure. Others have created alternative structures, almost an anti-Church movement, heading by duplicitous clergy (priests and bishops) in the Church. While these issues had been named as pedophilia, a more chilling realization has set in – according the 2003 John Jay report, 79% of the crimes were homosexual (male on post-pubescent male). These revelations have shaken most of us to the core. What we are witnessing now in other parts of the country is the rhyme and repeat based on the failure to respond. Too many simply went through the motions, and like a child, swept the dust under the rug, assuming out of sight, out of mind. But that is not clean! Now, the Holy Spirit is challenging us again to look at the corruption. As a Catholic, I deeply believe that this is the time that the Blessed Mother Mary promised, in which she is going to sweep the Church clean. It hurts, and it is hard work. But it is spring cleaning for the whole Church. Lift up the rugs, crush the cockroaches, scrub the dust. Get the filth out! When this is done, there will not be one place for evil to hid in the Church, and then the Church will be able to continue her mission of cleansing the world. Only then will the Church be what she is called to be, a refuge for sinners seeking Christ, and a place of safety for all. The Church will always be the prefect and spotless bride of Christ. Christ has promised that the gates of hell will not prevail against it. But the Church’s members are sinners. The Church is in constant need of purification. Christ suffered and died for this! And we must accept this purification. While we may not be at fault, we all have a role. What we see in the Church is only symptomatic of the culture, especially as we consider the #MeToo movement or the rampant rise of STDs, the use of pornography, the sex trades, or abortion. We need to commit ourselves to saying “NO MORE.” We need to examine every aspect of our culture and remove abuse in all its forms. Only then will history cease to rhyme.

Sunday, October 7, 2018

27th Sunday B '18 - Ordered Marriage

Jesus teaches that divorces a result of hardness of heart - disorder. What would be a properly ordered heart? Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2zVVg7O Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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Sunday, September 30, 2018

26th Sunday B '18 - Disordered Passion

Jesus instructs us to do what every it takes, even to maim ourselves, to avoid sin. What does that mean? Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2I7Jyt3 Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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Sunday, September 23, 2018

25th Sunday B '18 - Ordered Passion

When our passions and desires are out of order, we will have problems, both internally and in society. How do we order our passions? To Christ's Passion! Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2I7Jyt3 Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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Sunday, September 16, 2018

24th Sunday B '18 - Not Enough

It is not enough that our ears are opened and we speak our faith - we must take up our cross. Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2CXF89k Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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Thursday, September 13, 2018

St John Chrysostom '18 JIS - Mercy

During the Children's Mass for John Ireland School, we discussed mercy, and why we should be merciful.
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Sunday, September 9, 2018

23rd Sunday B '18 - Ephphatha

Jesus heals the deaf man with an impediment, and He is willing to heal us. Do we want to hear the voice of God? Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2NwmCZG Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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Sunday, August 26, 2018

21st Sunday B '18 - Choose

Jesus asks if we are willing to keep following Him? It's not enough to choose just once, but every day. Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2PDbqZy Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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Sunday, August 19, 2018

20th Sunday B '18 - Prepare and Apply

Posted: 19 Aug 2018 09:56 AM PDT

Jesus is the Bread of Life, the Eucharist. Have we properly discerned His presence and prepared our heart, ready to apply the grace we receive? Readings are found at http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/081918.cfm Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2

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Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Assumption '18 - Ark and Queen Mother

Posted: 15 Aug 2018 01:32 PM PDT

Mary is assumed into heaven, and is the fulfillment of the Ark of the new Covenant and the Queen Mother. Readings are found at http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/081518-day-mass.cfm Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2

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A Runner's Prayer

Some may be aware that I have found great stress-relief in running. In addition to dealing with the stress of being a pastor with all its concerns and the unique situations that I find, it is helping me unite body and soul, as I pray (typically the rosary, even) and pay attention to the various emotions and feelings of each body part. Saturday, during my morning run, I found myself praying a powerful prayer to do just that. It went something like this:

Come, Holy Spirit, be the breath in my lungs,
May I keep my mouth silent and my ears listening.
Make my feet go in the direction pleasing to You,
and my hands carry nothing but the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
May my knees ache for the prayers that I am to offer this day.
Let my back an offering of labor to you.
Let me shoulder Christ's cross with strength.
May the blood pulsing through my veins help me long for Christ,
and may each heart beat be a song of praise. Amen.

