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Deacon Dan’s Homily 10-20-19

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This weekend we must attend to two phenomena.

The first is that this weekend is designated as “World Mission Sunday.” As such, we are taking up a second collection in support of Missionaries throughout the world. We thank you for your generosity in advance.

But we cannot let this day of remembrance past without acknowledging the history of this parish and diocese. Our very existence comes on the missionary shoulders of the past Fr. Murphy, Mgr. Sexton, and Father O’Kennedy who left their home and hearth to preach and sanctify the People of God of Alabama

We must also express our gratitude to the recent missionaries among us. Fr. Anil, Fr. Thomas, Fr. Joy’s(both the tall and the short) who have all left their native land to serve us in the ways of the Gospel, to offer us access to the Sacraments.

Without each one of them, the life of this particular parish in our particular diocese would be greatly diminished if not nonexistent.

So, join me in expressing our communal gratefulness

The Gospe…
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Deacon Kevin’s Homily 10-20-19

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29th Sunday in Ordinary Time – “The Battle of Prayer”

In a rather unique way, the First Reading ties into the Gospel’s theme of prayer, and the need to be persistent. For prayer is a battle, and the war that we wage is a spiritual one. If we fail to lift up our hands in prayer, we will lose the spiritual battle. Just as surely as the Israelites lost ground in their physical battle against Amalek, when Moses’ hands grew weary. If we become distracted, or attached to some material thing or activity, we may suffer separation from God, the one to Whom we pray. And if we fail to pray, how can we expect God to render justice to us in our need?

The Catechism (2765) puts it this way, “Prayer is both a gift of grace and a determined response on our part. It always presupposes effort. The great figures of prayer of the Old Covenant before Christ, as well as the Mother of God, the Saints, and He Himself, all teach us this: prayer is battle. Against whom? Against ourselves and against the wil…
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Deacon Greg's Homily 9-29-19

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Here are a few very basic points from 130 years of Catholic Social Teaching: 
God intended the earth and everything in it for the sake of all human beings. Thus, in justice, created goods should flow fairly to all. All other rights are subordinated to this principle. All have a right to private ownership, but this right is subordinate to the common good. Therefore, wealth and possessions must be understood as ours to steward rather than something to possess absolutely.
No person (or nation) may have a surplus if others do not have the basic necessities. Thus, no one may appropriate surplus goods solely for his own private use when others lack the bare necessities for life. People are obliged to come to the relief of the poor. With regards to society, The motivating concern for the poor - who are, in the very meaningful term, "the Lord's poor" - must be translated at all levels into concrete actions, until it decisively attains a series of necessary reforms.

Hopefully…
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Deacon Kevin’s Homily 9-29-19

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26th Sunday in Ordinary Time – “Indifference”

The word that jumps out at me from Today’s Gospel is “Indifference.” There are two characters, and the way Jesus describes them, well, they just could not be more different. One is rich, and his wealth is described in excessive terms, ‘dressed in purple garments and dining sumptuously every day.’ The rich man has all this status, but God sees differently than man sees. So different, in fact, that Jesus does not even give the rich man a name. He is presumed to be likeevery other man, even like us. For we judge by appearance, while God judges the heart.

In contrast, we hear about Lazarus, poor and hungry, in bad health with sores covering his body. Lazarus lives outside the rich man’s door, presumably in the streets, where stray dogs come and lick his sores. In the eyes of the Pharisees, they see Lazarus as thelowest of sinners, who must have done terrible things to merit such lack of favor before God. And yet, Jesus proves them wrong by ele…
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Deacon Dan’s 9-29-19

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Much can be learned from the parable of this weekend’s Gospel

First, we learn that there is indeed life after death. Second, we can appreciate the reality that in that post-death life, there are differences. Some experience that after death life in comfort. Others experience that after death life in agony.

The question each of us at one time or another ahs ask ourselves or should ask ourselves is Which of those two modes will I experience? Will I spend eternity in comfort or discomfort?

The answer to that question is found in a simple self-assessment. How true have I been to the biblical call to live just life?

Our first reading comes from the Prophet Amos. His writing is found among those who are called the minor prophets. They are minor not because their message is less important than the likes of Isaiah, Ezekiel ad Jeremiah. No, they are minor because they are concise in their writing and precise in their message.

Amos is known as the prophet of social justice. His words are direct a…
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Deacon Greg’s Homily 9-8-19

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There a some key and challenging themes in our readings today for us to consider...
Do we truly TRUST God and the plan that is set before us? Are we OPEN to the Holy Spirit, or it just a part of the Trinity, and a nice concept that comforts our intellect? How are we at BEARING OUR CROSSES? I’ll go ahead and speak to this one: We do a lot of denying or negotiating for something as minimal as possible! Do we practice the faith so as to become more USEFUL, or are we just part of the club? What are our PRIORITIES, and what should they be? Who or what is really first in our minds? Lastly, and something that we’ve been reflecting on a lot recently: What does it means to be a DISCIPLE?  Wisdom ask that age old question: Who can know God’s plan? How many times have you heard someone say, “I’m trying to cone to and understanding of what God’s plan is for me.” Or, “I’m praying that God reveals his plan.” Or, “I believe that God’s plan us calling me to...” In a way, our First Reading takes the…
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Deacon Kevin’s Homily 9-8-19

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23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – “Our Daily C-R-O-S-S”

Today’s Gospel is not an easy one to hear. It starts with Jesus saying to be His disciple we must hate our families and even our own lives, and it ends with a demand to renounce all our possessions. Oh, and in the middle, there is this issue of carrying our own cross. We know that Jesus died on the cross, as we are reminded of every time we look at a crucifix, such as the one we have above our altar today. But what does it mean to carry our own cross? And how are we to carry such a heavy burden?

I suggest that to help answer these questions, we can look at the word “Cross,” itself, to find some clues. “C – R – O – S – S.”

C is for Conversion - carrying our cross is a daily process. It is not a one-time event, but a life-long process that requires effort in prayer, Sacraments, and service. We may encounter Jesus on the way, and we may experience His great love and mercy. Awesome. But what about the next day, when we stumble. What then?…
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