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Showing posts from 2019

Deacon Greg 12-15-19

Entrance Antiphon: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near. (Phil 4: 4-5) This is a time for rejoicing: It's Gaudete Sunday, which is the Sunday of JOY, not only because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent, but because there is a joyous anticipation that we’re almost there... And fulfilled promise is once again reminding us that a new part of us is about to be born! Advent is a time Prayer & Penance in preparation, with an expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into the world and the anticipation of his second coming to judge the living and the dead. In a sense, the baby Jesus has already entered our lives in a way that calls us to grow... Grow to understand that in our adult faith, we must make adult decisions to stay prepared and ready for our call to Discipleship! Let’s walk a quick journey through the Scripture from last week until now. Last Sunday John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of J

Deacon Greg's Homily 11-17-19

( A Note from Greg: As usual, I tend to stray from scripts.  Today was one of those days... LOL!  This is the basic shell, so I apologize if this written form seems a little choppy and without flow.  Also, I'm freely admitting that I tend to gravitate (in just about every case) towards emphasizing our call to Discipleship... It's becoming who I am, what I do.) While it’s always a joy to proclaim the Gospel, today’s message is definitely sobering! Don’t get lost in the doom and gloom, but see the promise of the victory that is coming… In a way, our 0ur Psalm today summarizes and defines where we are in this journey of faith: The Lord comes to rule the earth, he will rule the world with justice and the peoples with equity. Fr. Bryan has been emphasizing our continuous call as disciples. Fr. Anil last week called on us to live with an awareness of death, knowing that there is indeed a resurrection. And Fr. Phil has been calling it our “November Spirituality.” Along with

Deacon Greg's Homily 9-29-19

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. Hopefull

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 Read

Deacon Greg's Homily 8-18-19

I can’t help but begin with a heartfelt thanks to Fr. Bryan, Deacons Dan, Darrell and Kevin, my fellow Staff Members, and you all for the amazing level of prayers and support during my absence this Summer. I had my right hip replaced back in early May, and was surprised by an unexpected revisit to the hospital between Father’s Day and and July 4th to deal with a bout of some infection. While I’m a month behind where I’d like to be in my physical therapy, I am progressing nice and slow towards what I hope to be a level of physical independence and continued good health! If you know me, you know that I love my music! And being a brat of the early 80’s, I have to make the connection with today’s Psalm and the Super Music Group U2. In my later days of high school, they released a song simply entitled “40.” The lyrics of the song, while a different translation, are the very same as today’s Responsorial Psalm, Psalm 40. And while I might be the only one with the tune in my head, the s

Deacon Greg's Homily 4-28-19

Let us begin with a prayer... Lord Jesus, we trust in you, as you are our giver of mercy and our font of life. Loving Lord, continue to be our healer, our teacher, our Savior and our friend... Lord Jesus, we trust in you. May all that we are remain in your hands! AMEN* Easter Sunday Morning… Greeting: Mary saw the risen Lord and told the Apostles God’s Action: RESURRECTION! Mary Magdeline: Tell the Apostles the Good News Reaction: Disbelief - Peter and a few ran to the Tomb to SEE Later That Same Day… Greeting: The Doors Were Locked: Jesus Came and Stood in Their Midst (Peace Be With You!) God’s Action: Jesus Breathed on Them (Receive the Holy Spirit - Christ’s Divine Mercy instituting the Sacrament of Reconciliation) Reaction:  “We’ve seen the Lord!” Thomas: “Unless I See… I Will Not Believe!” A Week Later… Greeting:  The Doors Were Locked: Jesus Came and Stood in Their Midst (Peace Be With You!) Jesus' Action: Touch & Believe Thomas' Reaction: My

Deacon Greg’s Homily 3-31-19

It’s Lætare Sunday! The word Lætare is latin for the word “Rejoice,” and is traditionally used in today’s Entrance Antiphon - “Rejoice O Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful all who were in mourning; exalt and be satisfied!” Also known as “Refreshment Sunday” or “Mi Carême”, which is French for “Mid-Lent”. No matter the phrase or title, today, we are half way there… Oh, and another thing… Why these special readings last Sunday, today, and next Sunday? Our RCIA Elect, our class of Catechumens to be Baptized and Candidates for full reception into the Church are participating in The Scrutinies of Lent, a special period of Purification and Enlightenment, praying for enlightenment of heart, to see the places in their lives in which they most need God’s forgivingness and mercy! Therefore, as an answer to the question, we are asked to support them, and follow on this journey with them. And whether they are here at this Mass or not, their opportunity to prepare for the Easter Sacr

Deacon Greg’s Homily 2-17-19

Blessed are are those who guide us… Fr. Bryan and Fr. Thomas… for they continue to know the love of God is the hearts of those that they encounter each day in their ministry, helping shepherd this flock of ours! Last week, Fr. Thomas offered us three very poignant questions regarding discipleship. Are you weak enough to fully trust in God? Are you broken enough to share yourself with others? Are you afraid enough of sin, so as to follow Christ? This week, I encourage you to note Fr. Bryan’s Bulletin Reflection, where he asks us to trust in what God wants vs. what the world wants. He asks us to BE like the tree planted near the water, always staying close to the source of life that helps us grow! Blessed are you, in spite of the day to day challenges, who still live out your faith, who still reach out and serve, and who still trust that God will continue to provide all that we need… Even if it is in His time, and not ours! - Can I get an Amen? We had a little reminder this past w

Deacon Greg's Homily 1-20-19

We were well represented at this past Friday’s March for Life in Washington DC as our High School Youth walked for each of us, as we seek to protect the precious lives of the unborn. We are in the middle of the International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and tomorrow is Martin Luther King Day. I invite you to keep all that these represent close to your heart as we reflect on today’s Word… There’s a quote on the Montgomery Civil Rights Memorial that quotes the Prophet Amos saying, “Until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.” Our US Bishops offer that Christian communities "become newly aware of their unity as they join in a common concern and a common response to an unjust reality. This is the spirit of unity, faith and patience of a people who long for God’s promise.  A few weeks ago I joined Fr. Bryan, Betsy and the CCM Group for UAH at the SEEK Conference in Indianapolis… I was able to dwell upon the various blessings and challenges t