Sunday, August 12, 2018

19th Sunday B '18 - SuperFood

Posted: 12 Aug 2018 10:39 AM PDT

Jesus gives us the true Bread from heaven, the bread of Angels. Do we use it to become better? Readings are found at http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/081218.cfm Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2

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Sunday, August 5, 2018

18th Sunday B '18 - Bread of Life

Posted: 05 Aug 2018 11:28 AM PDT

Jesus is the new manna, and invites us to Himself. Do we accept what the Lord is doing in giving us the Bread of Life? Readings are found at http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/080518.cfm Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2

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Sunday, July 29, 2018

17th Sunday B '18 - Gift

Posted: 29 Jul 2018 11:09 AM PDT

Jesus accepts the 5 loaves and 2 fish from a young boy, and blesses, breaks and gives it to the crowd, and it is more than enough. What gift are we offering? Readings are found at http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/072918.cfm Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2

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Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Thoughts on Humanae Vitae

Today, July 25, we mark the 50th anniversary of the release of the encyclical Humanae Vitae (July 25, 1968). Too often, this document has been vilified and ignored, but I find it freeing and prophetic. Blessed Paul VI speaks of the great dignity of conjugal love and bearing of children. While he rejected a commission that proposed a change in the tradition of the Church regarding artificial means of birth control, he did not do so lightly. He lays out the doctrinal framework that based on the nature of God’s love, which is open and total. Because of this, the love of husband and wife is also to be open and total, and it is expressed in unitive and procreative ways. He recommends that couples practice natural family planning - if they have reasons tempered in justice, they may refrain from sexual activity in their mutually fertile times (this is not the rhythm method, but rather scientifically verified means). In chapter 17, he prophetically writes that artificial contraception opens the way to marital infidelity, lowering of moral standards, objectification of women, and forced contraception on the part of nations. While not explicitly mentioning abortion, one sees readily his concern there. He acknowledges that this is not and easily accepted position. He gives some antidotes - he reminds us of the value of self-discipline and chastity. This encyclical is one of the building blocks on which St. John Paul II based his Theology of the Body, which gives a wider understanding of who we are as human beings, made in God’s image and likeness. As we see the whole nature of sex, sexuality, gender, and all sorts of questions that could not have even been thought of 50 years ago, I encourage every adult to read it and take Blessed Paul VI’s words to heart. Recently, reports broke of a high ranking Catholic, now retired, who was abusing minors and was in a number of homosexual situations. These included abuse of seminarians of his own diocese. Sadly, he had a hand in the US Church’s response of the sexual misconduct of priests in 2003 (the Dallas Charter). For the record, I had met this man in passing as he was the celebrant for a Mass I attended about 16 years ago. The stories of the men are sickening - how the person in question forced himself on the others, and how he justified it at the time. Of course, now he denies any wrong doing. I am deeply convinced that not only these stories of abuse and even the #MeToo movement is the aftermath of failing to take the encyclical’s prophetic call to heart. Danger lurks in the shadows of separation, and we have falsely separated marriage, sexual expression, procreation, union, and morality. While the drafters of the 2003 Charter for the Protection of Youth may have failed to live up to the expectations they annunciated, these guidelines are needed. With renewed commitment, let us make sure that we will never allow abuse of any minor or vulnerable adult. Let’s commit to repair the damage that has been done that has led to abuse, rape, and exploitation.

Sunday, July 22, 2018

16th Sunday B '18 - Need

Posted: 22 Jul 2018 10:45 AM PDT

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who meets our every need. Do we rest in Him? Readings are found at http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/072218.cfm Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2

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Sunday, July 15, 2018

15th Sunday B '18 - Ordinary

Posted: 15 Jul 2018 10:32 AM PDT

Jesus sends the 12 to proclaim the Gospel, like Amos and even the stuff used in the Sacraments, all ordinary until blessed by God. Readings are found at http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/071518.cfm Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2

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Sunday, July 8, 2018

14th Sunday B '18 - Sufficient Grace

Posted: 08 Jul 2018 10:39 AM PDT

St. Paul writes of his 'thorn in the flesh'. What might that tell us of our healing or lack of healing? Are we invited to a deeper faith? Readings are found at http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/070818.cfm Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2

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Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Thoughts on Independence Day

The smell of burnt gunpowder probably hangs in the air following our Fourth of July celebration. Really, though, that is a misnomer. The Fourth of July is like any other day. Why the parades, the flags, the fireworks, the hopefully unfettered show of patriotism? It is Independence Day we celebrate, the day we remember the brave founders of the American experiment, men and women with a noble vision of a country of, by, and for the people. They envisioned a country not ruled by a king, dictator, or emperor, but a person elected to serve for a particular time to execute the laws legislated by a congress and judged in keeping with the founding documents by a judiciary. This American experiment was one unlike any other, and after 242 year, we stand, though perhaps not as strong.

If we ask now what kind of freedom we fight for, too many might answer the right to self-determination, but defined as to do what I want, right or wrong, properly licentiousness. My needs and desires always supersede the other. If I cannot have those needs met thorough my own agency, then the government must intervene. But that is not the vision of our founders. See, the freedom they envisioned was a liberty - the freedom to choose the right and reject the wrong. It was a freedom of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But its basis is truth. They understood that neither these rights nor truth itself were a function of popular vote or granted them by a benevolent ruler, but by God. While they may have a theistic understanding of God as a distant creator, they still acted and believed that these rights were deeply engrained in the human person and that truth is knowable. That is why these rights are inalienable - they are not able to be taken away. This notion of truth and liberty is profoundly Christian, based on the Judeo-Christian history, but all peoples can have access to it. That is why countless people have flocked to our shores and continue to do so. They want a share in freedom, to live the truth.

As a country and people this Independence Day, I hope that we can acknowledge the American dream is alive, and yet unrealized among so many. Let us defend the defenseless and downtrodden who come to our ports of entry eager to follow the dream. But at the same time, find humane ways of securing our borders to limit child and sexual trafficking and those looking to expand criminal empires. Let us pray for those who govern, no matter party affiliation, that they may be filled with wisdom to work for the good of all Americans and allow this country to be a bold beacon of truth and liberty to the whole world. Let us be a people seeking truth, working for justice, and defending life, liberty, and the pursuit of eternal happiness.

Sunday, July 1, 2018

13th Sunday B '18 - Healing

Posted: 01 Jul 2018 06:30 AM PDT

Because of our Annual mission Appeal, I recorded a little reflection on the readings of the Sunday. Jesus desires to heals, physically at times, spiritually always. Whether we are completely spent or even dead, Jesus comes! Readings are found at http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/070118.cfm Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2

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Sunday, June 24, 2018

Nativity of John the Baptist '18 - Purpose

Posted: 24 Jun 2018 10:32 AM PDT

We celebrate the Birth of John the baptist, whose very purpose, to proclaim the grace of the Messiah, was in his very name. What's our purpose? Readings are found at http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/062418-vigil.cfm and http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/062418-day-mass.cfm Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2

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View From the Ambo June 24

Dear Parishioners,

This weekend we celebrate the birth of John the Baptist (one of three that we celebrate in the Church - Jesus's on December 25th, of course, and Mary's on September 8). We have a vigil Mass in which we hear of the announcement of John's conception, while his father Zachariah, of the priestly division of Abijah, was serving in the temple. The time frame of his service is mid- to late- September. This puts John's birth in late June. In the Annunciation (which we celebrate March 25th), the Blessed Mother is told by the angel Gabriel that Elizabeth is pregnant 6 months (September to March is 6 months) and Mary goes to be with her the last 3 months before John's birth in June! But at the Annunciation, Mary conceived and gave birth to the Lord 9 months later - December! Interesting, right? Sometimes we forget that Tradition of the Church is trustworthy because it wasn't recorded in a way easy to understand. After all, the Evangelists simply could have written that John was born around the Summer Solstice, a day that is fairly immovable and understood across cultures and calendar systems. In the end, it does not matter 'when' these events occurred, but that they 'did' occur. John's birth is the beginning of the announcement of Christ's incarnation! Because of this, this feast is always celebrated, even when it falls on a Sunday as it does this year.

Like John, too, we are called to be heralds of Christ, though we are heralds of Christ's return. We tell others that He is going to return, and that we are called to continuing repentance and preparation. Let's ask John the Baptist's intercession this weekend to be bold heralds of Christ.

In Christ,

Fr. Todd

Sunday, June 17, 2018

11th Sunday B '18 - Courageous

Posted: 17 Jun 2018 09:43 AM PDT

Like St. Paul, we are called to walk in faith, courageously sewing seeds. Are we willing to take the time to take the next step? Readings are found at http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/061718.cfm Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2

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View From the Ambo June 17

Dear Parishioners,

Happy Father's day to all Fathers and fatherly men. May the Lord bless you with grace and strength this day!

On another type of father: These last weeks, many dioceses welcomed newly ordained priests throughout he sacrament of Ordination. The diocese of New Ulm did not. It hasn't since 2016, and willl not have another until 2020, when we will have 3 ordained, God willing. In March, Bishop LeVoir wrote a letter in the Prairie Catholic that we will have inserted in the bulletin in the Fall that shares statistics. While the overall number of Catholics decreased modestly (about 12%) since the Diocese's formation, the number of priests has changed drastically (65% decrease). Recently, the Pew Research Group has speculated that about ⅓ of priests will retire or resign in the next 10-15 years. These are sobering facts, aren't they? As a people of hope, and a people who have received the promise that even the Gates of Hell will not prevail, what are we to do? What is the solution? Too many might recommend some temporary solution, a change in practice or doctrine. Some might imply that priests are a commodity that can be simply imported from countries or states with surplus. I think these are too simplistic. I am more deeply convinced that we need the New Evangelization: The reminder that we are all called to be disciples of Jesus Christ, and called to serve Him, some as priests, religious, and deacons, others in holy marriages and dedicated single life. We need our hearts awakened to the reality that the Sacraments are not commodities bought and sold, dispensed by indentured servants of the Church, but the Sacraments are encounters with the Risen Lord, visible signs of God's grace. The solution: Prayer! Pray that we may have hearts and lives open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Pray that our homes would become domestic Churches where our fathers would be humble witnesses to the power of God's love, mothers a living sign of God's care, and children are able to be open to His call. Pray that our parishes and schools may be places of encounter with the Lord, and help all discern God's will.

In Christ,

Fr. Todd

Sunday, June 10, 2018

10 Sunday OT B '18 - Satan's Scheme

Posted: 10 Jun 2018 12:58 PM PDT

Satan is real, and while the war with him is already won by Christ, we battle with him yet, and he uses three schemes: Denial, deception/distortion, and distraction. Our response: the Holy Spirit! Readings are found at http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/061018.cfm Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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Sunday, June 3, 2018

Corpus Christi B '18 - Sacrifice

Posted: 03 Jun 2018 10:06 AM PDT

As we celebrate the Feast to the Body and Blood of Christ, do we recognize sacrifice of Christ and the new Covenant He establishes? Readings are found at http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/060318.cfm Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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